The Order of Things?

[glynb]

I'd particularly like some advice from people who have put out their own CD album and have an acompanying web site. The question is about timing and order of doing things.

I'm currently working on writing and recording songs with a view to 'putting them out' on an independent basis. I can also create a web site and am in the process of putting one together to promote my own stuff.

So enough of the background.
Thing is, if I wait to 'launch' the site at the same time as the album release then because of the time it takes to appear in search engines noone will know about the site for say 12 months until all search engines pick it up. On the other hand i could publicise the site immediately, but it would look pretty thin with no music, no press, and no reviews - not very impressive and people would be unlikely to return to it. So how did you guys tackle this dilemma?

Currently I'm leaning towards getting the site up first and submitted to search engines, but not publicising it until the album's ready, fair approach?

Another question is regarding reviews. If I wait till the album is out and then send it off to reviewers (online, magazines, etc) I could be waiting for 6 months or so to get it reviewed and to be able to post the reviews on the site or be included in any press kit. Obviously publicity materials would look better with reviews included but I can't get reviews until the album is ready! Catch 22.
Chicken and egg situation, etc etc.

I'd really like a 'big bang' approach to all this with a launch of the site and album in one go, but I figure things are going to settle to have things staged and prioritised.

But in what order should things be done?
What did/would you guys do first?

How do you overcome the 'empty site' syndrome, whilst you get things finalised and await reviews and press comment on the album (hopefully)?

 

[leavings]

I'm of the opinion that you shouldn't put anything out that you don't stand firmly behind. Unless you're in a rush for some particular reason (like promoting an upcoming tour) then I advocate waiting to publicize the website until it's really done.

I don't think there's any problem with posting your html and letting the search engines get ahold of it. You can go to their site (yahoo, google, etc.) and fill out a form that will help expedite the process. It only took a month or so for my site to start appearing there.

As for reviews, the best fix would be if you know someone who is, knows or could plausibly serve as a respected reviewer. Send them a few tracks and get them to write you some press or put it in the hands of someone who will.

However, I don't think this is too much of a concern. I STILL don't have any reviews on my site (they're coming on the revised site I'm designing now) and it hasn't stopped people from checking it out.

Peter