IOTM Blog
Posted: Jul 25, 2022
Category: Live Performance
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**Guest post written by Scott Aumann, originally featured on The Legit Musician blog.
"Every musician should get into a habit of practicing and rehearsing. Some people think these are two words for the same thing. Practice and rehearsal are not the same things. You need to know the difference so you can do both properly."
View Full ArticlePosted: Apr 26, 2022
Category: Live Performance
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**Guest post written by Scott Aumann, originally featured on The Legit Musician blog.
"I have played many live shows where I have seen bands do some unprofessional things. A lot of these things are simple things that can be fixed. Most of them will improve your overall image as a professional musician. Some of them will improve your relationships with other bands as well. Here are 10 things you need to stop doing on stage immediately."
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: Oct 26, 2020
Category: The Musician Business
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**Guest post written by Scott Aumann, originally featured on The Legit Musician blog.
"Have you wondered how some bands get such engaged fans? It is because their fans feel like part of that band’s world. That band did one thing that you might not be doing. They made their message about the fans and not the band. People follow and buy from people or brands they like. So let’s make sure your message is likable..."
View Full ArticlePosted: Sep 14, 2020
Category: The Musician Business
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**Guest post written by Scott Aumann, originally featured on The Legit Musician blog.
"Let’s face it, we all want to have a professional studio in our backyard filled with all the best gear. This is not possible for even the most successful musicians out there. For the indie musician, this dream is even farther off than we can imagine. That shouldn’t stop you from creating music, however. You need to think of ways to use the stuff you already have around you to create the music you love."
View Full ArticlePosted: Mar 30, 2020
Category: Live Performance
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**Guest post written by Scott Aumann, originally featured on The Legit Musician blog.
"I wanted to come up with a few ideas for you if you are dealing with lost revenue from a gig being cancelled. I also wanted to make this post more universal than just for this latest pandemic. My hope is that you can use these ideas for a cancelled gig under any circumstances."
View Full ArticlePosted: Jan 21, 2020
Category: Show Booking
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**Guest post written by Tom Jordan, originally featured on The Legit Musician blog.
"You can make [booking shows] easier on yourself by using some effective strategies that help me book 200 shows a year. I pay my bills exclusively with music, and I’ll tell you how...If you’re prepared up front, you’ll avoid a lot of frustration. Preparation is important and makes a HUGE difference in outcomes."
View Full ArticlePosted: Dec 16, 2019
Category: The Musician Business
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**Guest post written by Scott Aumann, originally featured on The Legit Musician blog.
"Most successful musicians...had a goal and did what they needed to do in order to achieve it. Lots of talented people give up too soon...Nothing comes easy and it usually takes many years to get to a point where you become successful. Remember, persistence wins the game."
View Full ArticlePosted: Nov 18, 2019
Category: Fundraising
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**Guest post written by Tom Jordan, originally featured on The Legit Musician blog.
"Unfortunately, many bands often shy away from sites like gofundme and Kickstarter, because of the way they’ve been misused by others. Many artists fear that they’ll look like beggars or scam artists, taking advantage of people. How does one ask people for money without sounding like a huge dick?"
View Full ArticlePosted: Jun 17, 2019
Category: Social Media
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**Guest post written by Scott Aumann, originally featured on The Legit Musician blog.
"The main graphics banners on social media is one thing that we need to get correct to make a big impact [on social media]. The only problem is that each platform has their own way of displaying these graphics...Let’s start with sizes for each platform."
View Full ArticlePosted: Mar 4, 2019
Category: Performance Rights Organizations
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**Guest post written by Scott Aumann, originally featured on The Legit Musician blog.
"I am always surprised at how many musicians I talk with that really have no idea what a Performance Rights Organization is, or what it does for artists. I’m not just talking about indie musicians either. Some well-known national acts are in the same boat and could learn some things from this post. Let me explain how you can become a pro by joining a P.R.O."
View Full ArticlePosted: Jan 14, 2019
Category: Music Streaming
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**Guest post written by Scott Aumann, originally featured on The Legit Musician blog.
"As an indie musician, I love Spotify even more [than as a listener/fan]. I can release music on a platform where millions of music lovers are. I recently dove into all the things we can do with Spotify as an indie musician. Now, I will show you how to get the most out of Spotify."
View Full ArticlePosted: Oct 15, 2018
Category: Delegate Responsibilities
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**Guest post written by Scott Aumann, originally featured on The Legit Musician blog.
"Nobody ever has enough time to do everything they want to do. That’s a fact! Most of us want to do more, but can’t seem to find enough hours in a day to do it. That’s why we all need to focus on the really important stuff and just do those items. Get other people to do the dirty work for you!"
View Full ArticlePosted: Aug 27, 2018
Category: Fans
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**Guest post written by Scott Aumann, originally featured on The Legit Musician blog.
"One of the biggest pitfalls we fall into as musicians is trying to sell to everybody. We think if our music is really good then everybody will like it...Once you know who really likes your music then you can market yourself more effectively. So stop selling to everybody, and start selling to your DREAM FAN."
Posted: May 21, 2018
Category: Licensing
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**Guest post written by Scott Aumann, originally featured on The Legit Musician blog.
"If you are trying to license your music then you really need to think about alternative versions. Especially, instrumental versions of your songs."
Posted: Apr 16, 2018
Category: The Musician Business
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**Guest post written by Scott Aumann, originally featured on The Legit Musician blog.
"Most people don’t even carry cash and never use checks for anything. Your band, which is your small business, needs to change with the times and accept credit cards. Don’t worry, it is very simple to do."
Posted: Jan 29, 2018
Category: Marketing
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**Guest post written by Scott Aumann, originally featured on The Legit Musician blog.
"Find out what your fans want by asking them. I learned this little tip by following online guru Michael Hyatt. He does a reader survey every year, and he learns how to run his business from the results. Don’t be afraid to ask your fans what they want. Most of the time, they will be excited to share this info with you. It will make them feel more connected to you as well."
Posted: Oct 30, 2017
Category: The Musician Business
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**Guest post written by Scott Aumann, originally featured on The Legit Musician blog.
"Most musicians sink a lot of money into their gear. This is how they make a living! Sometimes, it took years and years to acquire this gear. Don’t let one horrible event wipe you out. I’ve seen too many stories about how a band had to call it quits because their gear was stolen, or damaged. They couldn’t continue to make a living, so they gave up their dreams to get regular jobs to pay the bills. If this sounds like you, then you need INSURANCE." View Full Article
Posted: Sep 25, 2017
Category: Tips & Tricks
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**Guest post written by Scott Aumann, originally featured on The Legit Musician blog.
"We all have seen people come up with life hacks and thought “why didn’t I think of that?” Well, here are some travel hacks tailored to bands on the road..." View Full Article
Posted: Aug 28, 2017
Category: Live Performance
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**Guest post written by Scott Aumann, originally featured on The Legit Musician blog.
"One of the best things to do in order to improve your live performance is to record your shows. You can record audio only, or record video. Either way, make it a point to review your recordings and critique yourself. Don't be too critical, but be honest with yourself. This is a great way to find what works, and what doesn't work." View Full Article