50 Ways to Promote Your Music

Some you probably have thought of, many you probably have not. Maybe some you just need some reminders on some of the more obvious ones! Either way, there are some new ideas, and links to very useful websites that can help promote your music, website or social networking pages. If you have feedback on any of these particular websites, or if you have ideas to add to the list… let us know!

1. Build a Professional Website
2. Play Your Instrument In Odd Places (think flash mob)
3. Have business cards ready to give outVistaPrint is about the best and cheapest
4. Keep your fans in the loop with Email Marketing GET A 60 DAY RISK FREE TRIAL AT CONSTANT CONTACT
5. Ask to Open For More Established Bands
6. Create/Produce/Sell/Giveaway Wearable Merchandise
7. Promotional Giveaways with your logo is TANGIBLE ADVERTISING
8. Supply local hot spots with branded supplies
   Have a local bar that hosts musicians? Do they need disposable pints? Customize!
9. Create a Facebook Fan Page
10. Hire A Social Media Marketing Expert
11. Embrace Video Marketing and post your performances on YouTube
12. Post In Online Community Forums and Message Boards
13. Post in Free Online Classifieds Such as Craigslist in the Musicians Section
14. Build a mailing list; one for fans, one for venues and blast with postcards
15. Promote your website, social networks and blog in a Local Bands Directory
16. Promote Your Gigs using Facebook Events
17. Get As Many Links From Other Sites to Your Website as Possible
18. Builds your pagerank on Google.  Perhaps a link exchange with other artists?
19. Install and Maintain a blog on your website
20. Submit Articles to EzineArticles.com
    The top article syndication website online.  Don’t forget to link to your site.
21. Post about your Music in the Music Forums for your local newspaper
22. Create and Distribute Online Press Releases 
23. Take Out TARGETED Facebook Ads
24. Play As Many Open Mics As Possible
25. Play At Festivals and give Out Stuff
26. Be Willing to Play For Free 
27. Dress your poodle in a doggie sweater with your name on it
28. Hire a Booking Agent (choose carefully)
29. Stay In Contact With Your Fans with an Email Marketing Program
30. Give out branded Scratch-and-sniff Stickers With Strange Smells
31. Compete for prizes and band exposure on websites like ourstage
32. Recruit Hot Girls To Act As Groupies
    This tactic isn’t for everyone
33. Always provide your venues signage and use stage banners
34. Create Promotional Post Cards / Calendar Cards and Distribute
    Music venues, record stores, coffee shops, commuter hubs, gyms, salons
35. Hire A Publicist 
36. Release Demo CD's to Record Companies
37. Blow up Beach Balls with your Logo and leave them on the beach
38. Network, Network, Network
39. Hang out/Perform at Karaoke Bars 
40. Attach Promotional Material, Bumper Stickers, Lettering, to Your Vehicle 
41. Host Local Open Mic Nights
42. Participate in Local Charitable Functions 
43. Upload Your Songs Anywhere Possible
44. Give out as Much Stuff As Possible With Your Logo on it
45. Advertise Upcoming Shows and Events on Community Websites
46. Advertise Upcoming Album Releases On all Fronts
47. Frequently Update Website, Facebook, Twitter and Blog if you have
48. Give Music Lessons 
49. Launch a Street Team and Recruit Local Fans to Help Promote Your Music for Free
50. One of the Absolute Best Ways to Promote Your Music is by Word of Mouth! Don’t just tell people, but give them incentives to “share” your message online.

PHANTOM POWER
Marketing by Design
http://www.phantompower.co/