Paid Versus Free Indie Music Promotion Services

Keeping up with gigs and practices are already time consuming if you’re an indie artist. So doing the PR and other promotions for your band can seem impossible. But is it really? Learn the benefits and drawbacks of doing your own PR compared with paying a person or service.

Online businesses promise to do ALL the work

One example of an Internet music submission service is MusicSUBMIT.com. Folks here guarantee their people can get you

•       Instant radio airplay
•       Webzine reviews
•       Features on music blogs
•       Listings on music fan sites

Price points vary from $220 for 1,000 submissions to $9.95 for 25 submissions per month. Although it’s pretty much a given that some outlets will pick you up, you have to break down the actual cost and determine if it’s worth it to you. Let’s look at it this way: If 50 outlets out of those 1,000 submissions pick you up nationally, then you’ve paid roughly $209 total. So, the other 950 submissions technically don’t count. But depending on how high profile those 50 outlets are, you may have hit the jackpot. It’s a gamble, and you have to be willing to take the risk.

Local PR reps can be well connected

Recent college grads are always looking for ways to beef up a resume—and they often possess many of the same skills as seasoned professionals. You can find reputable PR grads at local colleges and through LinkedIn. Elance is often another great resource, as well. You can offer different price points for a press release, bio, etc.

Being your own PR professional

If you decide to sell your music to outlets on your own, keep in mind that a time commitment is mandatory. Writing a press release and getting it into the right hands can take several hours per week—not including the time it takes to write the release itself. Here are a few ways to make this easier:

1. Learn the basics of writing a good release. The Public Relations Society of America is the leader of PR; definitely follow their advice.
2. Know who the players are in your industry. If you can, try to meet with them or their assistants at some point—whether it’s virtually or in person.
3. Alternative weeklies, newer Internet radio shows/podcasts, and smaller websites tend to be more approachable. They are more likely to talk about your new mixtape or upcoming show.

Do you already use PR to promote your music? Tell us how you do it in the comments.

Attract Independent Record Labels by Promoting Your Show Online

Being an indie artist is not for the unambitious when trying to promote a show on the streets and through social media. But what you should keep in mind is that you need to sell your music during your performance, as well.

You can get the attention of top independent record labels while building a fan base beyond your local area. Streaming your show in real time is a no-brainer. But using new resources can help you build quality content and earn extra cash, too.

Recruit an intern, or two

Many people would love an opportunity to break into the music industry. If you have a website or Facebook profile, ask for volunteers to help with tasks such as live streaming your performance, or tweeting about your show in real time. Have them capture shots of you and the audience to put on Instagram. Interns can also interview fans after the show and write up a blog review. Now, you’ve got your bases covered before, during and after your performance.

In return for all their hard work, offer your interns some free gear and a solid recommendation.

Keep it professional

The worst media to stream is poor quality media. It makes you look amateurish to have terrible audio, pixelated video or dark photos. To avoid these issues, scope out the venue beforehand. Is the space big or small? Will the audience be sitting or standing? What is the color of the walls? Work with what you have by planning accordingly.

When in doubt, Stage It

Stageit.com has been around for a couple years now and has proven success for many indie artists. Although the concept is to raise online concert sales to help performers earn more cash, another plus is that sites like Stage It will help you gain new fans.

Concert Window is another newish website that hosts live concerts for indie artists. The cool thing about this site is that you can interact with fans during your performance. So those watching feel like they’re actually there with you.

Been there, done that

Have you already recorded, tweeted or Instagrammed your show? Send us the link in the comments and tell us about your experience.

Indie Artists Can Raise Cash Through Crowdfunding

If you’re an indie music artist, you know firsthand how hard it is to promote your music while trying to raise some serious capital. Debuting your mixtape at a contemporary art gallery or networking through a sea of aspiring producers is just all in a day’s work for you. But like any good investor or entrepreneur, you should expand your horizons.

Even if you have 10,000 Twitter fans or devout Instagram followers who “like” your gig photos, this doesn’t translate into the $$$ you need to seriously fund your dreams. This is where crowdfunding, or donation-based fundraising, comes in. (Forbes even projected the crowdfunding industry to reach about $5.1 billion this year).

Sites you may already know, like Kickstarter or Indiegogo, take social media one-step further than Twitter or IG. No.1, if you already have a fan base, it allows them to invest in you. True indie music fans want to see their favorite artists succeed—and $10 is worth it to them. No. 2, it allows you to pick up new fans because you can present your project (i.e. music) on these sites.

If you want to create a project on a crowdfunding site, keep the following in mind:

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Professionalism Stands Out. You need to have clear head shots, album covers, gig photos and quality video. Direct potential backers to a professional website where they can easily access your tracks and bio (YouTube or Google+ are acceptable).

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Be Relatable. Tell your story with passion. What inspired you to get started? How do you want your music to inspire others? How will your musical contributions shape the industry?

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Be Accessible. Show, either through photos or video, how much you interact with your fans and what they mean to you. This project is just as much for them as it is for you.

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Do a Budget Breakdown. Tell your supporters WHY you need the money (production costs, food, travel, etc.). People like to know where their money is going—be upfront.

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Give Incentives. Your backers are spending their hard-earned dollars on YOUR dream. They deserve a big “thank you” for that. At each level ($10, $20, $50, $1,000…), determine what you will give them. A finished CD or autographed photo shipped to their house? Backstage or in-studio time? A shout out at your next show? Dinner and a movie? Figure out what your supporters deserve and give it to them as a sign of gratitude.

If you’re already doing crowdfunding or know someone who is, feel free to share some tips with other indie artists in the comments.