IOTM Blog
Posted: Sep 20, 2023
Category: Live Performance
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**Guest post written by Adam Percy of Bandzoogle.
"No matter your genre or style, if you’re a musician, chances are you’ll be looking at playing shows on a tour. For a lot of musicians, crossing the country and playing in other parts of the world is the dream - and it can be a huge component for your success as you reach outside of your core local fans...One of the best ways to set up a tour and hit the road effectively is to network and plan gig swaps. It’s a helpful way to find suitable venues as well as broaden your audience reach. Here we’ll look at figuring out if gig swapping is a good fit for your band, and how to get started with it."
View Full ArticlePosted: Nov 8, 2022
Category: Tips & Tricks
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**Guest post written by Don East of Killer Rig Music in the USA.
"No one ever plans on their instrument being damaged or stolen, but the unfortunate truth is that accidents happen all the time. That's why it's important to have insurance for your musical instruments. This way, you can rest easy knowing that they are protected in case of an emergency. In this article, we will discuss the importance of musical instrument insurance, and touch on some of the policies to consider."
View Full ArticlePosted: May 31, 2022
Category: The Musician Business
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**Guest post written by Greg Majewski, originally featured in CD Baby's DIY Musician blog.
"Unless you’re a true social butterfly, networking with promoters, bookers, members of the press and other pros in your scene is probably the most difficult part of being an indie musician. And that was before the pandemic caused worldwide anxiety about interacting with other humans. The past two years have impacted our industry in ways we’re still comprehending. We’re here to help you emerge from pandemic hibernation and get your networking back on track. Here are nine tips to connect with your peers in the music biz..."
View Full ArticlePosted: Mar 7, 2022
Category: Tips & Tricks
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**Guest post written by James Peters of Musical Instrument Insurance in Ireland, originally featured on The Legit Musician blog.
"Commercial air travel can be a stressful affair on a normal trip — and that counts double when you’re bringing along your musical instrument. Between airline rules and regulations, necessary equipment, and accessories, it can seem like an overwhelming ordeal. The good news is there is a way to travel with your beloved instrument without undue anxiety. So, in order to get from point A to point B with your instrument in one piece, follow these simple tips for a smooth and painless travel experience."
View Full ArticlePosted: Jan 31, 2022
Category: The Musician Business
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**Guest post by Eric Todd of YFM, The Big Break Solution.
"Once upon a time, back in the 80’s the world was chock full of record labels, both major and indie, limited to a single one-way street to success. It wasn’t good, it wasn’t bad, it just was what it was...No one could imagine that we’d be living in the Bizarro World in 2022 (on so many levels), where the exact opposite is true. Today, only a few big labels exist, but there is now a multi-lane superhighway to find success, by whatever success means to the artist. It’s not good, it’s not bad, it just is what it is."
View Full ArticlePosted: Jul 12, 2021
Category: Live Performance
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**Guest post written by Melanie Kealey for Bandzoogle.
"As restrictions are starting to ease in some parts of the world, we thought it would be beneficial to have a conversation with Kyle Weber (founder of live show & tour booking platform Indie on the Move) and Kristen Ford (singer-songwriter and touring artist) to gain some perspective on how artists are going about booking or re-booking tours..."
View Full ArticlePosted: Apr 26, 2021
Category: Touring
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**Guest post written by Patrick McGuire for Bandzoogle.
"...responsible budgeting is just as important here as it is in any other facet of life. If you’re just starting out booking shows on the road, or if you’ve had bad experiences that have cost you gobs of money in the past, here are four considerations to make so that you can safely avoid going broke on your next tour."
View Full ArticlePosted: Jun 15, 2020
Category: Live Performance
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**Guest post by Kristen Ford, Nashville based indie rock act with a passion for music business and a book on DIY touring in the works, featuring members of the health, scientific and musical communities of Nashville.
Until we have a vaccine, have increased testing capacity and learn more about antibody testing and if having the Coronavirus antibodies in your system means you cannot contract the Covid-19, we must move forward in a "new normal" environment...
View Full ArticlePosted: May 11, 2020
Category: Live Performance
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**Guest post written by Gideon Waxman, a London based drummer & music educator.
"...it [performing live] can be stressful if you are not adequately prepared and if your musical equipment isn’t in top condition...your mindset can also be holding you back from reaching your full enjoyment...Whether you are playing at a local open mic night, or if you’re performing a theatre to a thousand people, we’ve got you covered with these top tips to help prepare you for successful and enjoyable live performances."
View Full ArticlePosted: Aug 26, 2019
Category: Promotion
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**Guest post written by Mark Smith, owner of Musical Instru.
"Let’s face it - a promo photo is an extremely powerful part of music, with its ability to catch the attention of fans, bookers, music journalists, and the industry in general. However, while the capabilities of a promo photo can’t be overstated, it all depends on the amount of care you exert into its production. To be honest, your promo photo is just as capable of effectively telling your story as your music, but that’s only if you get it right..."
View Full ArticlePosted: Feb 4, 2019
Category: Touring
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**Guest post written by Brandon Stoner of Thieves & Lovers.
"Winter is in full swing and it’s been a particularly brutal one due to the polar vortex that swept across the United States this past week...I wanted to write an article with some tips for touring during winter, as I’ve done so numerous times both as a performer and as a part of a tour crew and wanted to share some of the things I’ve learned along the way."
Posted: Jul 30, 2018
Category: Promotion
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**Guest post originally featured on Ditto.com.
"Whether it’s with a major media publication or a local music blogger, interviews offer a great avenue for publicity. Nevertheless, they can be a daunting experience for anyone new to the publicity circuit. If you’re worried about an upcoming interview, here’s some advice to help ease the jitters." View Full Article
Posted: Feb 12, 2018
Category: Live Performance
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**Guest post written by Roz Bruce of Zing Instruments.
"So, you've been rehearsing with your band mates for several weeks now, you have a set together and are finally feeling ready to start gigging. But what can you do to make sure everything runs smoothly? As someone with 10 years of gigging experience, I would like to share some first gig: dos and don'ts with you, to ensure that your first gig is memorable for the right reasons!..."