Several people I know have recently been trying to make an impression on the music industry so I thought I'd help out with a few tips for new artists and bands trying to make themselves well known.

This isn't an exhaustive list, but it will certainly help you in the right direction...

Be enthusiastic

If you would prefer to be playing football, play football - you need driving unstoppable enthusiasm so if you're not committed, don't bother.

Play any shows you can get

Phone round to try and get more shows - the more outings you get, even if the event isn't ideal for your type of music, the more confident you will feel on stage, the better you'll be at the next event.

Record a demo/EP

You probably know someone who has a recording studio near you. Get it done. You will find recognition much easier with promotional recordings.

Get yourself a proper website too

You think Myspace is fine? Think again. Myspace reeks of the "we do this just for fun" impression. get a website which is simple, beautiful and easy to navigate.
Don't do it yourself using Dreamweaver or Frontpage - look at something like Wordpress or get someone to manage Wordpress for you.

Set up a mailing list

Set up a mailing list and let people sign up to hear about updates from you. Divide the email addresses by geographical regions so you only tell people about stuff happening close to them.
You may as well do this by hand to start with though once you start growing your fanbase, you may want to get a bit of specialist software to help manage it.

Don't be afraid to experiment

Try and write a large amount of original material. Don't worry if it sounds crap, you may be able to pick it up again later and turn it into something awesome. The more you write the more you are likely to write some songs that will be instant hits. Try playing with other influences and see if you think it sounds better...

Your fans are your friends.

If you are starting up and trying to make large amounts of money and grow your fanbase at the same time, you better be good because that is bloody difficult. Instead concentrate on building a large & dedicated fanbase.

Hit the Social Networking Sites

Firstly workout what social networking site most of your fans are on. Make sure you are on there. Then make sure you have presences on all the other big social networking sites and link to your pages on them from your website. If you are in the UK, you probably want to be on Facebook, Myspace, Bebo and Twitter but if you live else where it there may be other networks which aren't on that list which you should be on.

Try and get on local radio

Yes, it probably will only get a few more fans but it will raise awareness and will make it easier for you to get on more prominent stations later on.

Engage with your fans

Sorry, I''m just reiterating the a previous point. Maybe run a remix competition of one of your most popular tracks or get your fans to try and do a music video for you.

Get your music out there

Get your music out there on every place there is. Putting your music under Creative Commons is really good at helping do this. Put your music on Myspace, last.fm, Jamendo and al the other services out there. Try and get it on Spotify & Pandora. You might want to think about selling it on Magnatune and CDbaby. Try and get your music on podcasts (like Rathole Radio) and just try and get as many people possible to listen to it and get their friends to listen to it.

Give away your demo to hardcore fans

Make an unreleased demo on a business card size CD. Get a small number of copies made. Offer it on your mailing list to the first X number of people to respond. You could ask them to pay their own postage if you think that would work. Send it to them with note asking them to pass it on to a friend when they have done with it.

Prepare press resources

If you can provide a link on your website to some high quality photos of the you with a brief history of your achievements so far you'll get a much better write up if a journalist chooses to write about you.

Don't let it go to your head

You're playing gigs in a band, you ain't a rockstar yet. Keep at it though, and you may have a chance. You're greatest assets is being able to connect with and understand your audience and what they want. Try and give people an opportunity to chat with you before and after your gigs if they want to.

Following this advice won't help you write awesome songs, or guarantee you instant fame, but it should help you become more widely recognised and start you down the right path.

If you've got any comments or thoughts, please do leave a comment and, oh, if you do make a top ten hit and this really helped you, a signed CD would be a great way of saying "thank you!" :)