[Updated] Sell Your Band is a newly launched website featuring a directory of services for DIY and indie artists. It's a nice looking site that covers a broad range of categories with individual service reviews. They seem to be up on the newer services including some that I haven't seen before. Definitely a solid resource for artists making it happen in the digital realm.
Sell Your Band was founded by Carlos Gutierrez and Fred Lopez who say they:
"launched Sell Your Band after noticing a few of our musician friends having trouble finding the right service to promote their music. With tons of sites, applications, and services, they seemed overwhelmed and were wasting tons of money trying out different services and not finding the right one. We decided we wanted to create a resource service that not only lists out services but provides information, pricing, pros and cons, and allows for user reviews."
In addition to a directory with reviews, they also have discussion forums for DIY music topics and a blog focused on the music industry.
Though the blog seems a bit generic, it looks great as does the rest of the site which was designed by Carlos Gutierrez and coded by Sandeep Shrestha [update].
The main missing element at this point is the community. Individual reviews have room for comments and it will be great if folks start sharing their experiences with the different services. The forum is basically empty and waiting on a community to bring it to life.
Sell Your Band is already a useful service and, if the founders can inspire a community to emerge, then it could become a leading resource. One step in that direction would be to focus the blog on more targeted topics in line with the directory itself including updates about the companies being covered.
If this seems like just the thing you need, you might also check out Music Nomad. It has a simpler old school look and doesn't seem as up to date as Sell Your Band but does cover a broader range of resources.
Also, you should signup now for updates regarding the soon-to-launch Hypebot Marketplace which will feature what Hypebot editor/publisher Bruce Houghton described in an email as a:
"hub for artists, managers and independent labels to connect with approved and experienced providers to launch a project (large or small) or put together their d.i.y. dream team. A pre-screened group of designers, marketers, direct-to-fan specialists and consultants will offer their services on a flat fee or hourly basis, alongside select music tech services at discounted prices."
Hypebot Features Writer Clyde Smith maintains his freelance writing hub at Flux Research and music industry resources at Music Biz Blogs. To suggest topics for Hypebot, contact: clyde(at)fluxresearch(dot)com.
