KilkennyMusic.com, launched in 2005, focuses on supporting local music through various initiatives like monthly gigs, band profiles, and podcasts. The platform emphasizes the importance of an online presence for musicians and offers guidance on creating effective digital strategies, including leveraging social media and self-hosted blogs. Additionally, it discusses options for selling music online through platforms like CD Baby and iTunes, while encouraging artists to engage with their audience and promote themselves effectively.

1. KilkennyMusic.com Ken McGuire Ross Costigan Alan Dawson

2. Background Information Started September 2005 Launched Monthly Gigs October 2005 Beg, Borrow, Hire Staff Expansion 2005 - 2006 Funded locally 2006, 2007

3. Who Is Ken McGuire? Graduate Waterford IT BSc (H) Information Technology Dip. Multimedia Applications Development Event Ireland, July 2005 KilkennyMusic.com, September 2005 Devious Theatre Co., May 2006

4. What Does “KKM” Do? Daily news & video updates Band profiles, music, chat Monthly weekend gigs Tri-weekly recorded acoustic nights Weekly podcast show Live gig photography, press releases Live engineering, studio engineering

5. KKM On The Internet All started online Main website MySpace x 3 Bebo OneTakeSessions.com SoundSystemPodcast.com Staff Blogs

6. Why Online? No physical barriers Inexpensive Free profiles, cheap hosting options Instant global market Thinking local, acting global Why not?

7. Getting Your Profile Online MySpace Bebo Number One Music Sonicbids Start A Free Blog Start A Hosted Blog / Own Website

8. MySpace / Bebo Music Free to register* Upload your music Music can be streamed / downloaded Connect with “friends” Connect with other bands Link to your iTunes account**

9. Sonicbids For Bands Free month trial, $5.95 p/m EPK - Electronic Press Kit Photos Music Press Reviews Stage Plan Set List HWCH Submissions

10. Number One Music Must upload at least 1 MP3 Fans join ‘mailing list’ MySpace E-Team Free / Subscriber Options Targeted Exposure

11. What You Will Need Biography Photograph Music Time Patience

12. What You Will Need Properly written biography Aim minimum 100 words. High quality photograph Aim minimum 2. High quality audio Aim minimum MP3 @ 160k. Make sure is actually audible.

13. Where To Begin Start with a pen and paper Brainstorm for an internet strategy Make a list of goals CD on iTunes, video on YouTube Make a list of deliverables Music, video footage Make a list of your costs Subscriptions, one-off costs etc.

14. Develop Your Internet Strategy Select your sites Get your content organised Set yourself dates and deadlines Plan for the future New content, new video, new audio Brainstorm, refine

15. Start Your Own Website Free / Commercial Away from distractions Fully customisable Full control of your brand Host your own fan forum

16. My Tip: Start A Blog Easy to run “ Blog” is the new web site Search engine rankings Can appear in full Google index within minutes

17. Blogging For Bands “ Online Diary” A series of posts in chronological order Free Options Wordpress.com Blogger (Google) MySpace Blog Bebo Blog

18. Blogging For Bands Self Hosted Your own domain name Portray a professional image Cost Effective, €40 pa Use of free plugins e.g. audio player, store, gig calendar, forum. Full control of your brand

19. What Can You Do On A Blog? News - keep people informed Photos - open your own gallery Email - start and run a mailing list Music - upload as much as you want Store - sell as much as you want Syndicate via RSS

20. Selling Your Music Online

21. Selling Your Music Online CDBaby.com (and .net) iTunes Self Hosted Free download, encourage sales

22. CDBaby Selling since 1998 150,000 artists, over $40m in sales US$35 setup fee 9% CDBaby, 91% Artist ($4 per CD) Mail Them 5 CDs to start with

23. iTunes Sell via TuneCore € 0.71 per song on iTunes Albums get €7.10 per song Also reach eMusic, Rhapsody etc.

24. Don’t Expect To Be Found

25. Get people to your site (s) Mailing list Forum posts MySpace Friends Press releases Search engine advertising Develop Your Marketing Strategy

26. Cut Costs - Use Free Tools Social Networking Forums Boards.ie most visited discussion / chat site by Irish users in September 2007. Blogs Wordpress, Blogger etc. Above all - be seen

27. Promote Yourself Online Band Newsletter Banner / Link Exchange Join A Webring Music Forums E.g. KKM E.g. boards.ie Google Adwords PPC

28. Get Heard: Go Podsafe Decide On A Podsafe Track Submit Your Music For Podcasting http://music.podshow.com Be sociable Know your podcasters Email / contact the podcast on play

29. ComScore September 2007 Over 2 million web users in Ireland Bebo 4th overall YouTube.com top multimedia site iTunes second 66% under 35 43% Irish users visited a MM site

30. Finding Us Online www.kilkennymusic.com www.onetakesessions.com www.soundsystempodcast.com