The importance "marketability" plays in your bands URL

Developing your bands own URL or website is yet another way to get your band recognized, not just by fans, but by A&R's as well. A&R's typically take a tour through a bands website to get a clearer understanding of their marketability. Marketability in the sense of your bands image, sound, touring schedule, CD & concert reviews, CD releases, pics, etc. True - most bands will get a My Space Page up and running but the most of the A&R's I've spoken with don't care about My Space as much as some may think. There is one thing however that A&R's do look at on My Space: the number of hits your songs have. Generally a figure of over 100,000 hits will be enough to get their interests up pretty quickly, but A&R's are well aware that these numbers can be manipulated, so it's very important to point out that this is just one in a long list of  "red flag" items A&R's look for when evaluating money making potential. Again A&R's are not stupid & can see through things like excessive My Space Friends,  artificial hit numbers, meaningless blogs, etc. The below items are also of interest to the A&R on your My Space:

- Anything demonstrating buzz factor

- Band pics

- Music and Concert reviews

- A link to your Press Pack & "1" Sheets

- Tour Schedule

- MP3's or song clips

- YOU TUBE live clips

- Reliable contact info

- Sell your CD via Pay Pal

You may be limiting yourself with just a My Space. For example what happens if an A&R wants to download your Press Pack, or read a CD or concert review, look at a detailed concert schedule? The best angle is utilizing both My Space & a URL. This is the best way to get your point across. A URL is not expensive when you consider the overall impact it will have. It also separates you from other bands that don't have a URL & clearly shows you took the time & initiative to go above & beyond something that was for free. The truth is anyone can start a band, anyone can launch a My Space page, but it takes skill & business savvy to build an effective & professional looking web site.