With the popularity of social networking websites emerging, and people finding, seemingly, more popularity than they have ever acquired in their whole entire lives because of such social vehicles.  Being an owner of a built from scratch social community – Grindmodeconnect, I have found that there are endless possibilities that derive from these communities, but I would like to use this time to caution artists that depend solely on these websites, to make them â??famous.’  Artists need to realize that there takes more efforts than simply creating a page, adding the most friends – who are, 9 times out of 10, artists themselves, trying to get noticed for their music, just as you are, so this means that you have to expand your publicity plan beyond the confounds of those social walls, and also try other mediums to help in your expansion process.

The Media

No matter how conniving some outlets can be (while there are some that are not), let’s face it, you need them, because nothing gives more credibility than appearing in several interviews – giving you validated exposure – if you are validated by the media, then this means that your chances of going further are even greater.  The person that gets the coveted review, story, radio play, is the person that is diligent, shows that they have put their self together, and are ready to be signed to a record deal if they are already not.  The way that they get most of these things, is by announcing it to media, and that is through a press release and/or a press kit.  A press release can make or break you, but nonetheless, it is you announcing to the world about you, and what you have going on.  Most people either write these themselves or have a publicist add their flair to it, but it is a must have, and no getting around it.  A press kit, simply put, is your musical resume, and is a must have, no matter how many times you may say that you have a MySpace or a Facebook page, because chances are, the journalist (print, online, radio, television), will not click onto your link, so you have to entice them in other ways. You just would not send an editor a package and say to them, â??oh, if you would like more information on me, then log onto my Myspace page’ – it simply does not work that way, and they will immediately trash your press kit, if that is all that you send to them in a letter or an e-mail.

Advice from an Editor

I have been an editor-in-chief  of a publication for many years and before that, I worked in the newsroom on assignments, and I obtain press kits and press releases all day long – 90% of my e-mail inboxes are flooded with nothing but press releases, and the reality is that, some are so poorly written and formatted, that I automatically trash them, some people have the arrogance to tell me that if I want to know more about them, then click onto the link below, to check out their MySpace page or whatever site they’re on, but they do not realize that my time is very limited, and that the reality is that they have to grab my interest right away, or they’ll lose me in the first 10 seconds -after all, they contacted me, so shouldn’t they make it as easy as possible for me?   I have also seen press kits that were horribly put together, and did not have the correct information enclosed, to peak my interest.  When I was in the newsroom, I used to see press kits tossed to the side all of the time, because they lacked what was needed, and likewise with e-mails obtained, as the reporter gets bombarded with hundreds of pitches a day, but would actually look through them, and select the ones that had the best presentation, to at least give it a chance.

The Bottom Line

You have to go beyond social websites.  On our website at www.grindmodeconnect.com, we even help you by giving you music resources, advice and further exposure within the industry, but, that is not enough – it takes being signed up to different websites.  Creating press releases and press kits, and getting your story out beyond being signed up to a website, and having the most friends.  You have to keep in mind that in order to be the best – you have to exhaust all possibilities, because no one will come to you, so you have to go to them.  You need exposure in all mediums.  So, make sure to get yourself together with your media and publicity campaign.  We also encourage you to check out www.grindmodepress.com to at least find out how to format your press releases, and to create an EPK (electronic press kit), and if you do not go with the aforementioned service, then make sure to go with someone, to have your full game plan in tact.  Good luck, and please feel free to contact me personally, anytime.  Yes, you have a lot of friends on your social networking page, but ask yourself this; do you have the right friends, because of your publicity and promotional efforts?