How in God's Name do you Market Yourself?

dothetrikey · 08-22-2009, 10:04 AM

So, this is the story. I'm in a synth-disco-pop-trash band. We have been together for two years (just the two of us. we're a duo). We have had all sorts of little successes, many many shows, toured europe twice, a bit of attention here and there. We don't have a label or anything. We are pretty DIY... but it's good. We live off our music and it's nice. I'm happy and pretty productive.

We have been using all sorts of online vehicles to market: Youtube, Facebook, Myspace etc etc etc... and of course, our own site. It's been really great and I feel like we've done well... but still... how in Gosh's name do you market yourself? Is it just being consistent? Putting consistently good stuff online? Blogging a lot?

Online marketing fascinates me but I also don't want to spend every waking moment online. Sometimes I want to go outside and walk around ... y'know? Fresh air... real, live people...

Because for certain things: like Youtube... I see some people who have massive amounts of hits, and I'm just like "how?" "what?" ... I mean... some real crap gets many many hits, and it leaves me astounded. Like (I know it's not music-related) "Charlie Bit My Finger"... how does that happen? Some mother films her kids being silly, sticks it online and all of a sudden thousands of people are watching it? It astounds me. Maybe it's all luck. I mean, Charlie made me laugh... but... millions of hits? What the...?

At the same time, it makes me happy when people I don't know post nice things on my videos... it actually makes me blush slightly.

Anyway, besides all that, I'm happy I found this forum. People see really cool and I'm excited to join a fresh, new music community.

I would love to hear any success stories you've had with online marketing OR/AND any tips on how to get people to pay attention...

Love
Stephen

ON A SIDE NOTE:
My fave bands: Neil Young, Stereolab, The Beatles, the Cars, Gary Numan, Beethoven, Nick Drake, Elliot Smith, Patti Smith, Doe Maar, XTC, Supertramp, Fleetwood Mac, Peaches, Ladytron, the Knife, Hidden Cameras, Final Fantasy, Depeche Mode, the Cure, Lush, the Smiths, Morissey, the Bangles, Pointer Sisters, Scissor Sisters, Twisted Sister, Spleen United, Kings of Convenience, Public Enemy, NWA, Run DMC, Beastie Boys, Beck, Ween, They Might Be Giants, Hole, Nirvana, Aphex Twin, Pet Shop Boys, Pink Floyd, pixies, MC Solaar, Prince, Ron Sexsmith, Sigur Ros, the Strokes, Talking Heads, Siouxi Sioux and the Banshees, Blur, the Guerillas, Frank Zappa, Chuck Berry, Rolling Stones, the Who, Led Zeppelin, the Kinks, Super Girls and Romantic Boys, Chopin, Michael Jackson, the Communards, Bronski Beat, MiA, Wax Mannequin, Pink Floyd, Roger Hodgson, New Order, Joy Division, the Buzz****s, David Byrne, MGMT, Mogwai, Mercury Rev, Clancy Brothers, The Latah Movement, Hank and Lily, Kevin Burke, Manu Chao, Tupac, Rage Against the Machine, Outkast, Bonobo, Kid Koala, Sergento Garcia, Buddy Holly, The Sugarcubes, Jean Duval, La Bottine Souriante, Mugar, Cyndi Lauper, Speak the Hungarian Rapper, Alexander Marcus, Pooprider, Jarvis ****er, Pulp, Suede, Human League, Flaming Lips, Electrolane, Devo, Dead Kennedys, Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah, Organ, New Pornographers, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Idol, Animal Collective, Arcade Fire, Milli Vanilli, Technotronic, Brian Eno, OMD, Tears for Fears, REM, B52s, Phil Collins, Genesis, Early Elton John, Elvis Costello, Elvis Presley, the Doors, Magnetic Fields, Kraftwerk, the Zombies, Low, the Danielson Family, Pinback, Galaxy 500, Simon and Garfunkel, Velvet Underground, King Missile, the Police, Sting, Lenny Kravitz, ELO, Tom Petty, Tracy Chapman, Slim Whitman, Johnny Cash, Aqua, Sisters of Mercy, Jesus and Mary Chain, Swervedriver, spinvis, MC 900 ft. Jesus and DJ Zero, Tricky, Enya, Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Enya, Eminem, CCR, Chemical Brothers, Moby, David Bowie, Michael Nyman, Midnight Oil, Crowded House, Leonard Cohen, Philip Glass, Rik Ocasek, George Brassens, Disposable Heroes of Hypocrisy, Moxy Fruvous, Spandau Ballet, Blondie, Harmonium, Public Image Limited, Sex Pistols, Peter Gabriel, Belinda Carlisle, Eurythmics, Violent Femmes, Soft Cell, Air, Men Without Hats, Cyndi Lauper, The The, Orbital, a Flock of Seagulls, Joe Jackson, INXS, Lou Reed, Ned Rifle, Polyphonic Spree, Adult, Laurie Anderson, Beach Boys, Ride, Stone Roses, AC/DC, Tina Turner, Coil, Front 242, Postal Service and Erasure

scottsy · 08-23-2009, 12:20 AM

Wow! Thats quite a list of fave bands! Quite alot of really good stuff in there too...

Urban Hat€monger ? · 08-23-2009, 12:26 AM

If you ever hear of a case of an artist being 'successful on the internet' it's usually because they already have the funds & backing of a major record label behind them.

You'll just have to join the millions of other wannabe bands all vying for our attention.

scottsy · 08-23-2009, 12:57 AM

I had a feeling that was all a bit of a sham... the internet gets information out there quickly I guess, but it has become a somewhat crowded space vying for the attentions of the casual surfer... and what better way to set yourself apart than to have a glossy pop up or banner from a friendly mega label coroporate sponsor...

gunnels · 08-23-2009, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dothetrikey

The Beatles, Beethoven, Final Fantasy,Depeche Mode, Twisted Sister, Public Enemy, NWA, Run DMC, Beastie Boys, Beck, Prince, Sigur Ros, Blur, Frank Zappa, Chopin, Michael Jackson, Mogwai, Rage Against the Machine, Flaming Lips, Bruce Springsteen, Genesis, Early Elton John, Velvet Underground, Tom Petty, Johnny Cash, Chemical Brothers, Sex Pistols, Peter Gabriel, Lou Reed

Go amaze people with live shows and kick ass. Horrid advice but meh thats my two cents.

You listen to amazing music btw.

Guybrush · 08-24-2009, 06:43 AM

I think you need something that sets you apart. There are so many bands out there that sound pretty much the same, mimicking something that's been done before them. Find your own niche, it doesn't have to be completely different but there should at least be some kind of distinct signature to your music.

That and of course it has to be good.

NumberNineDream · 08-24-2009, 07:19 AM

the internet is like a big popularity contest ... it's never about the talent.

Guybrush · 08-24-2009, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NumberNineDream

the internet is like a big popularity contest ... it's never about the talent.

Well, doing something with your talent is also a talent. I mean there are thousands of people out there who are incredibly good at playing guitar, likely as good as the many famous virtuosos, but a lot of them never do anything interesting with that skill. If you have no interest in the wankery itself, why then listen to them?

You have to create something that people like and preferably something that makes you stand out from the crowd.

music_phantom13 · 08-26-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dothetrikey

My fave bands: Stereolab, Nick Drake, Elliot Smith, Patti Smith, XTC, Supertramp, the Knife, Depeche Mode, the Cure, Lush, the Smiths, Morissey, Public Enemy, NWA, Run DMC, Beck, They Might Be Giants, Hole, Nirvana, Pink Floyd, pixies, Sigur Ros, Talking Heads, Siouxi Sioux and the Banshees, Blur, the Guerillas, Frank Zappa, Led Zeppelin, the Kinks, MiA, the Buzz****s, David Byrne, Mogwai, Tupac, Outkast, Flaming Lips, Dead Kennedys, New Pornographers, Animal Collective, Brian Eno, REM, Elvis Costello, the Doors, Magnetic Fields, Kraftwerk, the Zombies, Low, Pinback, Velvet Underground, Jesus and Mary Chain, Swervedriver, CCR, Blondie, Public Image Limited, Sex Pistols, The The, Orbital, Lou Reed, Ride, Stone Roses, Postal Service

Wow quite the nice diverse music taste. Those are some of my favorites from your list. You're really going to like it here if you stick around.

As far as marketing yourself, a lot of it comes from getting hyped... major labels help those bands a lot. Especially from your description other artists in your genre, who probably claim to be indie bands and have an "independent" label that is actually just an extension of a major label. If you could get in Pitchfork or some big music magazine somehow you'd probably get a lot of listeners... lots of people like to be told what to listen to. Not saying I think this is what you should do, but if you're looking to get popular that's gonna help a lot. Don't know how you would go around accomplishing that though... Other than that, just be really amazing and set yourself apart from other bands by developing a unique sound. Good luck!

dothetrikey · 08-28-2009, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by music_phantom13

Wow quite the nice diverse music taste. Those are some of my favorites from your list. You're really going to like it here if you stick around.

As far as marketing yourself, a lot of it comes from getting hyped... major labels help those bands a lot. Especially from your description other artists in your genre, who probably claim to be indie bands and have an "independent" label that is actually just an extension of a major label. If you could get in Pitchfork or some big music magazine somehow you'd probably get a lot of listeners... lots of people like to be told what to listen to. Not saying I think this is what you should do, but if you're looking to get popular that's gonna help a lot. Don't know how you would go around accomplishing that though... Other than that, just be really amazing and set yourself apart from other bands by developing a unique sound. Good luck!

Thanks man! I appreciate how everyone said nice things about my musical tastes. I like a lot of different stuff... and a LOT of eighties music.
Could be true. You hear about artists "breaking it" on youtube... and I've seen vloggers/ musicians/ comedians get a pretty decent fan base on youtube, to the extent that they can easily get 100,000 hits on each video. Young guys too. I don't really know the secret. Whatevs.

As for us, we post things about two or three times a week; sometimes a funny video, a song, a vlog... whatever. I like the internet and this day and age, and how people can market themselves... it's pretty great. But to make the BIG STEP... yeah, who knows? Major labels, sure... but that's a long shot to get onto one of those. There's something nice about DIY, though, I must say. To feel independant, at least for awhile... drumming up interest in yourself by perservering and being faithful w/ vlogs, blogs etc etc... and playing live, of course. That has been the NUMBER ONE best thing for us and getting fans/ generating interest...

08-22-2009, 10:04 AM	#1 (permalink)
dothetrikey Groupie Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Denmark Posts: 11	How in God's Name do you Market Yourself? So, this is the story. I'm in a synth-disco-pop-trash band. We have been together for two years (just the two of us. we're a duo). We have had all sorts of little successes, many many shows, toured europe twice, a bit of attention here and there. We don't have a label or anything. We are pretty DIY... but it's good. We live off our music and it's nice. I'm happy and pretty productive. We have been using all sorts of online vehicles to market: Youtube, Facebook, Myspace etc etc etc... and of course, our own site. It's been really great and I feel like we've done well... but still... how in Gosh's name do you market yourself? Is it just being consistent? Putting consistently good stuff online? Blogging a lot? Online marketing fascinates me but I also don't want to spend every waking moment online. Sometimes I want to go outside and walk around ... y'know? Fresh air... real, live people... Because for certain things: like Youtube... I see some people who have massive amounts of hits, and I'm just like "how?" "what?" ... I mean... some real crap gets many many hits, and it leaves me astounded. Like (I know it's not music-related) "Charlie Bit My Finger"... how does that happen? Some mother films her kids being silly, sticks it online and all of a sudden thousands of people are watching it? It astounds me. Maybe it's all luck. I mean, Charlie made me laugh... but... millions of hits? What the...? At the same time, it makes me happy when people I don't know post nice things on my videos... it actually makes me blush slightly. Anyway, besides all that, I'm happy I found this forum. People see really cool and I'm excited to join a fresh, new music community. I would love to hear any success stories you've had with online marketing OR/AND any tips on how to get people to pay attention... Love Stephen ON A SIDE NOTE: My fave bands: Neil Young, Stereolab, The Beatles, the Cars, Gary Numan, Beethoven, Nick Drake, Elliot Smith, Patti Smith, Doe Maar, XTC, Supertramp, Fleetwood Mac, Peaches, Ladytron, the Knife, Hidden Cameras, Final Fantasy, Depeche Mode, the Cure, Lush, the Smiths, Morissey, the Bangles, Pointer Sisters, Scissor Sisters, Twisted Sister, Spleen United, Kings of Convenience, Public Enemy, NWA, Run DMC, Beastie Boys, Beck, Ween, They Might Be Giants, Hole, Nirvana, Aphex Twin, Pet Shop Boys, Pink Floyd, pixies, MC Solaar, Prince, Ron Sexsmith, Sigur Ros, the Strokes, Talking Heads, Siouxi Sioux and the Banshees, Blur, the Guerillas, Frank Zappa, Chuck Berry, Rolling Stones, the Who, Led Zeppelin, the Kinks, Super Girls and Romantic Boys, Chopin, Michael Jackson, the Communards, Bronski Beat, MiA, Wax Mannequin, Pink Floyd, Roger Hodgson, New Order, Joy Division, the Buzz**s, David Byrne, MGMT, Mogwai, Mercury Rev, Clancy Brothers, The Latah Movement, Hank and Lily, Kevin Burke, Manu Chao, Tupac, Rage Against the Machine, Outkast, Bonobo, Kid Koala, Sergento Garcia, Buddy Holly, The Sugarcubes, Jean Duval, La Bottine Souriante, Mugar, Cyndi Lauper, Speak the Hungarian Rapper, Alexander Marcus, Pooprider, Jarvis **er, Pulp, Suede, Human League, Flaming Lips, Electrolane, Devo, Dead Kennedys, Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah, Organ, New Pornographers, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Idol, Animal Collective, Arcade Fire, Milli Vanilli, Technotronic, Brian Eno, OMD, Tears for Fears, REM, B52s, Phil Collins, Genesis, Early Elton John, Elvis Costello, Elvis Presley, the Doors, Magnetic Fields, Kraftwerk, the Zombies, Low, the Danielson Family, Pinback, Galaxy 500, Simon and Garfunkel, Velvet Underground, King Missile, the Police, Sting, Lenny Kravitz, ELO, Tom Petty, Tracy Chapman, Slim Whitman, Johnny Cash, Aqua, Sisters of Mercy, Jesus and Mary Chain, Swervedriver, spinvis, MC 900 ft. Jesus and DJ Zero, Tricky, Enya, Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Enya, Eminem, CCR, Chemical Brothers, Moby, David Bowie, Michael Nyman, Midnight Oil, Crowded House, Leonard Cohen, Philip Glass, Rik Ocasek, George Brassens, Disposable Heroes of Hypocrisy, Moxy Fruvous, Spandau Ballet, Blondie, Harmonium, Public Image Limited, Sex Pistols, Peter Gabriel, Belinda Carlisle, Eurythmics, Violent Femmes, Soft Cell, Air, Men Without Hats, Cyndi Lauper, The The, Orbital, a Flock of Seagulls, Joe Jackson, INXS, Lou Reed, Ned Rifle, Polyphonic Spree, Adult, Laurie Anderson, Beach Boys, Ride, Stone Roses, AC/DC, Tina Turner, Coil, Front 242, Postal Service and Erasure __________________ do the trikey

08-23-2009, 12:20 AM	#2 (permalink)
scottsy Untalented Drummer Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sussex, Wisconsin Posts: 2,900	Wow! Thats quite a list of fave bands! Quite alot of really good stuff in there too... __________________ "If you're like me, then it's possible you're a clone generated from my stolen DNA. I suggest you turn yourself in for destruction immediately" - Shaun Micallef.

08-23-2009, 12:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
Urban Hat€monger ? The Sexual Intellectual Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Somewhere cooler than you Posts: 18,605	If you ever hear of a case of an artist being 'successful on the internet' it's usually because they already have the funds & backing of a major record label behind them. You'll just have to join the millions of other wannabe bands all vying for our attention. __________________ Urb's RYM Stuff Most people sell their soul to the devil, but the devil sells his soul to Nick Cave.

08-23-2009, 12:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
scottsy Untalented Drummer Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sussex, Wisconsin Posts: 2,900	I had a feeling that was all a bit of a sham... the internet gets information out there quickly I guess, but it has become a somewhat crowded space vying for the attentions of the casual surfer... and what better way to set yourself apart than to have a glossy pop up or banner from a friendly mega label coroporate sponsor... __________________ "If you're like me, then it's possible you're a clone generated from my stolen DNA. I suggest you turn yourself in for destruction immediately" - Shaun Micallef.

08-24-2009, 06:43 AM	#6 (permalink)
Guybrush Juicious Maximus III Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Scabb Island Posts: 6,525	I think you need something that sets you apart. There are so many bands out there that sound pretty much the same, mimicking something that's been done before them. Find your own niche, it doesn't have to be completely different but there should at least be some kind of distinct signature to your music. That and of course it has to be good. __________________ Something Completely Different

08-24-2009, 07:19 AM	#7 (permalink)
NumberNineDream Blue Bleezin' Blind Drunk Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: The land of the largest wine glass (aka Lebanon) Posts: 2,200	the internet is like a big popularity contest ... it's never about the talent. __________________ Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Welcome to the Black Lodge