IndieBandSites.com is primarily the effort of Matt Peterson (me) to provide Independent musicians/bands the tools they need to succeed.  The idea was born from the work I've done with local Atlanta bands (namely Amerigo Popppy and Brian Wiltsey).  It didn't take long to realize that the options for the Independent musician in creating their websites were pretty limited.  Not to mention what was out there that really did the job cost an arm and a leg, which, if paid makes it pretty hard to play the guitar.  I recognize that money is something we all want, but most indie bands just don't have alot to put into getting a solid website.

In the world of the independent musician there are a number of phases to their self promotion that I look at as though they were a door to door sales person (ok, lame analogy, just stick with me).  The hardest part of the day is getting out of bed, for the musician, this is the production of a quality CD with professional presentation.  The next most important step is putting on those comfy shoes before heading out the door, THAT is having a professionally designed website.  Actually getting out there and selling yourself is everything else, playing gigs, getting press.. etc..

So why is the website so important?  Well, as an artist you can work hard to get potential fans to take notice of you, be it through playing live shows, getting press, word of mouth.. whatever.  However, those fans MUST have a way to find out more about you, or they'll just forget about it and go buy the latest TOP 40 CD they just heard on the radio.  Thats where your website comes in.  Provide your potential fans with all the information they're looking for and they'll keep coming back.  They key is to create a relationship with the visitors to your site, and the key to that is interactivity.  Give them something, MP3 samples, Online music streams, message boards, daily/weekly journal entries, gig listings, photos, AND a way to buy your CD.

Having spent a fair amount of time working in the internet industry professionally, and in the music biz as a side interest, I turned to a number of the resources online to see what could be done.  What I found really surprised me.  There are a number of excellent sources to help the indie band promote themselves online, but they were always on someone elses site.  I've spent over 8 years in the internet industry, from building simple webpages way back when, to managing $3 million in advertising spent on a major portal (like Yahoo!), to creating complex online communication applications for a major telecommunications company.  One of the main things that I learned in all that time is, and this is important.... The More Time A Visitor Spends On Your Site The Better.  The longer they're on your site, the greater the chance they'll A) Buy Something B) Attend a Gig C) Read your Journal or Post in the Message Boards or D) All of the Above.  If you send them off to another site to learn more about you, you're putting your fate in someone elses hands. 

Anyways, that what got me started on the path that has brought me to IndieBandSites.com.  I won't fool you, I'm here to make money, but I know to do that I have to make this a service that 1) Works 2) Is affordable.  I look forward to working with you.

Matt Peterson
Owner
IndieBandSites.com