Music is and always has been a powerful force that engenders some sort of emotional reaction in listeners. Who does not have a favorite song, singer, band or orchestra? There are so many genres, from the more recent blend of country and hip hop, to baroque classical and all styles in between. According to Gino Gavoni of Brand O' Guitars, "Music is a universal language that connects people everywhere."
And it isn't just the major concerts that come to town playing arenas, etc. (which typically have their promotional products needs fulfilled by major companies that sub-contract out embroidery and screen printing). There are numerous opportunities for promotional products distributors to strike the right chord.
All throughout the year, many communities and municipalities offer a variety of concerts, some free, some for a nominal fee, for locals to attend. An increasing number of communities are literally getting into the act, booking local bands for a summer series of popular music and tribute acts. Oldies acts are being booked more frequently at town fairs as headliners, and local acts are booked to warm up the stage.
Further, blues and jazz festivals are gaining in numbers. And let's not forget "street" performers, who play – and sell their homemade CDs – in spots outdoors around town in good weather, and local pubs and coffeehouses all year.
Add to this the music schools, such as New Jersey's School of Rock, dedicated to teaching kids and adults to play many forms of rock music on their choice of instrument, including voice. More music schools and academies are also cropping up. And this leads to the spirited formation of many a garage band often eventually booked to play at local events and parties.
Promotional Ideas
According to Margit Fawbush of BIC Graphic, "There are many unique ideas for outdoor music festivals. Lighters are actually a great idea. BIC Graphic is launching the BIC® Digital J26 Lighter with 360-degree full-color imprint capability. These are great souvenirs for music festivals. Stadium Cups are popular as an upgrade at the beer counter. For an extra buck or two, you can buy a branded cup and take home a reminder of the event. Lanyards are important for festival security and VIP passes. Captain’s Chairs are popular for souvenirs. Festivals can sell them at a great profit. Sports bottles are a great idea to help remind people to stay hydrated."
Scott Thaxton of Aprons, Etc. notes that any and all acts that are selling CDs, stickers and T-shirts (of course, you will be providing the T's and stickers, and pens) may also want to invest in a table cover with the band logo to draw immediate attention. "Bands and other musical acts are often allowed to set up a booth or table to sell their music and promotional products," he says.
Aprons, Etc. offers two options: The 6' flat, four-sided recyclable non-woven table Cover made from recyclable, non-woven polypropylene, and the 8' flat, four-sided dye sublimation table cover made from 100 percent textured polyester.
Perfect for corporate gifts, Brand O' Guitars offers logo-ability (wraps) on guitars, ukuleles, banjos, tambourines and drum sticks as well as record awards. "Our patent pending method for applying digitally printed artwork onto a guitar is exclusive to our products and is registered in the U.S. Patent Office and Library of Congress," says Gavoni, adding that all instruments are hand-wrapped in the USA. And lest you think this is way expensive, Gavoni assures, "Since 90% of promotional guitars are used as display pieces, lower cost models are generally preferred and Brand O’ stocks many of these models for quick turnaround."
Music festivals and events featuring music enlarge the opportunities to include drinkware, T-shirts and tanktops, headwear, and a myriad of other logo-ed items.
Those who make music, teach it, and book and promote it, are all around you. This can be an outstanding niche for any music-loving promotional campaign salesperson to carve out – and own!