Free Band Publicity

The internet age has made it considerably easier for bands and musicians to promote their music for little or no money. With the advent of places like social networking sites and music sharing sites music artists can spread the word much further than the local pub or neighbourhood.

Social networking sites like My Space allow you to upload your own music so that fans can log on to the site and listen to the whole song or songs or maybe just a sampling depending on the artists personal preference. Other social sites like Yuwie let you create a site for friends to view, comment, or link to another site to hear the music (music uploads are not yet available at this time).

Music sharing sites and services have come under a great deal of fire for allowing fans to obtain access to songs without paying artists their due royalties; however, there are a number of sites that allow musicians and bands to upload their own music for fans to hear, buy, and download. Some of these sites give totally free access, while others allow free uploading , listening to free samples, and purchase to download. Sites like www.download.com, www.ourstage.com, p3.com, and even Amazon allow musicians to upload songs without having to have a CD. For musicians who have a CD available sites like CDBaby, and Amie Street will offer samples, purchasing, and shipping of CDs with a minimal set up fee.

For musicians who have a webpage on My Space a service is available for artists to offer songs for purchase to their fans. Uploading is free and they keep track of the sales for you.

On a more local level word of mouth by friends and family has always been the quickest, easiest, and cheapest way to spread the word. Giving away sampler CDs may be free to the fans but it does cost a bit of time and money to prepare the CD.

Playing before a crowd of any size at every opportunity is also an excellent way to spread the word or music as it were; even if you don't get paid for the gig, building a fan base and possible sales will pay off in the end. Is there a local event that will let you play anywhere from a few songs to a full set? Do you have friends in a band that might let you open for them and play a few songs? Some areas let bands perform on the street without having to purchase a license which is also an excellent way to spread the sound.

How much promoting an artist does may be limited by the income available but there are also a number of ways to get the music out with no money and it only costs a bit of time and some imagination