No matter how many music conferences I go to, no matter how many panels I sit on, I continue to hear the same half-baked advice doled out to unsuspecting artists. I've come to call them the 3BL-- the three biggest bits of non-advice given to musicians. Here they are:
1) Run your music career like a business
2) It's a small industry so be nice to everyone
3) Your demo should sound radio ready.
I find it astonishing how many musicians can't answer that question in a way that will make people remember them or want to hear them play. It seems simple enough. You may be one of the best bands of all times, but once you stumble on that question or answer with what could be considered blatant hype, you've already lost a great opportunity. In the music business, knowing who you are is as important as everything else you do.
Everyone now knows that if you are an artist or you play in a band that it is imperative you have a website. It is now considered the norm and a nice place to refer existing and potential fans.
Cat Stevens: Majikat: Earth Tour, 1976 
