1) Make html rather than flash websites because the text in them is not readable by search engines. (I already had a flash site up, but all text in it is duplicated in an HTML site)
2) Whatever web presence you have, make sure the sites all link to each other, makes it easy for search engines to find them.
3) Write a wikipedia article on yourself, very easy to do.
4) Sell your music on http://cdbaby.com. From there it will be picked up by itunes, napster and other music sites. Also, their articles on marketing are really helpful.
5) If you don't have reviews of your music yet, get blurbs (short statements) from fans, musicians you play with, employers. Put them up on your website.
6) Start a blog, let your listeners get to know you through writing.
7) Write thank-you notes to the people who come to your gigs or by your albums.
8) Make a lens on http://squidoo.com about your music, create myspace and facebook pages.
9) Enlist the help of your audiences to get the word out about your music -- ask people at your gigs to blog about your group.
10) Update your work in http://allmusic.com, http://imdb.com, list your gigs in http://lajazz.com
11) Pianist Tamir Hendelman suggested Marty Khan's book on the business side of jazz called Straight Ahead. http://www.outwardvisions.com/straightahead.html
12) Create T-shirts and other merchandise your fans can order with http://www.cafepress.com
---None of these are bookings for your group. They are all ways to expand your web presence and expand your fan base. When you talk to a club about a booking, the booker will google you to find out more about who you are than your press package can tell him. There will be more there for her to see. The same when someone hires you as a sideman, considers taking lessons with you, decides whether to go out to a club and see you.
1 comment:
Wow, these are awesome suggestions- I will definitely bookmark this post for future reference.
Thanks Louis!
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