Archive for October, 2009

MySpace Music Marketing Tips: How To Attract Record Labels

Saturday, October 31st, 2009
Clive Calvin asked:


The ultimate goal of most musicians who use MySpace is to attract a record label. Earning a contract to record an album can be a musician way into the music business. But what can you do to attract record labels? Creating a profile page and uploading music is a good start, but by no means is it the end of your marketing efforts. Below you will find a few tips on attracting a record label and getting them to take notice of your talent.

Tip#1: Upload a Variety of Songs

Just because you have to list the genre of music you perform does not mean you have to upload songs that only reflect that genre! Show record labels and fans that you have other musical interests by uploading songs that are different from one another. This will show your range, ability to attract fans from other genres, which increases your marketability, and prove to record labels you are worth investing in.

Tip#2: Fuel the Fan Fires

Record labels conduct searches on MySpace everyday looking for talented musicians. One way to get them to stop on your profile page is by showing them you have a strong fan base. The more people who visit your site, the more popular your page becomes on MySpace. Use the marketing tools available in order to gain fan interest.

Record labels want to sign those who are already experienced in working crowds during shows and who have a strong online presence because it makes promoting the music much easier. Having a strong fan base will make selling records and make promoting concert tours and other public appearances much easier.

Create a buzz on MySpace by attracting more fans to your page. Join MySpace forums, list upcoming events, and advertise your page on fliers, business cards, and other marketing materials as this will prompt fans who have seen your live shows to visit and download your songs.

Tip#3: Contacting Record Labels

Finding information about record labels is easy because of the internet. Instead of sending a copy of your latest CD or a few of your tunes, you can send record labels the link to your MySpace profile page. Music executives will appreciate this much more than strange pieces of mail showing up at their offices. Sending a quick email with your contact information may be enough to get you noticed. Research record companies to see which ones cater to your genre, and which ones accept email from musicians.

Tip#4: Selling Your Album on MySpace

If you release an album on your own, sell it on MySpace in order to generate buzz and also catch the attention of record labels. Being able to show record labels that you are a professional musician who is passionate about music will set you apart from the rest.

Attracting record labels will require you to remain diligent about marketing your music on MySpace. Uploading songs, using marketing tools such as blogs, video, and photos will help record labels get a better idea of what your sound. Use these marketing tools and others offered on MySpace go showcase your musical talents.



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Rock Music and Kids, is it a Good Combination?

Friday, October 30th, 2009
Chris Lowrey asked:


When children are young, it is easy to control the type of music they listen to.  Mostly, children listen to what the parents do.  Parents may choose to listen to music written specifically for kids, but at other times, the family may listen to whoever set the stereo station last.

 

The question becomes:  Is Rock music safe for children?

 

Nearly all the best-selling albums of all time are Rock. But is this ‘rebellious’ genre of music having a positive or negative impact on children and society?

 

As with just about every subject, there are many pros and cons.

 

The fact is: Rock is a form of art that promotes creativity and expression. Many songs have very poetic lyrics and send off great messages to people. A big message sent through music these days is world change.

 

In 1985, Live Aid was put on by many rock musicians from Black Sabbath to U2. It raised over 232 million dollars for famine relief in Ethiopia and was inspired by the song ‘The Tide is Turning’ by Roger Waters of Pink Floyd.

 

Even today, many bands put on benefits for a plethora of causes. Several bands have toured in Iraq to perform for our troops overseas. Also many rock benefit concerts were put on to raise money after the 9-11 attacks, Hurricane Katrina, and the 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake.

 

Bands also promote Christianity in their music, especially in today’s day and age. Popular bands, such as P.O.D., Flyleaf, Pillar, and many others, widely and openly promote religion through their music. And other bands, such as Breaking Benjamin and Chevelle, subtly promote it through their poetic and abstract lyrics.

 

Looking at their generosity of both their talent and money, it is clear that many Artists have chosen to spread joy.  Are there other benefits?

 

Music in general, as well as Rock, can inspire children to pick up a healthy hobby of playing music. Learning an instrument helps a child find a form of creativity they can express in an unimaginable amount of ways. Even if they aren’t going to become the next icon, enjoying music can often grant the listener or player an outlet for emotional issues or traumatic events as life progresses.

 

However, much like all good things, inevitably, you will also find the bad.

 

Many artists express their feelings through morbid and perverse metaphors and talk about dark taboo subjects. These artists have a breathtaking talent that people should be open to, but they are simply not for children.

 

Parental advisories can’t always be trusted. For instance, the songs ‘Digital Bath’ and ‘Lhabia’ by Deftones talks about a daydream of grisly melancholic acts, acted out of boredom.  This album has no parental advisory on it at all. Yet, that same band has songs against drugs, racism, and other positive influences, but is also not for young children.

 

As much as the R.I.A.A. tries to help, they are not the parents of America.

 

As our children start to discovery their own taste in music, parents need to monitor the content and words.  Maybe your child has found a singer or band that they really like.  You have listened to the song and approve.  Make sure when you buy that CD though, you carefully listen to all of the songs or simply purchase the one song that you approved. 

 

Rock seems to be the most controversial but it also has many positive influences that should be taken in to consideration. There are some negatives that come with it, and those should be filtered out by the parents. 

 

As a family and society, we do not want record companies, or anyone else for that matter, to decide what we feel is appropriate or not.  We enjoy the privilege of making that decision.  We do appreciate their input, hence the labeling.  But, when it comes down to it, we are the parents; we will take responsibility for what our children are plugging in their ears.

 

So, the next time your child wants to listen to a song they like, instead of immediately refusing, listen with both ears.  You will learn much of what your child likes and dislikes.  You will gain insight into the thinking of your child.  You will also learn what to absolutely deny your child.



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Tips to Score Big With your Next Party

Thursday, October 29th, 2009
Mark Dixon asked:


By Mark Dixon

A couple weeks ago I received an email from a business associate of mines who I’d worked with on a few projects asking for advice on how to promote a successful party. It was his first party and because of that he wanted me to offer him my expertise in the area of online and offline marketing. Needless to say, a few minutes later I gave him a call to discuss in more details ways he could go about attracting people to come to his event. Our phone conversation lasted for approximately forty-five minutes during which we covered topics relating to selecting a good club location, limiting the amount of booked DJs, encouraging DJs to setup on time, encouraging partygoers to come out early, taking pictures at the event, hiring students to distribute flyers and the consequences of lying to partygoers.

Selecting A Perfect Club Location – If you are in the business of making money I strongly believe that you should see to it that your business does not conflict with state laws. It is without question that there is a lot of money to be made as a result of promoting a good party; however, the club that you select to host your event should, with no exception comply with safety regulations. For example, correct placement of emergency exits, clean restrooms, adequate space, and proper ventilation. In addition, your club location should be easily accessible by public transportation and emergency vehicles. People like to feel safe and comfortable whenever they go out to party so it your duty to ensure that the environment in which you host your event allows people to feel that way.

Limit the Amount of DJs – A lot of promoters are guilty of booking three to five DJs to play at their party in a desperate effort to increase the hype surrounding their event. The average party promoter should at least book two well known DJs in order to reduce the chances of creating major confusion when one DJ takes too long to turn over the turntables. By creating such confusion you are in actuality “killing” the vibes of the individuals that came out to support your event. Also, limiting the amount of DJs will give the booked DJ enough time to feel the vibes of the crowd and play music accordingly.

Encourage DJs to setup on time – Business is business and there is nothing that looks more unprofessional than a DJ arriving 2Am in the morning at the club to set-up. Economically it does not make sense to pay a DJ $500 to $2000 to play for 2 hours and expect him/her to deliver a good service. In my opinion, a DJ should arrive 9:00pm the latest, set up, test his equipments and begin to play a little old school reggae or R&B to greet partygoers with music that takes them back a few years when those music just came out. In addition, you should consider creating a written contract or simply download a generic one from the internet for them to read and sign. In this contract make sure to include a penalty for every 30 minutes it takes them to arrive after the scheduled time. For example, for every 30 minutes you are late $20 will be deducted from the total cost to play at the event.

Encourage Partygoers to come out early – It is extremely important to encourage party goers to come out early by offering incentives such as giveaways, and a discount on the actual cost to enter the event. The earlier they come is the more time they will have to purchase drinks at the bar and the more people spend at the bar is the more financially rewarding it will be for you.

Take Pictures at Your Event – Fact! People love to take pictures of them self when they know that they look good in their new outfits. With that said, I would recommend that instead of spending hundreds of dollars booking a photographer to take pictures at your event. Ask a friend or family member that has access to a simple point-shoot digital camera that has 3 or more mega pixels to take pictures and post them on your website. If over a period of time you become notorious for taking quality pictures people will make an extra effort to not only come to your event but to have their pictures taken as well.

Hire students to distribute flyers – I’m sure you could find two or three high school or college students in your neighborhood that would love to make a few extra cash on the side. Scorer your neighborhood for the students you feel would be mature about the job at hand and pay them at least $10 dollars an hour plus lunch to distribute flyers. This marketing tactic will not only help you to attract more people to your event, but it will also serve as a vital learning experience for them about the importance of making an honest living. In addition, it is important that you inform them to ONLY hand flyers to individuals that look 21 years or older.

Never Lie To Partygoers – In an effort to boost ticket sales dishonest promoters often make false claims that celebrities will be in attendance. Never under any circumstances should you make claims that popular celebrities will be at your event or performing without knowing for a fact that they will be there. By doing so you are in fact damaging your reputation as a promoter and consequently give people a reason why they should never support your parties. Like any business that involves making money it is always important that you are 100% honest with each client you come in contact with. If you are known for promoting quality parties’ people will tell their friends and family members to support any party you promote. Money is out there to be made in promoting parties so be honest in the way you go about making it because it will be financial beneficial to you in the long run.



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Tips on How to Market Your Music or Band

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009
stanoldman asked:


At the very core, 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.

Remember that 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 do not believe me then think about how many talented people you have 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 ring the doorbell and say “I was just passing through the neighborhood with a briefcase full of money and wanted to see if you have a great song available”. You know it’s not going to happen. However, there are things you can do to get your music/band marketed and we will be discussing this in the following article.

Let us first establish what we’re looking to do. We need to market the band while at the same time making some money or at least not losing much on the marketing costs, all this while making sure that our efforts will be rewarded if things are done right.

Let’s look first at traditional marketing methods. Here we have things like t-shirts, buttons, stickers and any other solid tangible good that represents the band or artist. Obviously CDs enter the picture and so do DVDs. With the arrival of services such as Zazzle and others, you can sell your stuff without ever seeing it or stocking it. You simply create your design online and when somebody orders it they will print the design onto the shirt and ship it out. The quality is really good, but as with anything that helps make your life a bit easier, it will cut into your profits.

These items earn back money while promoting your music/band. After all, some dude dressed with your t-shirt is like having a walking billboard. Try to remember these simple rules as you design your products:

1.    Very easy to read, clear and big logos work. If you’re a fan of warped letters and squiggly lines you should try to stay away from that. Nor should the public have to use a magnifying glass to read the name of your band. It doesn’t mean that your design has to be stale or boring, but stay away from stuff that you need to spend time and effort to make out.  If you’ve ever seen a shirt for a death metal band you’ll know what I’m talking about. You want people to be able to read your name fast and easy. Same goes for logos. McDonalds is famous for it’s yellow arches. Mercedes, Nike and Adidas are well known for their logos. You may notice that their logos are based on simple forms/graphics.

2.    Be sure to put your contact info on just about anything. The more contact details, the better. Your telephone number is good and so is an e-mail address. Some things, like t-shirts for example, do not lend themselves easily to this end, but there’s no reason why the website address can’t be present on everything.

3.    Get people to give you their e-mail address in any way shape or form so that you can start to build your own e-mail list.

Now let’s look at some non-traditional methods. We have here some ideas for non-traditional promotion that will give you the most bang for your buck.

1.    Club cards, more commonly known as postcards are great but before you run out and do these yourself try and see if you can get a sponsorship to pay for the cards. Here’s how it works: Find a business that is somehow tied into the scene you’re trying to reach. If, for example, you’re a rock band, a tattoo parlor or a store that sells punk clothing store might do the trick. Five thousand cards will cost you about 200 bucks. Pitch the idea as five thousand cards distributed as promo at your show for $200, with your band on one side and their business on the other. Don’t say stuff like you’re offering the back of the card, because in all reality the card has NO back. It has two faces. They get 5 thousand cards printed and distributed to people that are in their market and you get your card FREE! Works great for everybody.

2.    If you find other active bands or artists releasing albums then work together and print small footers on each other’s posters.  Your poster will have a small footer with gigs/releases of 5 other bands let’s say… Each of those artists will in turn feature a small note of your release/gig on their own poster. You will reach about five times more people without any extra expense.

3.    Getting sponsorships may be a bit hard at first until you are better known in your market. Most sponsors look for artists with a following. If you have started to build a fan base then you can try to approach companies for a sponsorship. Offer space on all your marketing materials as well as promotion for the sponsor at your gig.

I hope this has given you some new ideas about how to promote your band. Stay positive and keep working at it.



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