Protect your music by mailing in copyright registrations. Also, have CDs and songs registered with UPC and ISRC Codes. Some vendors will not sell your music without them. These codes track your information by embedding your name and codes in the songs for credit, while helping you to receive royalty payments.
Decide specifically what genre of music you are representing, and define unique aspects of your music and band. Make sure you have a good band name and image. Create a logo for your band and have a professional photo shoot. Selling music is like any other business, and a lot of talented people don't get recognition because they consider marketing compromising or selling out.
Set up your MySpace music account, making sure you register as a musician and not as a listener. Customize your profile page and image so you'll stand out from the crowd. If you're an older musician, you may want to balance MySpace with a site like Facebook because MySpace is geared toward a younger crowd.
Find MySpace forums by clicking "More" on the far-right drop-down menu, then clicking "Forums." Select "Music -- General" to find a subject titled "Promote Your Bands Here! (please)," where you can make pitches for your band and music. You can share links to videos, websites, Twitter Facebook or any platform you enjoy using.
Target your consumer audience by dialoguing in the MySpace forum geared toward your style of music, whether it be rock, emo or some trend you just created. The fact is, only a very small percent will probably buy your music, so you want to market to the ideal profile, including age, taste, cultural background and core beliefs.
Offer your songs for free listening online. Offer a free CD if people come to your concert. Offer free downloads of your songs if people subscribe to your mailing list. Strangers will never buy your music if they've never heard it before. Have your music available for online purchase at a professional site such as iTunes or Amazon.
Balance your time making friends online with making new music and adding fresh photos and other content to your MySpace site. Fans like it when you let them in on your creative process. If you enjoy making music and sharing it, people will be more likely to buy your product.