myspace. It's a blessing and a curse. Regardless, these types of forums are a great way to get ones self out in front of a mass audience. Myspace is the big one, and contrary to popular belief it does not level the playing field between you and everyone else, but it serves its own purpose, cheap exposure.
So if you dont have any idea of myspace.com by now, go to www.myspace.com amd start an account, it is a painless process.
There are quite a few sites out there that do the same thing, but myspace is the most popular right now.
Big warning...you will get a lot of junk messages. Swet your comments sections so that you have to approve comments, otherwise all of your friends will think you are pushing penis and diet pills...trust me.
Some other words of wisdom, be engaged with the people who truly are interested in your music, it makes for great relationships and a closer connection.
There are a few more points to cover with myspace before we move on, this is just a starter.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Friday, March 30, 2007
The Publics First Glimpse - Part IV Branding
Time to put on the marketing cap and bring your checklist to life. Initial step in that process is branding, how are you presenting your name to the world. In the end it is how people are going to recognize and identify an artist or band.
With the Mystic Nation we choose a symbol that had a lot of depth and ancestral meaning and choose a font that related to that history. The Logo on the album is a direct take on our intial marketing push which include a very simple black and white version of the logo with the Band name and website on it. In my opinion it is a very distinct logo and very visible when put in and around the area.
The whole point was to have something that people could quickly make a connection with at a show or when they were driving around town and saw the barrage of stickers everywhere. F54 and Volcom clothing both do an excellent job as well with their logos and a very distintive and I am remind of them constantly everyday because their stickers are everywhere. Others in the music industry whom have had great sucess in using their brand is Metallica, Queensryche, Iron Maiden, Perfect Circle or No Doubt. Those are just the ones that hit my mind as I type.
Ok so sticker aside, as thats an item on the list and not the branding approach I am talking about, choosing your brand is very important so take some level of effort and time to finalize it, because the intention is to stick with it for the life of the project.
A couple paths one can go down is to hire a graphic artist for a couple hundred dollars or use one of those assembly line logo companies. Either way have a general concept sketched otu for them ahead of time so you can better explain your idea. More power to you if can actual design one, saves cash...and we all want to do that.
This branding should be consistent across all your items on the list, from T-Shirts to Hats to the website and your bio. Keep a uniform message as this leads to brand awareness as you force your presence upon the world. Being indy means it's all gurilla marketing warfare, don't be afraid to push your brand.
Some logo resources:
Logo Works
The Logo Co
Good do it yourself article
With the Mystic Nation we choose a symbol that had a lot of depth and ancestral meaning and choose a font that related to that history. The Logo on the album is a direct take on our intial marketing push which include a very simple black and white version of the logo with the Band name and website on it. In my opinion it is a very distinct logo and very visible when put in and around the area.
The whole point was to have something that people could quickly make a connection with at a show or when they were driving around town and saw the barrage of stickers everywhere. F54 and Volcom clothing both do an excellent job as well with their logos and a very distintive and I am remind of them constantly everyday because their stickers are everywhere. Others in the music industry whom have had great sucess in using their brand is Metallica, Queensryche, Iron Maiden, Perfect Circle or No Doubt. Those are just the ones that hit my mind as I type.
Ok so sticker aside, as thats an item on the list and not the branding approach I am talking about, choosing your brand is very important so take some level of effort and time to finalize it, because the intention is to stick with it for the life of the project.
A couple paths one can go down is to hire a graphic artist for a couple hundred dollars or use one of those assembly line logo companies. Either way have a general concept sketched otu for them ahead of time so you can better explain your idea. More power to you if can actual design one, saves cash...and we all want to do that.
This branding should be consistent across all your items on the list, from T-Shirts to Hats to the website and your bio. Keep a uniform message as this leads to brand awareness as you force your presence upon the world. Being indy means it's all gurilla marketing warfare, don't be afraid to push your brand.
Some logo resources:
Logo Works
The Logo Co
Good do it yourself article
Thursday, March 29, 2007
The Publics First Glimpse - Part III The Checklist
One thing that helped us when the Mystic Nation was getting set release our first CD was to sit down and ponder all the ways we could reach the audience. Regardless of the cost, we listed everything we could think of to help market our cause. Having a CD is great, but if nobodby knows about it, you might as well not make a first run of 2000 CDs.
Everything from matchbooks to a music video. It was amazing at how many ideas this spawned and from that we managed the list down to specific action items to pursue.
Basically it is a wave, once the first set of tasks is taken off, the next phase I pursued, and on and on.
It sounds like a simple idea, but it was an approach I had never seen taken in the 5 or 6 other bands I had been in, and the productivity and focus because of the list proved to me that it was a valuable tool.
Going over the top with organization, I highly recommend Microsoft Project. If you have the patience and organization skills, this is a very powerful tool. At this point you are starting to run your career like a business, with intent and focus, not just hoping you will get discovered playing in a coffee house.
Everything from matchbooks to a music video. It was amazing at how many ideas this spawned and from that we managed the list down to specific action items to pursue.
Basically it is a wave, once the first set of tasks is taken off, the next phase I pursued, and on and on.
It sounds like a simple idea, but it was an approach I had never seen taken in the 5 or 6 other bands I had been in, and the productivity and focus because of the list proved to me that it was a valuable tool.
Going over the top with organization, I highly recommend Microsoft Project. If you have the patience and organization skills, this is a very powerful tool. At this point you are starting to run your career like a business, with intent and focus, not just hoping you will get discovered playing in a coffee house.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
The Publics First Glimpse - Part II - The Demo
Part of the joys, or pains, of the artist/band development process is putting one foot in front of the other and try not to miss a step on the way to achieving ones goals. One such step is trying to go out and book oneself at the local clubs and coffee shops without some proof that the artist or band is actually a good fit for the venue.
From the last post, at this moment there are two choices, the demo and or the full blown piece of work. Getting shows does not require a full blown production, and often times most clubs only want to hear a sample. So unless the end desire is to launch into the public in a blaze of glory, it is extremely time and cost effective to focus on a demo to get the bus on the road.
A demo does not need to be polished master quality, it can help, but it's highly unlikely to cause you to not get a gig, the music itself however probably will. Spending an extra $300 or $400 on a demo package at the local recording studio can save many frustrations and headaches, but if you are a savvy home engineer with a good ear, go for it.
Some key things to consider before the demo is recorded.
1. Whats the focus of the project? What type of club or promoter is getting this demo.
2. Pick the best three songs in the repertoire
3. Take these three songs and rehearse them to death, the tighter they sound the better you will be in the long run
4. Be honest and open about the focus as you go through the process, drop a tune if your gut says something just isn't right
I have never been the engineer on my own demo, so I can't honestly recommend any books, but I am sure there are plenty on amazon.com
Once the demo is recorded...
From the last post, at this moment there are two choices, the demo and or the full blown piece of work. Getting shows does not require a full blown production, and often times most clubs only want to hear a sample. So unless the end desire is to launch into the public in a blaze of glory, it is extremely time and cost effective to focus on a demo to get the bus on the road.
A demo does not need to be polished master quality, it can help, but it's highly unlikely to cause you to not get a gig, the music itself however probably will. Spending an extra $300 or $400 on a demo package at the local recording studio can save many frustrations and headaches, but if you are a savvy home engineer with a good ear, go for it.
Some key things to consider before the demo is recorded.
1. Whats the focus of the project? What type of club or promoter is getting this demo.
2. Pick the best three songs in the repertoire
3. Take these three songs and rehearse them to death, the tighter they sound the better you will be in the long run
4. Be honest and open about the focus as you go through the process, drop a tune if your gut says something just isn't right
I have never been the engineer on my own demo, so I can't honestly recommend any books, but I am sure there are plenty on amazon.com
Once the demo is recorded...
Friday, March 16, 2007
The Publics First Glimpse - Part I - The Choice
This blog probably should have been written prior to the thoughts on sonicbids.com. sonic bids is a site to promote product. So I thought I would recenter my thoughts and focus on the main attraction of being an artist...the product and moving out of the garage and becoming a professional, with a professional recording.
The process of going from a garage band to professional band is actually simple by definition. Most people think being a professional musician or band means that one is signed to a Major or Minor label. This is just not the case. As an artist or band, once a physical/virtual product is created and is available on the market for purchase, it is at that point one can call themselves a professional. Dream for the big time, in the meantime develop reality towards an end game, a series of goals capable without someone else getting you there.
Which brings me to the debut work, or initial product, the first recording.
A decision for a new band or artist needs to be made at this point. The question to ask after you as an artist or band rehearse enough to feel you can play live is, do we record a demo to get shows, or do we go all out and complete an EP or Full length body of work?
Budget and time, the two worst enemies of an artist or band. This choice is not an easy one and take s a bit of commitment. It will be the first real test of an artists or bands resolve. Regardless of the decision, the next blog will cover
Regardless of the answer, in order to move any further as ones own little engine that could, this step is mandatory and the sooner one has product, the sooner a artist or band can utilize most of the tools and tricks discussed in this blog.
The process of going from a garage band to professional band is actually simple by definition. Most people think being a professional musician or band means that one is signed to a Major or Minor label. This is just not the case. As an artist or band, once a physical/virtual product is created and is available on the market for purchase, it is at that point one can call themselves a professional. Dream for the big time, in the meantime develop reality towards an end game, a series of goals capable without someone else getting you there.
Which brings me to the debut work, or initial product, the first recording.
A decision for a new band or artist needs to be made at this point. The question to ask after you as an artist or band rehearse enough to feel you can play live is, do we record a demo to get shows, or do we go all out and complete an EP or Full length body of work?
Budget and time, the two worst enemies of an artist or band. This choice is not an easy one and take s a bit of commitment. It will be the first real test of an artists or bands resolve. Regardless of the decision, the next blog will cover
Regardless of the answer, in order to move any further as ones own little engine that could, this step is mandatory and the sooner one has product, the sooner a artist or band can utilize most of the tools and tricks discussed in this blog.
Monday, March 12, 2007
sonicbids.com - Part III. - Selecting Opportunities
Once you get your EPK all set up and dialed in and looking great. It is time to pursue the purpose of using this tool to begin with. The main objective is to set goals based on certain objectives. Do you want press? Are you looking to play festivals? Are you looking to get the attention of A&R? These are questions you should be asking yourself going into the submission process. The big mistake I initially made was to submit to everything all at once without a focus.
Pick a goal and focus on that. Then filter out the opportunities that are relevant. You many want to play a mega festival or a college, but if you are a band just starting out and have not much of a touring history, unless a stroke of luck occurs, chances are you willnot get picked and now you have wasted $5 or $10...this adds up quick when you pick every possible opportunity.
Also, some opportunities ask questions, answer these honestly. It also is a great way to filter yourself out of an opportunity. If you can't answer the opportunity honestly or if the answer looks to be a disadvantage to you, I would suggest that you not submit to the post.
Keep it real, and eventually things start clicking...
Pick a goal and focus on that. Then filter out the opportunities that are relevant. You many want to play a mega festival or a college, but if you are a band just starting out and have not much of a touring history, unless a stroke of luck occurs, chances are you willnot get picked and now you have wasted $5 or $10...this adds up quick when you pick every possible opportunity.
Also, some opportunities ask questions, answer these honestly. It also is a great way to filter yourself out of an opportunity. If you can't answer the opportunity honestly or if the answer looks to be a disadvantage to you, I would suggest that you not submit to the post.
Keep it real, and eventually things start clicking...
Monday, March 5, 2007
sonicbids.com - Part II. - Setting up the EPK
I am going to assume you may have read the first blog on sonicbids.com or that maybe you already had a sonicbids.com account. "Here's the deal" (trademarked by BTLS)...now that you have created an account, what next, so many options, so many choices...
Before you get so excited about the opportunities and spend as little time possible prepping your EPK, SLOW DOWN! The biggest mistake I made once I created an account was to put together a basic EPK with no content and little focus, and then submit to as many offerings as I could afford...THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO DO IT! It took me about three weeks to realize that my initial promotional effort was all for nothing because I didn't take the time to "present" the band.
So here are some ground rules that seemed to help my response rate as I learned the system(well I am still learning it).
1. Every aspect of the EPK should be filled in, right down to the Set List and stage requirements. Nothing worse than an EPK with empty links...it's wasting peoples time who are interested in you.
2. Pictures...cram them in, including Hi Rez. They don't allow many, even with the super package, put as many as you can, and make sure they are consistent with the theme or vibe you are trying to present yourself as.
3. Songs. This is frustrating to me, because they have a limit of 5MB for the songs...which sucks, most of my files are 8+ so I ended up dumbing the quality down. There are two tricks here...give a sample and fade it out, or give in and include a complete song at a worse than CD quality. Don't forget lyrics!!!!
4. Keep your elevator pitch consistent with your Band bio...DON'T BE ALL OVER THE MAP! keep your message clear and consistent...on a personal note, I hate bios that sound like a big reach around...be humble and focus on the band mission...get the attitude when 4 million people buy your cd :)
5. Once you have finished your EPK, link to it everywhere you have a website, blog or related link. They have a tool under "Promote My EPK" in the "My Account" section.
That's a good chunk for now...next step will be throwing yourself at the opportunities.
Before you get so excited about the opportunities and spend as little time possible prepping your EPK, SLOW DOWN! The biggest mistake I made once I created an account was to put together a basic EPK with no content and little focus, and then submit to as many offerings as I could afford...THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO DO IT! It took me about three weeks to realize that my initial promotional effort was all for nothing because I didn't take the time to "present" the band.
So here are some ground rules that seemed to help my response rate as I learned the system(well I am still learning it).
1. Every aspect of the EPK should be filled in, right down to the Set List and stage requirements. Nothing worse than an EPK with empty links...it's wasting peoples time who are interested in you.
2. Pictures...cram them in, including Hi Rez. They don't allow many, even with the super package, put as many as you can, and make sure they are consistent with the theme or vibe you are trying to present yourself as.
3. Songs. This is frustrating to me, because they have a limit of 5MB for the songs...which sucks, most of my files are 8+ so I ended up dumbing the quality down. There are two tricks here...give a sample and fade it out, or give in and include a complete song at a worse than CD quality. Don't forget lyrics!!!!
4. Keep your elevator pitch consistent with your Band bio...DON'T BE ALL OVER THE MAP! keep your message clear and consistent...on a personal note, I hate bios that sound like a big reach around...be humble and focus on the band mission...get the attitude when 4 million people buy your cd :)
5. Once you have finished your EPK, link to it everywhere you have a website, blog or related link. They have a tool under "Promote My EPK" in the "My Account" section.
That's a good chunk for now...next step will be throwing yourself at the opportunities.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
The Band Website. Part I - Beginnings
This is a loaded topic with many sub layers of information. The band website is one of the most key components of representing yourself as a real band, especially if you don't have a million dollars behind you.
The easiest part, and first step, is getting a URL (Uniform Resource Locator), better known as your web address. In most cases your band name, if it isn't a funny spelling of something, is occupied or being used by some spammer/fake search engine hack, don't despair, just means you will have to put on the creativity cap. Go to register.com or godaddy.com and search for the url of your choice (ie ournameband.com, ournameband.info, ournameband.biz) once you find your URL reserve it. This does not commit you to a webhost, but at least you have now gotten one step of a long journey out of the way. godaddy is way cheaper and they provide cheap hosting if you are going to build the site yourself. I like Register from a usability point of view(silly I know).
As a web/software programmer I have gone many routes over the last several years, building very simple band sites to fully loaded sites where I even built my own windows based content tool, which never go used in real time because I decided on the template site by then. What drove me nuts, and this is a personal issue, was how much time I was committing to maintaining websites, versus creating music.
In the end, for Mystic Nation, I found an awesome template driven hosting company that focuses primarily on band websites. Unreal was that once I configured this tool, I have freed up so many extra hours of work now, I actually have free time. Currently we are using Rock-n-Roll Design as our template provider right now and there is so much stuff to cover on this topic it will be a post all by itself...great tool though if your time comes in short order and don't want to rely on a web developer. The end result for us is mysticnation.info
If you want to learn how to actually build your own website, take the first step at W3 Schools and see if it is for you. I recommend going through the HTML tutorial, which is free like all the other tutorials on that site.
A couple of tips for creating your own website that I find helpful
1. Keep the site clean and easy to navigate. Too much can be too much, too little if done right can be intriguing.
2. Make sure your website matches any offline marketing scheme you may have, nothing beats consistency when trying to enforce a message.
3. Create calls to action like signing up for a newsletter, joining the myspace, downloading a song, viewing a picture, posting to a blog...this adds to the experience far more than if you just throw the band bio up with a picture adn say here we are. Constantly involving content is far more effective in bringing people back.
Resources
Books - a list of some books for the HTML beginner
1. HTML for Dummies
2. HTML, XML, CSS
Internet
1. Do it yourself start at W3 Schools
2. Template Driven Sites
A. Rock-n-Roll Design
B. BandZoogle
3. Hosting
A. godaddy.com
B. Reinvent Inc (Great .NET hosting provider)
The easiest part, and first step, is getting a URL (Uniform Resource Locator), better known as your web address. In most cases your band name, if it isn't a funny spelling of something, is occupied or being used by some spammer/fake search engine hack, don't despair, just means you will have to put on the creativity cap. Go to register.com or godaddy.com and search for the url of your choice (ie ournameband.com, ournameband.info, ournameband.biz) once you find your URL reserve it. This does not commit you to a webhost, but at least you have now gotten one step of a long journey out of the way. godaddy is way cheaper and they provide cheap hosting if you are going to build the site yourself. I like Register from a usability point of view(silly I know).
As a web/software programmer I have gone many routes over the last several years, building very simple band sites to fully loaded sites where I even built my own windows based content tool, which never go used in real time because I decided on the template site by then. What drove me nuts, and this is a personal issue, was how much time I was committing to maintaining websites, versus creating music.
In the end, for Mystic Nation, I found an awesome template driven hosting company that focuses primarily on band websites. Unreal was that once I configured this tool, I have freed up so many extra hours of work now, I actually have free time. Currently we are using Rock-n-Roll Design as our template provider right now and there is so much stuff to cover on this topic it will be a post all by itself...great tool though if your time comes in short order and don't want to rely on a web developer. The end result for us is mysticnation.info
If you want to learn how to actually build your own website, take the first step at W3 Schools and see if it is for you. I recommend going through the HTML tutorial, which is free like all the other tutorials on that site.
A couple of tips for creating your own website that I find helpful
1. Keep the site clean and easy to navigate. Too much can be too much, too little if done right can be intriguing.
2. Make sure your website matches any offline marketing scheme you may have, nothing beats consistency when trying to enforce a message.
3. Create calls to action like signing up for a newsletter, joining the myspace, downloading a song, viewing a picture, posting to a blog...this adds to the experience far more than if you just throw the band bio up with a picture adn say here we are. Constantly involving content is far more effective in bringing people back.
Resources
Books - a list of some books for the HTML beginner
1. HTML for Dummies
2. HTML, XML, CSS
Internet
1. Do it yourself start at W3 Schools
2. Template Driven Sites
A. Rock-n-Roll Design
B. BandZoogle
3. Hosting
A. godaddy.com
B. Reinvent Inc (Great .NET hosting provider)
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