If your website looks anything like that, you’ve already lost.

The indie music world is full of people who do what they do for the love of music. We love creating and discovering new things, and we find a kindred bond with those who share the same passion.

However, the reason many of us work so hard toward pursuing that passion is because we want our hard work to be recognized. We know that it’s a crowded, noisy scene out there – both at home, and all over the world – and we need to do our best to stand out among the pack.

So, what’s the key? What is the difference between being an artist who makes a statement and being just another run-of-the-mill indie band?

It all comes down to how you present yourself.

Your every move – whether it’s your music, merch, live show or online presence – should reflect what makes you unique as an artist. Your artistry is also your brand, and it should accurately tell your story in a way that makes you stand out as an artist to watch. I can’t tell you what that story should be, because it’s yours. Whatever it is, you need to find an effective way to tell it.

Brand consistency isn’t the only important thing. It is imperative that you present your brand in a way that will make decision-makers – like labels, managers, or producers – take you seriously. Look at artists who are making it big right now, and you’ll notice how everything about their branding –  web presence, graphics, merchandise and, of course, recordings – looks like it was created by professionals. Their posters look like they’ve had a graphic designer’s magic touch. Their websites are intuitive and easy to navigate. Their social posts have correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Their recordings are crisp and clean, and their live show proves that they have the chops to support their material. Every little detail is accounted for.

I know. You’re in this to make music, so what does spelling or a professional-looking website matter?

Well, ask yourself this: Have you ever seen any band with a website like these make it big?

If your website looks or sounds like this, that might be why the labels aren’t calling.