Bandcamp + Facebook
If you’re in a band and you’re not using Bandcamp to digitally distribute your music, you’re probably either insanely ignorant or just not that bright. They take the lowest percentage of any distributor, give you phenomenal stats on who is downloading and a whole lot more. We’ve been over this, Bandcamp is great.. use it. The new news is that they’ve launched a Facebook App for their service so now you can easily embed your music right into your Facebook Fan Page by following approximately 3 steps (two if you prefer). Other services do already provide this sort of functionality but, let’s be honest, Bandcamp is going to tie it all together much nicer. Do it!
Tunecore Sale
As long as we’re talking about digital distribution it is worth mentioning that Tunecore – a service that gets your music into iTunes, Amazon, eMusic, etc. etc. – is running a special that allows you to distribute an album of your choice for $20 – as opposed to their regularly priced $50. Granted, it will probably increase next year when you want to renew but it’s a low barrier to entry now that should be heavily contemplated. Deal ends October 31st so get on it.
Square
If the following two criteria apply to you, pay attention. 1) You have, or have regular access to, an iPhone. 2) You are a touring band with even a single item of merchandise. Assuming both of those are true, you need to go procure a Square digital device. This has been mentioned on the Cream before but it bears repeating. This is the simplest and most affordable way to allow credit card transactions for your merchandise sales. Until technology is swollen with NFC, this is something every band needs because, lets be honest, carrying cash is becoming more and more a thing of the past.