Getting promo Cds

[redsock]

So, I am working on starting my own music site with reviews, stories, etc..., the specifics of which don't matter too much at this point, but with some serious man hours my goal is to get it up and running by early November.
 
 Since I am funding it on my own, eventually I would love to have labels just send me promo copies of cd's, press packets, and whatever other wacky stuff they send out. But, other than just hitting the streets and mailing to each of them and telling them about my site, which will have to be up and running at that point, how else can you get that to happen? Should you e-mail them, snail-mail them?
 
 I realize my site will start small, but I have every intention and desire to bust my ass to make it work, and to bring a bigger audience. Assuming this all happens, does anyone know the best way to get promo stuff (especially cds) from labels? I already plan on offering free add space.
 
 Any advice is welcome. Snide remarks and anything resemlbing "good luck dumb ass", try to keep to yourself.

[markie]

I think you need to get your site set up and measure how many a visits a day you are getting.
 
 If you can get a few hundred hits a day you will get people interested.
 
 Ratio cination would be a good person to ask.

[poorlulu]

Originally posted by redsock:
  .
 
 Any advice is welcome. Snide remarks and anything resemlbing "good luck dumb ass", try to keep to yourself.

awwwwwwww........that's not fair.........
 
 it's us..........that's what we do..................
 
 poooo you're no fun.

[ratioci nation]

I once had a site that featured movie and music reviews and received a couple of cds in the mail without even asking anybody for them, I was able to get on the press list for early screenings of movies by sending snail mail to the local movie promoters.  I think you should try and contact promoters for certain artists at first and then try and build a relationship with labels once you have a site, with content, to show them.  I think if the site looks professional and the writing is professional you should not have much problem.  I have been thinking of relaunching my old site, but those sites take a lot of time, even if you have lots of writers to help.  If you are writing on your own, you might as well forget it, you need help to keep fresh content on a site.
 
 edit:
 I meant publicists for certain artists not promoters

[ratioci nation]

oh and in case i do relaunch it, I better start advertising now - www.unformat.com
 
 anybody want to buy tshirts or mugs?   :p

[markie]

I am sure you could always get some help writing stuff.....
 
 You might need to check poorlulu's punk-tuation an grammer though.

[markie]

so why did you stop doing it?

[ratioci nation]

Originally posted by The Pariah:
  so why did you stop doing it?

took too much time, and then the movie promotion was switched to a different company and I did not want to have to deal with the letters to the new company

[ggw]

Originally posted by ratioci nation:
  oh and in case i do relaunch it, I better start advertising now - www.unformat.com
 
 anybody want to buy tshirts or mugs?    :p  

Dude, you're supposed to give us free schwag as a way of promoting your site.  None of this "buy" crap.

[ratioci nation]

During the tech boom I gave away mugs of cocaine, but times have changed my friend.

[poorlulu]

crack?

[Bags]

Originally posted by poorlulu:
  crack?

HA!

[redsock]

Originally posted by poorlulu:
   

Originally posted by redsock:
  .
 
 Any advice is welcome. Snide remarks and anything resemlbing "good luck dumb ass", try to keep to yourself.

awwwwwwww........that's not fair.........
 
 it's us..........that's what we do..................
 
 poooo you're no fun. [/b]

I figured telling you not to do it would only light a spark up your asses.

[redsock]

You are all correct, I have to get the site up, and maintain activity and timely information. Market it and promote it, get some serious daily hits.  I know all that.
 
 My goal is to try and stay DC centric, at least intitally. I can't lie and say Pitchfork isn't an inspiration, but I think they are wicked pretentious, and sometimes so obscure and nerdy it hurts. I think their idea can be modified and made better, especially with an extra local spin. Of course, 4 or 5 reviews a day is a bit much too, one a day would be much better. I don't know, I have a lot of ideas about this, but first things first, get the site up and get people to go there.

[markie]

Is there a good site or local concert reviews? The post and the times are useless......
 
 Oh and reviewing Exit Clov 3 times a week will not help.