I get asked a lot about press kits. People want to know how to present them, what's in them, etc. I have been asked over and over again to write articles on the subject, so here you are: a brief crash course on press kits.

Your press kit is your calling card. It will introduce you and your band to the people you need to help move your career forward before they meet you or hear your music.

We've seen it coming for several years, but it's here, full on and in our faces now... so what do artists do? The word "artist" means: "One whose work shows skill." (The American Heritage Dictionary)

However, with the arrival of unskilled, but nice "artists" being signed to contracts and marketed to the public - and the public is hearing the call and purchasing their music - what is the secret?

We all know William Hung of American Idol fame.

Promoting your CD to radio takes a lot of organization and time management skills. Let me help organize your process. First you need to find radio stations that are willing to accept submissions from independent artists (Contact names, addresses, phone and email for radio stations across the globe are listed in "The Indie Guide To Music, Marketing and Money" ISBN 978-0-9746229-4-1 and The Indie Contact Guide - it's companion book.

If you live on Earth, you have heard about the deal between Country Music Legend Garth Brooks and mega super store, Wal-Mart. Brooks, who has always proved to be a marketing innovator, has inked a deal that is sure to set the music industry on fire. Recently parting from his label, Capitol Records, the deal grants sole distribution rights to Wal-Mart.

As a musician, bands have it easier than a solo artist in terms of cost to make a CD. Other than that, there are little or no differences. For bands/artists who wish to start the process of making, distributing, and getting radio airplay by themselves, believe it or not, you are starting your own record label. Even if your goal is to land a major recording contract, you will still need to gather more attention for your music by cutting, distributing and promoting your own music.

A very important person on your successful team is your manager. Finding a good, responsible and reputable manager is not an easy task. If you don't already have a manager, you may not need one. Experience proves, however, that you can only go so far without one. But how do you obtain a manager if you don't already have one?

That's a tricky one.

Guerilla Marketing is the use of unconventional marketing techniques intended to get maximum results from minimal resources, which let's face it; most indie musicians have minimal resources. Today, guerrilla marketing is a non-traditional, low-cost, and highly effective marketing endeavor, which when used properly can reap many rewards for the diligent user.

Promoting your CD to radio takes a lot of organization and time management skills. Let me help organize your process. First you need to find radio stations that are willing to accept submissions from independent artists (Contact names, addresses, phone and email for radio stations across the globe are listed in "The Indie Guide To Music, Marketing and Money" ISBN 978-0-9746229-4-1 and The Indie Contact Guide - it's companion book.

Thanks to the electronic revolution, the music industry is changing. No longer do musicians and singers need the backing of radio stations and big record companies to start building a fan base or having a successful music career. "Forget about American Idol and Nashville Star, don't rely on record labels; an artist can make a name for himself / herself first! Then they'll have the chips stacked in their favor to make a great deal.

In the highly competitive world of the music industry, it is never wise to sail alone. Equipping yourself with the necessary tools can ensure safe passage through the often rough and shark infested waters of the music business, and lead the aspiring musician straight to musical success. Putting on a show is important; learning the business is imperative.

The winter months have hit us and unless you live in Southern California, most people aren't swimming in open-air pools any longer.

Until recent times, Indie Artists and the labels they set up for themselves had a hard time getting their music heard by anyone outside their own backyard pool of fans. With guerilla marketing finally becoming common practice and online music stores becoming a main stay for the music aficionado, record pools are now open for business to the general indie population.