Archive for May, 2009

5 Sure Fire Ways To Get Radio Play For Your Independent Music!

Bands | Posted by guest author
May 21 2009

Ty Cohen, the music industry’s most recognizable voice! Ty is the C.E.O of Platinum Millennium Publishing, Platinum Millennium Records as well as owner of www.MusicContracts101.com and www.MusicIndustrySuccess.com


radioYou have to find radio airplay time if you’re going to be heard and we’re not just talking the local college campus. The trick is called promotion. Now that doesn’t mean you just put your press kit in an envelope with a demo and hope they take pity on you. Perhaps you call a station and they give you the standard pitch of, “Send it and if we like it we’ll put you in rotation.” After a few months of never hearing your music, you automatically think you’re not worthy.

First, don’t buy that. You’re one of hundreds, maybe even thousands depending on your city. Your disc will probably end up in the trash or, for more enterprising DJ’s, on Ebay in a one-cent CD sale. If you want to be heard and make potential sales, you have to stand out from the crowd, and in this jewel of an article, I’ll show you Five(5) Knock ‘em Dead Ways to Do Just That!:

Tags: , , ,
Comments

Independent Music Artists Adjusting To New Social Media Outlets

Indie Artists | Posted by duane charles
May 15 2009

web2_logosWeb 2.0, with all its new social networks, social media, applications and mobile technologies, has radically changed the way people socialize, play, think, communicate and work. For independent music artists, it’s become a vital tool for attracting new listeners and building a fan base.

And just like any other marketer, you have to learn to grow along with these trends if you want to take advantage of them. Truth is, if you’re not making the most of social media outlets, you’re probably wasting big opportunities to be heard, reach new fans and grow your career.

OK, but how do you do that? It’s not easy, as an independent music artist, to have enough time to figure all this stuff out. You already have your hands full creating art — developing your passion — while building a business of sorts, your own personal brand. To stay competitive we have to adjust to evolving technologies and participate fully in social communities all over the Internet…and still make time for music.

It is challenging. And when you’re first getting started in social media, the learning curve can be pretty steep. Your vocabulary’s going to grow by leaps and bounds as you figure out new things like SEO, SMO, MySQL, Adwords, Adsense, ROI, VC, CSS, RSS, CPC, Ajax, coding, widget, Twitter, Mashable, TechCrunch, Digg, Facebook, Myspace…

Tags: , ,
Comments

Starting a Hiphop Record Label Versus Getting Signed

Producer | Posted by guest author
May 07 2009

Mello Melanin is the force behind www.RapBeatCreator.com, a site specializing in teaching new producers how to get started making their own beats. He is the CEO of What’s Hot Media, Inc. Some of his greatest accomplishments include, performing at the world famous Apollo Theatre in Harlem, New York and performing with Grammy Award winners The Roots

by Mello Melanin

music_-producerAs a Hiphoppa whose been in the music industry for years, I have seen a lot of changes. I’ve seen the cassette come and go, vinyl get pushed from everybody to only deejays, and the birth and near death of the cd. I’ve also seen the rise of many independent record labels and fewer and fewer artists getting signed by record labels.

I’ve seen artists get signed and blow up and I’ve seen them go independent and blow up. So which is better: Going independent or getting signed? Both have their pros and cons. Let’s take a look at a few.

The benefits of getting signed can be huge…if you got the right things in place. Generally to get signed, you need a marketable demo, an 8×10 head shot, a bio, and a whole lot of patience and hustle. This is typically not an overnight process. Depending on your budget, it may take months to complete your demo package. With today’s technology, lets say it takes you 2 months.

Tags: , , , ,
Comments

How To Put Together A Working Cover Band

Bands | Posted by guest author
May 07 2009

By Ricky Roberts

cover-bandThere are a lot of factors that go into getting prepared to book shows for your band. I learned early on that there are many important factors that go into getting a band performance worthy. Many times I have went to see a band perform and have been disappointed at the final result. These bands are never around for long, and are not bands that I would wish to join.

MEMBERS

The first thing that is required are members. The most crucial part is often finding members who have the same level of interest in the proposed project. Many bands are composed of friends or of other local musicians found in the close knit community of musicians in your area. Potential members can be found through many free websites offering musician placement on the internet, or at a local music store that often provides a bulletin board for musicians looking for bands.

Tags: , , ,
Comments

Music Distribution Deals - Facts You Should Know Before Signing

Indie Artists | Posted by guest author
May 06 2009

Carla is a musician and freelance writer with over ten years experience in the music industry. She currently manages independent music label Melodrift Productions, and is the Editorial Assistant for music news site http://www.indienewslive.com. For more article samples and detailed information on Carla’s career please visit http://www.carla-acheson.co.uk

By Carla Acheson

contractWith the escalating progression of music technology in the last decade, mainland CD stores are continuing to decline in popularity, as the trendy demand for digital music downloads continues to crush them further into the archives of history. Claiming more than half of the globes music buying audience, Digital Music Distribution is the predominant method of music marketing the world offers us today.

More and more musicians are appearing on the scene with highly polished albums, mostly produced entirely under their own steam. They have become resourceful singular empires, holding sole rights and authenticity as unconstrained producers and marketing agents of their own products. These musicians are ready to take the world by storm by hooking themselves up with one of the many distribution companies currently available.

But as an independent musician, what are you really signing up to in a distribution deal?

Tags: , , , ,
Comments

10 People to Surround Your Band With

Bands | Posted by guest author
May 05 2009

Music business expert David Hooper is host of the syndicated radio show, Music Business Radio. Visit MusicMarketing.com for more information on David and additional music business advice.

By David Hooper

teens_bandNo man—or band—is an island. The success of any musician is the cumulative effort of many people. As you set out to become a legend, there are ten people you want to surround yourself and your band with. Whether you hire these folks, or simply find them and build a mentoring relationship with them—they have the expertise you need to get where you want to be: on top.

1. Stylist

Stylists aren’t just for corporate bands. Someone who is an expert in style and public opinion can give you an objective view about how other people see you. Talk to a stylist about your overall sound and the vision of your band and get some feedback about ways you can express that with your on-stage appearance.

2. Graphic Designer

Tags: ,
Comments