Promotion

[Oak Knoll]

feedback from metalstorm:
Hey Jeremy,

What term / amount of banner impressions are you interested in? We offer: 1 week / 1 month / 100.000 views / 500.000 views / 1 million views / 3 million views.

With weekly/monthly terms your banner will be displayed randomly together with 4 other banners (at most). With the pay-by-impressions we guarantee exactly the amount of impressions you pay for - you'll be able monitor them (and click-throughs) on a banner admin page.

As for reviews, you should contact Jeff, the chief reviewer. Here's his e-mail: jeff@metalstorm.ee

Here's another thing you might be interested in: MS Compilation: http://www.metalstorm.ee/compilation/Issued monthly and gets downloaded by thousands of our members - a great promotion for bands and new albums. Our past issues (http://www.metalstorm.ee/compilation/archive.php) feautured such bands as Amon Amarth, Sentenced, Nevermore, Fates Warning, King Diamond, Masterplan, Trail Of Tears and Dark Moor among dozens of other artists, sometimes with exclusive permission.

[Dead Wish]

Originally Posted by Eric Harvest

is there a way to change me from "junior member" to "band member?"

I guess you can change it by editing your profile.

Originally Posted by circus_brimstone

Also, sending out promos to more review sites would be beneficial.

I think it's an extremely important subject. When I search the Web, I see a few reviews of Oak Knoll bands. If we don't promote them by sending out promos to lots of webzines/zines, people won't be aware of the bands and label. I know, some zines don't review the stuff although you send them promos to be reviewed. But in my opinion, we should make a promo list and we need a person (or people) who will be able to deal with it.

Jeremy, can you finance it? We can help you to organize a promo list and other stuff. If we just release the albums and wait people to see them on our site without promotion, there won't be an increase in sales and awareness of people.

[circus_brimstone]

Originally Posted by Dead Wish

I think it's an extremely important subject. When I search the Web, I see a few reviews of Oak Knoll bands. If we don't promote them by sending out promos to lots of webzines/zines, people won't be aware of the bands and label. I know, some zines don't review the stuff although you send them promos to be reviewed. But in my opinion, we should make a promo list and we need a person (or people) who will be able to deal with it.

Very true. All the sites in my sig are great outlets for reviews. I believe Oak Knoll already sends stuff to MetalReview. I'm not sure about The Metal Observer. Also, I believe you contacted me Jeremy about reviewing Oak Knoll releases for UltimateMetal; I would still be happy to do so!

[MetalAges]

I'll give you my opinion on printed ads. If you're going to do it, it has to be consistent. I booked an ad in BWBK once and I watched my site traffic. I got MAYBe two new buyers to my store, and there was really no increase worth mentioning to traffic. Basically I spent $500 for nothing :/

Consistency is the key. The more people see something, the more it will finally get them to click/visit. If you want to do it right and not waste money, think about running for a few months at a time.

EDIT: By the way, I am revamping the ad offerings/campaign rates for this site but if you want I can give youa deal until I come out with the official rates/placements. Catch me online.

[Oak Knoll]

Did i forget to send UM my cds for review?

[circus_brimstone]

Originally Posted by Oak Knoll

Did i forget to send UM my cds for review?

Ya. You want a PM with address and such?

[Oak Knoll]

Yes please

[Eric Harvest]

Jeremy - consider that $100 worth of banner ad impressions (50 you, 50 me) at Blabbermouth would last a very short amount of time. I'd guess maybe a day. I'm willing to do it just to test it out and see the results, if any.

I agree with everyone about reviews--one thing I've experienced is that the likelihood that they'll review the CD you send them increases a lot when you contact them personally. This is why I keep asking you for that address list! So I can follow up with who you've sent it to! (I know I've said this to you a million times already ;-)

re: Blabbermouth news stories--it's just like reviews, in that they screen the submissions and only do what seems legit or high-profile enough. News of Oak knoll band signings or album releases seem to go up, but other side stories like "new mp3 posted online" don't seem to make the cut.

[circus_brimstone]

Originally Posted by Eric Harvest

re: Blabbermouth news stories--it's just like reviews, in that they screen the submissions and only do what seems legit or high-profile enough. News of Oak knoll band signings or album releases seem to go up, but other side stories like "new mp3 posted online" don't seem to make the cut.

Just have all the Oak Knoll bands take turns disbanding then immediately reuniting. Few times a week would be optimal.

[Russell]

Originally Posted by Eric Harvest

JI agree with everyone about reviews--one thing I've experienced is that the likelihood that they'll review the CD you send them increases a lot when you contact them personally.

This really is true, the more you bug the more likely you are to get a review. That said, if a site doesn't consistently review your stuff, stop sending. There a hell of a lot of webzines out there, and if one doesn't review your promos there will definitely be more out there that will, as most webzines review everything they're sent.