Creating publicity is important for artists and bands. It’s not just about creating a website, sending out mailing lists and using traditional methods to rope in fans. You can promote yourself by building a strong presence both on and off the stage. You will have to think creatively about other methods in order to bring recognition and traffic to your website. Some of these methods include:-
Internet Radio
Radio was first used in the early days to promote an artist or band. It’s still in use today with the Internet Radio making a mark in this technological era where users control their programming. In theory, their predictions hold merit. Several of the larger stations (such as Pandora, Live365 and SHOUT cast) have proven largely successful. But some of the smaller stations generate very little or no revenue.
However Internet Radio can never be ruled out completely as bands and artists can search for channels where they feel that their music is well suited and they can submit their materials and build a relationship with that particular channel. This process is similar to establishing a rapport with any offline commercial station so you can do some searching and researching of various channels online before you adhere to their submission criteria.
Networking Superhighway
There are hundreds of possibilities arising out of providing networking Web sites and the surprising effect they have on the music industry. These sites include:- 1) Facebook 2) Friendster 3) MySpace. With these sites, users are able to create their personalized place online and share themselves and their music as they network with like-minded individuals around the world. Artists and Bands can promote themselves by setting up their own promotional pages and offering materials for downloading and listening.
Diligence Yields Results
The key to success when creating personalized profiles in online networking sites is diligence. When it comes to maintaining a good relationship it takes more than a couple of hand shakes and a few words to flourish it. A relationship can be built on trust, communication and honesty. It’s the same case with networking as you have to take the time in creating an account, personalizing your web page, uploading your music and preparing to meet with potential fans that show interest in your music and help in taking it to the next level. This will yield real revenue and more than that an ardent fan following.
If someone comes across your website, listens to your music and likes what they hear, then in all likelihood they may send you a friend request which you should preferably accept. Once they make regular trips to your website and become a part of your network, they will try to get to know more about you and your music. You can start of by thanking them for their interest and answer their questions professionally and courteously as possible. In case they don’t email or contact you, try getting their attention by inquiring about their interest in your music. But don’t probe too much as this is a major turnoff for some people. Instead try and establish a singular relationship with your new fan and he or she may be the first to purchase your new CD.
Even if a fan does not buy a CD from you, post some songs on your personal page so that they can download freely from your website. This way, their friends will have the opportunity to hear your work, potentially increasing the scope of your fan-base. If your music is not available in a hard copy format like a CD, invite them over to watch your gigs when performing live. This will give you a better chance of reaching out to people with your music. For all these factors to work you need to have diligence and patience to achieve what you have in mind. These processes can take longer than expected for one person, but in the end the result will be in your favor. Never try to sign up in all the networking sites available. It may be tempting in the beginning, but it will turn out to be a logistical nightmare.
Another factor to keep in mind to save time and energy in keeping up with networking sites is to maintain a file of template letters that will help you keep track of all the inquiries regarding concerts, CDs and information about you. You can always use saved information and personalize them according to the person you’re addressing. If you’re in a band, assign each member an exclusive page for themselves so that they can update their profile on a regular basis. If you’re a solo artist, request some fans to manage a page for you. This will build a stronger relationship as they will have a deeper connection with you and you will also get some breathing space to concentrate on other factors of publicity with some help at the other end.
Physical Parallels
There are huge similarities between the energies you expend online and those you’d traditionally work toward offline. Let me give you a few examples. Most artists know that press releases and reviews are the keys to good publicity, but in case you don’t have any reviews, use the following steps to start collecting some:-
1) Find a publication suited to your particular style.
2) Learn what the individual reviewers are looking for in an artist.
3) Pick someone you think would like your work.
4) Make an initial contact and connect with the reviewer.
5) Offer to send them a promotional packet (Include a CD).
6) Follow up.
Blogs
The Internet offers a wide array of opportunities for getting reviews online. Thousands of independent music reviewers maintain their own blogs online. The promotional capabilities of a band or artist who maintain a blog may seem slim at the beginning, but as time goes by it becomes a powerful tool. This is because online bloggers and surfers will show some interest in your music if they find it good. So there are chances for them to post some reviews and comments about you or your band. In recent years, some unknown bands and artists have made themselves known online thanks to the blogging community. So get online and look for bloggers who like your kind of music and style. Request them to make some posts on their websites and once they get behind you, it will surely create a buzz in the industry. Once the good work picks up, it will yield good results online and offline.
Samritha Subhash
Writer
[http://www.mediaarrow.com]
Author: Samritha Subash
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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