Beer and Social Networking 101

So, you’ve been practicing and you freakin’ rock!. Even found some like-minded people and decided to become a band. Probably, spent more than a few hours agonizing over a band name and maybe even set up a time to practice. With your mantra; “sex, drugs and rock n’ roll!” on your lips, you’re itching to get out there and take the world by storm.

All joking aside (and that might not be your dream), I can’t help you with that part. What I can do, is give you some practical tips on getting your name out there. Where, it’s not going to break the bank (the day job), take all your free time and you can at least feel like you’re working toward your goal.

Let me say first; Music is a business. Get that in your head right now. As much as your heart wants you to think it is art, ask any suit and they will tell you…. “the music business.” The section below (Music is a Business) and to the left in the footer has some interesting articles and practical tips on that. I wish they were mine, but David Nevue seems to have a good head for business. I digress… back to the topic and on with the job of music.

I am going on the assumption; You rock every place you’ve ever played and luck is on your side. But, even with that recommendation, if no one has heard your name they don’t know who you are.

Let the tutorial begin.

What you are going to need. One beer (or your choice of libation). one band image (pic, logo, etc) and a open note pad on your computer. I’ll wait while you get these.

Step one:

Take a swig of beer, and now write your band’s biography. Take another drink, it isn’t going to be that bad. I’ll walk you through it.

Highlight the Important Info:

Highlight musical accomplishments and musical influences. Think of what you want to know about the musicians you like or what you expect to learn when you read about a band in a magazine, and then include that same information in your own bio.

Decide: What matters and what doesn’t? What is going to make people want to listen to your music?

Keep it short, less than a page. Remember, just the basics are fine for now: Band name, members, and influences. You can always go back and edit and refine.

I’ll wait while you get inspired. Take a drink, and now write.

Done?

This is very important. Save. Because, we all know power outages only happen when you haven’t saved your work and we wanna save it for later. Sit back and have a drink and pat yourself on the back. The hard part is over.

One side note, keep your bio updated as new things happen. If you record a new album, play a big show, get an award, or anything else of note, make sure you add it to your bio.

Step two:

Find a picture, preferably of all the band members.  Avoid the  jumping band pic at all costs, there is always someone in the group that can’t get it up and keep it up.

Armed with bio, song. Oh, I forgot to mention the song. I’ll wait while you grab that. Got it? OK.

Song. ✔
Bio. ✔
Take a drink. ✔
Pic. ✔
You are now armed and dangerous. Off, to the following sites.

Step 3:

Join these music sites (not a complete list). Social networks are simply a tool, don’t limit yourself to one, or listen to the hype about a site. Each site has their own advocates, and you want to make that community fans of you.
* myspace
* facebook
* twitter
* LastFM
* purevolume
* dmusic
* Punk News
* soundclick
* Anusaya
* audioleaf (babelfish can be your friend)

Cut and paste bio, add band picture, add band link (Link, all the pages to one page (maybe myspace, or your bandpage), your choice) and one song. One song? Yeah, a new song a month, until you run out. You, want fans to listen and if there are no choices they will listen to each new one, never skipping any. Then add about twenty people, not just random people but users from your geographical location. Real friends’ pages, make a good start. If you already have a page there, update it. Take a drink, you’ve worked hard.

Remember, these pages need to be updated regularly. Set up a time once a week to check for messages and add a few more fans (people where you live, you are trying to build a local fan base) to your pages. Answer everyone that leaves you a comment and thank them in comments for accepting your request, or adding you. You’re trying to connect. BE awesome!! And be safe.

Better yet, you can ask for help. Share this job with the band, a friend, family member, the entire family, rabid girlfriend or boyfriend. These are your biggest fans. and want to see you succeed. Make it a game. First person, that gets us to 2,500 (2,500 (try to keep them local) wasn’t randomly chosen, it is the number of friends you need to go auto add for requests at myspace) gets dinner out.

Take another drink, sit back and relax. You’re, done.

In two weeks, how to build a awesome band homepage in 60 minutes, or less.
Cheers ~D