#3 – Bruce Michael Miller’s “Strategies for Promoting your music on the Internet”

Hi there and welcome to The Record Factory Blog
Every couple of weeks, I'll be publishing some tips and tricks to help you get what you want out of your music career. I hope you find the info useful... If you have any questions, or are looking to make a cd and would like some free help, advice and contacts, please email me.

In the last issue we spoke about Professionalism and Relationships and their benefits. This time here's something which was introduced to me by Zelda Sheldon from NSAI Australia (http://www.myspace.com/nsai_australia). It's a piece by Brice Michael Miller describing a range of strategies for promoting your music on the internet.

If you're interested to find out more about NSAI Australia, send Zelda a message via the MySpace site.

Cheers, Simon

Strategies for promoting your music on the internet
by Bruce Michael Miller

1. THE MUSIC BUSINESS

You need to know how the music business works if you want to be successful in it.

Good news about the music biz, is that it has changed dramatically over the past few years – and it continues to change. It has become more of a level playing field, which effects how music is heard, distributed and sold. Now regular people like us with a computer can get their music 'out there'.

It's a passion industry – your passion can take you further than any job you do just for money.

There's over 1.5 billion people on the internet.

The internet is not a magic pill, it is hard work, regularly an 8 – 14 hour a day job. The major powers and labels still hold the majority of the power to sell music – but there are many opportunities for independent music marketers like you and me.

The internet is now tailored to the buyer rather than the seller and we are in the age of the 'empowered music fan'. The days of radio DJs informing us of new acts is going...


2. INTRODUCTION TO THE INTERNET


Internet facts and figures

In 2008 the digital music business grew by 25%

In 2008 the digital music business grew to $3.7 billion. Projections for 2012 put it at $11 billion.

Singles drive the download market – 1.4 billion singles were downloaded in 2008.

Now is a great time to get into internet marketing of your music – it's not that old yet, it's still being developed and refined.

Illegal downloads are still a problem and this had eroded music business profits. It's free and easy. Interestingly research has found that 72% of those who illegally download said they would stop if they were asked by their ISP to stop illegally downloading.

It used to be a 'scarcity economy' – we were introduced to new books, music, film etc via the press, TV and retailers. All these avenues had their limitations, after all there's only so much air time, column inches and shelf space available. This led to a lopsided mentality – being limited by space. Only those titles deemed most popular by businesses were stocked and supported. Everything else was considered fringe and therefore not worth promoting.

Now we have online retailers (such as CD Baby, iTunes) who are not constrained by space or costly promotion exercises. As an example, let's compare some numbers...

An average book store holds 100,000 titles, Amazon holds 4 million.

An average DVD/Video store holds 3,000 titles, Netflix holds 60,000.

Walmart sells 55,000 titles or individual songs, Rhapsody hold 1.5 million.

40% of customers buy from Rhapsody, because they can't find it elsewhere.


3. WHAT YOU NEED TO GET STARTED

A computer
Fast internet provider
Web browser
Web host
Domain name
E-mail (remember to use a professional name)

4. YOUR WEBSITE
Make it easy to read
Online Press kit
Music available on your site
Digital downloads
Search engine registration
Optimise your site – sell you music/merch on the site, link to other places

5. SOCIAL NETWORKING
Social networking sites including MySpace, FaceBook and Twitter are widely used by entities and individuals including Presidents, Prime Ministers and major corporations who can afford to have their own websites. These entities now used social networking sites to reach out and keep in touch with their customers/followers. You can also use these tools to create a following for your music. Make sure to keep all the sites up to date. You could use a tool like www.ping.fm to update multiple sites at once.


6. FURTHER RESOURCES
CDBaby. (http://cdbaby.net)

Any artist can sell their songs via CD Baby. With a CD Baby membership, you not only get to sell your CD on the world's largest independent music store, you also can sell your downloads via retailers, including iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, and more. For just a $35 setup fee, CD Baby takes care of all the work and makes your music available to the world.

'The Long Tail' – Chris Anderson, all about 'selling less of more'

'Guerrilla Music Marketing' and 'The Buzz Factor' – Bob Baker www.bob-baker.com

Online Publishing companies
The way that music is found for TV, Film and advertising is also changing. If you have 'broadcast ready' tracks, you can upload you music and be paid licence fees and royalties as your music is used for a variety of channels such as online, TV, games or corporate clients.

www.musicsupervisor.com
www.crucialmusic.com
www.j2rmusic.com
www.musickitchen.com
www.songcatalog.com


The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) is now in Australia. Australian songwriters in any music genre and any level will benefit from being part of this vibrant songwriting community. NSAI consists of a body of creative minds, including songwriters from all genres of music, professional and amateur, who are committed to protecting the rights and future of the profession of songwriting, and to educate, elevate, and celebrate the songwriter and to act as a unifying force within the music community and the community at large.


What does NSAI do?
First and foremost, NSAI operates as a legislative advocacy group on behalf of songwriters. What does that mean? That means our organization FIGHTS for songwriter's rights - the right to be paid, to be taxed fairly, to be recognised and to protect the future profession of songwriting.

Second, NSAI teaches writers about the "craft" of writing. We teach you songwriting tips, provide songwriting tools, suggestions and ways to write the best song you possibly can. WE ALSO LISTEN TO YOUR SONGS

Third, NSAI teaches you about the Music Industry, how it works and how to position yourself and your song within the industry for the greatest possibility of achieving success.

#2 – Professionalism - The Record Factory’s Tips on Music Professionalism

Hi there and welcome to The Record Factory Blog

Every couple of weeks, I'll be publishing some tips and tricks to help you get what you want out of your music career. I hope you find the info useful... If you have any questions, or are looking to make a cd and would like some free help, advice and contacts, please email me

Last time in the two part blog on Music Professionalism we spoke about Relationships, this time out it's the much easier stuff... Professionalism.

Cheers, Simon

PROFESSIONALISM

After having worked really hard on developing those relationships, don't let yourself down by getting the easy stuff wrong!

Hard Work.
It's unfortunate, but music is like any job – the more you put in, the more you get out… Be rehearsed – that means you have learnt your material at home before you get to the band rehearsal, rehearsals are not for learning the songs. Know your instrument and have good gear that works – all the time. Be consistent and give your best each time you're on stage whether there's an audience of 10 or 10,000.

Don't be late.
In fact be early. Gig at 9:30? Be there at 8:30 – it will help you relax, get you in the zone and allow you to give your best possible performance. And as a reward, get yourself a beer.

Playing at a showcase style night? Then if your slot is at 9:30, but the evening starts at 8, be there by 8. It will give you the opportunity to meet the crowd, meet the promoter, talk to the bar manager and other artists at the show. Support your music community.


Be the 'easy to work with' person.
Be generous and respectful to your fellow performers, be helpful and constructive, learn your material, don't be a prima donna.

Dress for the gig you're at.
This is really the same as going to a job interview – look your best and dress appropriately. Remember… look good = feel good!

If you're playing in a wedding/function band – don't turn up in ripped jeans! If you're playing in a hard rock band, maybe leave the 3-piece suit in the wardrobe and wear that Metallica t-shirt...and the ripped jeans. Remember, if you're unsure… ask!

Listen…
When you take down the details for the show, payment or client requirements, write them down – keep them in a diary, phone, whatever. Agents, promoters etc hate being asked twice for the same information. If somebody asks you for a promo pack or photo, don't leave it until later – get it to them straight away. Yes – straightaway! If a magazine has asked you for a photo, it's likely they'll ask other artists at the same time and they'll use the first one they get, so straightaway means now! Take your promo around on a memory stick and nip into an internet cafe if you need to.


Be easily contactable.
Have a mobile with voicemail and regularly check your email/MySpace/FaceBook. Don't make it hard for people to get hold of you. Get back to people as soon as you can.


Take notes.
No matter how good a musician you are, you can't remember everything! Fix this by writing it down... Whether it's remembering that the stress of the word is on the first syllable, the next chord is A minor, your gig is at 9 or 9:30 or the load in access to the gig is from Wilson Road and not through the front doors, you're only making it harder for yourself by not making a note of it.

Ensure you have a business card, website and promo/press kit.
Unless your act is a fart-based comedy show, the email address iliketofart@hotmail.com might not be for you. If you have a day job, don't use the Mick.Jagger@woolworths.com.au address – give the impression you are a 'Music Professional'. Mick@TheRollingStones.com is much better!

Positive Attitude.
Positive people are infectious. Maintaining a positive attitude not only means the people you work will enjoy working with you, it also shows you have pride in what you do. Who wants to work with a whinger?

Thank You.
Say it! Always.

Conclusion
There are no promises that if you employ these tips you'll be a multi-grammy-winning, chart-topping or MCG-selling-out musician.

However, with a strong network of contacts, hard work, professionalism and patience you will give yourself the best chance to succeed.

#1 Relationships - The Record Factory’s Tips on Music Professionalism

Hi there and welcome to The Record Factory Blog

Every couple of weeks, I'll be publishing some tips and tricks to help you get what you want out of your music career. I hope you find the info useful... If you have any questions, or are looking to make a cd and would like some free help, advice and contacts, please email me

So here we go, I thought I'd start with a two part blog on Music Professionalism... Part one deals with Relationships.. Cheers, Simon

Introduction

You might be Australia's answer to John Lennon, but unfortunately your musical talent alone will not magic up a music career. Displaying a level of professionalism in your work is absolutely key to maintaining, developing and enjoying a fulfilling and sustainable music career.

In the race to the equivalent of a musical Melbourne Cup victory, RELATIONSHIPS win by a nose, with PROFESSIONALISM running a very close second. Here's a list of tips to hopefully help you on your way to a successful music career.

RELATIONSHIPS…

Building and maintaining mutually beneficial creative relationships.
This doesn't mean just getting along with your peers/mates! We're talking about the broader context of creating a network, working with clients and developing new business.

'Music Professionals' spend years building professional relationships. Creating rapport, establishing trust, sharing information and ideas and having hard conversations all will probably happen before your relationship yields fruit. Remember that your investment of money, time and energy is, more often than not, certainly worth the effort.

Be good to everyone
"I was running for an elevator once and the person inside clearly saw me but jumped for the 'door close' button anyway, calling out "I'm late for an interview" as the doors slammed in my face. He needn't have worried about being late... the interview was with me. You just never know who people are and where they might wind up, so it just makes sense to make friends with all people at all stages of their careers." Les Vogt, US Promoter

Get beyond 'being nice'

Building relationships is about getting to a point where you have a mutual understanding of what you can achieve together. Over time, move beyond the surface and talk about expectations, challenges, objectives, desired outcomes and a definite plan for cooperative projects with each other.

Be brave and ask for feedback and advice!

Don't be afraid to be open and to share info with your network. Don't miss the opportunity to benefit from the good people you've surrounded yourself with. It can be personally challenging, but if you've surrounded yourself with like-minded people, they'll appreciate your openness, honesty and desire to improve.

Maintain contact.

Don't be the person that only calls or turns up when you need something. People will quickly find you out. Once that happens, it will be really hard to change their impression of you. I know it's sometimes hard if you're time-poor, but try to keep in touch with people. Even a simple email or MySpace post will let them know you're there.

Keep your word.

Reliability and integrity are essential in building a relationship. Don't promise to help someone out or attend an event if you have little/no intention of going. Don't try to be everything to everybody. Unless you're Doctor Who, you can't be in two places at the same time (even he finds it hard and he's a Time Lord, you're just a musician). Don't agree to do things purely for your own benefit. Be selfless sometimes – your good work will come back and benefit you at some point, often when you least expect it.