Tag: sharing content

Are you a fan of an indie band that’s actually got stuff out on the market? I don’t mean tracks-for-purchase on Bandcamp, I mean the major players – iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, CD Baby and the like. Is that small time band you like out there? Have you actually purchased tracks from them?

If your answer is “Yes”, I’ve got a follow up question for you: Have you written a review of the song or the album on those major shopping sites?

It’s something I’ve been noticing all too much with bands that aren’t going to get the hard line, big-time exposure that major record labels bring: They can be appreciated and looked fondly upon, but those same fans aren’t trying to spread the word or share the music to draw others in. A song or album review may just entice someone to at least check out a track that gets a good grade on Amazon. An album review may raise a group by just a notch (well, if the review is positive). And of course, sharing a track posted on YouTube, ReverbNation or Soundcloud on social media is the most direct attempt by a fan to draw in more attention to a group or a specific song.

Some songs need all the help they can get. It’s odd how songs that have been out in public view for several years have only a handful of listens in some cases. Oh, music videos draw people in but bands just getting started aren’t likely to have music videos. They do offer their songs for stream via YouTube, though.

(Side note: It’d help if the artists would properly title their music posts; just going by the song name does not necessarily make the song easily findable in web searches or on YouTube. Titles should be the band name followed by the song title.)

In the end, even if an artist or group have someone promoting their work, the fans and their own involvement at spreading the word to help boost the music. If you’re a fan of music by a certain artist, don’t just sit on that fact. Tell the public why you’re a fan or what you think about the music by a small-time group that you have in your library.