The Basics

If you are not collecting names and addresses of people that are at your gigs you should start immediately. All you need is a simple sign up sheet with name, address, phone, and email address on it.

Using Your List

You can immediately start using your list by sending monthly calenders with all of your upcoming gigs. This is very effective because you can promote all of your gigs in that month with only one mailing. Another idea is a newsletter. This can give fans some inside information about your act that they might not have know about. Some ideas might be background about band members, special parties or gigs. How about a special gig for a band members birthday? The newsletter is open to your imagination so the sky is the limit. Don’t forget to include coupon to order your CD.

Swap Lists With Other Bands

If there are other bands in your hometown that play a similar style of music consider trading your list for theirs. This is a great way to build a large list quickly.

Survey Your Fans

Another idea for your list is to survey your fans. You can find out valuable info like: What is your favorite club? What cover tunes do you want to hear? What do you like about our band? What improvements do we need to make? etc.

Most independent artist do not really understand the importance of good stage presence. Have you ever watched and listened to a live performance that you simply can’t look away, one that can’t be ignored? A kind of charm and magic from the performer that is totally entertaining. This quality is called stage presence, and it separates the musicians who will be highly successful in their career from the ones who will merely provide background music in the corner while you eat and drink. There are many factors that create stage presence, and what works for one performer may come across as arrogant on another.

As an independent musician it is important to use creative ways to promote your music. One of the best ways to reach millions of potential fans and consumers is through music related social networking sites. Sites like Myspace, Youtube, The hype machine, Face book, etc.