Music Business Secret:

MIGUEL DE CERVANTES

The great writer Miguel De Cervantes once wrote, "It is one thing to praise discipline, and another to submit to it."

The only thing that separates winners in the Music Business from the losers is self-discipline. Self-discipline is a Music Business Secret that you should fear ignoring.

Discipline can be thought of as a branch of knowledge. Self discipline can be thought of as "knowledge of yourself". For example, It's important to know how you will perform in various areas of the Music Business.

Right now, there is singer, musician, producer ("talent") looking for work. No doubt this talent is gifted in their musical craft. You and I may not heard of them because they are painfully shy. The problem is this talent does not have the self-discipline to know they are painfully shy.

Travie McCoy sang, "I Wanna Be A Billionaire - So Freakin Bad." If I had a dollar for every talent without self-discipline, but with a list of excuses for why they have not succeeded in the Music Biz, I might just be a billionaire.

I won't pretend that self-discipline is easy. I won't lead you to believe that self-discipline is all it takes to succeed. I will say that self-discipline has taken average talents to the realm of Music Business Legends. I'll remind you that people with self-discipline are winners.

Finally, I'll ask you to give yourself some time to learn your strengths and weaknesses? For instance; if you are a great musician, how good are you at contract negotiations, promotions, marketing, and areas not related to playing your instrument? Having expertise in all areas of the Music Business, or having someone on your team with the knowledge that you lack, is one of the best Music Business Secrets.
 

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Music Promotion: The Secrets To Getting Radio Airplay

Who Else Wants To Learn The Secrets Of Using The Power Of Radio To Sell More Music To Up To Millions Of Fan's?


I’m a 20 Year Veteran of the Radio and Records Industries in the United States. If you've ever dreamed of hearing your songs played on the Radio, now there is a powerful resource to make your dream come true.



I've had the pleasure of working on Music Promotion campaigns for Destinys Child, Janet Jackson, Prince, R. Kelly, Jay-z, Big Pun, EMINEM, 112, T.L.C., James Brown, B.B. King, Mary Mary, Mike Jones, 3/6 Mafia, Ginuwine, Busta Ryhmes, Eminem and many more.

I’ve worked for some of the most successful stations, in diverse formats like; Adult Contemporary, Country, Hip-Hop & R&B and Rock just to name a few. Working for non-commercial and commercial radio formats, I’ve witnessed the awesome power of how getting one song played on the radio can send your record sales from 0 to 100,000 almost overnight.

Before Nora Jones sold over 20 Million Copies of her Debut CD, she was an unknown Indie Artist. Nora Jones was so unheard of that her Record Label only printed 10,000 copies of her music. But her Record Label also had a secret; the knowledge of how to get Nora's Music on the Radio.

Although her second song, "don't know why" only reached number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 song charts, this song would establish the, Indie-Jazz singer as a respected new artist. Nora Jones would go on to sell over 40 million units after releasing two albums.

Radio is the Secret to Nora Jones Selling 40 Million CD's

There are special Music Promotion resources that Nora Jones used to get her music heard on radio. Her team used these resources to promote her music at Radio Stations. The downside is that many people can not afford to pay thousands of dollars for access to these resources. In Radio Promotion Secrets, I tell you these resources, for under $100.00.

Here's the ugly truth: without radio airplay your music may never live up to it’s true potential. Without radio airplay it’s almost like your music doesn't matter to anyone else but you. The ugly truth is, the majority of people will not take you seriously until they’ve heard your music on the radio.

Without radio airplay you are missing your only realistic shot at Music Super-stardom in the Music Biz.

Why is it that so many below-average artists get played on the radio?

Remember back to a horrible song you heard on the radio? You may have said to yourself, "my songs are WAY better than that song". The fact is, those who follow the "system" get airplay. Those artist who don't follow the system don't get airplay.

That's why I've published "Radio Airplay Promotion Secrets". This easy to download eBook reveals the exact secrets on how to successfully promote your music to get your music heard on radio. Radio Promotion Secrets tells you how to get your music on the air and possibly sell millions of songs.

Would you love to hear the sound of your music on the radio?

Radio Airplay is The Best Way to Become A Music Star"

• Once your music is played on the air, you've turned your ”Star Machine” on. Once your music is heard on radio people who doubted that you would "make it" start believing in your success.

• Many artists have become rich and famous with only one song on the radio.
  
• Radio Airplay gets you noticed by the Record Labels
  
• Radio airplay brings tons of more people to your shows
  
• Radio makes it possible to sell millions of your CD's

You may be wondering, "what will I get"?

When you order Radio Airplay Secrets, first, I show you exactly how to Get your music ready for radio airplay. You wouldn't believe all the people that don't get radio airplay because they make simple mistakes like sending their material to radio stations before it's ready for airplay.

In this report, I'll show you how to package your material to send to radio stations. I'll show you how to label your CD's and how to easily mix your music down to Radio Specifications ("Spec's).

I'll show you why 98% of Artists and Band make simple mistakes that prevent them from getting airplay and exactly what to do step-by-step to get your music on the Radio.

Second, you'll quickly understand how on-air radio works. This report will tell you how to connect with key people at radio stations, and how to influence them to play your music.

Third, you'll learn how to find the stations that will play your music. Too many Artist send music to the wrong Radio Stations hoping that the station will play an unrecognized talent. This is a dream. The reality is you have to choose your stations wisely.

You'll learn how to avoid the mistake of sending your music to the wrong stations.

Bonus in section three, you'll get access to websites that make it easy to find any radio Station in any format in America and Canada in a few simple clicks. Most importantly you'll be shown where to submit your music to get airplay. I'll give you proven techniques to get your music heard and on the air that Major Record Labels use, but don't want you to know.

Fourth, You'll learn the proven system of getting radio airplay.

Fifth, You'll learn how to make your pitch to radio stations. There are so many mistakes that prevent so many artist from persuading radio station staff to play their music. Radio Airplay Secrets will show you word-for-word exactly what to say to get radio airplay.

Sixth, You'll learn what to do after you get radio airplay - to keep you getting radio airplay. There are so many secrets to keeping the momentum going that one-hit wonders never have taken advantage of. These secrets are free to use and can generate more publicity and sales than 98% of artists and bands. Best thing is these secrets are free to use, once you learn them.

Seventh, get Bonus FREE access to Top Secret Radio Websites and FREE Top Secret Radio Resources. "In this report, you'll get 5 additional bonus pages of FREE radio websites and services that are 100% guaranteed to get your music heard by major players in the Radio Industry".

Do you have the passion to get your Music heard by millions?

Do you want to get noticed and get a Record Deal? Would you like to be a Star in your City, Country or around the world? If you do, You can, and it all starts with radio airplay.


WARNING: This system is not 'Payola". Payola is illegal and can land you in jail or ruin your future. The system I show you is an honest one used by successful Independent and Major Record Labels as well as Radio Promoters - to get their projects on the radio.

Order Thousands of Dollars Worth of Radio Promotion Secrets now for Only $47

Radio Airplay Secrets is delivered to your email as soon as PAYPAL confirms your order payment

5 tips for your YouTube Indie Music Marketing and Promotion Success

This week John Legend takes Digital Music Marketing to a new level with a high profile performance streaming live on YouTube.

Promoting his new album Wake Up, along with the legendary Roots and directed by Spike Lee, there will be special guests Jennifer Hudson, Common, Melanie Fiona, and Estelle.

Today’s Music Biz team is looking forward to witnessing this latest music promotion and free streaming concert!

Jac Holzman, founder of Elektra Records, stated recently in a YouTube video:

“YouTube is the strongest place you can be.”

This is a man who knows. He came up with the concept that created MTV.

YouTube provides fans a way of being able to get to know more about you, verses just listening to your music.

Here are 5 tips for your YouTube Indie Music Marketing and promotion success.

1. Use various ways to interact.

You can comment on videos, subscribe to channels you enjoy, or post video comments.

2. Remember who you’re marketing to.

Try to picture your ideal fan in your head. What are their interests? Appeal to that person.

3. Use your interests to attract new fans.

By posting or commenting on things you’re interested in, fans can get to know more about you and people interested in those same things will come and check you out.

4. Call to Action!

Ask for what you want. Please don’t say: “Cop my album”. They already know you want to sell your music to them. Remind them to: Subscribe, Rate or comment on your video.

5. Remember, it takes time.

The more time you spend interacting, the more attention you’ll get.

The more creative and entertaining your videos are, the better chance you’ll have of them going viral. It’s about EXPOSURE. Find creative ways to get more of it, like John Legend.

In Today’s Music Biz, fans want an experience when they hear your music. The better experience you provide for your fans, the more music you’ll sell, and the more you’ll Succeed in Today’s Music Biz.

One Easy To Use Formula To Prevent Music Promotion Failure

Attention Musicians: You've got a lot of competition.

 (Pictured Above: American Idol Contestants waving for attention)

• Have you thought about how many people release songs to the Music Marketplace every year?

• How many people offer the same kind of music as you?
  
• Have you heard, there are an estimated two million people who describe themselves as Musicians on Myspace?

The biggest cause of Music Promotion failure is becoming lost in the Crowd

The Music Marketplace can be seen as a never ending American Idol Audition. People of every gender, color, and culture hope to get attention of the judges. In the Music Biz there have always been contestants hoping for a chance to catch the eyes, ears, and hearts of judges, who are 'the Buyers'. 

Beware, because your music can be smothered by the noise of millions of contestants trying to be heard. Your music can become distant whisper in a stadium filled with your competition singing at the top of their lungs.

We've shared before that 95% of singles released fail to sell more than a few hundred copies. With so many artist fighting so hard to be heard, it's a good tip, that every Musician consider who they going to be heard by.  

Audience + Benefit = Conversions  

Audience, can be seen as one or more people, willing to give you attention. It's a good thing to be able see your 'target audience'. Some fun ways to target your audience is to ask yourself , "who do I see listening to my music"? What do they do? How do they live? Where do they live?  These questions can help you develop a picture of  what your audience looks like.

Benefits, can be understood as, the feelings you hope your fans will have, when they hear your music. You can find benefits by asking yourself, "how do I feel, when I hear my favorite songs by other artists?" Can you relate to and feel the lyrics? Maybe the song gives you sensation in your body. How your songs will connect, with you, is the benefit.

Conversions, are the decisions that your fans make on your behalf. Conversions can be measured by what people do for you. For example, a person clicks on your website and listens to your Music. That is a conversion. A conversion can be small like one person listening to your music, or big, like a thousand people coming to your show to hear your music.

Big or small, it's helps to remind yourself, there is no such thing as a bad conversion. Every conversion is a good thing :)

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.

Does Soulja Boy use Pretty Boy Swag in Music Marketing?

Soulja Boy used the internet to launch a very successful hit single “Crank Dat” including an instructional viral video. Once again Soulja Boy is breaking music marketing barriers with his latest promotion.

Joining forces with Swaggmedia.com, Soulja Boy is celebrating his birthday and streaming it live over fans cell phones, proving once again…it’s all about getting in the fan's pocket.

Craig Nobles, Swaggmedia.com’s founder commented, “The future of music is a combination of technology teamed up with the artist to provide immediate and continuous content. Swaggmedia.com provides just that, an opportunity to reach millions of viewers with their music, products and interviews from the comfort of their home or the convenience of their cell phone.” (BlackWeb 2.0) It’s brilliant! It gives fans just what they want.

This pay-per-view event will include live stream of The Party, Celebrity Red Carpet and live performances all viewable on your cell phone for $2.99. Knowing he has over 2 million twitter followers alone, he’s stands to make a good amount of cash.

How do you tap into your Pretty Boy Swag? Think about recent inventions that have revolutionized the music business like YouTube.com, ipods, and cellphones. Along with them came internet based music stars and millions of promotional and music marketing opportunities. Pay attention to what the younger tech savvy generation is doing and find a creative way to make money with it.

The Age of Engage: An Urban Guide to the Social Music Evolution

Twitter.com is a great promotional tool for anyone. One day I received a DM from one of my followers. It wasn’t just the usual “check out my music…”. It actually said my name and greeted me and then said he wanted to share his presentation.

"An Urban Guide to the Social Music Evolution".

I liked the presentation of his tweets and I clicked the link. I enjoyed the slide show so much that I wanted to share it below.

The Age of Engage: An Urban Guide to the Social Music Evolution

View more presentations from Danny Dee.

This is the way social media marketing is supposed to work. Making connections. We hope you enjoyed Danny Dee's informative presentation.

Fresh From South By Southwest

Danny Dee just got back from SXSW and he brought some gifts from his trip. Listen to Today's Music Biz Podcast on Sunday, March 28th, anytime on demand.

Now that’s great marketing. As soon as I left Danny’s blog, I received a Direct Message (DM) thanking me for visiting his blog. Now I’m impressed. When I shared this with my partner Jeronimo Black, we decided we’d like to interview Danny.

Today’s Music Biz is pleased to interview "Danny Dee" Aguayo of Digipendent.com.

Danny is a Digital Media Strategist and recent SXSW panelist. He has a background in Radio, Social Media Business Development, and has a whole list of positions among the urban music market. Danny Dee is currently advising various regional labels such as ABB Records, SMC Recordings and Town Thizzness; while overseeing digital strategies for Murs, Rakim, Mistah FAB, Glasses Malone, Killer Mike, and many others.

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

How Kanye West VMA Outburst Will Help Taylor Swift Sell More Downloads

Last night at the 2009 MTV (VMA's) Video Music Awards, in 30 seconds, Kanye West stole the show and the press coverage from Micheal Jackson, Janet Jackson, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys and even Beyonce. If you didn't catch the VMA's but want to know how Kanye West stole the show, click play on the video below.



Why We Shouldn't Be Shocked?

No one should be shocked that Kayne West upstaged Taylor Swift.  Kanye West knows that any publicity (good or bad) is publicity. As I write today's blog, Kayne West has already received mentions on Good Morning America (on ABC), and on every Radio Station in America.

Last week, I would have never thought, that when I wrote about how Taylor Swift makes songs that sell that Ms. Swift would win a VMA.  But I'm not surprised she won.  Nor am I shocked that Kanye West stunned the audience by bum-rushing the stage to give Beyonce her props.

How Will Kanyes' Outburst Help Taylor Swift?

No Musician can ever go wrong by taking a stand on an issue.  As I said earlier, Kanye West is getting major mentions in all major Media.  Taylor Swift, on the other-hand will get the sympathy vote.  Not like Taylor Swift needs sympathy. She was recently on Oprah, where it was announced that Taylor Swift was the best selling Recording Artist of 2008. But there will be million's of Fan's who like Taylors' music but have never purchased her songs, that will go to their computer and download her album.  

On the flip-side, hard core Hip-Hop and R&B Fan's will go out and download Kanyes' and Beyonces' latest albums. 

What's The Moral Of  This Music Biz Story?

A few weeks ago, Kasondra Kay and I did a Podcast, titled, "How A Diss Can Help Increase Downloads".   This is a win-win-win for Kayne West, Taylor Swift, and Beyonce.  Kanyes' diss of Taylor Swift will help all three sell more music.   

The moral of the story is, you can't please everyone - every time.  If you try to please everyone, in Today's Music Biz, you'll find yourself pleasing very few.  Take a stand on an issue, even if you're wrong, people will remember you for standing up and speaking out about what you thought was right. In addition, you might sell a few thousand more downloads.

Click Here to Discover the Secrets of Success in Today's Music Business. Or log onto www.simbiz.info.

3 Beatles Music Marketing Tricks To Sell More Music To Mainstream America

Why are the Beatles considered America's most popular Rock Band ever?

Stick around for the reason's and use them to effectively market and sell more of your music to Mainstream America.  But first, take a look at the new commercial for the Beatles Rock Band video game below.



How Did The Beatles Take America By Storm?

John Lennon of the Beatles knew insitinctively what I'm about to share with you about marketing music to American's.  So in the spirit of coming together, I'm going to share top three music marketing tricks that the Beatles used to market music to mainstream America.

1. K.I.S.S. "Keep It Simple (for the) Stupid".

If you're a Beatles Fan you know that their music was composed dynamically and produced excellently.  But the Beatles lyrics were very simple. "She loves you yeah yeah yeah", "Let it be, let it be, let it be yeah let be",  Those are two of the choruses ('hooks') of the song's 'She Loves You' and 'Let It Be' .  Now let's take a look at how the Beatles kept their verses very simple.

Here's The First Verse From The Beatles 'All My Lovin'

"Close your eyes and I'll kiss you, Tomorrow I'll miss you, Remember I'll always be true, And then while I'm away, I'll write home every day, And I'll send all my loving to you."

It doesn't take a Music Scholar to see that the verse above is simple enough for even the most stupid listener to understand.  Many Musician's make the major mistake of choosing abstract lyrics and complicated story-lines in their songs.  Those songs my receive critical acclaim, but rarely sell more than a few hundred copies.  Keep it simple and you'll keep them coming back for more.

2. Using Pictures Can Be Worth A Thousand Record Sales.

Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words.  In the Music Biz, a picture is worth a thousand record sales.  When the Beatles first started performing in Germany, every other Band was wearing two-piece suits and trying to look like the Guy every parent would approve of.


The picture to the upper-left is of  (left to right) John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Pete Best in the early in 1961 (before Pete Best was replaced by Ringo Starr).

The Beatles Image:"we're the Guy's your Parents warned you about"

 John Lennon was the Beatles Image Coach.  John was always fashion-forward because he knew that listeners paid attention to how Musician's looked as well as how they sounded. John Lennon had the Beatles ditch the suits and wear leather jacket's and jeans.

The Beatles goal was to differentiate the Beatles from all the other stiff-suit Rockers in Europe.  The message the Beatles meant to send was "we're the Guy's your Parents warned you about" .

When the Beatles came to the United States, every Rocker was wearing leather.  The Beatles seeking to be seen as different, started wearing the two-piece suits. And again it worked.  The Beatles again were seen as different and made an instant impression with Fan's, male and female alike and went on to become the greatest Rock Band of all time.

3. Sell-Out To Sell More Music


John Lennon admitted to Rolling Stone Magazine that he and the Beatles "sold out".  What was the result? Billions on sales of the Beatles music and a legacy that lives on nearly 40 years after they broke up.

I hear today's Artists and Musicians ranting and raving that they'd rather die broke as opposed to selling out.  And that's what a majority of Indie Artists and Musicians do - die broke because they wouldn't sell out.  The Beatles, made simple music that the whole family could sing along to.  The Beatles image was one that was compelling.  The Beatles knew that if they made their music too abstract, no one would listen or buy their music.

The Ugly Truth Of Music Marketing

The Music Biz is not the art of music - it's the business of music.  The ugly truth is, if you as an artist are not willing to sell out you are not willing to sell many records.  The Beatles knew this fact and used it to sell more music to more fans more than any other artist.  The good news is you can do the same if you are willing to follow the three music marketing tips of the Beatles.

What is your take on this topic?  Feel free to place your comment below.  In the mean-time, here's to your success in Today's Music Biz.

Click Here to Discover the Secrets of Success in Today's Music Business. Or log onto www.simbiz.info.

The 2009 iPod Nano With FM Radio (Video)

People who thought that Radio was a dying form of Media were dead wrong! At least that's what Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple seems to think.  If you haven't heard yet, the new Apple iPod will have an FM Radio.



New Radio Features On the New iPod Nano:


The new iPod Nano will take Radio to the next level with the following features:

• Live Pause; the listener will be able to pause live radio and play it back.
• iTunes Tagging; when the listener hears a song they like, they can tag it in the Itunes Store 

Why Should Musicians Care About the New iPod Radio Feature?


Radio takes unknown Musicians and makes them Superstars.  In fact over 70% of the music purchased on-line is heard first on the Radio.  I'm certain that Steve Jobs is aware of this fact.  Apples' goal is to sell more products (music) to more people more often.  That is the mantra of every successful marketer.

What better way to sell more from the iTunes Store than to allow listener's to hear a song on their iPod, tag it, and then buy the download from the iTunes Store?

As a Radio Expert, few things frustrate me more than people assuming that Radio Airplay doesn't matter.  I've  heard people say, "the Internet is where the Fan's are" or, "Radio Airplay doesn't matter, because I can sell my music to Fan's on Myspace".  I know Radio hater's and naysayers to be dead wrong about Radio.

What Does the New iPod Nano Mean for Music Marketer's?

The new iPod Nano Radio feature makes it essential that every Music Marketer learn the secrets of getting Radio Airplay. No one wants to leave potentially millions of dollars on the table because they ignored Radio Airplay.

Check out our new site Today'sMusicBiz.Com

Music Marketing: Top 5 Reasons To Have A Fan Page On Facebook

What Do Kings Of Leon, and Ani DiFranco Have In Common?

They have large Facebook.com followings. If you're a musician, singer, songwriter, producer in Today's Music Biz and you don't have a Facebook Fan page, you're missing a huge opportunity.

According to Entrepreneur Magazine (September 2009), Facebook has 200 million users, beating Myspace.com by 100 million. For that reason, Facebook is Today and Myspace "is like, so yesterday".


Top 5 Reasons To Have A Fan Page On Facebook

1.  Facebook allows Public Figures to have a 'Facebook Fan Page'.


A  Fan page is different from your profile page and allows people to comment  and  'like'  your  latest  updates. It also allows Fan's to show you some love without you having to worry about deleting spam comments.


2. Skanks stay away from Facebook.


I hate friend generators.  The good thing about Facebook is that it doesn't have any friend generator applications.  So people who become Fan's of your Facebook Fan Page, are usually not attention whores, trying to pad their friend counts.  I've been on Facebook for about a year now and I've never gotten a request from a 'Spam Skank' inviting me to come watch her sexy vid's.  Facebook allows you to truly build your fan base without the skanks and spam.


3.  Facebook makes Music Marketing easier

Facebook allows you to get more traffic to your website, YOUTUBE Channel, blog and even your MySpace and Ilike pages. For example, if you have a gig coming up, you can update your status and inform your fans. Kings of Leon have over 1 million fan's (which I'm one of a million).  Ani DiFranco has over 30,000 devoted fans on her Facebook Fan Page.


4, Facebook also allows 3rd Party applications.


If you're already on Twitter, there's good news.  You can have Twitter automatically update your Facebook Page.  Facebook allows many 3rd Party Applications.


5. Facebook makes viral marketing easy.


On Facebook, if someone likes what you're doing, they can share it with as many friends as the want.  I know from experience that friends like to pass on stuff their friends send them.  Facebook makes sharing easy.  Viral Marketing is just a savvy word for sharing and Facebook is a simple way of marketing.


Check out our new site Today'sMusicBiz.Com

Music Marketing: How To Increase Fan Downloads By 77 Percent

Kasondra Kay (aka "Ms. IT") has been encouraging Music Marketing Professionsals to use digital Media tools for a few years.  Ms. IT has been promoting one tool in particular.  New research from NPD and reported by CNET confirms what Kasondra suspected.

A July 2008 study done by NPD finds that Twitter can help Music Marketers increase downloads by 77%!  Kasondra deserves a BIG pat on the back for having the vision to see through the endless tech tools and select twitter.

"People on Twitter purchased 77 percent more digital downloads, on average, than those who were not tweeting. One-third listened to music on a social-networking site, 41 percent listened to online radio (compared with 22 percent of all Web users), and 39 percent watched a music video online (versus 25 percent of all Web users)."

In our Music Biz Podcast's we are known to be on top of  the latest Music Marketing tools.  That's why we urge every serious Music Marketer to follow Kasondra on Twitter to get the latest show updates and cutting edge Music Biz Tech Tips..

The ABC's Of Music Marketing

This Music Marketing blog post is brought to you by the letter's A. B. and C
The are three fundamentals for Marketing Music in Today's Music Biz. What are they?  Stick around and keep reading for today's answer. You can jump ahead of the class by watching this video.




What is Music Marketing?

"Music Marketing is the science of selling more music, to more of your fans -  more often".  

That quote isn't entirely mine.  I learned it from Sergio Zyman.  Mr. Zymans' book, 'The End of Marketing As We Know It', was revolutionary.  In that book Mr. Zyman shattered a lot of the Marketing missteps and helped me to focus on what was important for my clients; selling more of whatever they marketed.

The ABC's Of  Music Marketing.

As the title of today's post suggest there are three components to marketing music to gain more sales. The ABC's of Music Marketing are:

• Audience
• Benefit
• Conversons

In fact, there is an easy to remember formula to use when marketing your music to Fans:

"Audience + Benefits = Conversions"

Audience:

Who is your audience?  In marketing terms, what 'Demographic(s)' are you trying to sell to?  Here are some good questions to ask:

• What age range are your fan's? Are they Women 18 - 24 or are they Men 35-54?
  
• What are they into?  
• Where do your fans shop? 
• What life-style do they lead?
• How do your fan's vote?

Once you have a grasp of the Demographic Segments ("Demo) you're trying reach you'll save a lot of time formulating your marketing plans.

One thing that frustrates me is when an Artist asks me for help but they don't have a clue as to whom the Artist is trying to reach.  If I had a dollar for every time a talented Indie Artist said, "I'm trying to reach everybody", I would have retired long ago with a fortune.

 The sad fact is, every song won't sell to every one.  For that reason, it's important to pick your Target (Market / Demo) carefully.

Benefit's:

Benefits include what's in it for the 'Buyer'.  Benefit's should not be confused with features.  For example, if you've got some great graphics as Cover Art, those graphics are features.  On the other-hand if those graphics can make the buyer relax, that is a benefit.

OK, let's take another example.  Say you go to buy some speaker wire and you're on a budget?  You find all kinds of colors, lengths and price ranges.  Since you're on a budget, the higher priced wires are features, prevent you from buying.  Whereas the speaker wires that fit your budget will provide you a benefit.

Now let's say the sales person at the store is trying to sell you on the various colors of the wires (but at a much higher price).  How will that benefit you? It won't. Unless you find a benefit in color coordinating your sound system you'll buy any speaker wire that fits your budget. Fan's buy based on benefits - not features.

Conversions:

A "Conversion" is any action that your fan takes, based on your call to action. Marketing Professionals have a saying that, "nothing matters until after the conversion". Nothing could be more accurate in Today's Music Biz.

For example, Jay-Z has a new website (Rock4Life.com).  This website allows visitors the opportunity to convert and follow all of "Rock Nation's" artist.  How does he do this? By allowing visitors to make their own profile page on the site.

Every Music Marketer should have a feature that allows for small conversions to turn into big conversions later.

So there you have it, the ABC's of Marketing.  Do you have anything to add?  Maybe you have some questions?  If so, feel free to comment below.
Click Here to Discover the Secrets of Success in Today's Music Business. Or log onto www.simbiz.info.

Top 3 Music Marketing Major Mistakes

The goal of today's article, is to reveal the top 5 mistakes music marketer's make.

Mistake Number One: Distregarding Ones Image.

In the 1970's there was a saying that, "Image is everything".  Nothing could be more true in Music Marketing today.  This may be the reason why the OHIO PLAYERS (Album Cover pictured left) used sexy women on their Album Cover Art.

Artist or Bands who fail to keep a consistent image will find less fan's, get less (if any) free publicity, and will sell fewer units.

In fact, the OHIO PLAYERS rarely ever appeared on their album overs.  Yes, one of the greatest Funk Bands of all time had the marketing smarts to use sexy women on their Album Covers.

I was on a plane flight from Phoenix, Arizona to Orlando, Florida this summer.  I was already aboard the plane when five men (about my age) boarded.  Everyone else (including me) were greeted with the standard "welcome aboard".  But these five guys were treated like Rock Stars.  The Stewardess asked to take pictures with them, and they even got upgraded to the best seats as soon as all the passengers were seated.

What made these guys appear to be Rock Stars?  They weren't handsome my any means, but they all had their hair done.  A couple of them had beards trimmed in unique ways and they all had tattoos covering their arms.  They looked like Rockers.

On the other-hand, I've seen other artist (like life Jennings) who've, in my opinion, come to Radio Station meet in greets looking like they were awakened in the middle of the night by the police to take a mugshot.  Fan's who were excited to meet the artists were not impressed.

I've even heard fan's say to the artist, "you don't look anything like I imagined you would".  What those fans were saying is, you don't look like a superstar.

Mistake Number Two: Lack of differentation.

A saying popular in marketing goes something like this, "difference makes a difference".  What that means is, in a sea of sameness, sticking out creates more attention and awareness.  Many artists look and sound like other well established artist.  This tragedy of copy-catting imaging jumps Genre's.  One can see evidence of this in Country and Hip-Hop and Rock Genres especially.

"Every artist or band must have a Unique Selling Position 'USP' ".  

Without a USP, Fan's won't even notice that the artist or band even exists.  Every artist must ask themselves, "what is my unique selling position"?  Where do I fit in? An artist or band must get in where they fit in; or give up their hope for success in today's music biz.

Mistake Number Three, Ignoring Undesirable Aspects.

If you've ever watched American Idol from the start of the season, you'll notice that something transformative happens.  If you haven't let's take Clay Aiken as an example.  The video below features Clays' first Audition, in Atlanta GA.




Clay was not a good looking guy.  He wasn't hideous, but he wasn't handsome - at all.  His hair was a mess, and his clothes looked messy.  Simon Cowell said, "you don't look like a Pop Star, but you've got a great voice."  Clay said, "I think we should let America decide.  And they did.  They selected the Teddy-Bear of R&B, Ruben Studdard.

Why did American Idol Fan's pick Ruben over Clay?  It boils down to image.  Ruben had more of an acceptable image.  Sure Ruben was overweight, but he looked better than Clay.

For the record, I detest the fact's that I've laid out today.  But the truth is, they are facts that no Music Marketer, Artist, Band or Record Label can afford to ignore.  Image is everything. Differentation matters, and undesirable qualities if not improved can damage one success in today's (fickle) Music Biz.

Click Here to Discover the Secrets of Success in Today's Music Business. Or log onto www.simbiz.info.

The Big Secret Of Music Marketing

In my days as Music Director of a Hip-Hop Radio Station, I learned one big secret. This secret influenced not only my career, but every successful artist that I've worked with. What is this big secret? Two words "Emotional Marketing".

Taylor Swifts' latest single, "You Belong With Me" (in the video above) is one of the most added songs in America, at Radio, last week August 13. Why is that? Many people don't believe that Ms. Swift has the best singing voice. So what makes Taylor Swift so successful? What is her Secret?

Ms. Swifts' secret can be summed up in the words of every one who has ever been a teen with an unlikely crush on someone. In the song Ms. Swift is singing about a boy she likes. The problem is the boy is dating a popular (but mean) Cheerleader. What Ms. Swift is marketing in her music is love and desire.

Music Marketing is not about how "hot" or "rockin" or 'twangy" your music is. Music Marketing is about getting Fan's to trust the artist. Fan's want to identify with something. Hip-Hop Fan's identify with artists who have 'Swag' a.k.a. confidence. Rock Fan's identify with artists who are not scared to rebel, Country Fan's identify with music that reflects their values.

So, before you launch your next Music Marketing effort, take a moment and think about the emotional qualities of your music. Make sure that you communicate those emotional factors in your publicity efforts. Try to win Fan's emotionally and you'll be more persuasive at selling your music.

How do you feel about this big secret of Music Marketing? Let me know by placing a comment below? Also feel free to subscribe for Music Marketing updates.