Writing and performing music is a passion. While anyone with a song in her heart and a little musical talent can write and perform music, actually receiving recognition for the effort requires perseverance and a little luck. If you're trying to make it as a musical talent, you will need to promote your music. The best way to promote your music is to get as much exposure as you can. This means getting gigs, advertising and building a fan base.
The Best Way to Promote Your Music
There are many things you can do to promote your music. You can sell CDs at your shows. You can make trendy T-shirts and pass them out to fans. Stickers and fliers are usually a staple for most bands. The best way to promote your music is going to be different for every band. Whatever you choose to do, the truth remains as this: you need to get your name out there. You're probably working hard at booking gigs and playing shows. Keep doing that. Unfortunately, you are not likely to catch your big break at one of your shows. (The chances of 1 of the 20 or 30 people present at your shows being an agent interested in your music is pretty slim). Most of the time, the people at your shows are your close friends who bring their friends to check out your band. This simply will not get your name into the mainstream. Instead, convert some songs to MP3s and use the Internet to reach millions of fans on a daily basis.
Musicbizacademy.com suggests that you start an account on MP3.com (if you haven't already) and upload some songs to that site. Next, advertise your songs to your friends. Use social networking sites such as Facebook.com and Myspace.com to let your friends and your Internet friends know to check out your songs. Pass out fliers advertising this fact at your shows. According to Dave Nevue of Musicbizacademy.com, he was able to generate 50,000 song listeners using this method. Certainly, one of those 50,000 will be interested in your work.
If that's not proof enough, consider Techdirt.com's article "From A Weekend Musician, To Making $4.2 Million... By Giving Music Away Free." The article details how Corey Smith, former high school teacher, went from a no-name musician to making $4.2 million in 1 year. He did it by offering free music on iTunes; the kicker was that people still bought his albums. A second way Corey Smith made money was by charging cheap concert tickets. Most likely, your shows are not on a large enough venue for you to dictate ticket prices, but it's still something to consider.
It appears from these two examples that music listeners are willing to give you a shot if you start humbly: do not ask for their money. Get your name out there by offering free music to listeners. If you have the sound and the talent, the fans will increase as will your band's popularity and chances of making it big.
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