As musicians, we like to connect with people. We like to get to know as many people as possible and in the process if we can strike a conversation about music, sell a CD or two, we’re even happier.

The question today is how to use our knack and love for connection and communication to help us grow our following and thus sell more music.

I want to look at the power of forums, comment boards, message boards, etc. One good one most people use is the comments box in Myspace. People leave a comment about someones music and put their link so people can click on it. Those who do it correctly get a huge amount of traffic from this.

Why? Because even Google picks it up. So when you’re name or music is searched, it all lists in Google. The more links you have, the more popular you’ll become because of all this free traffic.

Using forums and message boards is a popular way to get music noticed by posting links to your music pages. Here are my three easy steps for attracting positive attention:

(1) Strike where its hot. Identify hot discussion forums by the number of responses to each post, the number of posts and the number of stirring emotions. These don’t have to be music discussions. Perhaps if its not, its better because you’ve no

competition and you’re working in your target group of fans.

(2) Write something relevant. Maybe the forum you use, you don’t have an interest in, but try to write something relevant. Or search the net for an article useful and recommend it, giving your URL in the end. Give it a compelling subject line.

(3) Text box at the end of the article. Make sure you have one. Not only will this include a sample music link, but you could also include a free gift link from your website.

That’s my three easy steps.

The idea is straightforward. Pick out 4 or 5 places you want to post regularly and become active. Then set aside 15 minutes daily or every two days for this. That’s all it takes. Regular posting and show-of-activeness and people pay attention.

You can do it. Just be committed and disciplined in your approach. Know the bigger goal - to get more fans and sales.

Popularity: 35% [?]