Top 10 tips on promoting your music online

1. Engage your fan base.

There is nothing quite like talking to fans directly. Doing so, can ensure a loyal fan basen who buy tickets, music and merchandise.

2. Social Networks.

A great way to build up your fans online and virally distribute your music effectively. Social Networks such as Facebook, Bebo and My Space are the best sites to start with first.

3. Local Music organisations.

Get in contact with all of your local music rights organisations or associations. They can provide a wealth of knowledge, free databases, links with other Countries and other music organisations online.

4. Blog.

Blog Blog Blog. Keep fans up to date by updating your blog regularly. This is a great way to keep fans logging on to your blog site and increasing the number of hits to your website.

5. Content providers.

A lot of the  new websites currently being developed by Nokia,  O2 etc are constantly engaging artists to provide content. This can provide a great avenue for you to promote your new music online.

6. Direct contact.

Get alll band members involved. I would highly recommend that each band member  targets specific sectors online as part of daily routine. Engaging fans online is now an essential part of any musicians life. Find out your fans birthday and send them a direct greeting.

7. Build your database.

Build up your fanbase and engage your audience by offering prizes such as free tickets to gigs or free albums and other goodies in return for an email address or mobile number.

8. Review Sites.

Why not target the top 50 independent music sites online with follow up mails, phonecalls and letters to ensure your band gets a shot of whats hot during your release week.Try and populate as many sites as possible to raise your bands online profile.

9. You Tube.

This is a very popular site with Google. Uploading to YouTube can ensure that you have a strong online presence.

10.  Music magazines online.

As they are niche communities, investigate the possibility of providing them with content, music, images of your live gigs, future performance dates etc. Give them something to write about.

Mark Downing is CEO of Ireland’s largest independent Entertainment Booking Agency http://www.audionetworks.ie