Putting your music artist or band website together

I was just thinking about how I first started this blog. I wanted to share some of the things I was learning on my journey back into the music world, that can asist other artists like me in getting thier music out there to be heard by the world. At first I was blogging like I was giving a class, but I want you to know that as I am learning you are following me on my journey.

So here are the steps I took to put my website together:

1. I looked at several other websites to find a few format that I liked. I actually liked the design of a couple of templates on template monster but wanted to include some features that I found on other artists websites that I thought were nice.

2. I decided on the color of the website that would fit the mood and the image I wanted the world to see as far as my artist site was concerned

3. I figured out the pages that should be in the site from what the other sites that I like and I looked at had…they were of course a Home Page, Music, Videos, Bio Tour Dates Contact Us

4. Some other links that I wanted on my site that I hadn’t really thought about were links to my social network pages on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace. (Even though I am a singer/songwriter…I really have gotten into facebook more than myspace…it seems so much more personal and less spammish).

5. I wanted to make it really easy for my friends and fans to be able to access and buy their favorite music of mine so I definitely am putting a link or links to the individual songs that they can download on Tunecore.com or buy the whole CD off of CDBaby.com.

6. I wanted to also do the merchandising of some of my songs, so I am incorporating a cafepress.com store.

7. Start a blog or two.

8. Make sure you have a place where your fans can sign up to receive notices or become part of your VIP list so that they can be invited to your upcoming shows. You can do this with a ConstantContact.com newsletter.

Ok…I think that’s it. If I think of anything else, you’ll see it on my website. Got any suggestions?

Music Mama – How to Be A Successful Indie Artist and a Mom

There are so many of my friends now, who are singers, songwriters, and musicians who are also mothers of young children. We all talk about continuing to make our livelihood with our passions for music, but how do we juggle the working in the music business without the long days, months, or even years on the road, away from our kids?

Many of us are turning to our local markets for tour dates, and performing on the weekends, taping our shows, then airing the performances via YouTube. We also connect the video to our individual websites. So, our fans that we have developed around the globe can still get a taste of our live performances. Here are some of the steps these Music Mamas are taking to keep their dreams alive and still be great moms.

1. Scheduling productive tasks and Every Day iInclude some “me” time in there mommies.
2. Write your 30-60-90 day, 1-3-5 year goals.
3. Perform at least once a month.
4. Build a website to showcase your music. If you can do it yourself use www.homestead.com or www.vistaprint.com on top of your myspace page.
5. Start a blog about you and your music. Sign up for www.thenicheblogger.com to learn how.
6. Video tape your performances or your recording in the studio and post on YouTube and your website.
7. Sell your music online using www.Tunecore.com and www.CdBaby.com
8. Read and sing to your children almost every night.
9. Include a date night each week with your significant other.
10. Always be your authentic self and don’t overwhelm yourself. You can still take baby steps to reach that milestone.
Tags: Authentic Self, Baby Steps, Dreams, Globe, Homestead, Indie Artist, Live Performances, Livelihood, Local Markets, Mama, Milestone, Mom, Music Business, Musicians, Passions, Productive Tasks, Showcase, Singers, Singers Songwriters, Songwriters, Tour Dates, Video Tape, Youtube
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