Where can I spread the word about my project to musicians who might be interested?

July 23, 2008 6:53 AM

How can I reach independent musicians? My friends and I have built a great service for artists who promote their music online. The people who use it rave about it. But we'd like to grow to serve a lot more people in a more eclectic range of music.

Right now, we're running AdWords, messaging similar artists on MySpace, and organically spreading the word through musicians and fans that already love our service.

I know musicians are busy people, but I'd like to somehow show more people what we've built. The service gets cooler for everyone as there are network effects involved.

posted by racecar to media & arts (13 comments total)

You should try organise or sponsor some gigs. www.yourwebsitename.com presents etc. Bands passing through will hopefully spread the word for you. Your name will appear in band's Myspace gig listings and bulletins
posted by minifigs at 6:58 AM on July 23

Are you talking outreach via internet only?

Because you could probably hit up lots of live indie shows and do promotion type things there. Nothing flashy, not too much merchandise or whatever, but get a table in the back and spark up conversation with whoever comes your way and even the band members.

If you are in NYC check out showpaper. But I'm sure there are outlets for wherever you are.
posted by saxamo at 6:58 AM on July 23

That sounds like a good start. Also try putting it on Projects. If it's good maybe someone will put it on the front page.

Maybe hand out flyers with info at SXSW-like events?
posted by chillmost at 7:00 AM on July 23

You could put your web address in your mefi profile so that we can have a look. I make eclectic music and would be interested in seeing what you're up to.
posted by merocet at 7:11 AM on July 23

Reach out to musicians through the other pre-existing social music networks out there - Pure Volume comes to mind but I'm sure there are a ton of others.
posted by infinityjinx at 7:12 AM on July 23

Another existing group/network to check out: rpmchallenge.

You might also want to focus on artists in a few select cities that have a good independent music scene (Austin, TX comes to mind but there's many).
posted by ejaned8 at 7:37 AM on July 23

Also curious... though my resistance to signing up for yet another network is high. Please post the address.
posted by omnidrew at 7:56 AM on July 23

Uh yeah, what's your website's url? I'm a musician too.

Also, post on music forums!! There are tons and tons of music forums out there...
posted by aielen at 8:14 AM on July 23

Try to work with organizations that already serve independent musicians (e.g. IODA, or CD Baby -- these are just examples, maybe your service isn't compatible with theres or is a competitor, but there are others). Maybe you can work some package deal together, or users of one company's service can get a discount on the other.
posted by winston at 8:20 AM on July 23

What's your ad budget? Tossing something up on Pitchfork (or any number of awesome print mags like Skyscraper, Bomb, Under The Radar, Paste, Pop Culture Press, Magnet, Wonkavision, Punk Planet or The Onion) would hit your demo perfectly—artists and hyper-aware fans.
posted by klangklangston at 2:31 PM on July 23

That's actually a really cool idea, and I'm speaking as both a ravenous music consumer and a musician. In addition to MeFi projects, there's obviously MeFi Music.
posted by eclectist at 2:44 PM on July 23

[removed big comment - put it in projects or on your profile, don't link to the site you are asking how to promote here, thank you.]
posted by jessamyn at 6:33 PM on July 23

Definitely put it in Projects, definitely get it on your user profile (here and anywhere you routinely make comments where people might check out your profile) - don't miss simple, maintenance-free means of passive promotion.

I have a friend engaged in a similar endeavor and one of the most important components of promotion for him is plugging into the local music scene.
posted by nanojath at 12:08 PM on July 24