[hollywood_steve]

I know it sounds cliche' but happy clients provide better advertising than money can buy
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There is no real arguement with this.....BUT............
it doesn't really apply to somebody starting out. How are you going to have word of mouth from happy clients, before you HAVE any clients?

Total newcomers need to investigate less traditional routes; like offering some "spec" type deals. Even if none of them turn into gold record projects, you will then have a good demo reel, a long list of satisfied clients and all those individual musicians talking to their friends about the cool place they just recorded at.

And some limited advertising in carefully selected publications (local!!!) can bring in good leads.

On the other hand, I'm sure that somebody has pointed this out before, but why would anybody advertise a recording studio in Mix, or any other trade rag? Aspiring rock stars don't read Mix, other engineers read Mix; you are paying to advertise to your competition. Those mags are a great place to advertise gear, but recording studios????

steve