Resources for Musicians

Here are a load of tips, tricks and resources to help your band.

Categorise Yourself

Too many bands will tell you they are nothing like you have ever heard. Ask them a simple question about their music (what do you sound like?), and they can't give you an answer. Make sure you can. Tell people who you sound like, don't be afraid. If someone likes who you sound like, then you might just have found another fan. People feel safer if they are buying something they already know (or think they know), or that other people have bought. Come up with good, concise answers to the questions you get asked most often.

Create a Press Kit

Create a press kit. You will need one. It should include a CD of your music, photos and a write up about you or your band. Use plain English. Don't use buzz-words, don't talk like a musician. If someone likes your music, they like your music - they don't care if it has a tight rhythm, etc. Make sure everything is well written. Make sure everything is correctly spelled, and that your grammar is correct.

Talk to People

You never know who you might be talking to, or who they might know. Tell them about what you do. Ask them what they do. Ask for favours. Offer favours. You never know when you might need their help. Keep records of people you meet. Keep in touch.

Tell People what you Want Them to Hear

They don't know everything about you. They probably don't know anything about you unless you tell them. If you want them to know something tell them.

Hear, Like, Buy

People buy music in the same way, be it on-line or off-line. If they hear it and like it, they might buy it. If they never hear it, they will never buy it. Get your music heard, and when people hear it, give them a way to buy it. Use sites like Last FM to make sure people can hear you. When you play a gig, sell your CD after the show.

Make it Easy

People are lazy. Make things easy for them. If you want them to contact you, include your contact details and make them easy to find. If you want them to buy your music, make it easy. Don't include too many steps. Make it easy to pay.

Be Likable

People do business with people they like. Be nice.

Get your own Website

Myspace is not your website. Get your own. Register your domain name, they are not expensive. Make sure that your site has lots of information about you, pictures, videos, your music, ways to contact you, upcoming events, comments from fans, your newsletter, and a way to buy your music. Keep your website updated, keep it fresh. Make sure all the news is up to date. Blog. Tell your fans what you are up to. Put your web address on everything - emails, posters, tickets, CDs, gigs, etc. Make it easy to find and use. Exchange links with relevant sites.

Start a Newsletter

Keep your fans updated. Send it out often, but not too often - never more than once a week. Tell them what your band is doing, where you will be playing, what you are writing, when you have a new CD out, etc.

Get your Fans Working

Ask them to spread the word! Get them talking to people they know. Ask them to help get you gigs, find a suitable venue, etc.

Get your MP3 Tags Correct

Make sure your music is tagged correctly. Make sure it has your band name, the track name, the album name and your website address.

Target

Not everyone will like your music. Concentrate on the people who do / will. Don't try and convert the people who don't.

Keep Trying

Rejection is common in the music industry. It is a daily thing. Live with it, keep going. Don't give up.