Promoting an artist - the next step

[Pasta4lnch]

Promoting an artist, the next step - your thoughts?

I've gotten a lot of good advice in the past few months. . . and the general consensus is that all the old formulas don't work - or at least are changing to the point of not counting much anymore. So excluding "free" things like Myspace, youTube and facebook (which I totally dig, and are working on feverishly) what do you think is the next best thing to be focusing attention to:

-radio (we've gotten small opportunities w/ decent results)

-TV placement (good money, big exposure)

-distribution (really hard until we get more exposure)

-MTV (how do you even get on there - do they have anything to do w/ music anymore?)

- touring (we're doing a few states, but nothing major right now)

-something else?

I know "all of the above!" but I was wondering if one was a better way than another to hit a larger audience and gain fans.

[MarkRB]

Of all your bullet points I think touring is the most useful.

I'm in the UK where touring is obviously easier than in the US. All your other points really require big bucks that you can only get from a half decent deal with a serious label.

Doing gigs and selling CD's for a few months will gain you more true fans than a 3 minute slot on some breakfast TV show.

[tamakid1292]

I would say tour beacuse its one thing to have fans around you area but when you have them spread across the country it will really help. Also Warptour and sounds of the underground have battle of the bands to get on those"summerfestivals" Getting on those would help alot.