Therefore, I am providing some facets of online marketing through a listing of what works, and what doesn't, though not in any certain order of importance.

1. "Music Discussion Lists" - Great for marketing. You simply join the ones that interest you, or relate to what you are doing, then post messages to them, generally, in response to queries from others seeking assistance. To make your post most effective, you should previously have attached your 4-6-line music signature file so that it also posts along with your message. Drawback: Occasionally, some people will differ with your point of view. Note: "Onelist" (http://www.onelist.com) appears to be the most predominant online site for providing music discussion lists.

2. "Opt-In Direct Email" - This is the process whereby you rent a particular list of people who, most likely, will have an interest in your music business, product, or service. There are services on the Internet that provide this set- up, with Postmaster Direct, seemingly the leader at (http://www.postmasterdirect.com). This type of service specializes in getting your sales message to people who have specifically signed up with the service to receive advertising messages. The benefit is that you can tightly target your market without guesswork, while also eliminating "flames." Drawback: There is a charge for this service, and you may wish to utilize it after implementing the "free" methods first.

3. "Music Ezine Articles" - If you have a flair for writing, and can provide useful and needy content to music publishers and editors, this is an excellent way to market your music-related business, product, or service by providing, once again, your 4-6 line music signature file at the end of your article.

4. "Search Engines" - Great if you have your own music web site. Make sure your main or home page that you register, reflects the name of your business, product, or service within the title tags of your page's source code, as this is what search engines seek in order to rank your site. Drawback: Your site will not be published for, at least, 4-6 weeks after registration and you must re- register accordingly.

5. "Music Links" - Good for marketing. Just insure that the content, business, products, or services of other sites that you link with, are music-related, and complement, but do not conflict with that of your own.

6. "News Releases" - If you can provide a great news angle on your business, product, or service, news releases can produce phenomenal results, if online music publishers and editors decide to use them in their publications. This is due to the significant number of subscribers that they can carry, often numbering in the thousands. This can have a double impact if you also provide your news release to related offline music print publishers and editors as most print publications also now have an online presence as well.

7. "Announcement Sites" - Great for a one-time effect, as there is also a significant number of people online who are members of "what's new" sites and have specifically signed up to receive notices on what becomes new on the Internet. Online Announcement Sites are akin to having an offline Grand Opening for a brick and mortar store, with one exception.the online Grand Opening is open to the worldwide public.

8. "Music Ezine Ads" - Great tool, as long as the publication has a "decent" subscriber base. Drawback: Though ads are relatively inexpensive, they do cost and, again, should follow your utilization of "free" methods.

9. "Music Ezine Publishing" - An excellent way to gain loyal customers, fans, and subscribers IF you offer needed and desirable content. This can also have a reciprocal effect if you also have a music web site, as you can promote your Music Ezine on your web site and, likewise, promote your music web site within your music Ezine.

10. "Music Ezine Publisher Ad Swaps" - A good marketing tool to attract subscribers who might not otherwise learn of you. Drawback: In order to "swap" ads, many publishers demand or expect a certain number of subscribers to your Ezine.

1. "Newsgroups" - Tricky in regard to commercial marketing. Most people have an adversity to any degree of commercial promotion, and some will "flame."

2. "Classified Ad Sites" - Hundreds, and even thousands, of free ads posted, much like in the Classified sections of print newspapers. Additionally, you must post often. In order to even get an inkling of a notice, you must pay for your ad that will still be placed in the company of many more related ads. Highly ineffective. Forget about them.enough said.

3. "Bulletin Boards" - See Newsgroups above.

4. "Message Boards" - A 50/50 Chance of success. at NOT being "flamed," depending on the board's subject matter.

5. "Untargeted Bulk Email" - The absolute WORST thing you can do on the Internet.period.other than "Hacking."

If you are new to Internet Music Marketing, perhaps this information will provide you with a better roadmap in kick-starting a successful online promotional campaign.

Likewise, for seasoned online music marketers, perhaps you will find some of the above points useful in fine-tuning your efforts even more so.


(C) 2000 - Kenny Love