Marketing Music, An Experts Guide
56Marketing for bands on the internet
Marketing music today is on one hand easier than it was years ago and on the other hand harder. Back in the day (pre-1999) the internet was in it's infancy. In order to market your band you had to play alot of live shows, get people talking about you and play more live shows and hope that someone with some power and clout in the music industry took notice of you. Then you had to play more live shows and prove you could draw a fan base. Today with the power of the internet you can record a song on your computer, upload it to MySpace, Facebook, YouTube, etc and be blasted out to millions of people within a matter of days (if done properly). If people like it it goes viral and you're on your way to superstardom. Uh.....not so fast cowboy. There's a few things we need to discuss. Sure the power of the internet is incredible but there is also the harsh reality that you aren't the only one vieing for the public's attention. There are roughly 40 million bands on MySpace alone. 40 MILLION!!!! That's alot of competition. How are you going to compete with that? Actually it's rather simple. Stand out from the crowd. Now I'm not talking about video taping your band on stage naked and playing in the snow (although I bet that will draw some attention). No I'm talking about doing things with a more personal touch. You see alot of bands, whether on MySpace or YouTube or anywhere else in the cyber-world have the idea in their head that all they have to do is put up a song and the world will come. It doesn't work that way. But you can lead the deck in your favor by being more personal with your fans. Take the time to reply to their emails and comments. If they ask you a question answer it. You want to gain their loyalty, not push them away, In gaining their trust they will be more apt to push your music for you.
The music business is a very shallow and cut-throat industry (and that's on a good day). Stardom comes to those that stand out and take the time to show appreciation to their fans. It only take a minute to hit reply and say "thank you". Ok now that that is said it's time to look at other ways to promote.
1) Post links to your band in forums
2) Post an email signup form on your social networking sites (get a free one with no limitations at www.Reverbnation.com)
3) Make a street team (also ReverbNation) and ask your fans to help spread the word. Offer them free cds, autographs, guitar picks etc, for helping out
4) Go to live shows and network with other bands. Ask them what they do to promote. If they cop an attitude walk away. Most likely they'll be broken up within 3 months anyhow.
5) Submit your music to magazines, webzines etc. Send out at least 3-5 per week.
6) Visit www.Live365.com and search for stations that play your style of music. Then email the dj (there is usually a link to email them on the page) and ask them politely to "take a listen to our song and if you like it we'd appreciate it if you'd add it to your rotation". Don't be pushy. If you don't hear from them in 2 weeks, send them another email and just let them know you're doing a follow-up. These are just a few of the techniques we use and we've seen the results....they work for us and they will work for you!
