Promotion and Marketing Can Do a Lot for Unsigned Bands
Promotion and marketing can do a lot for unsigned bands but let’s be honest, don’t make it your first concern. Spend time honing your craft, write good songs and lyrics, and build up a local fan base first before you start becoming concerned about reaching out to new people. There is an argument that if you are good enough, word of mouth will spread and people will flock to you anyway. That is not how it always works in the real world, but if you promote yourself heavily when your music doesn’t deserve it, you will eventually get found out. So the first rule should always be: be as good as you can be.
After this, you can really start to consider how to promote yourself and spread the word about your band. Securing radio airplay sounds like the great option, but how possible is it to do?
Radio airplay for Indie & Unsigned Bands
If you are a new or small act with no budget or following, you are not going to get on commercial radio. If your song is amazing and instant classic you may but if this was the case, you’d also likely have record companies pounding down your door as well. Commercial channels need to sell advertisements and they draw people in by playing songs that a large number of people know and like, it’s a business and they are only doing their job, even if it is not great for you.
However, the advance in digital technology and the internet has improved matters and there are areas you can make work for you.
The Indie 500 and related options
If you have not heard of this option, the Indie 500 is a collective that will allow you to load up three of your tracks and they will make them available to 500 college, internet and public broadcast radio stations for free. It’s no guarantee of success but if you believe in your songs, it can be a good opportunity to gain exposure for your band. The site has a forum and community links so you can further promote your music and chat to others in a similar situation.
MadeLoud Indie Music Community
MadeLoud is another indie music community dedicated to helping bands reach more fans by allowing unsigned artists to sell direct on their site verses taking more time to get approved on sites such as CDBaby or iTunes. MadeLoud allows bands to keep 80% on music and merchandise. Currently there is no charge for signing up and artists can upload an unlimited amount of songs. Similar to Indie 500 there are also message boards, blogs, music reviews, videos, and personal profile pages.
CDBaby & iTunes
While it does take more time and effort, promoting your music in all music communites possible is the way to go. In order to get approved by CDBaby you have to submit and wait a couple of months.
