How to promote my music

O

Oh.G

New member
well im a fairly new artist and started recording my songs properly about 2-3 months ago and im trying to build a fanbase by posting on different forums and posting up music on youtube and reverbnation,

but im not exactly sure how to get more fans or listeners. anyone have any tips or ideas?

if your wondering what my music's like check me out, links in sig

comment/rate/subscribe/become a fan if you like what you hear :)
 
Oh.G said:
well im a fairly new artist and started recording my songs properly about 2-3 months ago and im trying to build a fanbase by posting on different forums and posting up music on youtube and reverbnation,

but im not exactly sure how to get more fans or listeners. anyone have any tips or ideas
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Welcome to the site.

I recommend using the forums you're on to try to gain knowledge, not a fanbase because most people posting on forums are musicians themselves, and well... musicians (i'm sure we can both relate) tend to be picky on what they listen to :p Musicians also tend to be free thinkers and probably won't become a fan of something because someone asks them to.
However, you can almost certainly find listeners on forums to give you opinions on your tunes.
This is the only forum I use, and I'm pretty sure I haven't gained any fans from here (edit: if anything, i've probably made sure some people here on the site will never listen to my stuff with my annoying questions and bad mixes :p), but I've learned a lot.

To get listeners I recommend getting your name out without spamming. I know that with artists I've been turned on to in the past I tend to research the ones that are floating around out of curiosity (maybe from seeing an interesting logo, or seeing an interesting song/artist/album name) instead of "GO CHECK OUT [random name] IF YOU'RE A FAN OF [whatever facebook/ youtube/ myspace page im on]"
As far as YouTube goes, I suggest putting all kinds of interesting videos on your page not just music. Viewers like variety.

I'm not familar with ReverbNation so I don't know how it works :o Many users on the site here use, so im sure they can help.

Again, welcome to the site :drunk:
 
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To expand on what Kidkage said, you won't get much response searching for new fans on music production forums because Greg_l will berate you for it and try to crush your dreams and convince you to get a real job!

:D

Play lots of shows; make music, and spread it around; etc.
 
VomitHatSteve said:
To expand on what Kidkage said, you won't get much response searching for new fans on music production forums because Greg_l will berate you for it and try to crush your dreams and convince you to get a real job!

:D

Play lots of shows; make music, and spread it around; etc.
Click to expand...

It's just tough love. :)
 
Oh.G said:
well im a fairly new artist and started recording my songs properly about 2-3 months ago and im trying to build a fanbase by posting on different forums and posting up music on youtube and reverbnation,

but im not exactly sure how to get more fans or listeners. anyone have any tips or ideas?

if your wondering what my music's like check me out, links in sig

comment/rate/subscribe/become a fan if you like what you hear :)
Click to expand...

To build your fanbase first of all create your own website so that you are identified independently.Create your own fan club and sell your music CD's free of cost to your fan in exchange to their email address.
People are attracted to bands on musical, cultural, social, sensory and spiritual levels. While fitting in to current trends may result in a rush of flavor-of-the-month fans, the artists who pursue and stay true to their own musical vision appear to have a greater chance at creating a broad, dedicated fan base.
Once a band has earned a small fan base by playing shows and giving away music, it's important to retain their interest and encourage networking by keeping them up to date with current songs, concerts and a steady flow of appealing merchandise.
 
Good online marketing campaigns are usually backed with powerful email management system called auto-responders which are very useful for storing your contacts and scheduling emails to go out to your new subscribers telling them your music.Since 1998, The Atlas has made it easier for Gigging & Recording Artists, Managers, Labels, Agents, Promoters & other Pros to book more gigs, get more airplay & sell music more successfully. :D
 
Oh.G said:
well im a fairly new artist and started recording my songs properly about 2-3 months ago and im trying to build a fanbase by posting on different forums and posting up music on youtube and reverbnation,

but im not exactly sure how to get more fans or listeners. anyone have any tips or ideas?

if your wondering what my music's like check me out, links in sig

comment/rate/subscribe/become a fan if you like what you hear :)
Click to expand...

If you want to successfully promoting your music, then you have to know how to stand out from the crowd. When you go to any club all eyes need to be on you. If you want to become star, then you act like a star. The important thing you must do is advertise your music. I would suggest contacting music blogs.
 
hey, I'm in the same boat. Its tough when you don't know people in the industry. But my advice is to just put yourself out there as much as possible and use any and every means of social media to your advantage. Good luck!
 
i tried facebook.. it doesnt work that much, only for people around you really. Tried reverbnation as well, found that to be a waste of time. IMO< its not smart to make a website BEFORE you have fanbase, cuz chances are who really knows what will happen? Id start from scratch. Alot of states have the option to perform at certain bars or clubs, its something to get you started. After the show, pass out some free CD's, maybe even some merchandise. hell even a pamphlet wit your Youtube, twitter, something. Online marketing takes a while, so you have to have the real life skills to back it up!

on a side note, i love how i can tell others what to do, but i cant follow my own techniques lol
 
one has to concur.. this site is for gaining knowledge.. not fans.. now personally - i will check out almost anything from anyone --as long as they do the same for me (reverbnation, facebook) but .. im a rare breed.. now as far as gaining knowledge.. can ANYONE speak further on email blasts and press release services that might get him (and/or me) on the road to real FAN-BASE growth?
 
I think it's important to have a website of some sort as early as possible. You'll get people who are curious about you, and their first instinct will be to google it. If they get no results, you've lost a potential fan.

Even if it's just a Facebook where they can contact you and a single YouTube video of you playing live* (recorded on a phone), get something out there.

*There have been several shows that I have decided NOT to go to because I couldn't find any videos of the band, and I didn't want to spend the time and money to find out firsthand.
 
There's nothing wrong with getting on all the band sites you can find, but you may want to pick one to focus on. You can kick start your page by getting friends and family to do the fan/friend/like/play thing, but you'll have to get beyond that as soon as possible. For most people that means playing to a live audience. Start with open mics to get some practice and initial exposure. If you do well those venues should be open to letting you do an opening spot for a featured performer or joining a "songwriters in the round" type show.

Be well rehearsed. That means practice your whole set including your between-song spiel (but don't fall into that annoying folkie habit of explaining the song in detail before singing it). Practice telling the audience in a clear, pleasant voice where to find you online. Be competent, confident and original.

On sites like ReverbNation spend some time listening to other people's music and become a fan of those similar to you, especially those in your area. That can raise your profile online and lead to gigs with compatible bands.

It's really hard to get things going if you don't play out. One example of that is the band in my sig. They're pretty darn good and interesting but since one key member lives two states away they can't gig much, and that really cuts into their ability to get attention.
 
gullyjewelz said:
can ANYONE speak further on email blasts and press release services that might get him (and/or me) on the road to real FAN-BASE growth?
Click to expand...
my wife actually does that for a living.
She's a marketing specialist (commercial stuff) and part of what she does is email blasts and she has quite a bit of success at it.

She'd tell you the biggest thing is to have an appropriate list of email addresses.
She's been after me for several years to have a book up front at all my gigs and get people to sign up with their emails.
I haven't ..... shame on me.
But she'd say that the more addys you have with people that are possibly the right audience for you, the better they'll do for you.
 
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