CD Business Card – Perfect Marketing Tool Available Today

Looking forward to give an impressive look to your business? Develop CD Business Cards or DVD Business cards and hand it over to your customers whenever they come knocking at your door. This is an innovative marketing approach and guarantees business improvement.

With most businesses supported by websites and various technologies, people these days finds more pleasure doing work using technologies, they are more comfortable seeing business details on Computers or in laptops instead of reading the substance in a print media.

Having a CD and DVD business card has its importance beyond the level of comfort. Primarily, it enhances professionalism of the company. By handing over an attractive, custom shaped business card to your customers, immediate positive message on business confidence will be conveyed to the customer and you can further prove the level of your expertise through custom made business cards.

With the availability of low to high storage capacity up to 100 mb CD, DVD business cards, you can input any measure of interactive business information, which seems unfeasible in case of paper advertising. From giving a complete copy of a website, company brochure, catalogue, images presentation, slide shows, sound, audio and video presentation, all is possible through a small custom shaped card that can be carried even in shorts pocket, wallet or in purse.

CD business card is a great marketing tool today and is a cost effective solution for direct mail, product lunch, website lunch, and portfolio presentation. Despite presenting your company name, address, and contact details, you can present your latest corporate brochure through a digital business cards.

There are many (http://www.easyreplication.co.uk/Cd-Business-Cards)CD business card or DVD business card manufacturers in the market who can help you through business related graphics, printing, and CD duplication. Cost for the process definitely varies from company to company, but price comparison and service quality check through intensive Internet research will help you approach a suitable organization where your money would be invested for the right action.

Hence, if you are unsatisfied of your business turnaround, try your luck by developing a custom business card. Let your potential customers receive a good impression of your business and turn to paying customers. Communicate with new and potential customers, and strengthen business ties with existing customers through an interactive CD business card or (http://www.easyreplication.co.uk/DVD-Business-Cards)DVD business card.

About Author:
Sharon Rongmit - Easyreplication.co.uk is a renowned (http://www.easyreplication.co.uk/)CD business card, DVD business card, CD Duplication, DVD duplication, CD replication, DVD replication, custom shaped CD business cards, blank and burned CD, DVD provider, flash cards, CD, DVD packaging company.

Marketing Mistakes Musicians Make

This is the first in a five-part series entitled, "The 5 Biggest Marketing Mistakes Musicians Make (And How You Can Fix Them To Recession Proof Your Business!)

As we go through this week, check to see how many of these mistakes you are making in your marketing and then see what you can do to fix them. Doing this will bring you better paying gigs.

Recession Buster #1: You don't focus your marketing on the needs the people that hire you: Club Owners, Agents and Event Planners.

Kind of stating the obvious, isn't it?

But you would be surprised at how many musicians don't look at it from another point of view. The Artist mentality tells us we're so good people should just want to hire us, right?

But the Music Business mentality tells us we will work as much as we want when we focus in on what someone else's needs are.

Look through the yellow pages.

95% of the ads are totally focused on the business and not on what the business can do for YOU, the prospect!

Institutional advertising produces, at best, deferred results. You know it's institutional advertising when it tells you how great the company is, or how long they've been in business, or some other namby-pamby goofy selfishness.

Selfishness is Mistake #1 for most of your marketing. Promo Packs, one offs, web sites frequently tell the prospect all the places we've played and who we've played with and how famous we think we are.

That's what we want. When you stop and think about what your prospect wants, TELL THEM WHAT THEY WANT!

Anything about us should always come last. Your clients, customers, fans, ...whatever you choose to call them, should always come first.

All the marketing materials you create should focus on what the prospects want and need. Every sentence should show that you understand their wants and needs.

Until your marketing efforts focus on the prospects first, your marketing is handicapped.

In the Meantime, Stay In Time, On Time, All the Time!

About Author:
Dan Gillogly - Real World Marketing for Musicians music business

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Top PR Tips to Break Into the Music Industry

Let's face it good talent can be found on every corner and standing out in the crowd has become the biggest challenge. Truly how did Beyonce or Jessica Simpson become overnight successes? They put a great PR campaign in place and received massive equity returns from free publicity coverage. Most people wanting to break into the music business often overlook using public relations which is a great opportunity to receive repeated free publicity.

Public relations can be the ultimate tool to use to make a name when trying to enter into the music industry. The music industry is polluted with individuals with talent and cracking the code to become the next big thing takes so much more. Paying for advertising promotions is very expensive and most people starting out don't have major advertising budgets.

Firstly, PR also known as public relations is a perception of public image. How it would work; usually starts with a public relations expert distributing a media or press release. PR professionals know how to creatively write media and press releases that will get picked up for publication in different media sources. Additionally, PR professionals often have strong relationships with members of the media and often able to develop relations on your behalf. Once media and press releases are picked up for publication free publicity begins. The same publication can be published in different newspapers, magazines, blogs, podcasts, etc. This then leads to requests for interviews, television, radio, appearances, etc.

Here is how to use PR to break into the music industry:

1. Hire an expert PR representative to help you launch a professional PR campaign to promote your talent. The music industry is an industry that highly respects professional representation and only acknowledges individuals who are properly represented.

2. Prepare a professional press media kit that reveals a very newsworthy storyline. Professional PR experts will know how to assist you with preparing a press media kit that helps to get you noticed. The music industry is very focused on an artist background and how they got their big break.

3. Generate buzz from releasing media and press releases. Professional PR experts know how to write, release, and distribute media and press releases that receive publications in media outlets. It is very important that music industry media and press releases are properly targeted to match the right publications.

4. Start pitching to media outlets for features and article publications. Additionally, make sure to pitch for interviews and appearances. This is where professional PR experts come in very handy, as they have experience in dealing with media outlets to pitch storylines. The music industry takes notice of strong article circulation and appearances.

Public relations can be a cost-effective solution to help standout in the crowd. Mosnar Communications, Inc offers public relations representation starting at $499 monthly. Breaking into the music industry is no easy task and finding winning solutions to standout can be the difference of making it or not.

About Author:
CR Cataunya Ransom is the Co-founder of Mosnar Communications, INC. She developed a niche for Luxury PR & Global Marketing. Guiding clients on how to brand, market, and promote luxury products, events, and services. Highly respected as a luxury public relations expert. "CR" consults clients and speaks to audiences about luxury public relations and global marketing practices. http://www.mosnarcommunications.com/prpromo.html

Article Source: http://www.goarticles.com

Press Kit Strategies for Singers & Musicians

The main goal in creating a press kit is to generate interest in an artist and the music they play. A press kit includes background information, photos, samples of music, a listing of past and future gigs you have scheduled, and any other pertinent information.

A press kit is used as a way of introducing and artist to newspapers, the media, promoters, and music industry leaders. You can create a press kit that is mailed to the appropriate recipients and it is a good idea to have an electronic form of your press kit that can be emailed and posted on web sites.

Things to include in your press kit:

Offer a limited a mount of information about yourself, your band, and your style of music. Don't give the reader more information than they want. If your introduction is too lengthy, you will lose the interest of your intended audience.

Talk about your music, the way in which you perform your songs, your sound, and who your influences are. You will want to give a good idea of what you may sound like in these descriptions. Do not be afraid to interject a little humor into your descriptions. You will get someone's attention during the very first minute they open your press kit. If you do not captivate them immediately, they will lose interest.

Describe the things that make you special in comparison to everyone else. What are your skills and experience level? Why would a record promoter or executive gain by giving you a chance to record and market your music? Record companies spend a great deal of money in promoting new artists. You will want to make it clear why you would be a good investment.

Include press clippings and quotes as they become available. A remark made about you by a reputable person will go a long way in making your press kit credible. This will let the reader know that you have been recognized as a talent to be reckoned with and could possibly create extra momentum for you while you are trying to launch your career. Whether you are in need of a singer, musician, or actor press kit, recognition from others is a great tool in promoting yourself.

You really only need one page of your press kit to be devoted to a biography and one page that includes quotes and press clippings. This rule stands even in an online portfolio. By keeping each topic on a simple page, you are much more likely to hold the interest of the person who receives your press kit. Make sure the tone of your band press kit is in line with who you are as a person and the type of music you perform.

A sample of your music in the form of a high quality CD or clips that can be heard in an electronic press kit are critical. Make certain you label the CD with your name and contact information. If someone loves your music but has misplaced the rest of your press kit, you will want this information to readily available to them.

Be careful not to overdo the self-promotion. You should be positive and state your ambitions, but shameless self-promotion will make you look unprofessional and less than credible. Also avoid including too much personal information. No one cares (yet) about your first pet, your grades in elementary school, or your personal phobias. Keep the focus on your music and your accomplishments. You want to be sure you do not look desperate for work, even if you really are.

Include a personal cover letter to whomever you send your press kit to, and try to avoid sending your musician press kit unsolicited. It is always better to have a referral from a friend or associate of the person you wish to see your material.

About Author:
Tiffani Smith

Goal For It!

As the indie and unsigned music artist or band steps into the second quarter of 2008, let's take a moment to remind ourselves of the music career goals we are striving for. Success doesn't happen on desire alone, it is a planned for and diligent process. Keep your eyes on your objectives, stay on top of your marketing plan and network your butts off. - Artistopia

Goal For It! by Kevin Sinclair

What do you wish to achieve in life? What expectations do you have? What are your goals? What would improve your life? How can you make this world a better place to live in? These are all questions which are put to us or we ask of others throughout life to help us focus on our goals for the future.

How many words or phrases can you think of with the same meaning as the word "goal". Aim, objective, intention, end result, deadline, purpose, mission, target, aspiration, dream - the list goes on.

Whichever term you use, planning and achieving goals in life separates humans living worthwhile lives from animals existing purely by instinct.

For many, setting goals is considered to be an outdated process. Rigorous testing of the process of goal setting by researchers Edwin A. Locke and Gary P. Latham has been undertaken and the following conclusions have been arrived at. These findings (as detailed in their book - A Theory of Goal Setting and Task Performance) may help you plan and achieve your own goals for your future.

1. Survival and a happy state of mind are both achieved as a result of goal-directed action.

2. Committing to difficult goals will involve more effort and perseverance and will ultimately produce a more worthwhile achievement.

3. More than one goal can be successfully pursued at any given time.

4. It is essential to have confidence in reaching your goal.

5. Specific and challenging goals encourage you to make more of an effort.

6. You must be committed to your goal in order to achieve it.

7. Feedback is essential so that adjustments in effort can be made.

8. Unrealistic goals lead to less effort and you may give up altogether so always make your intentions realistic.

9. Perseverance and hard work are more likely to lead to eventual achievement.

10. Challenging and specific goals are required to direct a person's knowledge and skills.

"New Year's Resolutions" usually fail, but maybe once in a while you have proved to be determined enough to carry out your resolutions. Looking at the list of essential goal-achievement conditions mentioned above, you will see that on the occasions you have actually achieved your newly set resolutions, or any other goals for that matter, several of these conditions have been adhered to. Not meeting some of Locke and Latham's conditions is probably the reason you have failed to achieve some of your goals in the past.

Use the above as a check list and make sure you goals are realistic and achievable - then Goal For It!!

About Author:
Kevin Sinclair is the publisher and editor of Be Successful News, a site that provides information and articles on how to succeed in your own home or small business.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

Additional music career goal reading: Music Career Checklist by Greg Dixon

Your Headshot: Tips for Getting a Compelling Business Portrait

Music career = in the business of music; Professional artist photos = an artist or band that takes their music career seriously and understands the value in this important piece of their image and presentation in the music business. A good headshot or band photo would be included as your primary photo online, as well as in your press kit and press releases. - Artistopia

Whether you are starting a new business or sprucing up your existing enterprise, you will find yourself fielding requests for a headshot. A good headshot is a business essential. It gives you a leg up when it comes to publicity, a professional web presence, or a potential speaking contract. A strong business portrait personalizes your business. People see who you are and are more likely to want to work with you.

In contrast, an unflattering, badly posed or technically inferior headshot can work against you. The subconscious questions that may come up are: Does this person take herself seriously? Is she a consummate professional? Will she give my account the attention it deserves?

Your headshot should showcase you as an accomplished yet accessible professional. Depending on your business, you may want to show a softer side, a no-nonsense attitude, good listening skills, compassion, or a combination of these. And you want to look your best!

It's important to choose a seasoned photographer who will be proficient in lighting, composition, and posing, and who will work with you to understand the nuances of your business and the message you want to send. Here are some questions you might want to ask your photographer before booking:

* How long will the photo shoot last?

* Will I have an opportunity to be photographed with a variety of expressions?

* How do you elicit different moods?

* How many images will be taken?

* How many do I get to keep?

* How are the proofs presented? As digital files? As contact sheets? As prints?

* Will I have the opportunity to have a clothing change for a different look?

* Are the images available in print, as a digital file, or both?

* Will my chosen images be retouched?

* Will I have unlimited use of the images, or will I need to pay more for additional usage?

* Is there a makeup artist or hair stylist available at the studio?

* What is your policy in case I don't like any of the photographs?

Once you have made your appointment, there is still some preparation to do for your session! Here are a few pointers:

1. If you are having your hair cut, do so several days before the shoot so it will have time to settle down.

2. If you wear a suit, be sure the jacket or blouse fits well. This is critical! The camera blatantly shows if seams are straining, or if your shoulders are swimming in extra material. Choose a solid color that is somewhat darker than your natural skin tone. Tweeds or patterns are distracting, and may cause a moiré pattern in a digital file. Come to the session with your clothes clean and pressed.

3. Consider booking a few sessions with an image consultant prior to your photo session. You can get great advice that can have a positive impact on the photo session and your general appearance.

4. Have your makeup professionally done for the shoot, or wear a little more makeup than you normally would. Photographic lighting can wash out your features.

5. During the shoot, imagine you are greeting a favorite client as he or she walks through the door. This exercise keeps you from worrying about how you look and brings out your warmth and accessibility.

Your headshot is part of your brand. Be sure it is sending a message compatible with your professionalism.

About Author:
Gretje Ferguson is a portrait photographer based in Dedham, Massachusetts, where she runs a portrait studio. Her passion for people, the Arts and the human condition has fueled her photographic journey for more than 25 years. She has photographed hundreds of Canadian and U.S. artists and business executives, has been published in more than 50 international magazines, and has shown her work in one-woman exhibitions across Canada and the Eastern United States. Her recent project, Confronting Cancer: Images of Strength and Hope, highlights the strength and optimism shared by many people undergoing cancer treatment. Her portraits of prominent cinematographers have appeared in international full-page color ads for Kodak motion picture film. She was the only media photographer permitted to document the making of the United Nations 50th Anniversary portrait of 186 diplomats. http://www.gfergphoto.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gretje_Ferguson

Booking Your Band

You've brought together three or four of the best musicians in town, and they are jamming to your tunes. You have spent days and nights writing and rewriting lyrics, and you have been working hard to perfect your sound. Finally, after many months of practice, you are ready to reap the benefits of your hard work. But how do you begin?

As a new band, the idea of booking your first gig could prove to be a daunting task. However, it doesn't have to be. By following these simple steps, you can turn a seemingly overwhelming process into a productive one.

Making sure that the members of the band are all on the same page is an essential first step in the booking process. Agree on a number of gigs per month that everyone will play. Put together a set of your best songs and make a demo. Your demo should not include full-length songs; a few short snippets of your strongest material will showcase your band's strengths and will sell your band to potential venues with little or no effort. With your demo, include a photo of the band, a short statement about the music or genre that the band plays, and your contact information, including the band's website. Decide what venues you are interested in playing and how much you will charge them for playing, if anything. Getting these details out of the way early will establish good communication among the band members, thus avoiding misunderstandings in the future.

Next, do your research. Scope out the local scene; find out who your competition is, which bands play where, what venues cater to your particular sound, and who your target audience is. Talk to seasoned local acts; oftentimes, your fellow musicians will be your best sources of information. Getting to know your competition, your audience and your local scene will prove to be an indispensable tool when you are selling yourself to club owners and booking agents. Also, be open to anything. Limiting yourself to clubs and bars will hinder your chances of booking your band. Find out about open-mic nights in your area, offer to open for other bands for free and find out about local fairs and festivals where your band can get some exposure.

When you're out and about checking out potential venues, ask for the names of the people responsible for booking bands at that location. Get their contact information and keep track. Use all of your contacts and, when calling them, be brief and to the point. Ask them if they have time to talk, and if not, when it would be a good time to contact them. Ask for permission before submitting your demo. Be persistent, but not pushy, and realize that it will take some time to get that job. Once you do get the gig, be sure to discuss payment, if any, as well as what you will need to bring as opposed to what the venue will provide. Be professional and be honest.

With determination, a little know-how, and some clever self-promotion, you could land that first gig and be on your way to success in no time.

About Author:
Ryan Vinson is the founder of VersusMedia, a marketplace that links independent filmmakers with musicians with the common goal of obtaining music for films. The company has a strong following in the independent film industry, and has assisted over 900 films to date. For more information, visit http://www.versusmedia.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Band Mailing Lists

Using a band mailing list can be an effective way of letting your fans know what is happening with your band at minimal cost to you. While you may already be using a mailing list to promote your act, this article should give you some additional ideas of things you can do with your list which will means more exposure for your act.

The Basics
If you are not collecting names and addresses of people that are at your gigs you should start immediately. All you need is a simple sign up sheet with name, address, phone, and email address on it. I recommend making copies and putting them on the tables at the club that you are performing at before you go on stage. Get some type of box and label it with your band name. Have your singer announce from the stage a few times throughout your set that you have a mailing list and to sign up fill out the form on their table and put it in the box. Make sure you have the box located somewhere that people can easily get to and see ( the front door of the club?). Your singer can than say something to the effect put the completed forms in the box located by the front door.

Using Your List
You can immediately start using your list by sending monthly calenders with all of your upcoming gigs. This is very effective because you can promote all of your gigs in that month with only one mailing. Another idea is a newsletter*. This can give fans some inside information about your act that they might not have know about. Some ideas might be background about band members, special parties or gigs. How about a special gig for a band members birthday? I once had a band member that liked to cook he had all kinds of special recipes that we put in the newsletter, sounds weird I know but people liked it! Some other ideas might be, contests or a band crossword puzzle ( you can get software that will output a crossword puzzle with words you supply!). The newsletter is open to your imagination so the sky is the limit. Don't forget to include coupon to order your CD.

Swap Lists With Other Bands
If there are other bands in your hometown that play a similar style of music consider trading your list for theirs. This is a great way to build a large list quickly.

Discount Costs
If you have a few hundred people on your mailing list you can send out your mail using a bulk rate and have quite a cost reduction per piece mailed. I wont get into the details here however you should contact the post office and they will give you all the info you need on bulk mail.

Post Cards
Instead of sending a letter send a post card. The current rate for a post card is much less than a letter and you can shrink a monthly calender down to post card size.

Email
Of course email is becoming more and more popular and the cost of sending to an email list is very low. Definitely use an email list however, I still believe it is worth the time to send out mailings through the regular mail. By doing this it gives your band an advantage to all of the other bands in your area just using email.

Survey Your Fans
Another idea for your list is to survey your fans. You can find out valuable info like: What is your favorite club? What cover tunes do you want to hear? What do you like about our band? What improvements do we need to make? etc... Use a SASE to make it easier to send back your survey sheet. This info can help make your act better and build a stronger following.

Well there you have it, your mailing list can be one of the best ways to promote your act. Good luck and happy mailing!

About Author:
Steve Veloudos is the owner of http://www.zebramusic.com

Steve is devoted to helping musicians and bands further their careers in the music industry. Stop by his web site and subscribe to the free Musicians Tip Sheet. The Tip Sheet includes industry contacts, and many other items designed to advance a musicians musical career. Subscribe to the newsletter by going to: http://www.zebramusic.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

*Newsletter - use your customizable Artistopia Newsletter builder to create a great ezine!

Putting Your Hit Song Out There

There is a whole process of marketing that needs to be explored if you have gone to the trouble of completing a song which you believe could be a hit. The principal difference between an amateur and professional songwriter is that the professional writer has at least one published song to his credit. It thus follows that if a new songwriter has a song accepted and successfully exploited by a recognized publishing firm, he will encounter little or no difficulty in obtaining serious audition and consideration of his future numbers.

It is the first song, therefore, that presents the greatest stumbling block to the new songwriter. The reasons for are as follows:

1. Of the material submitted to publishers by new songwriters, only a very small percentage has any commercial value. The major percentage of this material is either improperly written, contains direct "steals" from copyrighted songs, or lacks sufficient originality to compare favorably with numbers written by professionals.

2. There is no dearth of song material. Publishers receive a sufficient supply of new numbers to keep their catalogs full and their songplugging staff busy.

3. There is no compulsion, therefore, for the publishers to seek new songwriters. This does not mean that they have shut their doors to new talent. It does mean, however, that this new talent must be particularly outstanding to receive their attention.

4. A certain amount of time, effort and expense must be risked in the publication of any song. The publisher naturally desires to keep this risk as low as possible. If he publishes the work of a successful professional songwriter, he knows that there is a good chance that the song will "click" and that he will come out even or perhaps ahead on the deal.

5. Songs written by professional songwriters are generally much easier to plug than numbers written by unknowns.

Marketing a song - particularly a first song - often requires patience, tact and time. Assuming that the song has real commercial value, there are several ways of gaining a serious audition by the publisher. However, there are certain facts that should be borne in mind when the initial contacting is done.

In the first place, it should be made quite clear that there is no short-cut in marketing a song. The songwriter should have only one goal in mind . . . the ultimate publication of his song by a recognized and reputable music publishing firm.

In what form should the song be when it is submitted to the publisher? This question often perplexes the new songwriter who is undecided whether the number should be printed, hand-written, fully arranged, or fully orchestrated. A hand-written, legible copy is actually all that is required.

If the song is submitted by mail, it is usually advisable to have the number properly arranged or, at least, to have the proper harmonies indicated on the manuscript. The reason for this is that the publisher's piano player will be able to perform the number just as the songwriter had intended it to be played, using the proper harmonies and chord, sequences. It is unnecessary to go to any great expense for a simple piano arrangement.

However, if it should be inconvenient for the songwriter to use a New York arranger, any local music teacher should be able to sketch in the simple harmonies required. A professional piano arrangement costs approximately $25.00 (depending upon the arranger).

If the songwriter is able to contact the publisher personally and is able to perform his own number adequately, there is no necessity to have the number arranged. This also applies if the songwriter brings a friend with him who is able to perform the number.

Piano arrangements are not essential but they do insure that the number will be played just as the songwriter intended. If the number has a strong melody line and does not require any special or complicated accompaniment, a professional piano player will always be able to fill in the proper accompaniment without any difficulty.

All that is required now is determination and luck. Go for it!

About Author:
Jimmy Cox - Long Lost Manuscript Resurfaces With The Underground Secrets On How To Write A Hit Song And Collect All The Royalties! Click here for FREE online Ebook www.howtowriteahitsong.net/

Article Source: http://www.articleblotter.com/

Feature Video:
Music Marketing Seminar - Industry Guide To The Music Business



Marketing 101 for Artists! GREAT! This series is taken directly from private meetings and seminars between Artists and Labels. http://www.sonicwaveintl.com

Outrageous Music Marketing Ideas

I'm not sure exactly what triggered it, but recently my mind started popping with creative, off-the-wall ways to promote your music. So I jotted down some notes and am sharing them with you in this article.

I'll let you determine whether these are truly "outrageous" ideas. But one thing is for sure: They certainly aren't the traditional things that most musicians think about when they do marketing.

Ready? Here we go ...

Outrageous Music Marketing Idea #1
Turn Yourself Into a Happy Meal

I definitely advocate that indie musicians *not* try to emulate the same tactics as the major labels. However, there are times when you can take one of their ideas (or an idea from a related entertainment industry) and give it a small-scale spin.

You know how the major film studios promote their new animated features by tying into fast food chain kid meals, such as the McDonald's Happy Meal. Most likely, you won't be able to land a nationwide Happy Meal deal. But you might be able to do something cool with a local deli or restaurant.

I know a couple of radio disc jockeys in my town who have sandwiches or special meals named after them at certain eateries. Why couldn't you do that? Especially if you perform regularly at a particular coffee shop, bar or restaurant.

For example, if your band is called Sweet Potato Sunrise, approach a manager with the idea of offering a Sweet Potato Sunrise omelet, or a Sweet Potato Sunrise latte, or a Sweet Potato Sunrise daiquiri?

You get the idea. The special name would get you exposure at the establishment whenever it's open (hopefully, you're item will be listed on the menu). Plus, you can use the unique promotional angle to get mentions in the local press.

Outrageous Music Marketing Idea #2
Become an Instant Cult Classic

The success of the quirky film Napoleon Dynamite has me thinking. The movie itself is still growing on me, but I'm fascinated by the buzz it has among people who really connect with it. Most of my friends who rave about it have seen it numerous times and claim that the more they see it, the more they appreciate and enjoy it.

What a nice position for a filmmaker to be in. Admittedly, a lot of people don't like the movie and its flat characters at all. But those who do appreciate the film like it a lot -- and preach about it to their friends, memorize lines, encourage theatres to have midnight showings, etc.

How can you tap into that? It's hard to manufacture cult status, but here's an idea: What if your music CD came with an accompanying trivia game? And what if the game tied directly into the theme, style and lyrics of your music? The game instructions could be included in the CD sleeve or delivered separately to everyone who bought one. Or, to make a greater impact with the trivia game idea, you could package the CD in a DVD case or even a small retail box.

To make this work, you'd have to come up with a cool, interactive game idea and have a CD filled with interesting, funny or insightful lyrics and music. But if you can get people examining the nuances of your material and sharing notes with other people who are memorizing your stuff, you might have some powerful buzz going for you.

Check out my blog at MusicPromotionBlog.com for more outrageous ideas. But hopefully, these will get your wheels turning in the meantime.

About Author:
Bob Baker is the author of "Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook," "Unleash the Artist Within" and "Branding Yourself Online." He also publishes TheBuzzFactor.com, a web site and e-zine that deliver marketing tips, self-promotion ideas and other empowering messages to music people of all kinds. Get your FREE subscription to Bob's e-zine by visiting http://TheBuzzFactor.com today.



The latest news about Trent Reznor, Saul Williams, Radiohead, and the "choose your own price" music sales experiment. Plus Bob's advice on how to handle the changing music landscape.

Hot Artist & Band Press, Promo Kits!

Who’s been signed this time, was a common question and theme at William Morris Agency while I was there as an agent. While the agency was always on the lookout, of course with the major heavy weight record labels, knowing which artist would ultimately get the deal was not always an “in the bag” known quantity. As one of the younger up and coming agents, I often learned many valuable lessons from some of the most seasoned and quite honestly almost intimidating agents, not because of personality conflicts, but because of their breadth of both knowledge and weight within the industry. One of the most valuable lessons that I learned from these agents was all things being equal, image and their press kits were as much a part of the deal signing as the actual music performed by the acts. If that’s one of the keys, especially in the beginning phases of a “baby act” trying to break in to the music industry, then why do we see such half hearted attempts and mediocre press kits and promo material out there? I don’t know if I can answer those questions, but I will certainly try to help you gain some insight into what a quality crafted press and promo kit ought to look like.

You would think that with the age of the computer and with very affordable software that press kits would get better. “Flashy” perhaps, but the actual depth of the material being offered into today’s press kits is usually the same with very little emphasis on the needed verbiage and elements and filled with the same old clichés of where they grew up, this that and the other. It’s got to be more than that if you want to grab the attention of music industry professionals. At ReelMusician.com we are bombarded by this type of press kit day in and day out, knowing that some of these acts are fairly credible, but without the right image and marketing materials, that being their press kits, that they probably won’t make it. So what does make for a solid press kit? Let’s look at some ideas and concepts.

First off, understand that most individuals, good writers or not, aren’t cut out to write press kits. Like marketing, there is a special niche of writers who know what moves, sells, and what ultimately delivers in the final analysis. You might be a great writer emulating other press kits or material that you’ve gathered, but you have got to know what, where and when, when you are creating such marketing pieces. At ReelMusician.com, we understand that while each act and group is unique, that there are marketing differences with each and every bio and press kit that we write and produce.

As you begin to create your press kit, you will want to have a note pad and you will be jotting down ideas on probably a number of pages. On your first page you will be noting exactly what you want to accomplish with this press kit. Are you going for a record deal, or are you an older act that doesn’t necessarily care about the record deal, but would like to obtain more booking dates and so you will craft your press kit around club owners, venues, and booking agents, etc. You need to figure out exactly who and where this press kit will be going.

Your next step will be to write down exactly what you will be including in your press kit and why. Why are you going to include certain elements? They very well may be needed, but why? This will help not only make concrete what you already are more or less thinking, but it will also give you an advantage when you begin writing to create goals for why you are including what. There has always got to be a driving reason behind your press kit. It is not a slap it against the wall and stick mentality, it is a very well thought out marketing arm, aimed at your desired goals. Therefore, it begs your attention to implement specific marketing principles with a very well thought out marketing plan.

Now that you’ve decided what main categories of items that you will be including in your press kit, you are ready to write down short descriptive items under each category that you will expand upon when you are writing. This may take you awhile. But take the time and think through what you should include. Be imaginative. Some ideas can look bigger than life when written well. Those just starting out, it’s not as easy to do as those who have been in the business awhile simply because of experience and lack of realistic, music career oriented material. That’s why it’s almost that more crucial at the beginning stages of your career to have these professionally written so that your marketing isn’t as limited as it might seem otherwise. You have got to put more than where you grew up and musical influences. There has got to at least have the appearance of more experience and weight in your marketing which is done through carefully, crafted and targeted writing.

When you have finished with your initial ideas, you are now ready to sit at the computer and start writing your press kit. I couldn’t possibly address every issue or your own writing style here, but do understand that there are marketing words to use, that words do have meaning, and that you want to ultimately demand a call to respond in some way. You want the reader to be saying, “Sign this act now,” or “Maybe we can call them to open for so and so.” That’s what is needed. Not just a, “these acts influenced my writing” – that won’t get it. You have got to be writing for a call to action. Marketers on the web with any experience at all are writing for a call to action – usually for you to purchase something. So keep this in mind. Please don’t hesitate to email or call us with any questions. We’d love to know how you are doing and answer any questions you might have.

About Author:
Mr Gauger is a former talent booking agent with the William Morris Agency and founder of http://www.ReelMusician.com You may contact the author at tgauger@reelmusician.com Free e-books “The Jingle Singer’s Guide,” and “Secrets To Great Song Demos,” may be downloaded at http://www.ReelMusician.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Viral Marketing For Your Music - Internet Success

Traditional radio airplay, standard brick and mortar distribution and being signed by a major record label are no longer the only means of getting your music noticed.

Thanks to digital distribution and the massive appeal and easy access to the Internet, unknown musical talent now has a chance at real success. Additionally the indie musician is not stuck with the costs of making an entire CD. They can make a single and post it on the Internet, gaining huge success from one song.

With a little know how and marketing sensibility any upstart musician or experienced musical act can now achieve success, great success in fact on their own. Recently, while a guest on the Sirius Satellite Radio Show The Good Life, I spoke with the host who told me that his two teenage boys get most of their music off the Internet and never listen to regular radio anymore.

Why? Because they can obtain music from acts they wouldn't be allowed to listen to on traditional radio. They're tired of the same old bands and singers being played over and over again. "Most don't have any talent, they're just showpieces." This isn't the first or the last time I've heard that statement from teenagers and adults alike.

For the indie artist who wants to reach a broader market (and you must have a good product) and receive more exposure for their product on the Internet, the first thing you need to do is market, guerrilla market and then market some more. How do you do that? There are many ways that I mention in my book, The Indie Guide to Music, Marketing and Money but here are a few simple suggestions:

• Join music boards and start in on the discussion. At the end of each of your posts make sure to put who you are and your website. Add something to the conversation, don't spam. Write helpful hints and post them on the boards, etc. If the boards don't allow tags but they do allow you to post your email address, make sure it's something with your website at the end. Have a real email address but DON'T use your main email because it will be Spammed.

• Start networking at local musician meetings and songwriter / artists forums in your region. You can find them on the Internet. These meetings host artists such as yourself who get together on a regular basis to discuss the music scene and present their latest creations. It's also a wonderful place to get the pulse on gigs you can join in on and new marketing ideas.

• You know all that annoying spam snail mail you receive with pre-paid postage envelopes inside? Why not save the envelopes and put a little note inside that states since they were kind enough to share their information with you, you're returning the favor. Also, with any bill or any correspondence you send out that's official, include a one sheet or little card that has a blurb about you and your music (watch the weight; you don't want to add more postage). Make sure to put your website on whatever material you have.

• Start your own podcast and post it on all the podcast sites.

• Why not send your music to different podcasts. Ask permission first. Send them to your site where they can hear a sample or two and if they are receptive to playing your music on their podcast, send it along. If they use your music in their podcast you may have gained new fans and sold more CDs.

The most important thing you can do is to play live. Go to Wal-Mart, Starbucks and other local shops and ask if you can put on a free concert there. Anywhere and any place that will let you play, do! Make sure to have a sign up sheet where people can sign up for your newsletter. Then create a newsletter and send it out once a month at the most. This is a form of "Buzz Marketing" also known as "Viral Marketing." At the end of the letter make sure you include your web page of course. Tell your fan base they can pass it along to whoever they want.

This is a very very tiny list of things you can do. The time for the indie musician is now. Take advantage of it! Many blessings to come your way.

About Author:
Jaci Rae's grit brought her from a poor childhood to a successful writer & performer. Author of The Indie Guide to Music, Marketing and Money and Winning Points With The Woman In Your Life One Touchdown At A Time. http://www.jacirae.com/

Article Source: http://www.articlecache.com

Networking, Communicating and Marketing

Do you want a career in music? You might say yes, but how do I get started? Musicians, bands, singers, songwriters - all music artists must learn the "simple" art of communicating who they are and what they do beyond the music and lyrics. Indies have to be able to network and market themselves with other musicians, their fans and music business persons in this music career path. It's always best to start early and gain the knowledge to make the path easier.

If you are not blessed with natural charisma, are shy in public, and don't understand marketing basics, we offer the following two articles by Kevin Sinclair of http://www.musicianhome.com. They are Six Steps To Mastering The Art Of Great Conversation and Marketing - Back To The Basics with an occasion note in brackets [ ].

Six Steps To Mastering The Art Of Great Conversation

Becoming a great conversationalist takes proper planning and hard work. But, mastering the art of conversation is worth it. Outstanding conversation gets noticed and so does the person behind it.

Have you ever been to a social event and watched someone with an "Aw Shucks, I'm from a farm down home" look about them because they can't string two words together. They may be too shy or just have nothing to say. Either way, it's not pretty. In most cases it's not because a person can't hold a conversation, it's because they haven't prepared for conversation. As with everything in life, great conversationalists understand this simple but important tenet: proper planning prevents poor performance (P5).

The following six steps should help you be better prepared when you next enter a room full of people.

Say something

Readers are leaders and good conversationalists. Keep up to speed with the latest events happening in your world through newspapers, television and radio. There's always something topical happening ... make sure you know about it and that you have an opinion on it.

Ooze with confidence

Confidence is a massively attractive trait. People like talking to confident, authoritative and powerful people because it makes them feel safe. You'll attract more people to you than bees to a honey pot if you can appear confident.

Eye contact is critical

Make sure that you establish good eye contact when speaking to someone. Not the Charles Manson "thousand yard stare" kind of eye contact ... that's just scary. Never break eye contact when you're busy making an important point. If you start looking like a sneaky, edgy Coyote, it puts doubt on your integrity and on the validity of your words. So does touching your face, nose and ears whilst speaking. This just makes you look like a fibber. This normally happens when you're not sure of yourself or your subject. Sigmund Freud once said that the body oozes deceit.

Compliments help you make friends

We all love compliments don't we? Make the compliment sincere, brief and specific. Most important of all, the compliment must be based on fact otherwise it just becomes empty flattery. For instance, if you saw someone helping an old lady carry her groceries to her car, your compliment would go something like this: "When I saw you helping that old lady with her groceries the other day, I realized that you're a kind and thoughtful person." That compliment is based on evidence.

However, if you say, "That's a beautiful red tie you're wearing ... wow, you're a real go-getter and confident person." Well, that's just plain old flattery, isn't it? Wearing a red tie is certainly not evidence of any kind of personality trait, is it? Of course, if someone compliments you, you should react in an appropriate way. When you receive a compliment, simply smile and say "thank you". By doing this, you do wonders for your confidence and you acknowledge the thoughtfulness (and courage) of the person who complimented you.

Become a great listener

Any conversation should follow the 80/20 rule. You do 20 percent of the talking and the rest of the time you're listening. People like to talk, so let them talk. It makes them feel important and it turns you into a friend. And, the bonus is that they think you're a great conversationalist. Sometimes its hard to get someone to open up. You can get them talking by ...

Asking great questions

Ask elaborating questions that force a person to open up. Here are some examples: "Really?" "How did that make you feel?" "That must have been exciting. Tell me more."

Try some of these tips next time you're at a cocktail party or conference and become the person people want to listen to.

About Author:
Kevin Sinclair is the publisher and editor of besuccessfulnews.com, a site that provides information and articles on how to succeed in your own home or small business.

Marketing - Back To The Basics

Too many entrepreneurs and small businesses dive right into the thick of operations without following basic marketing principles. In business, as in most things, it pays to occasionally take a step back and evaluate the bigger picture. Drafting a very basic marketing plan can help you focus on the right activities, target the right customers and set the best prices.

The STP Process

STP is an acronym for Segmentation, Targeting and Positioning. It represents the highest level of your marketing plan. Ideally, you should start this process before your product or service is ever brought to market. It can still be a worthwhile exercise for and existing product though.

Segmentation [customer=fan base]

Segmentation is simply a fancy way of saying that you need to identify your customer. Think of every possible customer. Now, start slicing that population into smaller, more defined segments (thus the name segmentation). It's best to start big here - for example: split individuals from businesses. Now, go into each segment and divide it further. You could split individuals further by sex, age, socio-economic status, geographic location, interests and hobbies and so on. At this point, try not to pigeon-hole yourself by prematurely selecting segments. Remember, you're trying to find meaningful groups of potential buyers that will exhibit similar buying behavior.

Your goal is to identify opportunities. Once you feel that you have subdivided the market finely enough, then you need to evaluate those segments. Try to quantify how large those segments are, how reachable they are and how unique they are from one another (i.e. is there considerable overlap from one to the next?).

Targeting [fanbase and/or music industry]

The next step in the process is to look at the segments you've created and make some decisions about which segments of the market you are going to go after. One of the first decisions you will have to make is whether to target a "mass" market or instead whether your marketing efforts will be more focused. That is to say, are you going for a larger, less defined segment or a smaller more defined segment. The general trend over the last decade has been to go after more defined segments. The extreme here would be to go after a "niche" market which is just a fancy term for a highly defined, fairly small segment. The reasoning being that there will be less competition for those segments.

The segment you choose will have a profound effect on everything else you do. You need to carefully evaluate the most appropriate route for you business. When deciding between different market segments, you will want to try and identify the competition for that segment, the potential value of the segment (i.e. how large is it, how expensive will it be to reach it with advertising, etc.).

Positioning [placement of your music]

You've segmented the market and you've chosen the segment that you are going to go after. The last part of your marketing plan will help you define how you are going to "position" your product or service to your selected target market. This is where you will invoke another handy acronym called the 4P's - Product, Price, Promotion, and Place.

Product [you and your music]

You need to focus your product towards your selected target. What do the people/firms in your segment want or need? If you are working with an existing product, you need to make sure it fits your intended target market. If it doesn't, can it be altered so that it does? It's critical to match the right product with the right customer.

Price [gigs, CDs, merchandise]

Pricing your offering is an art. You must consider many factors, such as the stigma different price points carry - for example, being too inexpensive sends a message that your product may be junk. It's also critical to consider the competition here. It makes little sense to target the same market with a similar product at the same price as your competitors. Entire books have been written on the subject of pricing. The important thing to keep in mind is that you can't lock yourself into a cost plus profit margin way of thinking. Instead, consider the price independently at first in terms of your competition and the value your offering brings to the customer.

Promotion

This is what most people think of when they hear the word marketing. As you can see though, it takes a fair amount of work before you get to this point. Promotion is simply how you intend to get the message to your customers about your offering. Will you use commercials, magazine advertisements, radio, the internet, mass mailings?

Place

Lastly, you need to think about how you will bring your product to market. This is sometimes referred to as marketing channels. That is to say, will you sell directly to the customer or will you sell to distributors or retailers who will then sell it to customers? Where geographically will you sell your product? Will you sell entirely on-line or in a traditional brick-and-mortar location?

Bringing it all together

You probably already have some or most of your marketing plan in your head. However, following this tried-and-true process can help you formalize your marketing strategy and can help you to identify holes in your business and it sometimes can help you identify opportunities that you might not have thought to exploit.

About Author:
Kevin Sinclair is the owner of Personal and Business Success Resources, Be Successful News, Net-MLM-Profits.com, MusicianHome.com, and my-personal-growth.com - all web sites focused on providing you with relevant information to help you succeed in your business, or life.

Note: Do a simple Artistopia Blog search here for more great articles by Kevin Sinclair

Get Your Music Heard in Commercials and TV

Can you Talk the Talk?

I've worked in film and video for the last several years and have always been the one to place most of the music in commercials and TV shows I work on. What's surprised me throughout my career is discovering some musicians who know how to talk the talk, and some who don't. In my line of work, I would never know if a musician was a college student or a seasoned professional, provided they packaged their work and presented themselves correctly. So how can I tell? What do I hear?

Consequences of Not Talking the Talk:

The talk isn't always verbal, sometimes it comes in non verbal cues. They may not have a label on their CD or it's crinkled or smudged or looks like it was run off from my Apple II C computer in 1985. Presentation is important in that I should look at a CD in my hands and not even notice it. I don't want to think twice about it. And if I do notice it, the artwork is either amazing or it looks like a five year old put it together.

Jewel cases are often cracked. Perhaps this happened in route, but it's easy enough to buy a few padded envelopes to take care of this. And actually I prefer cases with spines so I can group the CD's I like together. This makes it difficult to do with skinny cases. They get lost in the shuffle, I have to take them off the shelf to see what they're called and ultimately they fade away into a jumble of discarded music.

I like CD's that come in groups. A mini box set of tracks for commercials and TV. The variety is what matters. A rock, pop, hip-hop, acoustic, and mellow collection of CD's makes life easier. I'm not forced to listen to the same thing over and over again. The single CD's that come in from musicians give me pause. The music might be fantastic and I wonder when they're going to send more. I often work with the same clients over and over again and they don't want to hear the same selection of music for every spot or show we do. I need fresh variety and the musicians who keep sending me their work are the ones who succeed.

Another headache I frequently encounter is when the tracks aren't laid out to spec. A simple beat of tone two seconds before the song starts would suffice and without it, my job is twice as hard. Maybe the play list or the duration of the song is missing from the jacket and I'll have no idea if I'm working with :30 tracks or 2:00 tracks. If I'm in a rush, I'll just skip over it completely and go onto the next CD.

And when the talk does come in verbal cues, that's the ultimate telltale sign. I might call a musician to find out if they have other work that sounds similar to a track I like. Maybe I just need the tempo quickened or a little more percussion. The musician will often blurt out "How much am I going to get paid?" before my clients have even decided if they want to use the track at all. It's not uncommon for a track to be used on a commercial until right before it airs. We may nix it because the melody needs to be reworked or the client may change their mind at the last minute. A seasoned musician would know this. They would understand payment isn't even discussed by me at all, that the producer on a commercial sends out all the contracts and payment.

Or, in their excitement they'll gush on about how this is the first time they're music has ever been bought and you can practically hear the tears bubbling over. While this is all very special, for them, I don't really have time for it. Throw yourself a party instead.

The Professionals:

But when I come across a professional, I know it. They're calm, they know the drill, they're happy to accommodate a fast turn around. They don't gasp when I say I need it the next day, or even in a few hours. And if they can't accommodate, they're direct about it. They don't stammer. They tell me when they can get it to me if at all. And if they can't help me out at all, they offer to send more tracks over as soon as they can for future use and wish me luck on my project.

I can tell from these professionals that they didn't just end up trying to compose for TV and commercials by chance. They researched it, they set up shop to specifically cater to my industry. Sure, they may be in a band and looking at their work for hire as a day job until they get signed, but they never let me know that. They don't make me feel as though they're doing me a big favor by lowering their standards for my product and client. They exude experience, whether they have it or not.

Their CD's are laid out to industry expectation. I know how long their tracks are, they don't name them obscure names like A Farewell to John Lennon. Instead they're called what they sound like. Jazzy Nights and Acoustic Melodies. Although not the most creative names, I like knowing I can flip over the CD and immediately recognize if this track might work just based on its name.

But more importantly I feel their confidence and faith in themselves. There's nothing worse than working with a musician who is unsteady on their own feet. Selecting music is a small part of my day. I might spend a half an hour in my week looking through CD's and I want it to work. I want to hear your best, I want to know that when I press play I might find the perfect track. If a musician makes my life easier, that's when I know I'm working with a professional.

About Author:
Susan http://yourmusicheard.com

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com

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.

1. First, you should plan a launch party. Tell all your friends and fans when the CD is going to launch, and generate some buzz. Let local papers and shops know as well, and have them help you spread the word.

2. Network - tell everyone you know about your new CD. Ransack that mental Rolodex of yours, and hit everyone you know, and tell them to do the same. Believe it or not, this is probably your best resource!

3. Have a website before your CD launches, and use it to promote your CD. Set up a page on Myspace and other similar sites that allow navigators to sample your new tracks.

4. Look into setting up an email list for your fans. Before the CD launches, send out an email letting everyone know. It’s cheap, it’s easy and it’s a fast way to get the word out about this and other upcoming events.

5. Write a press release and put it on your website. You can find lots of examples and instructions of how to do this online.

6. Contact the music reporter(s) at your local newspaper(s). Don't leave out the smaller papers - sometimes they are the heart and soul of the local music scene.

6. Offer a free copy of your CD to local radio stations. Remember the school stations - they frequently tend to favor local artists. If they play it, it could pay off quite well for you.

7. Approach internet radio stations, and offer them the rights to play your CD for free. Every time they play a track, you receive free advertising.

8. Call DJ's and DJ companies and offer a free copy. If they play your CD, that's more free advertising.

9. Get a barcode for your CD. This can help encourage retailers to sell your CD.

10. Get your CD sold at online distributors, such as CDBaby.com or Amazon.com

11. Sell merchandise with your name or the band's name on it. This is not only a little extra revenue - it's great advertising.

12. Find out if there is a music show on your local TV stations, and see if you can be featured.

13. Cross-promotional deals - Talk to another similar band, and work out a cross-promotional deal. ie. They promote your CD at their shows, and you promote their CD at your show. Or even better...

14. Work out cross-promotional deal with several bands. Each band contributes a track or two to a sampler CD. Then each band gives away the sampler CD as a "bonus" with every CD they sell of their own.

15. Naturally, you should promote your CD at every show you play

There are lots of things you can do to realize your dream faster. These are some simple ideas on how you can begin to promote your CD, and get the word out to your future fans. Good luck!

About Author:
Rashi Singh is with Duplium Corporation, a CD Duplication company based in Dallas and Toronto. Duplium provides top quality CD and DVD Replication, customized printing and packaging, and full-scale fulfillment solutions. Visit http://www.duplium.com for more information or to receive a quote.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Singers and Bands - The Artist Showcase

After attending countless artist showcases through the years as a former talent booking agent with the William Morris Agency, I’ve decided to touch on some practical ideas that will help promote your artist career and give you an increased chance at a possible record deal. After exploring much of the information available online, I determined to stay with easily grasped concepts and ideas that would help artists avoid some of the common mistakes.

First let’s make it clear that not every act deserves an artist showcase, at least not in the light of pandering to record labels in an ongoing campaign to secure a record deal. If you’ve read any of my articles, you know I try to tell it like it is and so once again, I will not shy away from the truth that not every artist deserves an outlet to showcase their “talent.” The reason is not simply because the band is no good, but because maybe there is not a maturity or serious quality from the members or a definitive goal in place that everyone is rallying around. Other reasons may include lack of a unique playing quality or an act that is simply playing cover tunes. Let’s talk about cover tunes for a minute.

Don’t play cover tunes unless they are specifically asked for, or unless you are a cover band playing wedding gigs, etc. If you are truly looking to get a record deal, then showcase your own music. This notion that your audience can relate to you and your band simply because you are playing music that everyone knows is false and misguided logic. Would you have cared, the first time you heard one of your favorite groups, that you knew any of the material – I bet not. You were so into the music and groove you wanted to hear more and buy the record. You think of big groups today that at one point were nobody, and just imagine hearing them for the first time, would it have mattered? – I bet I’m right again. Moral of the story, play your own music.

Before you begin to look at the possibility of a showcase, look at your objectives. Each showcase doesn’t necessarily have to be about the record deal, but that should certainly be your ultimate objective and therefore, everything that you bring to the table ought to encompass and revolve around that goal. For example, you might showcase a particular groove and set of songs, which you would like to take out on the track and test. Is the audience really digging it or is it not you. Likewise, you can showcase for a lesser goal, but yet an important stepping stone to a record deal signing like pushing upcoming events or visibility to obtain additional bookings, etc.

As you start planning a showcase, who will attend? – Friends or will music industry personnel be present? Each artist showcase ought to be driven by a marketing approach. Do you have an artist logo, professional bios, pictures and press kits made? These can not be a “friend of the group did it for us,” looking press kits. They have to shine and look pro like music industry individuals are already in play and are looking at your act. Don’t overlook these elements. You might check out artist press kits, bios and press blurb writing at ReelMusician.com.

How will you go about promoting your showcase? You have to look beyond stapling flyers to telephone polls, etc. Have you thought about creating a jingle or station ID or local radio personality piece for free in hopes that you will get some radio and TV exposure? You ought to look at local radio stations and write a mix according to the style of the station and your band – see if you can’t get some promotion that way. Cable TV advertising is fairly inexpensive. You might consider going in with everyone in the band and buying some advertising from cable or local TV stations.

If you don’t already have it, and I’m sure most do, get your web site up and going and make sure that you have a page for upcoming events along with pictures, bio, contact page. Websites do not have to be expensive. You can get your website hosted for $5 - $10 a month. You most likely won’t get a lot of traffic, but you will get credibility with the public and within the music industry crowd – This will prove to be invaluable later on down the road.

What will your showcase consist of and what can you do to stand out from the crowd? Your act needs to look like they’ve been at this for years with a comfort level exuding from who the band is. How long is the showcase? You’ve heard the old expression, always leave the crowd wanting to hear more. Far better to do a rather short showcase with knock out tunes then a lengthy, drawn out, can’t wait to get out of there, gig. Work with your song lineup and tweak the number and length of your set at rehearsal until it feels right. Have everything figured right up front. Who’s going to speak when and try to hit all of the “what ifs,” as much as you can. You want this showcase to “wow” the listeners and create some momentum and energy.

Re-think your image and make sure that it matches who you are. People are not that stupid and can almost immediately recognize when an image is forced and manipulated and not natural to the group. Better to have a natural image, true to who you are, than an image that you think just has to go with your style of music.

In closing, make each and every showcase count, with calculated marketing and a thought through line-up so when the music industry execs start showing up, they have something to go back to the office with!

About Author:
Mr Gauger is a former talent booking agent with the William Morris Agency and is the founder of http://www.ReelMusician.com You may contact the author at tgauger@reelmusician.com or 615-300-5030. In addition, Free e-books "The Jingle Singer’s Guide," and “Secrets To Great Song Demos,” may be downloaded at http://www.ReelMusician.com

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Your Big Break

In an industry where only a fraction of the talent finds success, it's not hard to see that there's more to making it than making good music. It can take years to get a record deal, even if you're good. So many musicians make the mistake of putting all their stock into outdated marketing strategies and dead-end demos. They end up blending in with the rest; their demos and their press kits end up in the trash. There's no reason to wait for a suit to tell you it's your time. The music industry is moving out of the traditional brick and mortar and into the digital realm; indie artists are finding more and more ways to get there music out of their garages and into your iPod. Emerging artists looking for play time will get their name out there not by sending out hundreds of demos, but by getting their face and name on the web, getting their music played for the people who will listen, and building up a following. Record companies can't ignore a well established fan base.

When you're starting out, forget fame for a second, and get down the basics:

1. Know your stuff. Think of your favorite artists: before all the fans, before the CDs, before the Rolex watches and the autographs, they were all just musicians, and they knew how to play. If you're truly committed to making it in the music industry, then be committed to the music first. Practice and master your craft. This is the most practical, common, yet important advice you'll ever get. If you want to make a lasting impact and develop a steady, long term career, not only should you take the time to develop your own unique sound, but you should know and play your instrument well. Whether it's your voice or your guitar, you should be the best at what you do. Only hard work and commitment will get you there.

2. Play and Get Played. If your only audience is your immediate family or your roommate, you're not going anywhere. The key to building a fan base is to play your music and get your music played. Bars, coffee houses, high schools, YMCA's, local fairs - if there's a venue, do everything you can to get up on that stage. If you've followed my advice above and you have a dose of natural talent, this shouldn't be a problem. Above all else, make sure that anybody and everybody that might want to hear you play always knows when and where your gigs are. (See #3) The best advertisement is word-of-mouth. Talk about it, tell everyone, create the hype and get your friends and family to do the same.

Secondly, get your music out there so people can listen to it. Your chances of hearing yourself on the FM radio right off the bat are slim; but put yourself on the internet, and your chances of getting air time skyrocket. Internet radio is the fastest growing medium for music. Record your songs and put the mp3's on the net; no one can resist a free download. Once it's on their player, your chances of getting heard will grow exponentially. Music sharing is often portrayed in such a negative light, and this may be the case for established artists and their labels, but for new artists it has the opposite effect. That's where Blue Beam Radio enters the picture.

3. Be Available. Nine times out of ten, the first thing I do when I hear a new artist is visit their website. Even if it's a single page, find yourself a piece of digital real-estate and put a face and a look with the name. Forget telling people where you've played or what you've done. Instead, tell them about the story your lyrics tell, how you connect with the music and why you play. Listeners are more interested in what the music means and what it can do for them than anything else. Make sure to include a list of upcoming events, samples of your music, etc. Blue Beam Radio is designed to help you in this department. Not only can you create a band page and upload your music for free, but you increase your chances of getting heard and known. If you make it into the top ten and stay there through October 1st, you've got yourself a gig in New York.

Ultimately, it comes down to whether you've got the talent and the appeal; after that, it's what you choose to do with it. Blue Beam Radio can help you get the air time and exposure you need to get your music out there and make your big break. It's your chance, be heard.

About Author:
Nathan Hallford is a freelance writer for Blue Beam Radio http://www.bluebeamradio.com. He is a professional in his field, knows the in's and outs of the music industry and more than anything loves music.

Blue Beam Radio is an online music service/internet radio station which is organizing a music event in the later part of 2006. They will be the only music website in history to throw a concert for their musicians.

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