Band 101- Merch for the Beginner.

There could be an entire book written on the dos and don'ts of merch. (In fact, maybe I'll write one someday). For now, since last Monday's strip deals with a new band getting merch, I'll briefly address that aspect of it now.

Every band, even at their very first show, should have something with their band name and website on it to sell or give away. Just make sure not to make Manny's mistake and go into serious debt right away. Start small with stickers or buttons. You can get 250 stickers made for $20 including shipping at www.stickerguy.com so there is no excuse not to make some. In fact, it's a good idea to give these small items away at first. Every sticker or button out there with your name on it is advertising you everywhere it goes. Give stickers to the other bands that play. If they put one on their merch box, then every show they play people will see your band name. Just be sure to return the favor if they give you one.

It's also not a bad idea to have a CD to sell or give away right away. If you don't have a real recording, do the best you can with what you have, hand decorate a CD-R, and make some creative homemade packaging. Just make sure you don't charge people for a shoddy recording. If you are making demos, give them away.

If all else fails, handmade stuff can be a cool alternative. In fact, personalized CD packaging or other crafty type items may be interesting enough to bring people to your merch table in the first place.

The bottom line is this: always have something for people to keep with your name on it, or they will forget you before they get home. I'd give an example, but I forgot the name of the band I was going to tell you about. See what I mean?

Brax.

P.S. Happy birthday to Brendoman today!