And if you haven’t gotten an email response from the reviewer, give her a call, ask if she got your press release and if she needs anymore info from you. If a bigger publication wants to review you, they’ll want to see that you are a band on the rise and have been garnering press wherever you go. That gives a nice backdrop as it leads into the job description, and any language around the company’s mission, values, awards won and nonprofits they support can also be helpful to promoting the company, culture and values. But the fundamental excitement of the ad must describe a great company, a great job and the commitment the employer has to develop employees.”. But most want everything contained in the email and want to just copy and paste and click through links. I can’t tell you how many times I have reached out to press outlets with an email very similar to the one above, where I have never received a response, BUT I got either a full preview of my show in the paper/blog or they copy/pasted my press release. Outlining the thinking behind your decision helps to give the employee some closure and reassure them that the layoff was not unfairly conducted. You should put a contact email at the top and the bottom of the press release. Hearing a few examples might also be helpful as you think about how to write a public service announcement. Find out how often (weekly, daily, monthly). If you have never received press, there is a very slim chance that you will get an album review in a popular blog or nationally distributed magazine. Your privacy is our priority. Downloading is too slow, takes up space and is too much work. What do all successful musicians have in common? No. Here are strategies and tips that can help you attract the best candidates with your job ad. So before issuing a notice letter, arrange a meeting to inform the employee of termination face-to-face. Other times you’ll need an interesting story that sets you apart from every other band playing a show in town that night. “Red Pills Bring Their Fire/Rock Show To Birmingham” is better. And if your ad doesn’t bring in the candidates you’re seeking, update the ad and see if you get a better response.”, Related Topics: Employer, Hiring, Job Posting, Best Practices. Please read this before your next band photo shoot, The most common mistake artists make when sharing their new music, How to get verified on Amazon Music for Artists. 1) Do Your Research. Save all the early reviews you get. What do you like? [This article was written by Ari Herstand and originally appeared on Ari’s Take.]. Free musician guides A press release is a one-page, objective (ish) fact sheet illuminating the who/what/where/why/and/when of your event. If you can’t find an email on the website, most likely they’ll have a contact phone number listed. Sell your music Matt Krumrie is a career columnist and professional resume writer who has been providing helpful information and resources for job seekers and employers for 15+ years. Avoid nonsense If you are announcing bad news, make a direct, no-nonsense statement. If you’re wondering how to write a job ad, you’re not alone. Provide the contact details of an HR representative in the letter. CD Baby Podcast DIY Musician Conference, Your Songs + Our Tools = Musical Independence, More Resources For Musicians You see this statement in many press releases sent out by companies announcing things like a new iPhone or what not. Upworthy and Buzzfeed are masters at click baiting and are trumping nearly every traditional news outlet’s digital traffic. “While we hope that writing an employment ad will magically attract only perfect candidates, that isn’t typically the case,” says Twin Cities HR consultant Arlene Vernon, President of HRx and a speaker and small business advisor on all things human resources. Rolling Stone, Pitchfork and the bunch get inundated with more music than they have bandwidth for. This needs to be first so the reviewer (or reader) can easily find this information and they immediately know what this event is. And, of course, make sure you get the contact email and name of the music or community events reviewer. The ad needs to attract them to you but if there’s no substance to the posting, if they can’t understand the responsibilities after reading the ad, and if it’s too broadly written you won’t attract the right people. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all job ad or template that works for every job, industry or company, but there are strategies and tips to follow that can help you attract the best candidates through writing a job ad. So make it readable and enticing. But most important is that you write an ad that honestly and clearly describes the opportunity to prospective candidates. Author Bio: Ari Herstand is a Los Angeles based singer/songwriter and the creator of the music biz advice blog Ari’s Take. Your music on Resso, TikTok’s new sister streaming app. This discussion might also bring to light certain queries and concerns that you can then address in the letter. I try to moderate comments twice daily, but hey, weekends and crazy times happen. You will probably also want to get a legal team and the employee’s manager to check over the letter before sending it. Your best chance for media coverage is your hometown papers, magazines and blogs or local publications in cities you’re touring to. Regardless of how they listen to your music, they all want a press release. Your tone should be considerate and respectful. Don’t beat around the bush in an attempt to soften the blow. If you don’t get a response, follow up a week later. Even if you are not required by law to provide a reason for termination in the letter, most agree it’s still a good idea. This section serves as a summary and analysis for all of the research you've done so far. [hana-code-insert name=’pr-music-featured’ /], Build a website Be careful not to make it seem too braggy. DIY Musician Conference Publication Research. And “dynamic, energetic environment” can mean “constantly changing, perhaps chaotic.” Or “entrepreneurial setting” can mean “very little structure and candidate should be ok being self-directed.”, “Every company wants to portray itself in the best light and use euphemistic words and at the same time capture their company’s strengths and challenges,” says Laukka. Make sure you write a notice letter that covers the following: • What date will final payment be made, and by what means? Make sure it is very clear who the reviewer should contact. “But that’s up to you. A number of specific issues need to be addressed in the letter so that the employee understands how details of the termination will work. If you like, I can put our vinyl record and/or CD in the mail for your consideration. Go through the list above and try to spot areas where you can do much better than the competitors you’ve researched. -Ari Herstand (The Red Pills manager/guitarist). I’ve included a link to our album, new music video and the press release below. I’d say about 20% of my press coverage has been a publication (online or in print) literally reprinting my press release. Before contacting the reviewer, make sure you do a bit of research on the publication. Make sure they actually cover Arts and Entertainment. Giving yourself one week does not. Something newsworthy. You’ll most likely reach the receptionist. This is your final effort to showcase to the reviewer why she should cover your event or band and to the reader why he should come out to your show, watch your music video, listen to your album. If you’re posting an online job ad with unlimited length, Vernon recommends including a bulleted “soft” version of the job description. Giving yourself a 4 week window allows for followups. A compassionate organization will go out of its way to help the terminated employee make the transition smoothly. Our new song, “I Hope I Never Know” was just featured on Parenthood on NCB last week. One way to analyze job ad is to look at the ads your competitors are writing for similar positions within your organization? And, uh, how bout a review? “So apply what makes sense to you. Are You Limiting Candidates With Biased Job Ads? It is good to understand the meaning of a memo before you proceed to encrypt one so that you can be, of what you … Add the best to your website. Mention that you’d be willing to connect them with outplacement services (if this is company policy), and offer to write a service letter to prove conditions of termination and a reference letter to help them find a new job promptly. “As you can see, there’s no one single correct answer to this question,” says Vernon. Tell us why you love CD Baby and win some sweet gear! If it is relevant to the position, include that required info in the job ad, says Vernon. Remember, being laid off is stressful, so do what you can to ease the anxiety. Make sure they actually cover Arts and Entertainment. Learn more: ZipRecruiter, Inc. © All Rights Reserved Worldwide, How to Write a Job Ad: Best Practices and Tips, Susan Heathfield, Human Resources Expert for about.com. Do not clutter up their inbox or make them download an attachment. Evaluate their ads and borrow/tweak accordingly to strengthen your ad. How do I format my artist name correctly? Writing a job ad is one more reflection of a company culture and brand, says Elizabeth Laukka (@elizabethlaukka), a recruiter specializing in placing advertising, public relations and digital professionals. 6 things you should do before you finish your recording session. Hi Kim, Minneapolis based, The Red Pills, are stopping through Denver on October 3rd as part of our 50 date US tour. How can the employee continue participation in policies on their own? Why does my story deserve coverage?”. Turn your Spotify track or YouTube video into an interactive ad that reaches real music fans online, HearNow announces donation link option on profiles, CD Baby licensing VP featured in Synchtank interview, How many albums did Eric ‘RAVO’ Bravo have to…. **Directly below your signature should be the press release beginning with the title. There can be hidden meanings behind the language. Let me know if you’d like to setup an interview with the band for a piece in the Denver Post. Call (877) 252-1062 (6am - 6pm PST) or Contact Us. Titles should be to the point, but exciting enough for a reviewer to look further. Yes, I know you’d like every publication to talk about how this new album of yours will be generation defining, but the local newspaper is trying to bring the most interesting story to its readers. A show. Sell your music with CD Baby So your press release gets reprinted. An ad that’s too generic, will attract candidates who are too generic – and that wastes everyone’s time. This is where you list the background of your band, your interesting story and accolades. If you're wondering how to write a job ad, you're not alone. 1-2 sentences. If your press release looks and feels like a real article, reporters will often just file it as a story with minimal editing. • Will all company benefits end on their termination date? “Create a title that tells the candidate what the job is. “Beyond that, the ad should attempt reflect the company’s culture, and attempt to attract the types of candidates the company wants to hire,” says Heathfield. If this is a general tour press release, you can discuss the tour here (50 date US tour with stops at local children’s hospitals in 20 cities). And right now it’s that you are going to put on a great show in their town. What would you change? Before you write a word, it’s a good idea to examine the initial job offer made to the employee, as well as any other relevant material (like orientation correspondence and handbooks), just to double-check that employment is, in fact, at-will and to make sure you haven’t forgotten about specific commitments to the staff member. This letter type serves this purpose. The reason it’s, dare I say, easy to get press when you’re on tour is because local publications are always looking for material – especially the daily papers. Oftentimes the music reviewer runs out of time and needs to fill content. Not a press release, not a promo photo, not a song. If it’s an entry level position or only requires 2+ years of experience, clearly state that. You don’t want disgruntled ex-employees bad-mouthing the organization on social media, so be sure to recognize their value and contribution. Only include the background info that’s most interesting. A charity event. This approach will only get in the way of clarity and sound inauthentic. “Make sure the ad title isn’t your internal company jargon,” says Vernon. Somos Música - Portuguese That said, be wary of launching into a lengthy account of what led to this point – if you waffle, you could say something that gives the employee grounds for legal recourse. All rights reserved. A Dance Off. All you need to do is then ask “Hi, I’m looking for Kim Smith’s email.” Yes, learn the name of the music reviewer before calling. Every press release should have a title. Many times a publication will reprint your press release word for word. Pick up the damn phone and call and ask. If the reviewer needs more info, she’ll ask. Information about the event. Help a candidate know the priorities and values of a company and assess whether it’s a match with their own values and interests, says Laukka. The release of a music video. Similarly, explaining criteria that were used to decide who goes and who stays highlights that the process was objective and unbiased. The birth of your baby (if you’re a celebrity). Try to show empathy, but also don’t sugarcoat the facts or be overly emotional and apologetic. There is a different way to approach local, national, digital and print outlets. And remember, never make it longer than a page. Arrange a meeting where they can ask more questions. The terminated worker provided the company with a service during employment, so don’t forget to thank them for this (if the circumstances of the layoff warrant such a message). While some states require that you divulge your reason for termination, others do not. "You want to take this research and do it in an organized and systematic way so that you can create an actionable strategy or actionable intelligence from it," Garrison says. © 2020, Bold Limited. Who, what, where, why, when, how much. I get a lot of questions about press. “If an applicant fails to follow instructions, their application is not a valid application,” says Heathfield (@SusanHeathfield) . There’s no use sending a press release to let a reviewer know that you have a 3 month old album out. Music Copyright Guide For Indie Musicians. The difference between Rolling Stone’s music editorial staff and the La Crosse Tribune music editorial “staff” (person) is one of them has a backlog of tens of thousands of CDs waiting to be reviewed and the other is in constant need of material. The cover letter can help you assess writing skills as well as acquire more information.”. Sometimes just being a touring band playing a reputable venue in their town is enough to get a few paragraphs. Sometimes all it takes is a phone call to sift your email out of the pile. MúsicoDIY - Spanish. It is also important that an employer’s fundamental requirements like education and experience are shared. If you don’t get a response, follow up a week later. Although the language you use when you write a notice letter shouldn’t be robotic and unfeeling, make sure your wording is clear, straightforward, and specific. Of course everyone wants a 5 star album review in Rolling Stone or an 8.7 in Pitchfork, but you have to be realistic about your press pursuits. DO NOT ATTACH IT TO THE EMAIL. For example, a “garden level apartment” can mean “basement”. The receptionist will have this information and gladly give it to you. RULE #3: Write it like a reporter would write it. It is with great sorrow that I write this letter to inform you of the passing of my father after a fatal accident that took place on 12 th January 2020. Always check the publication in print and online when you tour through the city. Other interesting information. You can hear a :30 second and a :60 second example that we produced for the USDA called “Eat Smart, Play Hard,” on healthy food choices and staying active. It’s always a good idea to deliver news like this in person – it shows the employee that you respect them and recognize the weight of this decision. Congrats to 13 CD Baby artists nominated for Latin Grammys in 2020! To prove that you did write a notice letter that set out the terms of termination, ask the employee to sign a copy of the document and keep it on file. It should include the primary tasks in understandable terms so readers can decide if it’s the right position for them. Chances are, being a touring band in their small town will be enough to get you some ink, and possibly even an included photo. This is not tough to find. Giving yourself one week does not. How to make cover art for your album or single — for free, Promoting your live stream events on Spotify, The truth about LIVE-STREAMING on Facebook (Musicians, DON’T panic!!! “So when writing a description I make sure candidates know what they are applying for and that our descriptions are attracting the right culture fit which is so important when hiring.”. Learn more about Krumrie via resumesbymatt.com, connect with him on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/mattkrumrie/) and follow him on Twitter via @MattKrumrie. It’s really important that the job ad is very clear about how candidates should apply and what is required for the application, says Susan Heathfield, Human Resources Expert for about.com. Are you REALLY monetizing your music on YouTube? This is how the employer will review applications to set up interviews. Will they also be paid out for any leave they didn’t use? How To Write a Good and Clear Memorandum What is a memorandum – definition. If this press release is sent by you, the reviewer will know you wrote it. Before you write a word, it’s a good idea to examine the initial job offer made to the employee, as well as any other relevant material (like orientation correspondence and handbooks), just to double-check that employment is, in fact, at-will and to make sure you haven’t forgotten about specific commitments to the staff member. Questions later make the digital version – and that wastes everyone ’ s an ad for a reviewer know you. 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Release looks and feels like how do you write a competition announcement research new era of press is also important that employer..., work samples how do you write a competition announcement research and salary requirements use sending a press release specific issues to., most likely they ’ ll need an interesting story that sets you apart from other... Company jargon, ” says Vernon “ Create a title that tells the candidate to have t your company! To strengthen your ad at the top and the creator of the pile birth. Birmingham ” is boring and how do you write a competition announcement research that were used to decide who goes and stays!