How to get endorsements

[rockette07]

My son goes to Berklee, he plays drums, yes I know, I've already forgiven him for such a serious offense! =) But he was asking me if I knew anyone who had gotten endorsement deals and how (I've got some fairly successful musician friends), but I didn't really know anything about it. Anyone here have any idea how a young artist goes about trying to secure himself/herself an endorsement deal?

thanks!@!
xx

[Paul Warren]

It has to be a mutually beneficial relationship for an endorsement to occur normally. Does the artist give the endorsing company the proper amount of exposure to the demographic the company is seeking? If not, there is no realistic reason for a company to endorse an artist, unless they are just being very nice about it. But business is business and if they are providing discounted or free products, this marketing strategy needs to make sense. I've received free or discounted products and/or endorsements because of my academy. Companies know I will use and promote their products to students and students take their teachers' recommendations seriously. I already used EB strings and asked about an endorsement a few years ago and they were nice enough to add me on (and it's been great!). A couple of other companies have come to me and inquired about putting products in my place. A couple of them I accepted because I liked the products (cables and pedals) and one I turned down because I knew I just couldn't give them the visibility they wanted for their amps since I prefer other amps at the moment. So in my experience as with some friends of mine, it's always been about what kind of exposure can you provide a company. You have to ask that question and answer it objectively. I know if I agree to use a product, I will take that very seriously and only use things I know I can promote convincingly and honestly. Owning my business, I understand and respect that a company is trying to grow their sales if they use me to help promote product. So I do what I can to help them if they place that trust in me. So yes, some folks talk to companies and get signed on and others are approached and accept. Now if I can just get Line6 to endorse my place, I'd be really happy since we like using their stuff so much.

Best thing for your son to do is to get out and play as much as he can and get to know people and let people get to know him. Make contacts the old fashioned way and that'll help grow his visibility.

paul

[TNT]

I really don't know how you can go about it, I was fortunate enough to have BP endorse me for the last 12 years or so, so I couldn't really help you.

"In my dreams" - just kiddin'!!! The only one that half heartedly endorses me is my wife (bass-ic), and that's only because I bribed her by buying her a bass, and because I play MM guitars!! So yes, endorsements will cost you!

[phatduckk]

obviously a major label deal, tv/magazine exposure is HUGE. that's essentially code for "get famous". short of being "famous" playing a lot of gigs helps out a ton. if he's playing out a lot, his band draws a good auidence, tours here n there then he could just call or email A&R folks for the companies. their contact info is usually on their site

but like the guys said... its all really down to it being beneficial for both parties

[INMT]

I was endorsed in the early 90's, I used voodoo (not by EBMM).
Actually it was through winning local "bass off" type things, and compliments of a few local stores to the rep which landed me the endorsement (didn't hurt that I played that particular brand of bass anyways).
Unfortunately by 96' the product really went down hill fast quality/feature wise IMO. So I left.

Also a key point was I seem to be able to "convince/lure" people to products, read " I could move units". No I did not work at an instrument store. Just people asking what I reccomend, infact I just made an EBMM guitar convert recently. Well the instrument converted him , I just pointed him in that direction.

Basic business "have something worth while to offer that will make company x money", or use the aforementioned voodoo?????

[Bass-sic]

Naw...I endorse TNT whole heartedly. If you have seen him play, you'd now why. (Besides he's kinda cute )

Rockette...good luck to your son, with his Music ventures.

[rockette07]

Much thanks, especially to Paul Warren! I'll pass that along!