Your artist website or social networking site may be the only thing an A&R rep or potential agent will see to get an idea of you and your talent. In a way it serves as your resume. With that being said, here is my first installment of a few tips to keep in mind when you are setting up your site or updating the content.
Images:
Right or wrong A&R reps do care about image. In my case I am not too caught up on whether or not someone is pretty or handsome but more are they presentable. If an artist has a photo of themselves wearing a shirt that says “I don’t give a sh--!” (you can fill in the blanks) I don’t care how awesome their music is, they are not going to get my consideration. It sounds dumb but I have seen a photo with this. What you wear in your photos matters.
Another thing to consider when placing images on your site is that not everyone is a drinker and wants to flip through 20 pictures of you hanging at the bar. Are you interested in showing us that you know how to party or that you know how to play music and be responsible? The settings in which the photos take place is important. Go to your favorite artist's website and see where their photos are taken. They are all in a professional setting or performance based.
And finally, DO NOT put pictures on your artist web site with your or anyone else flipping off the camera. You might as well be flipping of the person that may want to sign you and help you. Besides that, it’s not as cool as you think and definitely not professional.
This things may sound like common sense to you but I wouldn't be writing about it if I didn't reject hundreds of artists a week based on these simple things. Save all the silliness for your personal social networking site. Use your artist site to show how professional and serious you are about your music career. Your images tell a story about you. What story are you telling with your photos?
