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Public Relations and Publicity Test
Christopher Knab
FourFront Media & Music
Test Your Public Relations and Publicity
Knowledge
The following questions should be answered "True" or
"False". Click on "true or false?" for answers.
- It is essential to know someone personally in the media to
receive
free publicity.
True or false?
- Sending invitations to the media for record release parties,
concerts,
showcases, and any other music oriented events is a waste of time
because
no one in the media has the time to attend such functions.
True
or false?
- Record Labels that advertise in the print and broadcast media
are offered
free publicity based on the amount of money they spend on ads.
True or false?
- Magazines, Newspapers, and Trade Publications that cover
music are
only concerned with interviewing and featuring well known
artists.
True or false?
- Holding the media hostage by telling them
you will only advertise in their publications if they feature your music
in a review, article or interview is an effective way to get the media to
support your music.
True or false?
- It is more effective to promote a one-time concert, or
special event,
than it is to regularly seek publicity for all newsworthy
activities of
an artist.
True or false?
- Sending a check to a charity or non-profit organization is a
good way to get publicity for a band or artist.
True or false?
- An effective way to get publicity for a concert or a new CD
release
is to send money to a media representative, or buy them a special
gift.
True or false?
- It is a good idea to call a media person at work to ask them
for a CD review, or a concert plug.
True or false?
- The only publicity or public relations effort that matters is
when
large and influential publications and broadcast stations mention
your
music.
True or false?
Public Relations and Publicity Answers
-
False: There are thousands of newspapers,
magazines, fanzines, as well as radio and television stations throughout
the U.S. and around the world. Whereas it is always wise to establish contacts,
and create relationships in the music business, never forget that the
media needs information. If your message is relevant or newsworthy
for their target audience they have more of a reason to use your information.
True or false?
- False: Granted, the competition for
media
attention is at an all time high. We live in an era when
everybody and
their sister make their own music. However, if your music, and
the Image
you project are suited for the magazine, newspaper, and radio
station you
have carefully researched, then your chances for coverage in the
media
increase greatly.
True or false?
- False: Let's just say that any
media publication
or broadcast station that is solely concerned with doing favors
for their
advertisers will eventually lose touch with their readers or
listeners.
They succeed only when they deliver news and information that
their audience
is interested in. Will your music help them reach that goal?
However, an
artist, or a Record Label that has a budget for consistent
advertising,
and a track record of financial success, is far more likely to
get a lot
of free publicity because of the "party train" factor.
Where
there is success, there you will find the media "getting on
board".
True or false?
- False: Finding new talent, and
helping them
reach more potential fans is an important function of the media.
And, once
again, when consistent relationships exist in the media, it is
far easier
to get reviews, calendar listings, articles, and interviews.
Remember,
anyone in the music business who invests their time and money
supporting
an artist, will see their careers progress as the artist's career
progresses.
True or false?
- False: Really False! This is the
worst thing
a band or artist can do. The idea is to make friends in the
media, not
enemies. (You'll get those without much effort, I can assure
you.). The
media and music business is a business of opinions attached to
"characters"
attached to egos, attached to dollars and a lot of cents.
True or false?
- False: The truth is that there is
no such
thing as a "one time publicity campaign". Working an
act is just
that...work. See a publicity and public relations campaign
as a
career long commitment. Checkout any current celebrity who has
been around
the block a few times, and you will be noticing the results of
the long-term
publicity concept.
True or false?
- False: Performing for
a charity
or non-profit organization is the way to go. Writing a s check is
a nice
gesture, but think of doing benefit concerts for
charities, or a
political or social cause of some kind. The media are far more
open to
publicizing this type of event, than an ordinary concert. It also
helps
their "warm and fuzzy" community standing to get
involved with
such events.
True or false?
- False: Refer to
question #5
again. Remember, the idea is to establish relationships, not
get a
reputation for being into payola, a stigma attached to the big
record companies
since the 1950's. Basically, it comes down to this. Be a good
human being!.
Be respectful of the media, and conduct your publicity and public
relations
ethically, and professionally. You will last a lot longer, and
enjoy your
work a lot more too.
True or false?
- False: It is always appropriate to
"follow
up" on press releases that have been sent, and send thank
you letters
when a review, mention, or article was written; but NEVER call
the media
to initially inform them of any newsworthy event.
True or false?
- False: "All publicity is good
publicity"
is an old saying. And it is basically true. Even the smallest
comment or
mention in a neighborhood newspaper, a music fanzine, a gossip
column,
or a plug by a college radio DJ is worthwhile. See all publicity
successes
as steps forward toward the larger media exposure opportunities.
True or false?
Scoring
9 or 10: Media HipMeister
7 or 8: Sassy and Savvy
5 or 6: Mild Mannered Mediot
3 or 4: Neophyte
2 or less: Sucker
Christopher Knab
FourFront Media & Music
Throughout his twenty-five year career in the music business, Christopher Knab has
shared his experiences at many industry conventions and conferences, including the
New Music Seminar, the Northwest Area Music Business Conference, and numerous radio
industry seminars. Mr. Knab is also currently an instructor in the music/video business
program offered by the Art Institute of Seattle.
FourFront Media & Music
3825 34th Ave. W.
No. 7
Seattle, Washington 98199
(206) 282-6116
Chris@Knab.com
http://www.knab.com
Copyright © 1996 Christopher Knab
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