Originally Posted by The Batlord

Advertising is certainly important, but even as far as indie labels go, they need to make deals with the major labels as far as distribution goes. CDs may or may not be on their way out, but it's still the case that if your basement label can't get your music in the stores, or send it anywhere outside of the local area, then all you've got is a few sites that are already being flooded with countless bands also vying for attention, and little way to compete for the listeners' attention besides word of mouth. And I imagine with so many groups on the same sites, word of mouth for non-established acts is even harder to come by than it was before the internet.