What is the best way for an independent band to promote themselves?

[Deke]

I'm not familiar with Twitter's site capabilities (I think the entire idea is stupid), but on MySpace, at least one can listen to songs. That's a huge selling point. Also, connect with the fans created on MySpace. Don't just add them, but involve them in the process. Answer EVERY message you get. Blog. Post tour dates. Give away things like stickers and T-shirts with the band's logo. Make them feel like they're part of the process.

Offer to play at any establishment in your city. For free. The club isn't taking a risk, and they might even ask you back.

If you've got a live show coming up ANYWHERE...record it. Upload it to Archive.org. You would not BELIEVE how many listeners this will gain for you. Three days ago, I learned of a band called Moon Taxi. I went to Archive, found three shows, and downloaded them all. By the time I got home, I had purchased their live CD from Amazon. I'd have been less likely to give them my money if I'd not been able to listen to them perform entire songs/shows online, rather than 30-second snippets.

Organizing a street team is key, also. Even in the digital age. Get a group of people -- even in various cities -- to spread flyers everywhere they can in the days before a show. In my opinion, the way to go would be to saturate the city with flyers. Record stores, gyms, grocery store bulletin boards, public parks...everywhere you can legally do it. People, by nature, tend to follow trends. If they see the flyers enough, they very well might think, "Hey, these guys sound like a big deal, I should go check them out". If they do, and if they like you, they'll jump on the bandwagon -- which is exactly what you want.

Music fans, in particular, LOVE to feel like they're getting in on the ground floor of a musical artist whose star is about to take off. We're somewhat possessive about the bands we love.