Marketing Musician

Today we hear from Ty Tabor of King's X (this is from part 2 of a 6 part interview on Youtube). It's great as Ty talks about when King's X (one of my favorite bands) got signed. As he put it, "You still have to do all the work." You have a record deal, and nobody knows who you are, and they don't care. Open Mic Participant Rachel Walker of the Rachel Walker Trio- on Songwriting. Rachel is the first to record a segment for the podcast. She chose the subject of songwriting. Let's face it if you don't have a good song, it doesn't matter what kind of marketing you do. It all starts with the song and Rachel shares her thoughts on songwriting. Better songs typically come from your life experiences. Try to take the lyrics and come up with a sound that matches the emotion. Songwriting is like math. Put chords together that sound good together. If you get bored experiment with different tunings. A strong song  has a great melody that you can hum along and the melody stick with you. Songs don't need to be complex to be good. Planning for Next Year Here is a great tool that shows all the holiday for the coming year. Find a holiday and start planning 10 weeks before on how you can tie that holiday into your music, your gigs, your songs. Go to http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/2013

I was listening to RAM by Paul McCartney which in a way is very experimental. The one thing that shines through time and time again is the melody. You can hum all the songs and they get stuck in your head. The song "The Back Seat of My Car" has an insane melody and multiple parts (it remind me of Iron Maiden with segway into segway). Even if the melody was just a few notes it made you want to sing along or it just got stuck in your head. At one point he is simple sing "Oh we believe that we can't be wrong, and even this simple musical piece gets stuck in your head through the use of dynamics (Paul McCartney has one of the best "Scream/Singing" voices of all time in my book). Sell Digital Downloads With Free Plugin One way you can make money with your podcast is selling digital products (which in some cases may be your actual back catalog). It has a ton of features. I’m going to be playing with this over the weekend. I could see musicians having a field day with this. Mentioned in this Podcast Jason Mraz keeps it Real inexpensive interface to record on your iOS device    Music From Paul McCartney RAM Amazon.com Widgets 

Open Mic Night Have you ever thought of having your own Marketing Musician (or musician related) podcast? Well now is the time to step up to the plate. Instead of having your own show, why not "test the waters" by submitting a few topics on this show? Be sure to mention your website, and send along a song to play (it would be cool if you included the story behind the song). In some cases we may set up a situation where you "Co-host" the show and we do it love over Skype or a Google hangout. If you're interested, please reach out and let me know. I'd love to have you on the show Today I go over an article I found on hyperbot.com about the 36 Rules of social media. These are some great tips. I think my favorite is that the more you ask for money, the experience of the event goes down. Remember that if you can keep you social interaction about THEM and not YOU it will help. People want to benefit, so tell people how they can benefit. When you have a better understanding of your audience, then you can write songs that might connect with them better. Hisham Dahud is a Senior Analyst for Hypebot.com. Additionally, he is the head of Business Development for Fame House and an independent musician. Follow him on Twitter: @HishamDahud Rolling With Mistakes on Stage I was watching a Tori Amos concert from Montreal and she forgets the lyrics. She tries to buy some time, but eventually realizes that the lyrics are not going to come to her, so she decides to pull down her guard and admit that she forgot her own lyrics. It's kind of funny, but the key is she didn't let it derail her song. She just moved and it didn't make a big deal out of it. When you laugh off the mistake so does the audience. Please note I'm saying you don't have to practice to create the best show you can, but we are all human - and when we are - don't let it derail your performance.  

Recently there have been some interesting episodes and situations on stage. Green Day through a hissy fit, Justin Bieber blew chunks. So today I want to talk about what to do and not do on stage. Bieber Green Day Maintain Your Professionalism Gigs will always go in ways you may or may not expect (this can be both positive or negative), how YOU react to this is something YOU control. There is a saying that people are like tea - you see what they are made of when they get in hot water. You will be surprised how just one little slip of the lip can cost you gigs. With this in mind always stay professional. In this episode we talk about: The Band rarely gets to eat at the wedding (on time) My band lost LOTS of gigs when the bass player cracked a (not funny) joke on stage Don't yell at your band members on stage (instead laugh and address it at band practice). Mentioned on this Podcast

One of the bad things about youtube is its way to easy to have someone watch your video and the take them off to youtube (and away from you and your opportunities on your website). I came across an affordable service called Viewbix that helps keep your visitors on your website while taking advantage of youtube's free video hosting. If you hate youtube Viewbix also works with Vimeo Pro or Facebook. What You Can Do With Viewbix You can create a music playlist with song for people to sample. You can add a map to your video. So now you go out and take a quick video tour of the place you're playing next week and your visitor can click a button and get instant directions. You can include an RSS feed. This is a great way to bring people back to your site. You could put your website RSS feed into it, and then use the player on facebook. If people click the links in the RSS feed they are taken back to your website. You can include photos from your favorite photo sharing sites. This is great if you want to make a "meet the band" kind of video for potential bookers. They could watch the video and click a button and view your official band photos. You can create a list, and have that link to whatever. So if you want to send people to a special page on your website you can. You can also easily embed a form for people to sign up for your newsletter, follow you on twitter, facebook etc. You can add a "buy now" button to your video that direct people to iTunes (or wherever it is sold). Viewbix Increases Clicks by 20% According to their website viewbix videos receive 20% more clicks. This is partially due to having a customizable button that you can have link to anything. Speaking of customization, you can change the color of your player to match your website. Other ways your videos become interactive is the built in sharing features that make it easy to tweet, embed, and share on facebook. Pricing You can start using viewbix for free. This will get your toe in the water and you can have up to 5 players. If you want to add some of the more robust features it's $20/month. You can cancel anytime. For my non-us firends they do accept international credit cards and your fee will be in US dollars. For more information check out viewbix.com

I just learned about a new service that ties your twitter account to your email account. Then (assuming the recipient is using Chirpify) all the audience has to do is tweet “Donate $amount to @username for reason They get a notification that the message was sent and an email message of the receipt. You can even sell digital products. Once the tweet/payment is sent, the download link is provided. The audience can purchase something by simply replying to a tweet with the word “buy.” That sure sounds simple. With Chirpify you can sell both physical and digital items. Set shipping rates and receive shipping info when someone purchases your physical item. Upload and sell digital content, we’ll send a secure download link to the buyer when they purchase. (you can use the micropayment option at paypal to have smaller fees). Again, I like any system that makes it easier to receive money. This requires the audience signing up for Chirpify, but it does make it easy to send money via your phone. There are other systems that allow you to send money via text message, and now via twitter. The question is will your audience jump through this hoop to setup a chirpify account to send you a payment. Chirpify also just received some big bucks in funding, so that's exciting to see this technology being developed. Last week we talked about QRCodes, and this week we have Chirpify proving once again that things are moving toward the phone.  

We have stated in the past that you want to setup your merch table in a high traffic area and if possible have a pretty girl behind the table in addition to your band (definitely get the band behind the table). It's the end of the gig, and your audience is thinking, "Should I hang here with my friends, or should I go stand in line to pick up a CD or T-Shirt. Why not offer a way to do both? If you haven't heard about QR Codes these are Graphics that an be read by smart phones and then trigger the phone to go to different links. Check out this video Send Your Audience To Your Online Store with a QR Code Now you could have some post cards made with a QR Code (or even a business card) and leave them on each table in the establishment. Now instead of forcing the people to come to your merch table, the merch table can come to them via their mobile phone. The great thing about (which is also the bad thing) QR codes is to get involved you need to install some sort of QR Code scanning app (like Google Goggles). While not everyone who has a smart phone has a QR can scan QR codes, those who DO have a QR scanning app are more than likely to USE it based on curiosity. With the fact that a smartphone (or iPad) is more than likely going to be the one coming to your site, make sure that your website is ready to be read by a portable device and that it's able to be seen on an iOS device (like an iPad, iPhone, etc). How Do You Create a FREE QR Code You can go to a site like QRStuff.com and enter your location you want people to go to click on the "Download QR Code" on the right hand side. From there you can put it on your business cards, t-shirts, bass drum, etc and send people to your website. You could have one code for your merch, and one for your email list. A basic QR code is free, but if you want more tracking you can sign up for their premium service which you can sign up for one day for $4 and get high resolution graphics and more. Also Mention In This Episode Check out gotprint.com for cheap business cards and post cards (to put your QR Code on).

If youare a music teacher (are are thinking of becoming one) there are hassles like billing, keeping track of student information, reminders, cancellations, dealing with parents, etc. Well today we have the solution for that. Today we interview the man behind Music Teacher helper Brandon Pearce who is enjoying running a n online business (as he and his family travel the world, home schooling their children, and enjoying different countries). Music Teacher's Helper will: Track income and expenses and create reports Automates invoicing Tracks your mileage Accept credit cards Track any inventory (books, music, etc) that you lend to students. Provide access to students and parents For more information please use my affiliate link www.marektingmusician.com/musicteacher

When's the Best time to Tweet? Today I tell you about a free tool that lets you know WHEN to send your tweets. It's called Tweriod. You can login and see when your followers are online. This helps you maximize your twitter efficiency. Interview With a Booking Agent This is an old interview from YEARS ago. I interviewed a club owner of Wlibert's in Cleveland Ohio and he talks about what he expects from bands when they come to play his club. He also goes into what mistakes bands make when then come to play his club.  

Today I'm looking for your opinion on tip5.org where people can send an ID (podcast) to 202-800-1000 and they will then get prompted if they want to tip you $5? If they do they then have to login to their paypal account and send you $5. They take 10% so by the time they take their cut and you give paypal their cut, you get $4 and some change. You could make a poster and post it wherever you play. After all nobody caries cash anymore, and that open guitar case can look mighty empty. Why not put a poster explaining to text a word to 202--800-1100 They also make a site on their website (mine is tip5.org/podcast). It's free to join, and they pay via paypal once a month. You can login and see if people are tipping (unfortunately you have no idea where they came from - that would be awesome.  

Today I have a strategy that I feel will help you secure more bookings. Let's look at this scenarios: You drop off a CD and you wonder for the next week(s) if the booking person has listened to the CD. What if you could send them a video of your band and now EXACTLY when they watched the video so you could call them. You start tracking birthdays of your fans. What if you send a personalized video of you saying happy birthday to your fans. You record yourself doing a song, then send this out to your list and right next to the video are links to follow you on Twitter, facebook, or buy your CD. You send out an email blast using your email list management system (aweber, etc) and you now know not only who and when they viewed you video, but you know WHERE they are located, and HOW MUCH of the video they watched (so if you have a coupon for your CD at the end of the video, and nobody watches to the end you know to move that coupon). You can guard your branding by embeding the video on your website, or use one of their 90+ templates. This system work with outlook, or you can use their web based system. It allows you to send unlimited "Video Email messages" and it's only $29 for a month for a limited time. Just got to www.marketingmusician.com/covideo Why Not Just Use YouTube? If you use youtube, you can embed the video in your site, but there is no way to turn off the link back to youtube. Now when someone watches your video and they want to watch in full screen mode they end up at youtube watching cat videos. Plus if you make a "personalized" video and that person goes to youtube and see all the other "personalized" videos, they don't feel so special. It truly is a very powerful system. I want to hear how it works for you when you use it. It's only $29 a month for a limited time. If nothing else, check it out for free for 10 days. Tools For Great Video I revently purchased a Logitech C920 and it's AWESOME. It's HD and it needs almost no light (great for streaming gigs in a dark bar). The mic is "OK" but if you are looking for a cool dynamic microphone that doesn't pick up so much background noise, check out the Audio Technnica ATR2100USB it is USB,  AND XLR, so you can use it for Youtube videos, and then go use it on stage. Best of all it sounds great and its only $50 Amazon.com Widgets

When you see a platic card for itunes, that was printed from dropcards.com They work with giant labels as well as great people like you (they are really cheap). Here are some ideas people are doing with DropCards.com 1. Build your newsletter as you can (or not) require an email list when the sign in to get the downloads. 2. They can offer any kind of digital product. This can be music, video, pdf, etc. 3. You can have bonus content, so sell them the CD and then the behind the scenes video can be purchased via a download card. 4. They can be used for more than downloads (you can order VIP passes as well). When I first heard about them I thought, "Why put another step in the purchase process?" Then I thought about it, you want to "Strike while the iron is fine" and now instead of hoping they remember to go to your website, you have given them a reason to go to your website. You can even get a pice of code and paste it so your fans go to YOUR website to redeem the card. You will be able to see where the person is (by their IP address) and see where your fans are residing. As they don't take as long to produce, and they take up less space, this s a great way to get your music (qucikly) into the hands of your fans without having to worry about the case cracking. Coupon Code For DropCards.com Now through August 31,2012 you can get 10% off ANY size order by entering the coupon code marketingmusician (all one word). Other Items Mentioned In This Episode Get this book for Free as an audio book by going to www.audibletrial.com/dave

If you have a day gig, when you finally get a chance to get on twitter you may send a tidal wave of tweets that leads to people unsubscribing.  Well I found a free tool that will help you with that, and spread your tweets out over time automatically. All you do is set your time zone, pick what time you want tweets to go out, and then start writing tweets. At the scheduled times your scheduled tweets will be sent out. Best of all its free. If you want to have more than one twitter account it’s $10 a month. You can add tweets to your Buffer from any page with one of the browser extensions (Chrome, Safari or Firefox), which makes it even simpler to put tweets in your Buffer. It’s not just twitter. You can tie in your Facebook (page or profile), and linked in. You can schedule 10 tweets at a time for one account (so you could have tweets, 10 facebook updates, I haven’t really tested that yet). For ease of use and Power I really like it. Check it out at bufferap

I was interviewing Brian Thompson of Thorny Bleeder for my Power of Podcasting podcast, and I am well aware of his Music Biz Weekly podcast that he does with Michael Bandvold, the Rockstar Branding Podcast, and I just became aware of his DIY DAILY podcast and what you here in today's show is "Journalistic Jazz." I originally thought we would start talking about things that musicians should not be doing, but when I heard him start talking about self-improvement, it really struck a chord with me. From there I just listened and we had a fun conversation. I do a podcast about weight loss, and one of the things I tell people to ask themselves is "Is what I'm about to do going to help me weight loss efforts?" If it's not, then don't do it. If it is, then definitely do it. Brian loves to explain to people that having a high score on your favorite Xbox game is not going to help you sell more music, or get your more fans. We spend hours working on our music chops, but in reality we need marketing, customer service, and other non "music" skills. If you're looking for some great content to chew on Brian just teamed up with Bob Baker to produce the DIY Marketing for the Serious Musician. That would be a great place to start (lots of great content for a very fair price). Books Mentioned in This Episode Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust Crush It!: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In on Your Passion Brand Like A Rock Star: Lessons from Rock 'n Roll to Make Your Business Rich and Famous Marketing Lessons from the Grateful Dead: What Every Business Can Learn from the Most Iconic Band in History The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles

If you look at addresses on the street, your address points to the dirt that your house sits on. On the Internet, your address can be redirected to anything (your website, your facebook, etc). When you purchase your domain name using Godaddy.com, or namecheap.com, you want to make sure your domain name is set to auto-renew so that other people can't purchase YOUR domain name. Also you don't want your manager, lawyer, record label, etc to own the domain name. YOU should own your domain name (side point when creating a band you need to specify who owns the domain name, and if someone quits they should sign away rights to the domain name). If found Sara Haze through watching the television show Ruby on Netflix. I loved the song Lovely so much I Googled the lyrics. I then found Sarah on Youtube, and then went to her website (which doesn't exist).It's owned by some website design company. It's very weird, and a very strange situation. I've always said "make it EASY to buy and connect with people." I had to search, and finally find her on twitter, and hope she reads her tweets. I would love to have her as a guest on the show. So what do we learn from this? 1. Have your website ready before submitting your music to be used in movies, tv, etc. 2. Always own your domain name. 3. Music MOVES people and when your music touches them they will ask Uncle Google to help find you. 4. Put your lyrics on your website as people may be Googling for them (make it easy to be found). 5. Sara is missing the ability to collect email addresses and build her community. Sara I think you are awesome, and wish you the best. Please let me know if I can help. Lovely By Sara Haze Amazon.com WidgetsiTunes Lyrics I don't wanna be her I just want to be little old me Shouldn't have to think Who am I suppose to be today And what give you the right To tell me who I should be Who gave you that right Cause I, I feel lovely Just the way that I am Yes I feel lovely The way that I am I know you want the best Yeah only good things for me But you have to realize I can't be all these things you project on me Cause I'm beautiful to me Doesn't that mean a thing I feel lovely Just the way that I am Yes I feel lovely The way that I am I need that to be enough for you Need that to be enough for you Cause it's enough for me It's enough for me Am I suppose to give up everything I am Just to make you happy I thought I was the one you Always wanted me to be It turns out I'm just little old me I'm just little old me And that's fine by me Cause I, I am lovely Just the way that I am Oh yes I am, Yes I am lovely The way that I am I am lovely lovely I am lovely