Mandy
Joined: Jul 26, 2007
Posts: 33
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Posted on Nov 08 2013 04:01 AM
The way I see it is that these sites are a tool for you to use. First and foremost you need your own website on your own domain name. Then use Reverb Nation/Facebook, etc. To add to it.
For example - if you post a gig to Reverb Nation it can syndicate it to Facebook and widgets so that you don't have to post it in multiple places. And it will drop off once the gig has passed. This saves time.
If people happen to find you through these sites then that's great too, but we know that's not really happening.
Don't forget that anything linking to your website will give your website better presence and higher ranking in Google.
It seems like extra effort, but if you do it wisely it can work for you.
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mom_surfing
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 5324
the outer banks of north carolina
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Posted on Nov 08 2013 06:08 AM
as a small business owner i've found our own personal website and FB is all we need to promote our business.
i can't remember the last time i looked on myspace.
when i'm researching a new band or looking for a tour schedule my first instinct is to look for their .com and if no luck there, google them and hope to find them.
— www.surfintheeye.com
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CrazyAces
Joined: Jul 31, 2012
Posts: 4054
Buffalo, N.Y.
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Posted on Nov 08 2013 09:38 AM
Reverbnation and Facebook have worked just fine for us. I'm surprised how often someone writing an article or review on us has used the reverbnation page for more info, videos etc.
As a small business owner who does a lot of that business with internet clients around the world I've seen a diminishing interest and use of our website in the last few years and more traffic through Facebook, most likely due to the possibility of personal interaction for the customer and the fact that our website (which is self built/maintained)is largely static, no pop downs, animation etc.
In my opinion, in this current climate, having a website doesn't make you "more serious" to the average, possible fan. It probably means more to the genre specific enthusiast, just like "no serious player has the tank on top of their amp" and "serious players don't wear bowling shirts" kind of attached importance.
It's my opinion, through my business experience, that most folks have shorter attention spans than ever and all they want is quick information. They don't seem to care where that information comes from and in some cases if it's even correct (sadly). Reverbnation works great for the bells and whistles, video, pictures, quick stimulus minds that are prevalent today.
You do have to manipulate the medium though, for sure. For example, we added a direct "click on this" to buy picture of our CD that takes you directly to paypal, so that folks could buy the CD easily from us.
I'm in my late forties so I'm sure some of the younger people here have a better, more direct link to the pulse of modern, internet marketing. Also, we have a regional band (at best) that is part time and just for fun. If you were out to conquer the world you might have a different opinion than mine.
I do find it amusing though, when we get the RN promo emails like "Compete in some national vocal contest" LOL
— http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock
http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic
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da-ron
Joined: Jan 02, 2009
Posts: 1307
The original Plymouth, UK.
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Posted on Nov 08 2013 10:00 AM
I've given up on Reverbnation, it's been a complete waste of time. We have a band website www.thewaterboarders.net (.com was £X,000!) which has our Facebook widget thing in it, purely so our latest status and the number of 'fans' can be seen. Songs can be streamed from this site, and we also have a Bandcamp which I've found really good for downloading songs and even selling merch. You don't have to register with BC to listen to and buy music. It's very clean and sweet compared to others (at the moment!). As I understand it, you have to have a third party site to play music on your Facebook page as there is no FB player.
Once upon a time you played in a band, wrote songs, learned songs, turned up on time and that was it. Now, in addition you have to update Facebook, Reverbnation, Bandcap, Lemonrock, Soundcloud, Twitter, YouTube, your blog and your website, and why? Because everyone else does. I swear no one takes a bit of notice!
So, in answer to the original post - No to Reverbnation. Yes to your own website. (Ours hosts our epk - we just send the link to promoters and they get a different page with all our press kit stuff on it. Music, photos, video, press stuff and booking info. Works well, I think).
— http://thewaterboarders.bandcamp.com/
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CrazyAces
Joined: Jul 31, 2012
Posts: 4054
Buffalo, N.Y.
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Posted on Nov 08 2013 10:04 AM
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da-ron
Joined: Jan 02, 2009
Posts: 1307
The original Plymouth, UK.
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Posted on Nov 08 2013 10:10 AM
Have a look at ours and see what you think. Buy something! 
I liked it when I used for another band, it was so quick and painless. Also, I believe the site is available for Google to find, unlike RN and Soundclous, so googling your name can find your Bandcamp page. You can link to your own website and FB page as well.
They also allow customers to pay more for stuff, apparently 40% of fans do this
— http://thewaterboarders.bandcamp.com/
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CrazyAces
Joined: Jul 31, 2012
Posts: 4054
Buffalo, N.Y.
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Posted on Nov 08 2013 10:20 AM
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SurfSurf
Joined: Jul 28, 2009
Posts: 105
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Posted on Nov 08 2013 10:23 AM
Anyone else use "bandzoogle"?
here's my website (I got my domain name via them as well):
www.AlohaGuitar.com You can trace your traffic and I see a lot comes in when I post on my FB page.
it's inexpensive and very easy to do yourself.
www.bandzoogle.com
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da-ron
Joined: Jan 02, 2009
Posts: 1307
The original Plymouth, UK.
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Posted on Nov 08 2013 10:25 AM
inexpensive? Is that the same as free?
— http://thewaterboarders.bandcamp.com/
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revmike
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3864
North Atlantic
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Posted on Nov 08 2013 10:42 AM
Get out and play shows, and let others write about you. Hard to conquor the world of music from a computer. 
I'm in my late forties so I'm sure some of the younger people here have a better, more direct link to the pulse of modern, internet marketing. Also, we have a regional band (at best) that is part time and just for fun. If you were out to conquer the world you might have a different opinion than mine.
Me too!!!
Rev
— Canadian Surf
http://www.urbansurfkings.com/
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ElMonstroPorFavor
Joined: Sep 01, 2006
Posts: 2758
New Orleans, LA
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Posted on Nov 08 2013 10:49 AM
I don't think it negates the need for a personal web preference, but it's absolutely true: a published mention gets so much more mileage than self-promotion.
— Storm Surge of Reverb: Surf & Instro Radio
Last edited: Nov 08, 2013 11:19:38
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SurfSurf
Joined: Jul 28, 2009
Posts: 105
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Posted on Nov 08 2013 10:52 AM
Ha! great advise Rev, but in a lot of cases the people that book you need to hear/see samples of what they are booking so having a website for them to check out has been a big benefit.
da-ron, not free but WAY less they web professional would charge. The last surf band I was in the guy kept $100 gig pay from me for "band web site fee" which I thought was insane!
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MadScientist
Joined: Jan 17, 2008
Posts: 2188
Atlanta, GA
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Posted on Nov 08 2013 11:01 AM
CrazyAces wrote:
It's my opinion, through my business experience, that most folks have shorter attention spans than ever and all they want is quick information. They don't seem to care where that information comes from and in some cases if it's even correct (sadly). Reverbnation works great for the bells and whistles, video, pictures, quick stimulus minds that are prevalent today.
I'm with Jeff on this. While it's certainly bloated, I really like ReverbNation. It's a great, free showcase for your band, a great place to throw up some music, post shows and pics, link social network and official websites, etc. I figure things like this can only help, so I'm glad it's around. No memberships to view information either. I think that this is the best replacement for myspace in that regard. Bandcamp is something that we're starting to dip into, and seems like another great place particularly to distribute content, but I see it as yet another avenue for exposure. The more the merrier, I say. It's not costing us anything and can only help as far as I'm concerned.
—
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revmike
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3864
North Atlantic
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Posted on Nov 08 2013 11:03 AM
I agree,
Websites are a great way for people to hear samples, download press photos, etc. We have an epk that we can direct people to on-line.
Also, don't negate getting a card made. Often other stuff will come from chance meetings with people, and it's an easy way to hand off your contact info (for us old guys, anyway). They have probably been our best investment.
Rev
— Canadian Surf
http://www.urbansurfkings.com/
Last edited: Nov 08, 2013 11:04:26
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da-ron
Joined: Jan 02, 2009
Posts: 1307
The original Plymouth, UK.
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Posted on Nov 08 2013 11:21 AM
Rev, I'm the same age as you. I have cards. And just about everyone I know has one of them as well!
— http://thewaterboarders.bandcamp.com/
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killbabykill34
Joined: Apr 03, 2010
Posts: 3201
Jacksonville, AL
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Posted on Nov 08 2013 01:18 PM
There is a lot to be said for Reverbnation in regard to being a new band with limited connections that wants to travel. It is very easy to research artists from towns you desire to visit and make contact with them. And most of us know that it is much smarter to book in new towns through other bands, rather than contacting venues and going in blindly.
— THE KBK ... This is the last known signal. We offer Sanctuary.
www.thekbk.com
http://www.deepeddy.net/artists/thekbk/
www.reverbnation.com/thekbk
www.facebook.com/thekbkal
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OzReverb
Joined: Apr 28, 2009
Posts: 460
Victoria
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Posted on Nov 08 2013 03:30 PM
SurfSurf wrote:
Anyone else use "bandzoogle"?
here's my website (I got my domain name via them as well):
www.AlohaGuitar.com You can trace your traffic and I see a lot comes in when I post on my FB page.
it's inexpensive and very easy to do yourself.
www.bandzoogle.com
We do and have done from the very start of the band.
— https://www.facebook.com/lostremoleros/
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