I HATE when aspiring musicians respond to queries with “Google Me.” Perhaps this is a pet peeve of mine since I have an extensive business background and I tend to view things somewhat differently than other recording artists. One thing is for sure, I know if I have a product to sell and I am face-to-face with or have any direct interaction with a potential customer, I seize the opportunity...and perhaps afterward, I’d call their attention to my website. Under NO circumstances am I directing people to a search engine!
Artists: Don’t be so full of yourself that you lose sight of the BIG PICTURE; arrogance isn’t going to get you anywhere.
“Google Me” – A Musician’s Social Networking NO-NO.
The Secrets of Marketing Your Music and Band
The principles of running a business and marketing a band to the point of making actual money are not that different. Just so happens that this business is music.
There’s an old saying that goes something like “build it and they will come”. It’s an old saying because in today’s world it should read “build it, MARKET IT… and they will come”. If you don’t believe me than think about how many talented people have you come across that made incredible music in their basement. Music that never made it out of their house. It’s like they’re waiting for somebody to knock on their door and say “I was just strolling through the neighborhood with a briefcase full of money and wanted to see if you have a great song available”. It’s not really going to happen. However there are things you can do to get your music and band marketed and we will be discussing this in the following article.
There’s an old saying that goes something like “build it and they will come”. It’s an old saying because in today’s world it should read “build it, MARKET IT… and they will come”. If you don’t believe me than think about how many talented people have you come across that made incredible music in their basement. Music that never made it out of their house. It’s like they’re waiting for somebody to knock on their door and say “I was just strolling through the neighborhood with a briefcase full of money and wanted to see if you have a great song available”. It’s not really going to happen. However there are things you can do to get your music and band marketed and we will be discussing this in the following article.
Is a Manager Vital For Making it to the Top As a Band?
One question that bands will ask themselves quite often is do they need a manager?
With so many more promoters and gig venues offering up slots for bands to play, many new bands may feel as though they can get a head start without the need for any additional help. This is probably for the best in the short run though as it will allow the band to develop at their own pace and not be influenced by too many external factors. There will come a time though when the need for experience and a different viewpoint can come in handy for any band.
With so many more promoters and gig venues offering up slots for bands to play, many new bands may feel as though they can get a head start without the need for any additional help. This is probably for the best in the short run though as it will allow the band to develop at their own pace and not be influenced by too many external factors. There will come a time though when the need for experience and a different viewpoint can come in handy for any band.
It’s All Good: There Is No Such Thing As Bad Press!
It’s one of the oldest riddles in the history of music: If a band rocks hard in the forest and there’s no one there to hear it…did it ever really happen? It’s a fact: you may be the most talented musician in the galaxy, but if no knows about you, you’ll probably never advance past playing to your one and only fan in the mirror in your mom’s garage.
Writing, recording and performing terrific music is half the battle, but the other half may be even tougher than the challenge of creating a #1 hit…the task of publicizing it. Without publicity, your great opus might very well sit, gathering dust on your closet floor with the other 999 copies you had printed, cased and shrink-wrapped. Getting your name/your band’s name out there is quintessentially the most crucial step to: gigs, management, fans, radio, label exposure and rock ‘n’ roll stardom.
Writing, recording and performing terrific music is half the battle, but the other half may be even tougher than the challenge of creating a #1 hit…the task of publicizing it. Without publicity, your great opus might very well sit, gathering dust on your closet floor with the other 999 copies you had printed, cased and shrink-wrapped. Getting your name/your band’s name out there is quintessentially the most crucial step to: gigs, management, fans, radio, label exposure and rock ‘n’ roll stardom.
Why Artist Development Makes A Difference
Artist development in the music industry has evolved over time, leaving most of the early progress to the artist themselves. For the most part, the days are gone when a record label developed up and coming talent. The question continuously arises for those young artists, “where do I start”? With the advent of the Internet, the possibilities are mind boggling.
Many artists put in their mission statement, simply that they want a record deal, thinking that is all they need to succeed for career in music. Most don’t have a clue what it takes to get that deal, let alone maintain that career.
Many artists put in their mission statement, simply that they want a record deal, thinking that is all they need to succeed for career in music. Most don’t have a clue what it takes to get that deal, let alone maintain that career.
How to Promote Your CD
Congratulations! Your debut CD is now recorded, replicated, packaged, and ready for market. It’s an amazing feeling to see the fruit of your labor in front of you, nicely packaged as a CD that’s ready to be sold alongside the big wigs in the industry. One small problem: you don't have the backing and capital that the big wigs do to promote your CD... and you just know your CD can be a huge success in the market.
Promoting a CD can seem like a daunting task at first, especially if you haven't done anything like this before. Here are a few tips and ideas on how you can get started promoting, and selling your music CD.
Promoting a CD can seem like a daunting task at first, especially if you haven't done anything like this before. Here are a few tips and ideas on how you can get started promoting, and selling your music CD.
Why Most Independent Artist Fail!
This is a question that I am most commonly asked. The answer is pretty simple – most independent artist do not understand that concept of marketing let alone online marketing.
Obviously I can not cover an entire marketing course in this article but I can however give you a few facts that will put you on the right road.
The first thing that you MUST do is learn to put yourself in the shoes of your target audience or in this case your fans. That is a lot easier said than done. Without a fan base you do not have a music career.
As a independent artist it is crucial that you own your own domain name. If you have MySpace as your primary internet presence you are making a huge mistake. Now before you go on a rant allow me to explain.
Obviously I can not cover an entire marketing course in this article but I can however give you a few facts that will put you on the right road.
The first thing that you MUST do is learn to put yourself in the shoes of your target audience or in this case your fans. That is a lot easier said than done. Without a fan base you do not have a music career.
As a independent artist it is crucial that you own your own domain name. If you have MySpace as your primary internet presence you are making a huge mistake. Now before you go on a rant allow me to explain.
Musicians and Performance Anxiety
Have you ever faced your time to shine, and felt overcome with an intense hesitation or worry about an upcoming performance? As the time nears for you to address your audience, do you suffer from sweaty palms? Is there a lump in your throat? Do you experience tremors, tension, stuttering, upset stomach or loss of focus? All of these symptoms are a sign that you may suffer from performance anxiety, which is a common problem that requires a little mental rewiring to get you on the right track.
Starting A Musical Career
Beginning a musical career can be difficult if you do not know how to break into the mainstream industry. Everyone has dreams and yours are no less important, but unless you know the right people to contact or the best businesses to approach, you could be left floundering in one spot, unable to move forward and unable to go back. If you are looking to carry your singing, acting, performing, or unique career forward to the next level, you will need to know what kind of people to consult and where to go.
Press Kit
A press kit is more than a piece of paper that says your band is great. Your press kit should include:
• Effective packaging that screams, “Open me!”
• One 8×10 BW glossy photo of the band or artist, preferably suitable for use in a newspaper or on a poster
• A One-sheet – about you and your CD with the UPC code of your CD
• A band bio, including a brief history of the band and anything especially interesting about the band members.
• Effective packaging that screams, “Open me!”
• One 8×10 BW glossy photo of the band or artist, preferably suitable for use in a newspaper or on a poster
• A One-sheet – about you and your CD with the UPC code of your CD
• A band bio, including a brief history of the band and anything especially interesting about the band members.
