How can I get more exposure for my music?

It won't cost you anything to put some stuff on http://www.jamendo.com/en/, too.

And I think giving away free CDs potentially cheapens your product somewhat. Give stuff away for free on the internet, but charge people a couple of bucks for a CD (assuming it looks nice, which it should).

toilet door graffitti I know of a lot of venues who don't appreciate this and I doubt it will do you much good.

Thank you for so much great feedback and many actionable ideas! I have some work ahead of me -- in particular, have to get back in performing shape and get some gigs!

I'm from pal park, so I know the area. I'm pretty sure you can find a place to play, since that seems to be the prevailing advice. The Borders in Fort Lee is always looking for people to play there. And I know that LOCO (Livingston's Own Concert Organization) at Rutgers is always looking for people.. But yeah, probably the best way to get more hits is to play around the area

Give the music away - free mp3s, free CDs, whatever. Then sell your next album, once you've built a decent following.

You could send your CDs to http://www.pandora.com/.

Don't waste your money on a publicist or a radio plugger at this point. You've got no story or following behind you and the money will just go to waste. You need to build up a fan base and maintain a relationship with those people and the best ways to do that today are through the internet and playing live. I'm of the school that says giving away your music is a good idea at your stage. I was reading yesterday about a band that has a box of CDs beside the stage when they play live. Fans are invited to take one for free and if they feel so inclined, to put a small donation in the box. Many people leave a buck or two which in the end is the cost of manufacture anyway so you're not going to lose much money here (certainly less than hiring a plugger). The upside is that many of those people will probably give your CD a listen. That's what you're trying to accomplish. Make sure you have a mailing list and hand out flyers at your gigs that display your web address. Update your website every day if you can to encourage people to return to the site. Give away MP3s on your website as well and keep track of the site traffic so you can see if it's growing. That should be your start. Create and build a relationship with fans and keep them hooked. If you're successful in that, you can then look to press and radio.

Don't forget that your friends have friends, who they will make come to gigs. So invite everyone you know, every time (actually handing them a flyer definitely helps). If they like it, they will be back, especially if you can offer an incentive (such as offering to share your rider, if you get one, or covering the door charge for a few of them). When you get a gig, use MySpaz to advertise it. Definitely seconding the film thing— a lot of student film makers are in dire need of good soundtracks, try putting up posters offering your services at the local film school. Send out your CD to any contacts you have. A good (if not totally legal/recommended) way of getting your name known amongst local music afficionados is toilet door graffitti. Every dive in my town that plays to upcoming bands has a motherlode of graffitti on the doors, walls, floors and ceilings of their bathrooms, all of it saying "so and so is the best band EVER! so and so is HOT!! I want so and so's babies!" blah blah blah. Be outrageous with it, and have fun coming up with different ways of pretending you're a teenage girl who loves the band. it'll get your name noticed by those who go to gigs at least! NB: IANYL and I do not endorse this action in any way. Aherm.