As an independent musician or band, there are several ways in which you can promote your music, both online and offline. With more and more people turning to the web for information, having your own web site gives you the potential to reach a wider audience. Let’s take a look at a few ways you can use your site to help promote yourself and your music.

1. Maintain a permanent online presence
Your web site serves as a permanent address where your fans and admirers can learn more about you and keep up-to-date on your work. Therefore, it’s important that you publicize your web site address at shows and in all of your printed materials (CD sleeves, flyers, program notes, press kits, etc.), so that people can find you.

2. Stay in touch with fans
By integrating interactive elements such as a newsletter/mailing list and/or contact form, your site can become an effective tool for keeping in touch with your fans. Make sure you also publish your schedule dates on your site to keep your fans updated on when and where you will be performing.

3. Improve your image as a serious musician
By having a professionally designed website you update frequently with new content, you are showing the world you are alive and working on new projects. A list of your past and future performance dates demonstrates that your serious

4. Expose your music to a wider audience
The web is truly a global community and by having your own web site, people from all over the world will potentially be able to discover your talent. Since your web site is “open” 24 hours a day, your fans can visit your site at their convenience. By having audio clips available on your site, people who have never had a chance to hear you perform, either live or on a recording, can get a taste of your music.

5. Increase your income through online sales
Selling merchandise online is becoming easier and easier these days, especially with the help of such services as PayPal. By selling your CDs directly through your website, you can supplement your income beyond what you make from performances and other gigs.
As most things in life, building and maintaining your own web site will require time and effort on your part. Fortunately, there are Do-It-Yourself services available that make it easy for you to get started. I think you will find that the time and effort you put into making your web site a top-notch resource will really help you in promoting your music career.

To read the full version of this article, please visit the NoteWay resource center at
www.noteway.com/notes. There you will also find our growing library of articles to help promote your music.