here are a couple of my favorite links from my bookmark archive that discuss strategies for how to properly promote your music (and yourself) in the modern age. enjoy!

‣ the secret to getting publicity for your band

[your bio] should have everyone in the bands full name, properly spelled, what they play, how long the band has been together, where you are from, the title of the album, where and when you recorded and who produced it. (I get bios from bands who are paying publicists two grand a month who send out bios with no useful, basic biographical information; it blows my mind.) It should have the very basic history of your band contained in a tops four-sentence paragraph, along with anything notable (i.e. you are very young/old, gay, are twin sisters, used to be in Pearl Jam, met in jail, are a couple and live in a yurt, you won the Pushcart Prize).

‣ seven mistakes that are keeping starving artists from thriving

Many artists feel that selling is beneath them or that [fans] won’t take them seriously if they promote themselves. That couldn’t be further from the truth. [fans] want to see the artists they are following get visibility and sales, because it reassures them that they are making the right decision to invest in them.

‣ some jazz biz wisdom

One thing that I find terribly troubling today is that many young musicians and artists in general are not willing to accept a world without record labels or the idea that most record labels are simply not interested in them or their music. The exceptions to the rule include attractive females (usually those who sing), musicians who have a truly unique story to tell in addition to having killing music, or are already part of a scene of other musicians which places their work in the context of other known artists and thus offers credibility to their art.

‣ how to promote your single | a 20 day plan (video)

‣ six harsh truths that will make you a better person

I'm asking what do you offer? Are you smart? Funny? Interesting? Talented? Ambitious? Creative? OK, now what do you do to demonstrate those attributes to the world?

‣ the best way for a new band to build a fanbase

The greatest challenge of being in a band is exactly this--how to make people who are not in the band care about the band? There are so many intangibles, and so many hurdles as a young band it can often seem like it's just a matter of fate. I mean, who really wants to go see some baby band get its sea legs at a sports bar on a Monday night?

‣ eleven proven ways for musicians to build a six-figure fanbase

Your fan base will be your livelihood, your motivation, and at times your inspiration. They’ll get you through the bad times, and will help you create the good times. Without them, you won’t be able to do what you love, so always remember that you’re serving your fans, not the other way around.

with all these tips in mind, you cannot fail. your music will attract listeners like an unstoppable electromagnet, until you have stadiums-full of all sorts of rabid followers forming a large ball-like cluster around you as you tour around the world, much akin to the final levels of katamari damacy. the future is bright! cheers!