52 Weeks of DIY Music Advice

52 Weeks of DIY Music Advice

Last year, INsite owner Sean Claes completed a personal weekly challenge via his blog, it was a review of 52 Austin-Based CDs in 52 Weeks. It was as interesting as it was rewarding for him, as a local music lover.

Many of the CDs he reviewed were from bands that nobody had ever heard of, not because they were bad bands, but because there was a learning curve in the marketing/managing/promotion world. So, Claes decided to undertake a new 52 Week challenge. Since September 2010, he's been writing a weekly blog giving advice to do-it-yourself bands. Below you will find the entire list (thus far), along with a link to his blog to read the corresponding entry.

"It is my hopes that indie bands will read these entries, learn from them, and do a better job at getting their music to a wider audience," Claes said. "If you have good music, it SHOULD be heard. Hopefully these columns will give you some of the tools bands can use to take the next step."

INsite owner Sean Claes. (Thanks to Austin's Annie Ray for the photo)

The link to each week is below.

Week 1: Posters and Handbills (9/24/10)

Week 2: Social Media (10/1/10)

Week 3: Merchandise (10/8/10)

Week 4: Publicity (10/14/10)

Week 5: How To Write a Press Release (10/21/10)

Week 6: How To Release Your Music: Part 1 of 3 (10/28/10)

Week 7: How To Release Your Music: Part 2 of 3 (11/4/10)

Week 8: How To Release Your Music: Part 3 of 3 (11/11/10)

Week 9: The Rock Star Treatment (11/18/10)

Week 10: What's The Point? (11/25/10)

Week 11: Keep It In Your Pants (12/2/10)

Week 12: Where's Your Glass Ceiling? (12/9/10)

Week 13: Basic Ground Rules (12/16/10)

Week 14: It's Christmas - Comic Time (12/25/10)

Week 15: Steps to Advertise on Radio (12/30/10)

Week 16: Who's Talking? (1/6/11)

Week 17: Be A Gracious Host (1/13/11)

Week 18: Who's Voting? (1/20/11)

Week 19: Come To My Show... Please? (1/27/11)

Week 20: Entertain or Perish (2/3/11)

Week 21: DIY Poster Child: One Eyed Doll (2/10/11)

Week 22: Promotions One Oh One (2/17/11)

Week 23: Check Your Music (2/24/11)

Week 24: The Hustle (3/4/11)

Week 25: Reviewing the Role of a Reviewer (3/10/11)

Week 26: The Banter (3/17/11)

Week 27: Keep It Real (3/24/11)

Week 28: Interviewing 101 (3/31/11)

Week 29: Notes From The Cubicle (4/8/11)

Week 30: Standing Out (4/14/11)

Week 31: Playing Festivals (4/26/11)

Week 32: What Are You Wearing? (5/4/11)

Week 33: Tell The Truth (5/17/11)

Week 34: The Average Lifespan of a Band (5/24/11)

Week 35: What's The Big Idea? (6/6/11)

Week 36: How NOT to Treat Fans (6/16/11)

Week 37: It's A Job (6/23/11)

Week 38: Five Ways to Brand Your Band (6/30/11)

Week 39: What Goes Around... (7/8/11)

Week 40: Wasted Potential (7/14/11)

Week 41: Standing Out or Outstanding? (7/21/11)

Week 42: Know Where You're Headed (7/28/11)

Week 43: What's In A Name? (8/4/11)

Week 44: Treat People Right (8/12/11)