Promoting.

This is the last thing I should be thinking about. I mean, I have a million other things I should be focusing on, like Dickens, my short story series (by the way, I will be posting a beginning short story at the end of this weekend), or sociology (the class I'm sitting in right now). But for some odd reason, I was thinking about promoting last night- mainly promoting music. Thus far, I've found a few helpful pointers to everyone who is trying to get their foot into the music scene. This list will more than likely grow, but here is the beginning.

1. Write music. Make it catchy. Cater to your base and make it clear who you want to get hooked on your music.

2. Find a decent but fairly priced studio to record at if you don't already know how to yourself. If you live in MN or surrounding states, I know a few that I can refer you to.

3. Use lower levels of media. Give interviews and press releases to high school and college newspapers, even if they aren't big schools. Talk to magazines, send press kits and market yourself to that magazine and their readership.

4. Find a decent photographer. You will be taken more seriously and fans will think you are a bigger band if your photos look professional. Again, if you want some references, I'm all over that.

5. Don't underestimate the power of myspace. I've seen bands/solo artists who hardly ever have shows, but have some of the largest fan bases I have ever seen. Use myspace, put up music, photos, get a nice layout.

6. Be personable. When fans write you, write them back. When they comment on your myspace, comment them back. Use twitter, and link it on your myspace. Start a blog for fans to read. Make your life accessible to them (not all of your life, of course...). If they can see you as a person, they will feel more of a connection between both you and your music.

7. Have a youtube channel or stickam, and use it. Just another way to become personable. Don't be afraid to play some new songs or new snippets from new songs on these- your fans will appreciate hearing it right from you.

Realize that these pointers will not bring you into popularity overnight, but they will help you to get your music career started. And, as always, I'm a resource you can use- ask me questions! I've been around music for several years and want to do everything in my power to help you. And if I can't, I can probably find someone who can.

-JP