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

[Will]

Sure

[Kim]

I think all of that

[PJ]

All of the above.

Also - get gigs at bars, join a local musicians group and play at their functions. Make CDs and hand them out. Mail the CDs to local radio stations that play the kind of music you make.

[Shirley]

Myspace is good! Try going on bands pages that sounds like yours and adding their fans - then message them asking to check you out.

Done this for a friends band, it's really good, also play local shows!

[Kaitlyn]

Myspace helps a lot...add people on myspace like crazy. And if they have 500+ friends on myspace, have them "wh0re" you, which means they would post a bulletin promoting you and asking their friends to add you.

You can even join add sites like : zombieadds.com and such...

Then flyers are always nice, especially in cafes, stop signs, poles, put them under wipers on cars on college campuses.

Touring won't do much unless you already have a mediocre audience to start out with, but if you do, be involved with them. Like have merch, be really lively on stage, and play for cheap every now and then...even though it's a bit of a sacrifice, it always gains attention.

Having lots of friends is a plus, they can spread the word. However making lots of friends is just as well because they'll spread the word as well and it's a cool thing to do anyway...

& of course...there's YouTube...that's almost a must if you want to get fame fast.

[mariah]

both, try to book local venues as much as you can and tell everyone you know to tell everyone else. also i know of bands who go to other shows they aren't playing and stand outside handing out flyers or even impromtu (sp?) concerts
try hot topic i know unsigned band who have played there.
hope you make it big someday

[Josh]

bandofrock.com is good for that