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How to Gain Popularity As a Band

The rise of the Internet has bridged the divide between music lovers and bands, and the access that it allows has made it increasingly easy for savvy musicians to increase their popularity. The power is no longer solely in the hands of disc jockeys and label executives. You can use social networking to increase awareness of your band, establish yourself as a brand and build a relationship with people in the local, regional and national music scenes.

Instructions

    • 1

      Establish a strong presence on social networking sites like MySpace, Twitter and Facebook by creating accounts for your band and actively keeping your band's name in news feeds. Add other local or similar musicians to your friend's list and also remember to add the pages of local recording studios, radio stations and music venues. This will keep you abreast of developments in the scene, as well as show that you are an active participant and allow your colleagues to see your updates.

    • 2

      Create a website with a stream of your music. This allows people to listen to your music for free, without giving them the music and also keeps them on your page, allowing them to explore the content you post. Add creatively written bios and a tour blog so that you humanize your band's appearance to your audience.

    • 3

      Occasionally post a free song download to keep interest up between album releases. If you do not have the funds for studio time you can always add a soundboard recording of a live performance or an acoustic set. Ask that people submit an email address to download the track so that you build a contact database for newsletters.

    • 4

      Contact local radio stations and television stations and send them a demo tape and press materials. Follow up and offer to perform and give an interview during their morning show. If you have a song about a local event or that captures some form of civic pride, don't shy away from letting them know this. Always show professionalism and you will get respect as a band that could land you on local television, reaching out to a broad and new audience.

Bands & Artists

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