So you have a following, but you want to spread the word and get some more gigs (and earn a bit more if you can). Here are some links which may be useful.
Financial Stuff- institutions which will pay you!
Join PPL as a member. If you have played on any recorded music, or you have the rights to recorded music, then PPL collect money in the UK and abroad from licence-paying business and institutions. Its free to join, and once you become a rights-holding member you with receive royalties when your work is played or broadcast. This comes in the form of a statement four times a year.
https://auth.ppluk.com/auth/UI/Login?goto=http%3A%2F%2Fmyppl.ppluk.com%3A80%2F
Join PRS as a writer- to earn performance royalties for when your work is played.
https://www.prsformusic.com/creators/joiningus/join_us/Pages/Writerapplicationform.aspx
Membership is £30, and you will get a unique 9 digit membership number (CAE number- Compositeur, Auteurs, et Editeurs).
Join MCPS- to earn mechanical royalties when musical works are reproduced I.e. digital download or CD.
https://www.prsformusic.com/creators/joiningus/join_us/Pages/JoinMCPS.aspx
Membership is £50, but if you have any deals with a publisher you can not apply as they will already be collecting on your behalf.
To join MCPS you need to have a piece of work that has been either: Commercially released by a record company (not one that you own), Recorded into a Radio/TV/Audio-Visual Programme or used Online.
SO if this is the case you would need evidence of the mechanical usage of this piece. This could be a photocopy of the CD artwork showing clearly that you have a writing credit, or a music cue sheet for the production (movie, radio show, tv show, online production) confirming the inclusion of your music.
Joining the Musicians Union is definitely the way forward if you are a student and can get the membership fee for £20, but it’s probably too expensive to be viable if you aren’t earning a full wage from Music (183squids!)
Spreading the word- an online presence
Make a Website- WIX. Its free and template based so you don’t need to learn HTML coding or pay for someone to maintain it.
http://www.wix.com/htmlsites/yourwebsite?utm_campaign=fb_pp%7Ckids2607_en&experiment_id=6004505778732&77tadunit=fd0e92d1&77tadvert=6004505778732
Although it's up to you whether you want to stay basic or take every opportunity in terms of your online presence, at least now there are plenty of options. Each of these allow you to upload your music, a bio, some pics and list gigs. Most have some kind of music distribution platform too.
Bandcamp, Soundcloud, RootMusic/BandPage, Reverbnation.
To host your music online and get airplay on AmazingRadio! Bascially all unsigned artists can upload their songs onto AmazingTunes, and these songs then get played on AmazingRadio. To my knowledge the only UK unsigned music only radio. Love the whole idea, great community.
http://amazingtunes.com/users/sign_in
It's probably blindingly obvious, but make videos. Sites like www.youtube.com are a great equalizer- even with the most basic digital camera you could make and edit a video online. It doesn't have to be an elaborate, OKGO-style masterpiece! (although this is inspired) Think what you would want to see, and make sure people have an incentive to watch to the end. Most of us are fortunate enough to have at least one media-savvy friend. In the same way that you want to add recordings to your catalogue, they want videos, so a joint project could be really mutually beneficial. Get friends to star, either as crowd members in a gig style set up, or actual roles. Each individual involved will most likely share it around, increasing your audience.
To be profiled or reviewed (send in bio and music):
Performer Magazine, UK Musicians.
http://performermag.com/send-us-your-music/
247 Events in the South West and Wales. Another information platform. Send in music and gig updates.
http://247magazine.co.uk/
Contact The Basis Magazine, the fab folks there are keen to help you spread the word.
http://thebasismag.com/
Do not underestimate local/community radio! For us its Glastonbury FM, and they are keen to have performances and interviews.
http://www.glastonburyfm.co.uk/
Send information into your local paper- music releases, gigs, collaborations.... let them know and they can let your local community know.
Getting more gigs
List of all South West Festivals, inc dates, musical styles and website links. Useful for contacting Festival organisers.
http://www.realukmusic.co.uk/south_west_uk_music_festivals.htm
Spiral Earth website- Festival Directory and general news and music updates. They review bands and also host biography pages for bands, so again perfect for sending in bio/pic/music.
http://www.spiralearth.co.uk/contact.asp
A fairly comprehensive events directory. Register as an artist and upload any gig information.
http://www.ents24.com
Useful resource for Bristol gig venues. Lots of information to give you an idea where to contact.
http://www.bristolgigs.com/live-venues-in-bristol
