Sposta Say
Sometimes I don't always say the correct things. It is NEVER my intention to hurt anyone. I don't believe in holding things in. I've done that for the a good portion of my life. I'm done with that. But, sometimes I gotta ask "how should I say this." In the end you can only say what you feel. You can't control the reception. Trying to be respectful is all you can do.
You dig?
Thanks, yall.
@caramelsarajo
Friday, November 16, 2012
Friday, November 2, 2012
Understanding Distribution
So I have this amazing song, did the publishing thing, and now what? What do you mean? You spread the word. I’ve hit on distribution from a marketing angle in my Musician and Entrepreneur article. This time let’s discuss the various places you want your music to appear.
Brick and Mortar Retail Stores
If you can find a record store still running you are amazing. Let me know where it is. You can find coffee shops and other small businesses that may be willing to place a small order for your CDs.
When you have live shows you should be able to sell your merchandise. Check with the venue’s manager before you set up shop.
Most likely you will be distributing your music on the Internet. First, let us look at blogs.
Blogs
Blogs are a great place to submit your music. Some writers will provide a short description of your band and link. Some may ask you for an interview. Others may only play the track. Regardless, give them a link to your website and your contact for booking. You never know who may be viewing the post. Having only your music means an interested person has to look up your website and people are busy these days. Hyperlinks are the way to go.
The great thing about blogs is they often have comments. You can check those written about your music to see what fans think. Some contributors give their websites. You can check out what they have and get a feel for your audience.
You want to link to any blogs that feature interviews with you on your own site.
Internet Radio and Podcasts
Internet radio is another way to go. A lot of people use their computers and mobile phones to listen to music. They can sit at the desk and discover new tunes. It’s also a way to reach audiences around the globe. Some Internet radio sites allow you to customize the type of music you wish to hear. Others let users upload the their favorite songs and create playlists they share with others. Anyone who likes your music can add it to his or her playlist. Still others are similar to traditional radio in that they have a program director. The station’s website should have more information.
Online Retail Stores
Your website is great for distributing your media if you want to get paid. Many website builders host stores for their clients. You will need to set up accounts so that you may accept credit card payments. Paypal is great option. This is what many Google sites use.
You also need to make sure you have an effective method for fulfilling orders. Do you send them out or are they pressed, wrapped, and shipped from a second party? You will need to make sure your prices absorb your expenses. The idea is to make money. If you plan on selling a lot of albums, and you do, having someone else do the work for you could be more cost effective. Make sure you use a reputable company with great customer service. Unhappy customers may blame you.
Digital Downloads
The most cost effective way to deliver your music to adorning fans is via digital download. Some services will distribute your music to only their program. Others distribute your music to many media outlets. You need to consider the payout structure of each option before you decide who will handle your online presence. Think of the sites where you download your music. This is where you want to be.
Virtual Environments
There is a growing trend in virtual environments. Think of a video game that users from around the world log into to interact with other users. Some have rooms that feature different genres of music. Some have clubs. Users can make their avatars dance to your music. Many artists are using these sites not only to share their music but also give concerts and sell music. Participants purchase virtual money and buy things they like in these worlds. Check out Second Life and Turntable.tm.
Try to get your music into the hands of as many outlets as possible. The more visible you are the more fans you will garner. Use these outlets reports and comments to gauge the needs of your audience.
Which of these are you using to distribute your music? Are they working for you?
@caramelsarajo
Brick and Mortar Retail Stores
If you can find a record store still running you are amazing. Let me know where it is. You can find coffee shops and other small businesses that may be willing to place a small order for your CDs.
When you have live shows you should be able to sell your merchandise. Check with the venue’s manager before you set up shop.
Most likely you will be distributing your music on the Internet. First, let us look at blogs.
Blogs
Blogs are a great place to submit your music. Some writers will provide a short description of your band and link. Some may ask you for an interview. Others may only play the track. Regardless, give them a link to your website and your contact for booking. You never know who may be viewing the post. Having only your music means an interested person has to look up your website and people are busy these days. Hyperlinks are the way to go.
The great thing about blogs is they often have comments. You can check those written about your music to see what fans think. Some contributors give their websites. You can check out what they have and get a feel for your audience.
You want to link to any blogs that feature interviews with you on your own site.
Internet Radio and Podcasts
Internet radio is another way to go. A lot of people use their computers and mobile phones to listen to music. They can sit at the desk and discover new tunes. It’s also a way to reach audiences around the globe. Some Internet radio sites allow you to customize the type of music you wish to hear. Others let users upload the their favorite songs and create playlists they share with others. Anyone who likes your music can add it to his or her playlist. Still others are similar to traditional radio in that they have a program director. The station’s website should have more information.
Online Retail Stores
Your website is great for distributing your media if you want to get paid. Many website builders host stores for their clients. You will need to set up accounts so that you may accept credit card payments. Paypal is great option. This is what many Google sites use.
You also need to make sure you have an effective method for fulfilling orders. Do you send them out or are they pressed, wrapped, and shipped from a second party? You will need to make sure your prices absorb your expenses. The idea is to make money. If you plan on selling a lot of albums, and you do, having someone else do the work for you could be more cost effective. Make sure you use a reputable company with great customer service. Unhappy customers may blame you.
Digital Downloads
The most cost effective way to deliver your music to adorning fans is via digital download. Some services will distribute your music to only their program. Others distribute your music to many media outlets. You need to consider the payout structure of each option before you decide who will handle your online presence. Think of the sites where you download your music. This is where you want to be.
Virtual Environments
There is a growing trend in virtual environments. Think of a video game that users from around the world log into to interact with other users. Some have rooms that feature different genres of music. Some have clubs. Users can make their avatars dance to your music. Many artists are using these sites not only to share their music but also give concerts and sell music. Participants purchase virtual money and buy things they like in these worlds. Check out Second Life and Turntable.tm.
Try to get your music into the hands of as many outlets as possible. The more visible you are the more fans you will garner. Use these outlets reports and comments to gauge the needs of your audience.
Which of these are you using to distribute your music? Are they working for you?
@caramelsarajo
Music, Fans, And Mobile Application Part 1
So I’m reading this article in
Mobile Marketer by Dan Lowden on retailers harnessing the power of mobile
applications to reach loyal customers, and I think “if retailers can should not
also artists?” Indeed, they should. There may already be mobile applications
for musicians to reach their fans, or to gain fans, but in going through the
top apps for iPhone I didn’t see any. I don’t have an android. I do think such an application would
prove not only helpful, but also profitable.
How could an artist integrate
mobile marketing into their promotional campaigns? Facebook Connect makes this
easy. You could create an app that allows users to sign in via Facebook. This
takes away the step of them having to remember another password. Sometimes the
idea of creating another account scares me away. It may have the same effect on
your fans.
An application can also alert your
fans when you are going to play in their area. It could help them find bands
with similar sounds. You may worry about this, but the idea of cross promoting
means you could share fans. Stop being greedy!
A band application will also help
you decide which songs to include on your album when you finally release it for
purchase. Interactivity is the key to an application succeeding. Considering
allowing listeners to vote up their favorite songs or videos. You may find more
people willing to listen to your music on their phones because they will have
access to them in idle times, such as a bus commute or waiting in line at the
DMV. Give them something to do and they will thank you for it.
The beauty of an application for musicians is that it is not limited to use with only one band. A label can
include it’s entire roster and these artists can battle it out every week to
see who is the favorite act. It is an intimate approach that seems lost in the
internet. I believe I heard of a study that said people are never more than
eight feet away from their mobile phones (I was in school; it’s been a while). If that’s true go ahead and take
advantage.
But how you may ask. You will need
to decide if your application is native or a web-dependent application. I’ll go
more in dept with the how-tos next article. As for now brainstorm on the type
of application you want to create.
If you have a mobile application that is working for you please tell me all about it.
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