MySpace is an amazing tool for the artist that has limited resources. As a matter of fact, for some it's a badge of honor even if you have your own site.

More and more am I seeing major acts actually dropping their MySpace URL into marketing collateral before their websites. Now you might think that's weird but really, it's real smart.

If you're in the right demo you know that everyone has a MySpace page. Once getting the people to the MS page they can then find the band URL and go from there. Kinda brainless marketing move there. But......

In this video I talk about how to load or actually, how not to load up your MySpace page. We have tendency to want to show and play everything but there is still quite a few people that are on dial up or slow DSL lines.

So in the video I give a few tips in putting your MySpace page together that will make the experience smoother to those who have slow internet connections.

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The first time I used YouTube for one of my clients I did something that made the label go "what"?

My thinking is that social media marketing is about reality not regurgitating produced music videos. that being said I embarked on a series of videos for my client.

In this video I talk about the reality check in using social community marking tactics. It's NOT so much about your music video as it is what's going on behind the scenes.

Remember, your fan or the potential new fan is real interested in who you are after they fall in love with your music.

SMO (Social Media Optimization) is very important as is SEO. Being able to tie in both methods with cool videos about you or your band will make a huge difference.

But at the end of the day, it's the smaller bits of information that is just as important than a complete music video. The video explains it a bit better.

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In marketing of your music you always want to take every opportunity to get your fans information.

In this video I talk about ways to get that information during live shows as well as a couple of ideas to encourage your new fan to go to your site.

Many times when I see live acts I see no collateral (table tents, URL biz cards etc.) in plain site that has information about the bands website and that that's not good! Though becoming less and less (thank God), every time you forget to get a fans email address is another dropped opportunity.

Remember, the fan that saw you live and likes you is more likely to come back to your next show and PAY to see you. And as we know, you main stream of income is going to be live performances over downloaded music.

And lets not forget; a missed fan is also a missed opportunity for them telling their friends about "This great band they saw".

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In marketing of your music via website, this is what I call the gas in the tank. So you have built a great site and you have done a great job with all your content. Now how will any potential fan come across your site outside of fan driven viral marketing?

Well yea, virally with all the other tactics I talk about, they will end up at your site. But you have the ability to increase the opportunities of new people that like your style of music.

Search engine optimization (SEO) is finding out what key words and phrase that encompass your potential fan base use while doing searches.

I know, it can sound a bit confusing but in this video I give an example of tricky search engine optimizations that you can do for your site to bring new people to your site and turn them into fans (if they like your music).

Anyway you can bring the right kind of attention to your music you do it! SEO tactics for your site are designed to do just that.

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If you have reviewed my video called Your Web Channel, you know that the website is the most important part of fan retention and growth.

With the tools that are now available to everyone, it's my opinion that you through everything into the soup.

You can now use a series pf social media sites to load up your site with everything from live streaming to mp3 modules at no cost to you.

You also have to choose what kind of information you want to present to your fan. But one thing is for sure, the simple things like the mail list are the straws that can break the artists back if you don't have one.

And as I'll always say, you can't treat your website any less important than your music. It has to reflect you all the way around from song to image.

Your website is the only real control you have in how your image is presented. It would suit you to look at other sites that you like and get some ideas in design.

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I did this video pretty recently and can't be more adamant about making sure that you have your website up and running before you release you music!

But because I teach the Endorsement Deal aspect of the record business I like to call it your web channel.

There are so many cool components that you can use to build your site and keep your fan entertained that it's like owning your own network station.

Embedding live streaming performances, custom radio shows, viral videos and on site blogs can keep your fan there for a long time as well as grow your fan base.

Please, please, please understand that your website is a serious key to your career and you need to give it as much time in development as you did in recording your music.

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I'm thinking that doing this video might have been a waist of time but I have to tell you, there are allot of fan violations I see every day out there.

Your fan base is your key to your dreams. If you for one second become complacent about participating in fan retention and development - you will fail.

But I'm thinking that most of you know this but I will also bet that a high percentage of you don't answer every comment left on your profile by a fan.

Please understand that notwithstanding you as an artist and what you're about with the art you create, you will not succeed without participation. And with today's tools of the trade it's easier than ever.

Remember, don't look at the fan as a person that might spend a dollar on a track and by a hat. A loyal fan is your biggest advertiser and participates every day on let other hear your music - even when your at the beach!

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