Okay, so through mp3.com, where I have music posted, I get inundated with all these ads for TonosPro (www.tonos.com), a site that says you can put your music in for consideration for all these industry opportunties, get higher-ups in A&R at labels to listen to it, and have big possibilities for recording and publishing deals. The kicker here is the membership fee - $12/month if you go monthly, $30 quarterly, or a hundred bucks a year. So has anyone used this site, or do you know a musician who has, and it worked for them, or have you been to the site and you think it looks like a good/bad/retarded idea? I’m a college student, and while I could afford the hundred bucks a year if I buy less clothes, I’m scared to do it if it’s not gonna be worth it… Part of that may also be lingering anxiety over my musical worth… But anyways, opinions anyone? (Also, any opinions about my music itself would be helpful… the links in my sig. It’s girl pop-folk stuff, written played and sung all by yours truly…) And I really hope that didn’t sound too much like a shameless self plug. I really just want opinions on the Tonos service if anyone knows anything good or bad about it.
And can you tell I’m hopelessly new here and a total babbler? 
Antares,
This has been a pretty hotly debated issue in the world of independent musicians. I am a member of TAXI, which as far as I know offers the same benefits of Tonos (although the fee is $300 a year). It has been good for me… I have had a lot of my songs forwarded to major labels but no contracts have been signed as of yet. Still, it has been nice getting feedback on my music by “industry professionals”.
I think it really depends on what you’re willing to sacrifice financially. Although $100/year might not sound like a lot to someone else, I think we all know to a student (or really anyone at a particular time in their lives) that can be quite a blow to the checkbook.
My personal opinion in your situation is this: If you are still on the fence about whether or not your music is good, I wouldn’t do it. You should be to a point in your talent where you can honestly (without being egotistical about it) say you have what it takes to make it in the business (not to mention the desire). Until then, I wouldn’t spend the money.
You might want to check out a website I visit frequently that caters to independent artists at http://www.justplainfolks.org. They are mostly singer/songwriter/guitarists, but I have learned a lot about the business, as well as the pros and cons of TAXI and Tonos.
Thank you so much! I’m really working on the whole confidence in myself thing… I know my songs are good, I just don’t know HOW good, and that whole self-esteem thing’s been dogging me all my life. So I guess I’m gonna think about it a bit more, look around at some other stuff, and try to get more people to listen to my music and tell me it’s good, so I’ll be convinced. 
I may end up joining Tonos eventually… we’ll see. Thanks for the advice, though!
There just seems to be a point where you know you are good at something to where it’s without question. From there, you can just go on with what you need to do. Myself, I do what I like while still listening to others, and I will never stop learning or practicing.