SITE OF THE MONTH: CBE

Cheryl B. Engelhardt has been involved with music since the very young age of three, when she began playing piano. Now, music is her life. That is thanks, in part, to her website, www.cbemusic.com.

Since graduating from Cornell University two years ago, where she studied biology and music, Engelhardt has moved from a career in biology to a career in music. During the day, she works for a music composition company in New York City that works on commercials, and in her free time she works on her personal music career with her band, which is detailed through her website.

Her website was established in November of 2003, and since then it has really taken off. Engelhardt has experienced a 235% increase in visitors and a 623% increase in hits over the two years since the site began. In addition, sales of her first CD, Shoes Off And Run, have been steady since November 2004, and visitors can easily purchase the CD through her site.

The singer and pianist, who describes her music as "Ben Folds Five turns female," has added many features to her site that make it a true information portal to all things Engelhardt. This includes an electronic press kit, the ability to listen to her songs, see her videos, and view her calendar of upcoming appearances. "The great thing is I can update the content myself, so the information is fresh and current," says Engelhardt.

Engelhardt also keeps fans informed through her enewsletter, which people can sign up for through her site. The newsletter has had a steady stream of subscribers since Engelhardt began her enewsletters in December 2004. "It's a great way to keep people informed about what's going on in my world," she says, noting that items covered include a letter from her, recent press coverage and information about upcoming shows.

Engelhardt credits her website as one of the components to her success. "It has helped me sell my CD and I have gotten new fans that find me through Podcasts, like my music, and check my website out," she says. This momentum has probably also helped her touring career, which is getting busier and busier. "Thank goodness I work for a great company that supports this schedule and lets me travel when I need to," she says, and adds that she is even planning more tour dates out West in the near future.