So, the Features really want to fill Rocketown at the record release show on september 13th and they have decided to use handbills (quarter sheet of paper with band and show info to pass out at various places to get the word out). Several people have told me that handbills are stupid and usually indicate that the band using them to promote their shows are lame and are relying on annoying marketing techniques instead of good music.

How do you feel?

Also feel free to suggest additional sources of (cheap) marketing that you think works well.

Carol sucks.

(Edited by carligula at 4:26 pm on Aug. 28, 2004)

I've already told you this, but I think handbills do more harm than good. Maybe they'll get one or two extra people to one particular show, but:

a) It looks amateurish: The Features didn't get where they are by handing out fliers. They got where they are because they are good and people spread the word that they are good. If I see a band constantly giving out handbills, I just assume they aren't good, because if they were, I probably would have heard about them through other means.

b)It's annoying to me: Everyone's heard the Mitch Hedberg joke that giving people handbills is like saying, "here, you throw this away." Between smokes, lighter, wallet, keys, and phone, I've got enough shit to carry around. As soon as you turn around I'm going to throw it away, or possibly on the floor/ground if it is significantly more convenient.

c)It's annoying to venues: The Exit/In was targeted to be handbill central last night (you guys missed a fucking awesome show there, by the way. If you're really hipster music snobs, you would have been at The Raveonettes, anyway...), and if something didn't go wrong at the printer, I'm sure the proprietors of the Exit/In would not have appreciated having to clean up all the fliers that people like me throw on the floor, especially considering it was for a show in another venue.

d)I don't like strangers touching my car. Not that I really care about my car, it's just the principle of the thing.

e)etc.

So, in conclusion- I think handbills are lame.

I especially agree on a and b.

I think a big write-up in the scene and the Tennessean and another clever flier carefully put on local bulletin boards will work just fine. The timing of the show is perfect to bring out all borderline fans to the release party of the Features: they won't be able to get the album earlier from some other source, and they'll get a Features show with it at no extra cost. Getting some people to promote it at local schools is a good thing.

I really don't know how effective it is to do handbills. I know I've never gone to a show because of one. Seriously, I come to this board to keep me informed of all upcoming shows (with noteworthy exceptions like Seth Timbs tonight at Liquid Smoke and Mike Watt at The End in October...)

I voted for "Handbills are annoying and bands that pass them out are lame." I have no problem with bands putting up fliers or signs or whatever you want to call them. Put them on every telephone pole for all I care. But DO NOT try to hand me anything and DO NOT put anything on my car. I suppose leaving a stack of handbills on the counter at a record store would be okay.

As the infinitely wise Mitch Hedberg said: "When someone hands you a flier, what they're really saying is, 'Here, you throw this away.'"

booooo.

handbills, flyers, posters, stickers, buttons...i say bring it all on.

come on. if you don't want it, throw it away. wait, i'm sorry...that was insensitive to the feelings of trees. if you don't want it, take it to your nearest recycling bin.

the handbill equals lame band and/or amateur band? no way. the handbill equals excited. some little creation that says somebody cares can't be bad. besides, being amateur and being professional are both in the eye of the beholder.

It's great to have you back, SSB!






But you're wrong.

keith is right. they're just a nuisance, like little real-life pop-up ads. i know very well who i am and what i like--getting some dumb flyer has never influenced me one way or another to go to a show. i'm not going to categorically condemn their use, because, like the jedi mind-trick, they may well influence weak-minded individuals. it just doesn't work on me.

I put handbills on the cars on elliston and surrounding areas saturday night. (I did not however offer any handjobs as recommended by that other thread.)

I think it's important to point out that there is a difference between passing out handbills to get people to see a band they've never heard of and promoting a specific show. If new bands do that, it's lame and probably ineffective. The Features, however, are clearly well-established and most everyone has heard of them even if they haven't seen them play or even heard their music. Plus, they're playing this show with two other huge names (Feable Weiner and De Novo Dahl), which only adds to the familiarity of this show. The fact that two bands on the bill were nominated as best pop/rock band by the nashville Scene has to say something.

The band/management didn't decide to do this to get people to discover the Features-- they decided to do it so that everyone in town knows about this gigantic and important show. I just wish they had included the website on the handbill so people can check them out beforehand.

Yeah, i think Carl has the right outlook here. The Features are established enough in this area to just collect on previous word-of-mouth exposure. In this case the handbills are more of a reminder than a sales pitch. I think it will achieve the desired result.

I agree with you guys. Normally they are very annoying, however people don't care if its a band they'd want to go see. And, as someone has already said, this is more of a reminding announcement than a call for new fans. Unfortunately (or fortunately) not everyone checks a message board or the WWW to see when a band is playing. Additionally, school is just starting back and there are probably a lot of out-of-towners who are out of the loop.

I was leaving my first class today and I noticed a guy sitting around wearing a Features t-shirt. I asked him if he was going to the release show, and said he didn't know anything about it, so I whipped out the handbill Carl gave me on Saturday. He seemed really excited and said he liked both De Novo Dahl and Feable Weiner, so he and his friends will probably go. I told him that they'll get the album included in the price of admission, and then he said they'll definately come. My job here is done.

I love you, Ashley.

And She Sayeth Unto Them "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."

I love you guys too. I'm glad I kept it in my purse.

it would achieve desired results regardless.

handbills suck


i completely and whole heartledly agree with this.

in related news
i've been pimping them online again to some select people and everyone has loved them. and i have a boy from glasgow, ky coming down because he loved the mp3s and videos and wants to see them live.

(Edited by sinasugarsick at 5:03 pm on Aug. 30, 2004)

Awesome-- good job! I love you, too.

you don't love me

you love my....

dO u CyBeR?

a / S / L ???

18/f/tn usa
u???

i'M n tN 2!!!!!

15 / f / tN