Connecting Is Key The To Sell Your Indie Music

Do you want to sell more Indie Music? If so, it's helpful to remember what former Indie Music Legend  Jay-Z, is famous for saying;

"Men Lie, Women Lie, Numbers Don't"

 As an Indie, how you see success is in your own head. For you, success could be finally getting your debut single or album released. It could be performing live, or hearing your song played on the radio.

No matter how you view success, successful Indie and Major Record Labels understand that the reality is, sales equals success. Sales is the driving force behind every Major Record Label release. That's why winning Major Record Label Marketers do not go by gut instinct alone. Good Music Marketers use data, to connect them to what the Music Market wants.

Great Music Marketers know that connecting is tapping into what the market wants. Tapping into what the market wants brings a rush of attention and interest to their music.

How To Not Connect With Your Music Market

Some Indie Marketers and Musicians have a hard time understanding how to connect. That's because for most Musicians and Marketers, connecting is all about them - not the Market. So many Indie Music Marketers, walk around with their head in the clouds. This is not the way to connect with the market. 

Recently, we shared some feedback with an Artist, with distribution by a Major Label. We loved one song on the release, and thought it could be a successful debut single. The Artist's Manager disagreed. The song is "shelved" (not promoted). Sadly they are pushing a song that nobody is connecting to. 

"Successful Music Marketers Connect by Keeping An Ear To The Ground"

Gifted Music Marketers know that connecting to the Music Market requires looking for trends, sensing emotions and listening for what the Market wants. They have an ability feel the pulse of their audience.

In the case of Jay-Z, he has "painted pictures with poems". These pictures are not the creation of his ego alone. The pictures were also created by the vibrations he humbled himself to feel, as well as the images of the Brooklyn Streets where he was born and raised.

In the case of Jay-Z, the numbers don't lie. At last estimate, Jay-Z is worth is around 150 Million Dollars. Jay-Z connects with his market and connecting is the key to sell more of your Indie Music.


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Internet Music Promotion:

Success in today's music business requires Internet Music Promotion. Over the last few weeks, Kasondra K, "Ms. I.T.", has presented examples of how Musicians like Katy Perry and Soulja Boy Tell "em are using Internet Promotion to win the ears, eyes, hearts, minds and dollars of listeners.

How can you ensure that your Internet Music Promotions will be successful?

• Get Your Story Straight
  
  Love or hate Justin Bieber, no one can deny that it really is his world right now. Justin Bieber has a story that melts the hearts of his Fan's. Justin's story goes like this; White R&B singer has a dream of being a music superstar. He is discovered by accident on YOUTUBE, by a former Record Label Executive, signed to R&B superstar Usher Raymond's Record Label, and would go on to top the Billboard Charts as well as his teenage Fan's hearts.

Although Marshal Mathers goes by many names, his story stays thesame. Matters, aka "Slim Shady" and "Eminem", was a dissatisfied dishwasher and cook from Detroit, Michigan. He was broke, with a troubled past and a young daughter to raise.In spite of his odds, Mathers had dreams of being a rich and famous lyricist.

At first, Mathers battled perceptions of being another vanilla flavor of the month. Overtime as his lyrics started sharing who he was a real-person struggling with issues millions of people could relate to. His shattered relationship with his mother, his jaded view of relationships, and his struggle to stay sane in a world that felt it only appreciated insanity.

One day, his demo tape is discovered by Hip-Hip Producer Dr. Dre. White Rapper goes on to top the charts, win a Grammy for his Debut CD and sell millions of albums world-wide.On Eminem's latest release Relapse, Mathers tells more gritty stories. He addresses why he went into recovery (from a unknown addiction). He declares that he's not afraid to take a stand, and he gives listeners his view on hot topics like domestic violence. Once again, Mr. Mathers and his stories have journeyed to the top of the Billboard Sales Charts.

The Moral of these two stories is; telling your story allows people to understand who you are as a person.

• Don't Be Afraid Of Being An Underdog
  
  Both stories above, have a common main character - the Underdog. Everyone loves an Underdog. We are naturally fascinated by those who want to overcome the odds. The more the odds are stacked, the bigger the interest in the story. The Daniel vs. Goliath style tale creates suspense and compels those watching to cheer for the Underdog as his or her story unfolds.

So, what is your story? How do you see your life? How do you feel about where you are as a Musician? If you are feeling down and don't see your life as where you want it to be, that may be good news. You can use your troubles to motivate music lovers to become your Fan's.

You are welcome to tell us your story. Leave a comment below and tell us about the odds that you feel are stacked against you. You may find as you type that your story starts to take shape.

Music Promotion: Katy Perry Steals From Fans

Hosting the recent Teen Choice Awards, Katy Perry is becoming the latest online music promotion success. Many of us know Katy Perry from her controversial hit single “Kissed a Girl”. It was the first single from her album "One of the Boys". "Kissed a Girl spent seven weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 during the summer of 2008 and has sold 3.1 million downloads, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Her first internet single was “Ur So Gay”, also causing a controversial buzz in the media. It’s hard to believe all this comes from a girl steeped in Gospel. That’s right! Formerly Katy Hudson was raised by Christian Pastors and released a self titled Gospel album in 2001.

Katy Perry has taken what online fans would typically do and used it in her online music promotion. She’s stolen these ideas and turned them into a very successful promotion blitz. Have you ever seen a friend countdown on Facebook to something they were excited about? Katy Perry's FB countdown was to the revealing of the cover art for her upcoming album, Teenage Dream, to be released on August 24th. This gets fans excited and curious about whats to come.

Most artists hate it when their creative works get leaked on the internet. Katy Perry leaked preview pics online before the release of her “Teenage Dream” video. Proving she’s super social, she recently answered questions in the YouTube community. Over 20,000 questions were submitted from fans. That’s one way of controlling the dialogue.

All the best and most popular artists get parodied. Well Katy Perry released her own parody of her already fantastically fun and color video “California Gurls”. The parody now has over 7 million views, the original has over 34 million views on YouTube. To top it off, fans from all over are doing their own viral parodies. There’s California Boys, of course. California Gays is on its way to two million views, and California dorks has 400,000.

Katy Perry also tweets regularly to make sure she stays connected to her fanbase.

Being controversial sometimes helps your popularity in the music business. Being social always helps. Think about what your fan base does regularly, even if it’s something you don’t like. Then figure out a way to do it first, using it to your advantage in promoting your music.

Wishing you Success.

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Number 1 Music Promotion Trick To Help Musicians Sell More Music

What is the TOP Music Promotion Trick that can help you, as a Musician, to sell more music?

We will get to that trick. But first...

Albert Einstein said;

"He who joyfully marches to music in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would fully suffice."

What Einstein is saying is; march to the beat of YOUR OWN drummer. We see so many Musicians trying to succeed in the Music Biz who are; walking, talking, singing and sounding like the next one. Boring.

Don't Be Afraid To Be Yourself. The beauty of Humanity is that no two people are the same. So why are so many so-called Musicians, singers, producers and song-writer's; acting, walking, talking, sounding and writing songs that sound like one-another? The answer; Fear. Many Musicians are fearful of being themselves. The trouble with being like someone else is that no one likes a Copy-Cat.

The PIMP's of Today's Music Biz know that a USP is the number one trick to selling more of your music. We are Music Biz Insiders who have seen how the top 10% of  Record Labels sell millions of units, while, small Indie labels play copy-cat hoping to sell a few thousand copies. Your USP is the trick to selling more of your music.

Case in Point: Christina Aguilera's Burlesque Attempt Is A Bionic Flop:

No one can doubt the fact Christina Aguilera is a talented Vocalists. So why is her latest CD, Bionic considered a flop? Because Ms. Aguilera is known for selling millions of Music Units for her Parent Label; RCA Records. But Bionic has sold only 200,000 units as of July 15, 2010.

In our PIMPS opinion Christina Aguilera is not selling because she seems to be trying to compete with Lady GaGa.

Lady GaGa Owns Burlesque. 

Burlesque is an Art Form, that is part strip-tease and part imitation. Lady GaGa, has mastered the lost art of burlesque. Christina Aguilera is playing copy-cat to Lady GaGa.

The results are, Lady GaGa is in the lead. In fact, The Fame was the biggest seller for the first half of 2010, according to Billboard.


In a blond head-to-head match, Lady GaGa is winning because of the #1 Promotion Trick - the USP.

Unique Selling Proposition (USP): USP is the different benefit that you offer fans. Ask yourself, what set's you apart from every other Musician? What is it about your song's that are different from all the others? Why is it that people should spend time and money to purchase what you offer - not your competition?

Lady GaGa and her marketing team have learned what her USP is (Burlesque) and have sold more records, than any other Recording Artist, during the first half of 2010. You can do the same, but first you have to find and communicate your USP.

To Get Signed Sell More Music

Musicians ask me all the time, "how do I get signed to a Record Deal"?

I always reply, "sell more music".

I realize selling music is easier said than done. But there are people selling hundreds of thousands of singles BEFORE they get signed to a Major Record Label.

You can get a Recording Contract, but the Major Record Labels are not what they used to be. For example, A&R Reps are now Consultants. A Consultant is a free-lancer. They do not have a secured or assured income.

A&R Consultants don't have the option of  bringing the Major Label an unproven Recording Act. Major Record Labels are looking to sign a proven act. Major Labels are looking for a sure thing.

How To Become A Sure Thing In Today's Music Biz

So how do you prove yourself to be a "sure thing"? I hate to say it again, but you have to sell more music. You have to show any record label that you can sell music. Not just a song or two. You have to sell tens of thousands of units. A good goal to shoot for is 50 to 100 thousand units.

I realize that selling hundreds of thousands of units is a lot to sell. The fact is, it happens. And I hope we can help you sell hundreds of thousands of units.

To Learn The Secrets Of Becoming A (P.I.M.P.) "Professional In Music Promotion":Click here

Musicians Wanted: YOUTUBE Helps Musicians Get Paid

Attention Musicians: Great News! YOUTUBE has announced a partnership to help you get paid for your music. The partnership is called Musicians Wanted.

In the video below Jack & Nataly of the Group Popalose pitch the "super easy" to get benefits of the Musicians Wanted Program.



Don't Quit Your Day Job Yet

Musicians Wanted is a great announcement by YOUTUBE! Especially for Independent Musicians. So far it's the biggest buzz at the 2010 South By Southwest (SXSW) Music Fest. But don't quit your day job yet. 


Check out the Musicians Wanted Channel on YOUTUBE, read the terms and conditions and sign up. You may just earn enough money with your music, and this program, to quit your day job.



To Learn The Secrets Of Becoming A (P.I.M.P.) "Professional In Music Promotion":Click here

Secret Answer To Music Biz Success? Start Indie

Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta?

Before "Lady GaGa" ( Born: Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta) took the world by storm in 2008, you could find her performing at Open Mic Nights at the age of 14. Check out the video (below) of the talented Teenager who would go on to become Lady GaGa.



Jump forward to 2009 and Lady GaGa topped a record breaking year for Digital Music Sales (according to Kings of A&R).

Lady GaGa, sold over 13 million Albums in 2009


Before Lady GaGa had armies of personnel to support her Music Biz Career, she rarely could afford the luxuries of publicists, make-up artists, or high paid lawyers. Say what you will about Lady GaGa, but she is living the dreams that she had as a child.

The Biggest Secrets To Selling More Music

The Secret to selling more music is simple. Just start somewhere. That somewhere can be determined by a where you live, like to hang out and  feel comfortable. Here are some ideas; your local Church (like Aretha Frankin and many others). How about the nearby Resturant? Or you can search for local Open Mic Nights. You never know who will be where, spotting great talent.

Are you a singer? Then go out and sing. Don't worry about what you don't have. Our Staff (at Today's Music Biz) get so frustrated when we hear someone sing masterfully, but have NOTHING recorded.

We hear people say, "I'm trying to get my album done - before start performing in public". Or, "I'm not going to put myself out there before I've got something to sell".  Our response, "that is a very lame excuse". You have to start somewhere. And your head is the starting point, but shouldn't be where your Music Biz Career ends up.

Inaction Has No Excuse 

Doing nothing is not acceptable. So, the easiest thing you can do is develop a plan. Lets call it "Your Indie Plan".

First, organize your strengths into manageable tasks. If you can sing make it your task, to go to places where you can showcase your talent. For example, the local Karoke Night is a good place to start.

Second, determine your objectives. What do you intend to accomplish? For example, if you're a Songwriter, a good objective is to meet all of the local Bands and network with them.

Third, adjust your plans as needed. This doesn't mean change your plan anytime things don't go as planned. Stick to the plan. for example, say you are in a Band. Your plan is to do an EP (Demo) and go on the road promote, sell and become rich and famous.

So, you get the Demo done and are now ready to hit the road and tour. All of a sudden, one of your Band Members can't go. What do you do? Stick to the plan, but adjust to compensate for the Band Member who can't go.

We've met so many people who are confused about what it takes to sell more music, to more fans, more often. Those who think that they need a Record Deal to succeed in Today's Music Biz, need to understand that everyone starts Indie. To sell more of your music find someplace to start and well, get started.

We encourage you to start anywhere. Success can only come when you forget that you don't have a lot of money or any high powered Star-Makers on your team.

Your dreams, are the start of what it takes to sell more music and succeed in Today's Music Biz. Action, is what it will take to go from Indie to rich and famous.

Want to learn more Secrets to success In Today's Music Biz?

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