Music Publicity and PR are two terms that have very different uses and definitions
Behind the Curtains Media works with artists on both publicity and PR
Publicity and public relations (PR) are closely related but have distinct differences.
Publicity is the act of gaining public attention or media coverage for an artist or band. It often refers to the information disseminated by media outlets without payment. PR primarily focuses on generating awareness and buzz and can be positive or negative. With publicity, there is less control over the message, as it is often generated by third-party media based on events or actions.
PR (public relations) is the broader strategic management of a brand or individual’s reputation, brand, and public identity. It involves building and maintaining a positive image. It is usually intentional and positive with a focus on managing and shaping perception. PR professionals have more control over the message, working to shape it proactively and reactively.
When we work with an artist at Behind the Curtains Media, we understand that there is no “one size fits all” for PR, publicity, and music marketing . Some artists balk at using social media to define and promote themselves, and some love to do nothing but post daily videos and stories. Some artists are prolific and perform regularly, some avoid the stage and prefer to be a studio artist. For any indie artist, developing effective PR is crucial to building a strong brand, connecting with audiences, and gaining media attention. Here are some strategies we use at Behind the Curtains Media to help indie artists develop their PR.
Develop your PR:
The first question we ask is, “What sets you apart and makes you distinctive in your particular music genre?”
We work with you on defining your branding and developing a consistent narrative that reflects your music style and message. This is not to be confused with you as a person, as we recommend keeping your ‘personal’ online posts and photos separate from your ‘public’ ones, meaning your band or artist pages. We spend time with you either at our studio or another NYC location where we will take photos, and videos, and help create a social media strategy that is appropriate, non-stressful, and beneficial to the artist and social media algorithm. Once we have identified your clear message, we post an EPK (electronic press kit) to our Behind the Curtains Site which can be directly linked to your artist website. Here is an example of a press kit on our site used for booking and publicity: Steve Ray Ladson
Collaborate with Influencers and Blogs
We show you how to reach out to independent music blogs or online publications to feature your work. Even smaller blogs can help generate early buzz and credibility. Eventually, we can help you collaborate with social media influencers who resonate with your style to reach new audiences. As you continue to grow, we can help you reach podcasts and local NYC festivals to further promote you and your music.
Publicity is more about gaining short-term attention, while PR involves the strategic management of a brand’s or individual’s long-term image and relationships. At Behind the Curtains Media, we start with building an artist or band’s PR, and when they are more established, we pitch music for publicity.
Contact [email protected] for more information.
