Is it appropriate to discuss the problems connected with the promotion of somebody's own music on this forum?
 
I would be interested to know the opinion of experienced people, which way of promotion they consider to be the most effective...

Think you should post that type of post in either the Cakewalk "Coffee House" or "Songs" forum.
Leaning more towards better feedback in the Coffee House , for this subject.

I'm terrible at promoting my music, and it shows.
Anyone I know that makes money does it playing live.  This pays more in one night than selling 2000 singles on iTunes.  Plus, the show advertises the recordings for sale.
 
I'm curious to see what others say.

vdvorn
Is it appropriate to discuss the problems connected with the promotion of somebody's own music on this forum?
 
I would be interested to know the opinion of experienced people, which way of promotion they consider to be the most effective...

You should probably be more specific about the problems you are having or are concerned about.
Many people have great success with promoting their own music, Yes it takes a lot of work and consistency, but that's the price you pay for a record company not to have control over your art and the bulk of your (their) money, which is basically a glamorous loan.
First step is really getting your music and or songs up to snuff, not artistically (since that's subjective), but definitely production (mixing/mastering) wise.
It takes ground up work just like the old days when there was no internet, and you had to put feet to the pavement, flyers, shows, mixed with word of mouth etc.  For those who grew up in that era, the new model (internet/digital distribution/availability of self promotion/your own website) should look a whole lot better in terms of having control over your music, although it still takes a different kind of hard work and consistency.
The net is flooded with good and bad songs (production wise). At least start by getting  your songs to the best production quality as possible, which is  definitely in reach, being that you own the Studio (your DAW) and are not pressed by the ticking clock of a commercial facitlity.

I wonder if anyone has successfully avoided a major label, but hired a proper PR/Marketing company instead?
It seems to me that all we need now is to direct attention to our online stores.  Just like if you were selling any other product.

   For me, there does not seem to be any one method for releases to the general public (its different for TV and Film placement). However the old fashioned way is working really really well out in Utah County.  Its all about building a fan base first, because they tweet friends, who facebook other friends, and their trust in you, helps promote trust to others.  We have a no name cowboy who, by working many hours a day for a year, is in a tie for the most downloads in the state for new artists. There are some pretty good ideas listed in a paper on the diskmakers web site.  In no particular order, for me..
 
Before promoting..
 
Know the target audience and write for them - you need product that relates to them on a emotional level.
Consider building or joining a songwriters pool to bounce ideas and songs off of. 
Learn the target size in your local area
Start with the local area first
  Test your ideas by watching and asking - ask target market folks, and not family
  Connect with musicians in your area who are fairly successful - successful folks have great ideas
Have the product consumer ready.
Have the products story - the particular reason it came about, what it means.  Share it.  See if it connects. 
Test the product - until you know your target markets desires, consider not releasing if it tests poorly. 
 
Promoting..
 
Find the target market radio station - get interviews, plural, for each release. This is free.
Find the target market tv station - schedule a performance.  This is free.
Create a songwriter facebook page and post in it daily.  This is free.
  Pics and images of daily music life (in studio, setups at gigs, live performances)
  A few minutes of live video at sound checks especially TV and Radio self promotions
  Point to snippets of music to share for free
Chose a distribution company - for a general overview of which one..
      http://aristake.com/?post=92
Release regularly, especially if you do not have a CD.  Everytime you release, relentlessly self promote. 
Oh - and and again relentlessly self promote. Its a dirty task, but someones gotta do it, and your the best one. 
 
Other...
 
When not performing or promoting, create more good songs.
Keep statistics and relentlessly promote them - fan count, download count,  TV and radio station interview count.
Personality counts - gratitude,  thankfulness, care and considerate behavior speak volumes and connects with others.  Most people in any target market value kind human nature.  
 

Slugbaby
I'm terrible at promoting my music, and it shows.
Anyone I know that makes money does it playing live.  This pays more in one night than selling 2000 singles on iTunes.  Plus, the show advertises the recordings for sale.
 
I'm curious to see what others say.

What is interesting, most of the famous bands make live-tours to promote the new album. It looks like for the unknown musicians to be just opposite - the shows advertise the recordings...
 
I am discouraged with a HUGE amount of "self-made" music being presented in the internet. I think, it could be harmful for the really talented authors, who just disappear in that ocean...
 
I have a proposal indeed. May be it could be useful to set a special place on this forum to discuss the works of each other recorded in Sonar? I could start with 2 of my new own songs on SoundCloud
 
https://soundcloud.com/user-2937695/the-lie-demo
https://soundcloud.com/user-2937695/it-was-a-time
 
I am working recently upon the third one - a power ballad - and planned to release a single or EP. But it looks like the better way is to find (or found) a band and try to play the live performances...

vdvorn
 
I have a proposal indeed. May be it could be useful to set a special place on this forum to discuss the works of each other recorded in Sonar? I could start with 2 of my new own songs on SoundCloud
 
https://soundcloud.com/user-2937695/the-lie-demo
https://soundcloud.com/user-2937695/it-was-a-time
 
I am working recently upon the third one - a power ballad - and planned to release a single or EP. But it looks like the better way is to find (or found) a band and try to play the live performances...

We have exactly that already:  http://forum.cakewalk.com/Songs-f89.aspx
 

Slugbaby
I wonder if anyone has successfully avoided a major label, but hired a proper PR/Marketing company instead?
It seems to me that all we need now is to direct attention to our online stores.  Just like if you were selling any other product.

Well, I have read in Wiki that most of the famous bands succeeded after they found a good producer. But as to my recent experience modern producers are afraid to follow their intuition and prefer to rely upon something else as the quality of the music itself (fanbase, etc).
The same is with the labels...

LLyons
   For me, there does not seem to be any one method for releases to the general public (its different for TV and Film placement). However the old fashioned way is working really really well out in Utah County.  Its all about building a fan base first, because they tweet friends, who facebook other friends, and their trust in you, helps promote trust to others.  We have a no name cowboy who, by working many hours a day for a year, is in a tie for the most downloads in the state for new artists. There are some pretty good ideas listed in a paper on the diskmakers web site.  In no particular order, for me..
 

Thanks, LLyons - very helpful post.