MusicRadar

OK Go and the most famous treadmills in history.

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Thanks to the internet and today's easy-to-use software, getting your music made and in a place where anyone can hear it is no problem at all. However, because every bedroom-based artist and his dog now has a MySpace page, it's more difficult than ever to get people to listen.

Like it or not, it isn't just about the music – it's about getting yourself noticed. If you're looking for ways to stand out, may we suggest the following…

1. Shoot a video

Every website worth its salt now carries video, and that means you absolutely need a video to go with your music. But forget about hiring in Godley & Creme - the great news is that they're nowhere near as hard or as expensive to create as they once were. With a cheap video camera (£200) and video editing software, you'll have something half decent in no time.

The editing software will quite often resemble your music sequencer, so you'll soon be mixing, blending and adding effects just like the pros. As for the content, well that's up to you, but staring moodily across wind-swept moors and stone circles should be off the agenda. Try something different or play to your strengths. If you have an unusual image then focus on that. If you're a great live band than simply film a good gig. If you're ugly, use CGI! There are so many great packages out there that you can make even poorly-shot stuff look presentable, so you really should go for it.

WHO'S IT WORKED FOR? Everyone, but the most notable example in the internet age is OK Go, who famously made a set of oddball videos and have clocked up millions of YouTube hits.
CHECK OUT: OK Go, Here It Goes Again
HOW MUCH? The price of a camera.

2. Rope someone famous in

With millions of reality TV Z-listers all vying for attention, there's a good chance you know someone – or know someone who knows someone – who's famous. At least a little bit, anyway. And the less famous they are, the more likely it is that they'll want the extra exposure that you can promise them by appearing on your song or in your video. Got someone who used to be in a second-rate sitcom down the road from you? Washed-up soap star holed up in your local? Ex child TV star working in your supermarket? Get them in your video, write a song about them, get it out there. It's an instant story that could help sell your songs (and ultimately your soul, but we won't go there).

WHO'S IT WORKED FOR? A Tribe Of Toffs famously roped in a UK weather presenter for their song John Kettley Is A Weatherman, which reached Number 21 in the UK charts.
CHECK OUT: Any reality show, particularly those on satellite TV, for many willing participants.
HOW MUCH? As little as a cup of tea or a pint, as long as there's the promise of more exposure.

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