Using music blogs and journals to promote your music

The internet offers a wide variety of services that anyone can utilize. It can be used for communication, advertisement, business and more. The music industry is among those that greatly benefit with these offerings. One good example is the advent of music websites where anyone can listen and purchase music.

Apart from music websites selling and promoting music, there are also other methods of making your music available to the public. Music journal, also known as music blog, audio blog or mp3 blog, is one of the most utilized today, especially of indie artists aiming for exposure over money.

The year 2003 showed the possibility of having a blog that caters to the next level of music promotion. Not only can people read about music, lyrics, bands and schedules; they began to showcase music from selected talents. The first music blogs launched during this time was Fluxblog and Stereogum. However, it was National Public Radio that revolutionized the way music journals are treated. No longer do they stick to the usual facts and figures about music and talents.

One of the ways to promote indie music is to submit your promotions to music journals. There are thousands of music blogs in the market that offer advertising. However, music blogs also tend to cross the legal border because some of them offer downloads of music that is protected by copyright. On the other hand, record companies frequently dismiss this, thinking that this actually poses additional advertising for them. One example is the band named The National, who had a great boost in records sales ever since music blogs featured them.

Music journals can be compared to music magazines that offer updates and information about bands that you want. For indie music artists, this is an economical way to market their music. Even if you already have a website of your own, you can still send your promos to these music blogs, including links to your site. One of the best things about music blogs is that they feature rare finds. This can be very helpful especially for music collectors who have been searching for rare music that they have been searching for so long.

You also have the option whether you want your music to be featured through streaming or download. It would be helpful if artists submit information about their website. Some music journals even feature videos. Most indie artists send videos of their gigs and concerts to better promote their music.

Some examples of music journals online are the following:

•    The Music Journal (www. the-music-journal.blogspot.com) – they feature indie artists from all over. They offer legal downloads and music videos.
•    LiveMusicBlog.com – a music blog that is being updated every day to support the number of fans who frequent their music journal everyday
•    Music Babylon – this is a music journal that features artists from independent labels and major labels. They even have information, music and videos of past artists.