Marketing Resources...

•Marketing... One of the more simplified and often utilized ways to build traffic is to link up with other sites. All links should be reciprocal. Try to set up a link with other bands, studios (that you have used)etc,...

• Search engines... The Web is a portal of a vast network of vital knowledge, you should utilize these benefits as a means to market your music and website. It is very important to submit your site to search engines and directories. There are a plethora of different search engines and directories and each one works differently, For a list of sites to submit to check out: < Addme.com Some of the most popular search engines and directories are: Yahoo, Lycos, go/infoseek, google, excite, alta vista, ultimate band list, webcrawler.

Improving your listing? Visit www.submit-it.com/subopt.htm for extensive tips on how best to add Meta tags to your website. You can also use a company like Submit-it .com which will register your URL with a number of search engines and even let you choose your own keywords and descriptions.


• Magazines and Online Magazines... There are many online magazines. The majority of the major publications have created websites, but there is a vast amount of smaller, online e-zines.... many of these will review indie artists/bands. Check out The Ultimate Band List for an extensive listing of e-zines. The probability of having your music reviewed by a local magazine's website rather than a national one is greater. These e-zines should be approached and viewed as you would any other publication: Submit a cover letter with your press kit. If you are contacting them via e-mail, include your URL so they can easily view your information online.

Magazine and online magazine sites - (more coming soon)
addicted to noise.com
Billboard
Creative Loafing
Gavin
GuitarMag
Guitar World
The Island Ear
Mix
Music Connection
Pollstar


If you are receiving any type of following in your area, you should be obtaining the attention of your local press. If you have any really newsworthy web-exclusive items, Send them a press release announcing any news about your site and let your fans know. If you would like more information on the best way to write a press release, visit http://www.knab.com Also, make sure your URL is among the inclusion of all your publicity materials.


• Radio and Internet Radio Shows... Try to receive air play on radio stations...first beginning with college radio stations...Airplay is a very important and one of the more sought-after obtainment in a musicians career and amateur musicians are for the most part not allocated a lot of play. This is not meant to be perceived as independent artists or bands cannot get their material on the air; but it does mean the probability is not in your favor. On the other hand, if your music is commercially viable and your business practices are sound, some amount of radio play should be attainable. Independent artists and bands should begin by keeping their main focus on college stations, especially if their material is in the same area as the stations current playlist. College stations will air non-mainstream bands, and they are more likely to allow local bands an opportunity. They are also more receptive than commercial stations to promotions such as live studio shows, ticket and merchandise giveaways for their callers and other marketing strategies.

Mainstream stations that play local artists/bands usually limit airplay to "dead time" and specialty shows. Any for of impact from these shows, even though they are helpful and an essential evolution of a bands development, will not immediately concede to a public awareness of your work. In many cases, your material would need to acquire more substantial airplay to become commercially successful

Also include submitting to online radio stations. There are many stations out there, willing to give airplay to independent musicians; many of the ones below usually accept unsolicited material:

CosmicRadio.com
MediAmazing
DiscJockey.com
radionet.com
Wbat.com
hob.com
liveconcerts.com

A directory of radio and internet radio stations



• Reaching Beyond... If your aspirations are for achieving airplay beyond the scope of College Stations, you can submit your music yourself or utilize the services of an independent radio promotion service. Distribution services begin by targeting a certain genre of music and require payment only once, when your material is shipped to the stations, leaving follow-up to the artists. Organizations like these can be pricey, however they can also be of some help as well. Individual radio promoters can get your music heard. The main disadvantages are that they do not come inexpensively, and they are very selective as to what material they will take on. Individual promoters are the method that is used most often by major labels, but again, nothing can guarantee airplay.

• Distribution It is very difficult for indie musicians to obtain distribution for their music, so it is very beneficial to sell your music via the Internet. There are many online distributors that offer secure transactions. Most of the aforementioned websites will distribute your music for you; however, they all offer different deals. It is a fairly common practice for the distributor to pay 5 months after the sale has been processed and also to withhold a 25% return fee to be paid in the following quarter. So, if your CD has been sold in March for $10.87, and your cut is 5$ per disc, you may receive a check for $3.75 in June and not receive the remaining $1.25 until September. Some sites will pay on a monthly basis and others only take $1.00 for each CD sale. Make sure the contracts are not exclusive, this means that you have the right to set up distribution with other sites as well.

Note:

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