You have a great sound and maybe even a small following, now it's time to put on your music marketing hat. For most musicians, it's not easy to sell their band or their music. But marketing in the music industry is a very big part of success in this very competitive industry.

There are many music industry PR avenues offered to musicians. The music industry public relations fields are abundant, it just takes a little time and a lot of initiative. But hey, if you're passionate about your music, getting someone who can actually help you get your music heard is worth it. Let's look at a few important starting points:

1. The music industry public relations and marketing services basics can start with the simple act of networking. A good opportunity can come anywhere and at anytime.

2. Never under-estimate the value of a professional music marketing firm.

3. Get your name or your band's name out in the public. T-shirts, fliers, stickers and CDs are great examples of substantial DIY promotional tools.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Utilize music industry public relations and marketing services

Keep control of your music, but at the same time, allow a professional music industry public relations expert to take on the important task of music promotion. Hiring a good PR firm is one of the best ways to get your music heard.

I recommend: There are a lot of music marketing companies out there. Do a little research to find out which companies specialize in your genre of music and go from there. Successful music industry public relations agencies, such as Three Sixty Media, are very specific as to what they look for in potential new bands. If you are searching for the right music industry pr agency to promote your music, Record Label Resource has an extensive list of music publicity firms all across the country.

Utilize your own music marketing to generate a buzz about your music

You know more about your music than anyone. So, go out there and get the word out. Excitement is infectious; if you are excited about your music, others will be as well.

I recommend: Get your website URL on a band site. The Hype Machine is a popular forum highlighting new bands. Your MySpace friends list is a great way to plug your band and an excellent way to keep your fans up to date with your music news.

Create your own band promotion media kit

Having you or your band noticed by a top music public relations manager may take a few aggressive steps on your part, but it could be the difference in getting signed up by a promoter or being passed over.

I recommend: Get a publicity photo taken by a professional head shot photographer. The Michael Benabib studio specializes in music industry portraits and bio info. If you don't have the resources to get into a recording studio, consider the option of investing in music software. pcmusicstuff.com offers a variety of music software that can allow you to generate your own mp3s or other music conversions.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If the idea of selling your music is a bit daunting, just remember that you are entering an industry that is built on marketing; just think of your music as a product that needs to be successfully marketed in order for you to be successful.

Music industry public relations and marketing services are often the difference between an artist or a band with a hit song and an artist or a band with a hit song that actually gets heard. Even if you secured a record deal and have published songs ready to go, there’s that other step of getting in front of radio stations, establishing band marketing to club DJs and music industry publications so that the listening audience will know you exist.

Music industry PR companies typically provide two major functions: artist development, or promotion to get your music heard, and music industry public relations to ensure the image you are promoting is a good one. When exploring music industry public relations and marketing services, consider the following:

1. Contact band promotion or artist promotion companies that focus on artist development if you are new to the music biz.

2. Research music industry public relations companies if you have some experience in the music industry but need to work on public relations for music to make a good impression.

3. Explore alternative music promotion companies that are tapping into the online music market.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Contact music marketing companies

Music marketing companies are a good resource if you or your band are just beginning to pitch your songs to record stations, music mags and other outlets.

I recommend: Rainmaker Public Relations and Artist Development specializes in music promotion for independent artists. M. Loring Communications is a full-service music marketing and public relations firm that can assist with artist development, radio promotion, corporate sponsorship deals and more.

Research music industry public relations companies

If you need to do some damage control for your music career or you'd like to create more of an image for yourself or your band, consider public relations music firms.

I recommend: 360 Media can assist with crisis management and media relations, as well as offer media relations tips to avoid future music industry PR problems. Morris Public Relations is a music public relations firm based in Nashville. Its client roster includes such country stars as Vince Gill.

Explore alternative music promotion companies

As the music industry changes, so too, does the way music publicity is handled. Alternative music PR companies that take advantage of affordable online marketing tools are a great option, especially for artists just starting out.

I recommend: Ariel Publicity uses alternative forms of media for its music promotion business. The company’s music public relations and promotion focuses on Internet sources such as online radio stations, magazines, podcasts and video sites. Rollett Marketing is staying on the cutting edge with its music marketing business. The company’s SkatterBand is a “Social Music Marketing Community,” where music industry professionals can use online tools and websites for music promotion.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Check out music industry blogs and websites to get references and music promotion tips from other artists in your shoes.

Whether you are a seasoned musician or a band manager who has just signed your first act, knowledge of music public relations can be invaluable to your career. Making smart PR decisions, like making good music, can be essential to your success.

Understanding music industry public relations and marketing services doesn't have to be intimidating. Marketing in the music industry isn't any different than promoting and selling any other viable product. Here are three important components to the music industry marketing process:

1. Networking is an important part of the music marketing industry. Try to network yourself or your band as much as possible.

2. Learn to create your own music publicity utilizing the print, web, and audio media.

3. Seek out professionals who make a living in the business of music promotion.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use music marketing techniques to network your music

You don't have to be Jerry McGuire to be successful in music industry PR. However, you should be able to take advantage of opportunities as they arise. No matter where you are, always be ready to hand over a promo music CD. If you can do this, you've accomplished an important step of successful networking.

I recommend: Put your music or a link to your music on a CD. Audacity is free downloadable software that allows you to record and edit your music. Another way to market your music is by adding a podcast link to your website. Podcast Alley is a popular resource with information on how to download a music podcast and also adds information on podcast software. Find step by step instructions on marketing techniques from Associated Content.

Make the business of music promotion work for you

Music or band promotion can be as easy as uploading promotional photos or show dates onto the Internet or by simply, tacking up promotional fliers around your neighborhood. Getting the word out to the masses is fundamental in music marketing.

I recommend: A website is essential in the entertainment industry. One way to create a website is by using a website builders service. Band Vista specializes in helping bands put together their own websites. Marketing using your website is the obvious next step. Music Biz Academy has articles on music promotion, including how to use the basics of radio play, live shows and merchandise sales.

Get your music heard using various forms of music marketing

Marketing in the music industry can be as valuable as the music itself. However, making the most of the music industry public relations and marketing services starts with getting your music heard.

I recommend: Radio play is almost impossible for an unknown artist. However, Internet radio, is a growing alternative to getting your music out to the public. EasyListening.com is a site where indie and unsigned bands can get air time. Music Outfitters offers a directory which contains a list of professional music marketing agents and promotional outfits that can help shop around your music or your band.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Next time you are at your favorite music store, check out the periodicals section. You'll find plenty of books and periodicals on music industry public relations and marketing services.

Professional success in the music industry is dependent on many things, so the more musicians know about public relations, the better the outcome. By learning as much as possible about music industry public relations and marketing key terms, better-prepared music industry professionals will be able to do what is necessary to promote themselves and achieve success.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Press release or press kit

Press releases and press kits are distributed to the print media, as well as radio and television stations, to promote upcoming concert events and recording releases for musicians and bands. There are press release distribution companies that specialize in creating and distributing press releases and press kits to media outlets.

I recommend: Read about the press release services offered at Mass Media Distribution LLC.

Music media promotion

Music media promotion is the introduction of music on radio stations to increase airplay and exposure. Press kits and other promotional materials can get the attention of those in the music industry who will put music recordings in heavy rotation at radio stations.

I recommend: Learn about music media promotion at ASL Music Media & Promotion.

Social media

Social media includes using social networking Web sites like MySpace, Facebook and Twitter to promote musicians or bands. Profiles on these sites showcase samples of recorded media and feature concert events and news about music groups and singers. Fans can join these sites and subscribe to blogs to receive current information about musicians and bands.

I recommend: Get information about social media promotions at amp3 Public Relations.

Event planning

Event planning includes planning a concert, festival or party. Some events have themes or motifs, so an event planner would order whatever is required to fit that theme. An event planner also takes care of catering, crowd control and the arrangement of seating and security to ensure that the event is a success.

I recommend: Learn about event planning services at Sue Auclair Promotions.

Image consultant

An image consultant creates or improves the image of a musician or band so that they can be marketable and get a record deal. When singers and groups want to create an image that stands out and gets them noticed in the media, they hire an image consultant.

I recommend: Read what an image consultant does in this article in the New York Times.

Media consulting

Media consulting is the practice of helping musicians and bands learn how to give interviews for radio and television media. Musicians and bands receive instruction in how to behave during interviews so they can achieve creative success.

I recommend: Learn about media consulting at Stevens Media Consulting.