3 Common Mistakes New Bands Make

There’s a tremendous volume of bands that enter the public eye each year—how do you separate your band from the NOISE? The good news is that the opportunity is there for MAXIMUM public exposure and maximum financial success! If your sound is solid, your licks are good, and your jams are rockin’ there’s no reason why you can’t make it to the top! Don’t fall in the cracks! Here’s a heads-up on 3 common mistakes made by new bands!

1. They don’t get a real website

Your band should have its own website as soon as you decide on a name! Your website serves as the international home base for your friends, fans, and supporters to get the information they need about you! Where and when are your next events? What are your latest songs? How would you describe your image? Custom band sites are great, but it can cost thousands to have one designed and managed! Although sites like MySpace media are an excellent way to share your music, your band NEEDS a website devoted entirely to YOU!

One option is our band website theme. This is an affordable alternative to a costly customized site—allowing you to present a personalized professional website quickly and inexpensively!

The band website theme lets you easily customize your site’s appearance. You have the opportunity to open an online store offering albums, iTunes Downloads, t-shirts and more; groupies can buy merchandise directly from your site or through a link to another site. Fans can pay for your wares conveniently through a variety of methods. Use the template to link tweets from Twitter, YouTube videos, social profiles, or photos from Flickr. Your new website will let visitors play music on your site, display your recent blogs, and publish your tour dates—all the essentials, all in one place!

2. They don’t take advantage of online marketing

Online marketing has exploded within the last decade—setting up perfect openings that you can use to make your own breaks! Once upon a time, bands had to court music producers, but online marketing gives you a chance to distribute, sell, and promote your music (and any cool merchandise you’d like to add!) BEFORE you ever sign a corporate contract! Now with social media and e-commerce, you have the chance to reach a wide audience for a minimal investment! Start a grass-roots movement to develop the culture of your followers! Social marketing, blogs that cover bands, and free music sites are all options for your band to make connections, get gigs, sell tunes, and MAKE MONEY!

3. They sit and wait for people to come to them

Basically, the biggest mistake you or your band could make is to play passive! Using online marketing aggressively will promote your band, increase your visibility, and expand your fan base—leading to more gigs and more money! Set up a website! Sell t-shirts and bumper stickers! Get you band members on Facebook! Encourage your followers to become your “fans.” Upload your discography to MySpace! Put a music video on YouTube and get the pictures of your latest gig (and maybe your best-looking groupies) on Flickr. Applying your energy and enthusiasm to social networking and online marketing will push your band to the TOP!