Independent Artist Distribution and Marketing

There was a time when people only believed they had a chance in the music industry if they were able to get signed to a label. An independent artist did not have much of a chance. Today that’s not necessarily true due to the advancement of the Internet. Recently I viewed a video from one of the most informative websites for musicians active and aspiring to the music industry called Artist House Music. Jon Vanhala, SVP Digital & Business Development Island Def Jam Music Group, in and interview goes over some strategies for promoting you career as an independent artist.

We all know that the Internet has totally changed the scope of the music industry in several ways, many of them negative. However for independent artists the Internet has given them an opportunity to level the playing field. Today we have the ability to effectively create; self publish, market and distribute music from home. Vanhala mentions some really great ideas and shares wisdom for the independent artist to utilize to increase their online and offline presence and credibility as an artist.

In the clip “How to Promote our Career as an Independent Artist,” Vanhala mentions a few websites that would be really good for the independent artist to distribute and/or market their music.

1.     The Orchard

2.     AWAL

3.     CD Baby

4.     MySpace

Vanhala speaks of first three mentioned sites as really good sites to set up distribution, publishing, and in some cases a marketing package to help you get the word out about your music for sale. He also gives a special mention to MySpace as one that is “really important.” In spite of the surge from Facebook to take over as the most popular social media medium, MySpace still has strong components for marketing independent artists or artists in general. Recently MySpace has been advertising a new design and strategy that will be a great tool for artists to interact with their fans and easily advertise through music and video.

Vanhala urges the use of technology to advertise yourself as an independent artist. You have to become a marketer until you can afford to have someone do it for you.  You need to have a website and send your fans there. Capture their emails and send them the information they want to know about. Phone numbers can come in handy as well especially in todays smart phone era.