If there are still people out there who are not familiar with what a blog is, let me quickly get you up to speed: Blogs or weblogs are online journals or diaries.
When I first started reading blogs I was fascinated from the start. I couldn't believe that people were actually writing their day to day activities down for all to see via the internet. What surprised me the most, though, was the fact that I was actually taking the time to read the often times mundane and yet interesting bits of information that depending on the writer, kept me coming back for more.
It wasn't long before I realized that blogs are great marketing tools for bands and musicians. As a singer and musician I know how difficult it can be for bands to get their music out there to the world and blogs have been a unique and powerful tool for bands to keep readers up to date about their goings on. What better way for a fan to find out about their favorite band or artist but from the horses mouth themselves?
Before blogs, the norm was for bands to rely on journalists and magazines to determine whether or not to print stories about them. But then, even if the story was published, there was and still is - the chance that the writer might not like the band and give them a poor review. Unfortunately some people may brush off a band because of one person's opinion about them.
Band blogs have now given bands the opportunity to express their feelings and opinions about various topics and their music in their own words, and on their own terms. People who like to read about bands before they buy their music now have more to think about by reading band blogs rather than relying solely on one journalist's opinion.
Band blogs have also helped "unknown" bands get discovered just by their blogging alone and with sites like Myspace popping up around the internet, it's easier than ever to give a band's music a test run before you buy it. If you like what you hear, voila, a fan is made!
Click here to read band blogs on Band Weblogs!
By: Jenny May
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Using bloggers (rather than trying to get noticed in larger print media) in your local area or who are located along one of your tour stops is a great marketing tool, too. I write a lot of reviews for local bands and visiting ones, too. Though, as you point out, you run the risk of the writer not enjoying the material.
Hi Any Given Tuesday,
It's always nice to meet fellow music bloggers!
I agree. Bloggers writing about local and visiting bands to their area is always a good thing.
- Jenny May
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