Marketing Yourself in the Music Industry
1. Where To Sell Your Music
One of the most important aspects of marketing your unsigned band is to get your music into the hands of the public. Once they hear your music, hopefully they will want to buy it. There are many websites where unsigned bands can sell their music. Always read the fine print carefully, however, in particular the Terms and Conditions section of the website.
2. Where To Get a Band Review or Interview
Reviews are crucial to marketing an unsigned band. Music magazines, websites and online publications are often looking for the chance to review new music. Interviews are also important in letting your audience understand you. Some websites will offer to do interviews with unsigned bands, or even give you the opportunity to interview yourself online.
- Popup Self Interviews
- Unsigned Band Review
- Unsigned Rock Band Reviews
- EVOR
- Unsigned Artists of the Month
3. Where To Break News – Do a Press Release
Press releases are one of the most important marketing tools of anyone who is trying to sell their services, and especially for unsigned bands. Simply stated, a press release is a communication directed towards members of the media to announce something about your band. You might choose to announce a new release, upcoming gig, or other appearance. Press releases can be sent out electronically, faxed, or mailed to the proper media.
4. Join Forums & Post
Music forums are the perfect place to spread the word about your band. You can post information about your band on forums, as well as exchange ideas and advice with other musicians. Forums can be a great way to promote your band’s next gig, release or appearance. They can also help guide you in the right direction when you are in need of resources for musicians.
- Blooter
- L1 Bands Forum
- Unsigned Band Web
- Online Band Promotion Forum and Message Boards
- Launch Your Music Forums
5. Where To Create a Blog + Comment & Ping
Weblogs are the wave of today and of the future. If you have an unsigned band, it’s vital that you establish your own blog. Not only can your blog be a great place to post new music or videos, it is also a peek into the lives of your band mates, which audiences love. You must also ping and comment if you expect your blog to be picked up by the proper directories.
6. Where To Get Links To Your Website
It’s no good having a website if your website has no visitors. Luckily, there are certain ways to drive traffic to your unsigned band’s website. These websites will help to direct you in that effort. In no time at all, people will be visiting your site and talking about your band.
- How to Get Targeted Traffic to your Music Website
- Music Links Page from Media Web Source
- TAXI Linking
- Digg
- StumbleUpon
- Indie Link Exchange
7. Where To Post Your Gig Dates
The Internet has revolutionized the posting of events of all kinds, including music gigs. Now, you can post your gigs so that thousands or millions of users can access the information. Some sites are specifically targeted at gigs from certain types of bands or from a certain region of the world. Using the Internet to post your gig dates may bring a whole new audience to your gigs.
8. Get Your Music on Internet Radio
Internet radio is one of the more recent technological innovations that can really benefit unsigned bands. Getting your music to the people is the best way to make a name for your band. Certain Internet radio stations are directed at specific kinds of music, while others broadcast a general mix of music. There are also some Internet radio stations that specialize in independent artists.
9. Create a Profile to Promote Your Music
Your profile tells your audience who you are. It can provide biographies of your band mates, music to sample and/or download, videos, a gig calendar, a blog, a forum for your audience, and so much more. Having a profile is the best way to market your band in this age of technology. Not only will your audience learn more about you through your profile, but you might also be lucky enough to catch the attention of record label executives!
10. Well Known Essential Resources
The following resources are vital to any musician’s success in this day and age. Getting your music on the proper sites, having your videos viewed–all of these are crucial to making a name for your band. Some of these resources can also help answer questions you may have about the music industry. They are great marketing tools for any band, signed or unsigned, to use.
11. Marketing Music – Resources
Certain resources are critical in the marketing of your unsigned band. These include online ezines, websites offering tips and hints, and online music magazines. You can learn valuable information about marketing your unsigned band from these resources. If you market your unsigned band properly, chances are you won’t remain unsigned for long.
