Myspace continues to streamline their Web site to try and keep up with features on other social networks. The latest update is the “Share” function that now allows you to apply a link and video to your status updates.

Instead of having to choose a “Mood” to update your status, Myspace has updated their design to match the rest of the profile’s home page; while adding the options to apply a photo, link, video and mood to your status.

This is just the latest in updates and moves by Myspace to stay afloat in social media. The site recently updated the “Stream” of your status posts and bulletins in an attempt to organize their many features.

BandCentral.com has created a central hub for you and your band-mates to stay organized. The Web site offers an array of features that would help any band stay connected with themselves and their fans.

I know trying to keep a band focused and informed is a tough task when creating a project. Getting a group of people with other plans, or jobs on their calendar is something most bands break up over.

This site offers many ways to for a band to stay grounded and focus on their goal, which is producing music.

What does Band Central Offer? The answer is simple… Everything.

Are you looking to promote your band on the internet? Or are you currently doing so and want to see the results? Well just search you band’s name using Google, Bing or any search engine that you prefer to use.

Looking at it from a fan’s perspective: They want to find out more about your band that they just heard on an online radio station, or read about on an indie music blog.

When I first started to brand my name online, I searched on Google and was very disappointed by the results that appeared. Only my Myspace profile showed up for me. I’m sure there are not that many Noe Pacheco’s, but the few that are out there are really trying to establish a presence for their business.

There are many independent bands trying to break into the music industry, but lose their focus about the business aspects of the career.

Obviously, a record labels are not going to sign bands right off the bat, or after a first listen. The labels want to see an established fan base, which means albums are being sold, tours are getting sold out and they have a strong online presence.

Indie bands should be up to date with the new technological resources, which can help them take on their careers utilizing the internet. The Web could even be a bit too easy of a resource for bands to create careers if you think about it. They have so many social networks and Web sites that cater to help indie bands institute a foundation.

Independent bands struggle to see how much exposure they can gain online, because they have the daunting task of making sure their music is solid enough for strangers’ ears to hear their finished product.

Indie bands need to realize that they can create a market for their music before it is completed just by generating a presence utilizing social networks that are out there for them.

Bands need to look beyond Myspace and Facebook to gain the superior online presence they expect  when they use the internet.

The World Wide Web is more than what mainstream media says it is, but bands are too preoccupied with what they are told by them. The bands need to realize that there is more than Twitter that should be occupying their time.

Independent bands and unsigned bands need the most exposure as possible to gain a following, which comes with a dominant online presence.

How do I get my band’s Web site links on the first page of Google, Bing and Yahoo search engines?

Create profile on solidified social networks and start-up social networks, but make sure to use your band’s name in the URL name (www.socialnetwork.com/bandname).

Why should I use other sites, besides the major ones that are known like Myspace and Facebook?

Social networking sites have become a great tool for independent bands to market their bands, but that is all they are good for. Indie bands need to realize that they need a Web site to solidify their online presence.

Having the ability to control the content on their own domain is key when trying to manage their image and marketing. Indie artists can make their own rules and do not have to follow the regulations that social networks expect them to follow.

The other aspect is indie bands ignoring their Web sites and spending more time on content on their social network profiles. Bands should keep their content fresh such as, tour dates, photos, appearances, etc., so their fans return to view anything that is new with the band.

Independent musicians who try to find managers, booking agents, and publicists through Myspace, Facebook, and other social networks, need to be aware of people who will approach the band to try and take advantage of them.

The person who is promising promotion and shows could ultimately be a scam artist who just wants the artists’ money. The scammer more than likely used to work for a major label.

“The labels have been cutting staff for a few years, and a lot of those people are now on the street working freelance as “agents,” “A&R consultants,” “managers,” and other job titles,” stated Robert Arthur, who is the Business Manager for the indie band Northern Room.

Usually, the scam artist approaches a band through messaging them on their social network pages. The scammer then promises what the musicians want to hear. They say that they worked for a major label company to gain the trust of the musicians.

“Just because someone once worked at Universal records does not mean they are legitimate,” said Arthur. We get several shady inquiries per week from people like that.”

They tend to gain the trust of the artists and then ask for an unfair percentage for their work. Artists need to research and understand what the percentages for a person’s service should be.

For example, a booking agent’s percentage should average around 10%, I found during my research. A percentage can be negotiated, but the percentage that actually goes onto the contract should be agreed upon by all parties before being signed.