Are You Getting The Most Out Of Your Website? (Cont’d):
Links- Here you can offer to link to other indie groups that you know or
like, companies that relate to you or your image or your sponsors, as
well as any other places on the web that you yourself enjoy. Make
sure that you add a sentence or two, or categorize these site links in a way
that allows visitors to understand why you added each specific link to your page.
Stores- Your online store is a must. Its very hard to get a large number of
people to leave one area they already are at to another place in real life and
that carries over into the virtual world. I’m not saying don’t have your cd
for sale on sites like Cd Baby, of course you should, but you also need to
have your product for immediate purchase on your own page to increase
the chances of site visitors buying it (Go here to get great quality Shopping
Cart System). Also, it is important that you offer other things that will help
with the branding process of your bands career (t-shirts, posters, pictures,
stickers, hats, and other swag).
Catalogs- This is a way to get maximum exposure without maximum
effort. There are many cheap software programs available that will help
you with the layout of an online catalog. The idea is to not only offer your
own stuff, but also to offer other bands items that have a similar sound and
feel to yours. You each would split any costs of having the catalog pages up and
thus save a lot of money while increasing your chances of making a sell
to new customers.
E-street team zone- This is an area you would set-up where you
would give contact info for street team members, explain your rules, like no
spamming under any circumstances, and then every month or week you give
your members tasks here as well as through e-mails. Some e-street teams
offer gifts to those that complete the tasks the best or the fastest and also
ways for members to report their tasks completions. You may also want to
post the radio stations and their phone numbers in the specific areas that
you are targeting and instruction your e-street team members to call as
often as possible and request your songs. Join a major artists online
street team to get the gist of this idea.
Lyrics/Downloadables- Here offer free samples of your music for
people to feel your band out, the lyrics to your songs and also allow people to
download for purchase some of your songs here, as well as photos,
screensavers, AIM items and different wallpapers. You may also want to offer
ringtones of your music. There are several services and programs out there
that will allow you to create and sell you own personal ringtones so that is
something you may want to try out here as well.
Bio/Discography- This is the most common place of error on not only an
artists web pages, but also in their press kits. Your biography is supposed
to act as a introduction to who you are somewhat personally, but more so
in your career. Things you want to put here are any music related
accomplishments, musical training, former bands, instruments you play,
how you became interested in this field and when you began preforming.
Most artists make the mistake of pouring their entire life story into this
section, but rarely stress the most important thing, Who You Are As An
Entertainer. Of course, other things of interest that feed into who you are,
are needed for instance; what charities and organizations you donate and
contribute to and your personal philosophies on life maybe. The discography
is simply a listing of all of your recordings in chronological order also including
the release dates.
Reprintable Section- This is where you’d house your articles that you may
write to further promote and get exposure by writing on topics related to the
music world. Also, here you’d simply state all of your rules regarding reprinting
the articles and the rules behind podcasting/streaming your available music to
avoid an endless amount of email queries regarding these matters. This section
may also create the idea of using your music in your visitors head for their
podcastings where before they probably would not of even thought about doing it.
Fan zone- Simply include fun stuff like photos, letters, fan artwork, message
boards, fan pictures, contests, and other things like that.
Media Section- Here you put your press info and how to contact you (street,
phone number and email address usually, epks). Its also a good idea to sort of
“hide” your contact information at the bottom of your pages to sort of avoid
spammers.
News Section- In this section you post up all the latest breaking news
surrounding your band. This section is often on the opening page so it is a good idea to
update it frequently to give visitors at least the impression that the rest of the site is
being handled the same, updated frequently that is.
Calendar- This is a listing of all of your current shows and events detailing
the times, dates and locations.
So here are some of the newer and older ways that you as musicians should be
using technology to get the foot up on the majors and stand out above the rest
of the indie world. The biggest key to getting reoccurring visitors to your site
is to keep your page working properly and updated regularly, as well as providing
great content. With all or most of these ideas injected into your website you’ll
surely be getting the most out of your artist web page.
Until next week, Get out there and Manifest Your Career Success!
Tags: building musician websites, music tips, musicians websites, tips for musicians, website tips for musicians