So let’s say you’re sold on band stickers as a promotional strategy. You understand that they are an inexpensive, eye-catching way to get your name out there, build some buzz, and put the power to market your music directly in the hands of your fans.

All right, you say, I’m ready! Let’s slap the name of my band on sticker—maybe with our logo, or a picture of the band in action—and we’re good to go, right?

Yes and no. Before you get your band stickers printed, here are a few essential questions to consider. 

What does this sticker say about the person who sports it?

Ideally, it should say more than, “I like free (or cheap) stuff” or even, “I like this band.” If, for instance, you’re a Celtic group named Finnegan’s Wake, and your logo is a Celtic cross, no problem—your fans are Irish music enthusiasts, and your stickers fit that profile.

If, however, you’re a funk band with a name like Downtown Brown, you might want to go a little further by building your sticker around an eye-catching statement such as, “I got down and dirty with Downtown Brown” or “I get around (with Downtown Brown.)”

The key here is understanding your fans – their tastes, their culture, their humor.

Will this sticker attract attention?

Visuals are a key factor. If you don’t have a visually arresting logo—or one that would look good on a sticker, for one reason or another—consider working with an artist and/or graphic designer to create a special design. Your custom sticker should stand out from the crowd, while retaining the look and feel of your band.

In addition to the basic bumper sticker, consider circles, ovals—or even contour die-cuts, which can be cut to the outline of any design. Contour cuts are new and relatively rare, which makes them a great way to stand out in promoting your music.

Does this sticker fit into our overall master band promo strategy?

While stickers are an inexpensive and versatile way to get your name out there, they work best in conjunction with an overall music marketing strategy. Therefore, make sure to your include your URL/MySpace page, and create a design in tune with the look of your posters, your website, etc.

Custom stickers are also an inexpensive way to “test drive” different potential t-shirt designs, before you go in for the bigger investment. If there’s a certain design your fans prefer on a sticker, chances are they’ll prefer it on a t-shirt, too.