[Ramshackles]

Hi
I'm thinking about starting a webzine about local bands/music in our area. Of course the underlying motive is more promotion for our band, but I also want to promote good bands in our area (which I reckon is over-promoted by dull pub-rock and metal fare, despite their being plenty of good stuff on social networks). Im using wordpress to do it, and so far it will consist of the standard features/reviews/interviews.
Do you guys have any tips on how to make it interesting, different and how to promote it?
Anyone have a zine/blog?

[tone]

I think the biggest difficulty you're going to have is driving traffic to your blog. It's incredibly easy to set up a blog and start posting, but it's much harder to get anyone to come and read it.

If you have a decent following on facebook, you could sync it up so that new posts are automatically added to your facebook profile, likewise with twitter. Apart from that, it's a lot of hard work.

I'm a big fan of community projects, but I wonder if people will soon see it as a way to promote your brand rather than a broader project at heart, which could put them off. Might it be better to concentrate on simply promoting your band across a wider network?

[Ramshackles]

I think the biggest difficulty you're going to have is driving traffic to your blog. It's incredibly easy to set up a blog and start posting, but it's much harder to get anyone to come and read it.

If you have a decent following on facebook, you could sync it up so that new posts are automatically added to your facebook profile, likewise with twitter. Apart from that, it's a lot of hard work.

I'm a big fan of community projects, but I wonder if people will soon see it as a way to promote your brand rather than a broader project at heart, which could put them off. Might it be better to concentrate on simply promoting your band across a wider network?

Could be, but I do also want to bring to light the good music around us, and good venues in our town. Just getting more people to go to any gigs in our town is a good start. Promoting the band across a wider network is also what we are trying to do seperately - the question is, where is this 'wider network'?

[tone]

the question is, where is this 'wider network'?

Well, you're on it for a start! Try to forge links with your local newspaper, BBC radio and commercial radio. The other broadly related social networks such as this one. A dedicated facebook page for your band. Set up facebook events for your gigs. Get well designed posters and make sure they're prominently placed a week or two before your gigs, not just in the venue you're playing at etc etc

[Ramshackles]

well, here is a early early early version of our blog:

http://eoforwic.com

Nothing really on it yet, just getting the layout sorted and starting to get people involved....It seems like I just stepped on a loooooong road :S

[Kafla]

Heres my 2 cents RS!

As good as the Internet  is I think it's well over rated in terms of marketing.

I run my own business and I appreciate that it's not the same as music but I think the old fashioned approach to promotion is best.

Get an angle and work it, whether it's running naked through your home town, sticking posters on every bus stop or wearing a dress made of meat you just need to get noticed.

Once people are listening your music will do the rest.

[SHUNT]

Hi there, just to say, my wife designs blogs and websites, google LOVES articles, there are various places you can sign up with, she uses ezine articles, also you can get someone else to do the writing of the article for you, just do some research on it, hope this helps