How to get the most out of SxSW

VisasBand must have a Working Visa (P2) to play

Managers/delegates need a – ESTA – http://esta.cbp.dhs.govPassport, Carrier, US address – at least 72 hours before

UK Citizens can enter for ‘business’ – less

than 90 days must not be a journalist on assignment, nor “seeking gainful employment”

Must have a machine readable passport

Achieving Your Aims

Be clear what you want to get from SxSW

1 or 2 main aims

Have a plan to achieve these

Additional Opportunities as they arise

Achieving Your Aims

Research before – have a schedule

Divide up responsibilities between group

Try to cover as many bases – split up

Seminars & networking opportunitiesSxSW: Panels, Keynote, Speakers, Mentor Sessions, Quickies Sessions,

Demo Listening Sessions, CLE (Legal issues)

SxSW – The Reality

150,000 Attendees – similar to Glastonbury

30,000 Conference Delegates

2,000 artists

90 stages – 70 venues

The ‘best in the World’ (SxSW 2008)

Networking“You meet companies and people as an ‘equal’, as a fellow delegate rather than in the usual context - you looking for a gig or a deal - this is very valuable for artists because it puts you on a level footing: people are very frank in terms of honest feedback and are open with you. It also empowers you to be able to make deals on an equal footing.”

Networking

Take advantage of as many opportunity

Try to cover as many bases – split up

Seminars & networking opportunitiesSxSW: Panels, Keynote, Speakers, Mentor Sessions, Quickies Sessions,

Demo Listening Sessions, CLE (Legal issues)

Make use of band pass – share itTradefair, seminars etc

Networking

Cannot be shy or retiring

Americans generally very open

Delegates are enjoying themselves

You never know who you could be eating a

taco next to

Networking

Cannot only rely on your manager

If you just go and see gigs there won’t be

as many opportunities

Invite people to your shows

My SxSW – messaging to delegates

Networking

You need your own promo material

Have plenty of business cards, CDs and

flyers on you all the time – even at 2am!

Promo CDs should have email address,

telephone number as well as website &

myspace

Promotion

Use any means possible

Promo devices, stunts - originality

Be innovative

Word of mouth – PR – talk yourselves up

Go out flyering

PressScotland & UK – before & after

Have a ready made ‘story’

New media – blogs websites

Self promo – on blogs, message boards,

groups, Twitter etc

Photocall – Trying to arrange 2 calls

Networking

Follow up when you get back is key

There will be some people you miss or

who miss you but still follow up

Scottish and UK networking useful

Make use of Trade Stand

Showcases

Live show must be good

You must promote your shows

Let people know who you are from stage a

few times during your set

Invite people to meet you after your set

Merch

It is our plan to have Merch stalls

We can sell for you if you have merch

Will take a small % to cover costs of staff

unless you can provide staff to man stall

Afternoon and Evening Showcase

Hard Work

You have invested a lot of time and money

in this – need to work hard on the ground

If you stay in bed all day you’ll miss out

If you drink all day you’ll miss out

4 long hard days and nights

Working Together

Promote each others’ shows & parties

Equipment and backline

Crew – can we share crew?

Opportunities may not fit you but could be

good for others

Showcasing Scotland

Two showcase – Day & Night Fri 20 March

2,000 Promo CDs

Posters & Flyers

T-shirts

Trade Fair

British Music Embassy

Scottish Posters SxSW 2009 designed by

CD

Scottish Posters SxSW 2009 designed by

300 Posters Day-time

300 Posters Night-time

300 Posters Showcases

1,000 Flyers – Day-time

1,000 Flyers – Night-time &

showcases

T shirts

Trade FairThe Scottish Arts Council are part of the

UK Stand in the trade fair

Free for all bands to use

Need for at least one Scottish delegate

there at all times – Rota

One 2hr shift during event

Trade Fair

Austin Convention Center, Level 4

Wednesday – Friday 12.00 noon – 6:00pm

All bands and delegates should use

Block Party Thu 19 4:00 – 6:00 pm

Acoustic Sets?

Trade Fair 2008

British Music Embassy

Dedicated venue for UK shows day & night

Scottish Arts Council NIMIC

UKTi Music West Yorkshire

PRSF Liverpool Sound City/NW

AIM Other UK Partners – evenings

UK PA, Backline & Engineers

British Music Embassy 08

British Music Embassy 09Wednesday 18 March 8pm British Inter-Music Party

Thursday 19 March

12.30 – 3pm Belfast Nashville 8pm – 1am NME

Friday 20 March

1.30pm – 5.30pm Showcasing Scotland

8pm – 1am Kerrang!

Saturday 21 March

11.30am-2.30pm Yorkshire Party 3pm – 6pm Liverpool

Sound City/Best of the North West

British Music Embassy 09RSVP for British Parties:

www.britishguestlist.info

But try to keep Scottish Party delegate focussed

Manage your lists/guest but any problems see me. I will

have a must get in list or way to get press, delegates or

other key people in.

Other UK events

Thursday 19 March 12.30pm-1.30pm Convention Ctr

Meet the Scottish International Speed Dating

Friday 20 March – PRSF 3:30pm Music Licensing in a

Converging World – Rm 15 Convention Centre

Fun!

Showcases – wristband will not always guarantee entry,

delegates get priority, many venues small

Day parties – most RSVP

http://www.austin360.com/news/content/music/stories/20

09/02/sxswside.html

Credit

Promote Scottish Arts Council – makes my job so much

easier when there are a raft of good press stories, all

those who are supported have logos on flyers, website,

emails and mention the support, in interviews at shows

etc.

Every year I have to make the case for continuation and

for budget to be able to undertake SxSW.

After the event

Group Debrief Meeting – April/May

Individual feedback meeting/written report

followed up 6 months and 1 year later.

Share contacts – leads etc

Future training events