Trumpeting a publicity revolution

Earning enough money to pay a professional to drum up publicity is easier said than done in the early stages of success.

Up and coming musicians ready to take on the DIY approach can find umbrage with Stacey Piggott’s book, Blow Your Own Trumpet.

Ms Piggott has been behind some of the most successful PR campaigns for a number of Australia’s most popular bands, including The Drones and The Jezabels.

“The book is just a collection of ideas and experiences of my own, peppered with those of various artists – some who I have worked with over the years and others who have really strong work ethics or interesting ways of approaching their promo,” said Ms Piggott.

“My personal thoughts and opinions come from a mix of direct experiences and taking note of those around me. I am always taking in what other people are doing, getting ideas of what things work, what things don’t, so that I can work towards new and better ways to do something while avoiding mistakes people that have come before me have made.”

Blow Your Own Trumpet is aimed at the strong independent music scene in Australia.

“There are so many bands doing really exciting and great things,” said Ms Piggott. “There is an element of confidence and pride in being a band from Australia and I am discovering really great bands on a weekly basis, of all genres. I think it is an exciting time to be in the industry here.

“I feel like the industry and admin side of the industry is developing strategies to help young bands break into new territories and there is so much information out there now to guide and educate artists on options, so they can maximise every opportunity available to them creatively and from the business perspective. We have a lot of Australian bands on high rotation in the office.”

Having spent 14 years improving the career prospects of her clientele, Ms Piggott said it has been a different experience focusing on a project of her own.

“I had to get into a certain frame of mind to focus entirely on this book, without getting side-tracked by ideas of things to do for clients. It was really just a matter of compiling my ideas and editing out all of the stuff that wasn’t helpful,” she said.

Piggott is hoping Blow Your Own Trumpet kick-starts a DIY publicity revolution and that her comprehensive how-to guide might catch on.

“I hope they feel inspired to pick up the phone and take the initiative to get the ball rolling themselves on their own promotion, rather than waiting for someone else to do it, or waiting until they have the funds to pay someone else.

“I hope it breaks down the processes to give them confidence when it comes to undertaking their own publicity, and dispels a few myths when it comes to dealing with the press directly.”

By Andrew Hodgson