The music industry has changed drastically in the last few
decades and indie musicians are increasingly finding their audience online.
Bands used to have a hand-to-mouth existence hoping that someone
would notice them and sign on as an artist.
If they lucked out, the band would sign a recording contract
and — hopefully — get the promotional power of the record label to find an
audience.
It has never been easy for indie musicians to become famous,
get recognition and be known for their talents, and build a music brand.
But today there are more opportunities than ever before, thanks
largely due to the internet and music promotion sites where users can post
their music and sell it to their fans.
Independent musicians have always been outsiders. As a way to
express themselves and share their music with the world, indie musicians have
been distinct from mainstream artists.
They’re the ones who choose to create their music outside of the
definition of what many people consider popular. Today, of course, indie
musicians have a much more direct link with their potential audiences: the
Internet.
The Internet has made it easier for independent musicians to
succeed. They can now easily reach a much wider audience and rely less on
word-of-mouth promotion, which is already dominated by big music brands.
In order to succeed, they are no longer dependent entirely on
word-of-mouth and the patronage of like-minded people. Instead, they can
directly reach those who want to buy indie bands’ music online.
Independent musicians are able to record and produce their own
music using today’s technology, which has leveled the playing field for them in
so many ways.
Today alone you can find digital music software that will allow an
independent artist to record their tracks affordably and make high-quality
recordings without the backing of major labels.
This allows them to be more creative and innovative in what they
create, as well as have lower costs for production than with traditional music
production methods.
Independent music has never been more popular, with emerging
artists finding success on the internet through music promotion sites.
You can find several ways to promote your music as indie music
artists or singer-songwriters and learn how to sell your music online with
these online
music promotion tips.
Indie musicians are taking advantage of social networking sites
like MySpace and Facebook to promote themselves. Whether you're a solo artist
or in a band, social networking sites can help promote your music to fans all
over the world.
Many bands have profiles on these websites with links back to
their music pages or other resources they’ve created for fans who want more
information about the band’s latest release.
Music videos are a great way for independent artists and bands to
get their music heard. Musicians who create music videos can upload them to
YouTube, which might suggest them to viewers who like similar music and bands.
Viewers who like indie music and bands often find the videos on
YouTube, which can lead to new followers for these performers. This kind of
viral marketing is completely aligned with the traditional, word-of-mouth promotion
that indie bands have used for decades.
The major departure from the past, however, is the advent of
websites dedicated to promoting indie music. Some of these websites include:
·
Bandcamp
·
Songkick
·
Bandsintown
·
Spotify
·
ReverbNation
·
Soundcloud
·
Amazon Music
·
Apple Music
Typically, these sites enable musicians, bands, singers,
songwriters, DJs, and MCs to sign up for one of three types of accounts.
Usually, a free artist account gives indie
musicians the opportunity to upload their music, write blogs, post upcoming
gigs, and become part of the site’s review and rating system.
A standard account gives them the opportunity to sell digital
content under one umbrella. For example, indie musicians are able to sell MP3s,
videos, and photographs, and receive 70 percent of all sales.
A professional account often enables independent
musicians to use their own payment gateway (like PayPal) and retain 100
percent of all sales.
The music promotion site usually does the marketing, advertising,
and promotion that draw those who wish to buy indie bands’ MP3 recordings. But
indie fans are really the fuel that drives the engines of these kinds of sites.
Listeners can stream MP3 and videos from their favorite indie
musicians, as well as discover new bands. Often, visitors can search the site
by artist name, artist’s influences, and artist blog entries.
They can also search by genre, such as a cappella, alternative,
electronic, slow rock, and so forth. These kinds of sites are breathing new
life into the indie scene.
They complement the “go your own way” thinking of indie
musicians while allowing them to leverage new technology and become part of
a collective that promotes the common good. At the end of the day, both
musicians and fans come out as winners.
Would you like to become a successful musician, singer,
songwriter, or independent artist? You can study
music online with a music Masterclass by Grammy Award winners.
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