How artists can promote themselves on the internet

[BigPeople]

there seems to be millions of unknown artists trying to make a name for themselves on the net. Most knock up an lp at home and expect people to just pay for it cos they are your myspace friend but we decided against this. We believe that we need to build demand and support before making our tunes available to buy, the net gives us direct contact with music fans, so if we cant get enough music fans asking to buy our tunes then its going to be very difficult to try and sell anything .
We decided to use podcasts and select free tracks to try and start building our fanbase before we make any product available to buy.
Other artists - add to this thread with your own ideas on how to build your profile on this worldwide web and see what we can learn from each other.

 

[Seeker_UK]

From my experience:

1 - Don't go in it to make it big and expect to make a fortune.
2 - Rehearse.
3 - Gig.
4 - Rehearse.
5 - Gig.
etc

A little bit glib but live exposure pays dividends. And although we live in the Interweb Age, if you want to make it big, a big 'grass roots' following will get you on A&R men's radar quicker than anything else. Play wherever and whenever you can.

The net will help but you need to put in a lot of work elsewhere.

Set up accounts on MySpace (easy) and Virb.

Invest in some proper recordings of the band.

Create a proper album (CD) with a proper cover and make available for free and send out to A&R, internet radio stations that play 'your' sort of music (they will play it - I've even had some of my stuff played....). Even if you don't actually make one, create an album-like playlist of tracks and some supporting art. Include a bio.

You could sell the music through Magnatune or other download shops set up for the beginner.

Get together with other similar bands and start a 'support network' - offer support slots, set up gigs etc.

Some thoughts anyway.