Posted: Oct 1, 2018
Category: Merch
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**Guest post written by Ari Herstand, the author of How To Make It in the New Music Business. It originally appeared on Ari's Take.
"When you’re on tour, merch can be your number-one income generator. Believe it. Bands stress over their guarantees, door splits and turnouts. If you want to survive financially with your music, you must understand the importance of merch sales..." View Full Article
Posted: Sep 24, 2018
Category: Licensing
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**Guest post originally featured on Ditto.com.
"Getting your music featured in a TV show, movie or even a video game can not only help your music reach the ears of new fans, but also generate a substantial amount of cash, so it's well worth looking into sync licensing. Before we get into the HOW, let me very quickly explain WHAT music sync licensing is and WHY you need to strongly consider licensing your music for synchronization." View Full Article
Posted: Sep 17, 2018
Category: Fans
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**Guest post written by Ariel Hyatt, originally featured on the Cyber PR Blog.
"...your Ambient Fans. These are the ones who are in your orbit, but they don’t know you really at all. They key is to create reasons for them to know you and to do this you need to have systems and you also need to make the time to convert them." View Full Article
Posted: Sep 11, 2018
Category: Fans
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**Guest post written by Ariel Hyatt, originally featured on the Cyber PR Blog.
"This post focuses on how to energize and connect with Community 2 – Engaged Fans. These fans are your Active Online Audience...They know who you are but they may not know you very well (yet)...In Community 2 contribution is critical but engagement is even more vital." View Full Article
Posted: Sep 4, 2018
Category: Fans
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**Guest post written by Ariel Hyatt, originally featured on the Cyber PR Blog.
"In the desperate desire to try to connect with as many fans as possible artists are forgetting something: not everyone “out there” is the same. Some may be following you simply because they liked your sunglasses or your cat and have no idea you are even a musician, while others are waiting to like and comment on every post. You need to understand the differences and create a separate way of communicating with each community." View Full Article
Posted: 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: Aug 20, 2018
Category: Live Performance
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**Guest post written by Anitra Jay of TheCraftyMusician.com.
"The difference between a really good show and a terrible show is not how good the music was, but how good the connection was between you and your audience...The best way to break the ice and make a connection with your audience is by employing some skillful stage banter..."
View Full ArticlePosted: Aug 13, 2018
Category: Social Media
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**Guest post written by Leonard Patterson, an entrepreneur, certified content marketer, frequent hi-fiver and Founder of IndieBandCoach.com.
"Not only has Facebook been making tons of copyright deals with major and indie labels, but have now announced a new feature called “Lip Sync Live”...Imagine being able to go live at your next gig and record your best covers and not have your video taken down...Finally, right?"
Posted: Aug 6, 2018
Category: Live Performance
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**Guest post written by David Andrew Wiebe, founder & CEO at The Music Entrepreneur HQ.
"One of the things I’ve learned after performing live for seven years is that just about any place of business can be a live venue. It doesn’t have to be a club, a bar, a pub, a lounge or a coffeehouse. It can be a clothing store or an office or a mall. It can even be a house!
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: Jul 23, 2018
Category: Digital vs. Physical
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**Guest post written by Sylvia of Vinyl Price Comparison Search, previously featured on MusicGoat.com.
"Vinyl is back on the (turn)table as a means for new artists to get their musical message out there. And vinyl record shops and online stores are even making a revival. But if you’re an up ‘n comer is it worth putting your needle on the groove, when there are cheaper and easier options at your fingertips? Let’s take a spin around this complex issue…."
Posted: Jul 16, 2018
Category: Touring
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**Guest post written by Andrew Tufano, Nashville based Acoustic Pop Singer-Songwriter.
"In most professions, emotional health is largely neglected. When you’re a touring musician, it can feel taboo to even admit to yourself that you’re lonely or that you need help, nevermind telling others...Here’s some of what I learned about relationships and self-care during my time on the road."
View Full ArticlePosted: Jul 7, 2018
Category: Social Media
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**Guest post written by Ariel Hyatt, originally featured on the Cyber PR Blog.
"Instagram — the most popular visual social platform has experienced a meteoric rise. As of today, there are over 700 million active Instagram users, and 95 million photos shared every day...We hear from artists all of the time that they love Instagram the most because of it’s ease of use."
View Full ArticlePosted: Jul 2, 2018
Category: Online Presence
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**Guest post written by Josh Wardini, Editorial Contributor and Community Manager at websitebuilder.org, originally featured on The Music Entrepreneur HQ.
"Today we’re going to talk about increasing your music website’s conversion rates. And by this, we mean making on-site changes that will give you more results, even if the same number of people visit your site. We’ll also be looking at an example of how conversion rates work, and why increasing them could mean a much more profitable music career for you. So without dragging out the intro, let’s get to the good stuff."
View Full ArticlePosted: Jun 25, 2018
Category: Promotion
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**Guest post originally featured on Ditto.com.
"Musicians often focus on making it onto curated playlists, whether that’s Spotify’s own weekly compilations like New Music Mondays or alternative playlists built by independent users. However, if your aim is to gain more streams, getting on algorithmic playlists like Discover Weekly and Release Radar can be much more effective...Before we delve into Release Radar and Discover Weekly individually, here are a couple of pieces of advice that apply to getting on both of these algorithm-based playlists..." View Full Article
Posted: Jun 18, 2018
Category: Promotion
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**Guest post written by Andrew Jones of Checkered Owl Media.
"Most people have noticed that video is often the most effective way to both spread your message AND create engagement with an audience. People watch more and more video all the time...So, with that in mind, we all need to be considering video content. The big question becomes what kind of video to make? What will actually help you stand out from the millions of other videos being created every week? We can help with that. I divide most business video content into four levels..."
Posted: Jun 11, 2018
Category: Social Media
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**Guest post written by Gavin Whitner, an F1-loving guitarist of an alt-rock band. He’s also a songwriter and composer. In his free time, Gavin blogs about musical instruments and music in general at Music Oomph.
"As a musician, whether you’re a solo artist or in a band, building your fanbase is one of the toughest jobs there is...In today’s world, if you’re looking to build your fanbase to huge numbers, you're going to have to be proactive in your marketing. While performing and selling merch at your gigs is one way of getting your name out there, there is an all-powerful tool that is renowned for being the best way to introduce yourself to new fans − social media."
View Full ArticlePosted: Jun 4, 2018
Category: Touring
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**Guest post written by Andrew Tufano, Nashville based Acoustic Pop Singer-Songwriter.
"Not many musicians return from a tour in better shape than when they left. There’s nothing wrong with putting on a few pounds over a two or three week tour, but if you’re looking to have the energy to tour full time, diligent self-care is the secret. Here are some of my strategies to not completely ravage your body while on the road."
View Full ArticlePosted: May 29, 2018
Category: Music Streaming
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**Guest post written by Cameron of The Singer's Corner, a great place to learn a new approach to singing, receive tips to make you better, or learn ways to be the best of the best.
"In the present context, business sustainability refers to the overall business model and the decisions taken in the realm of financial and social aspects. Building a sustainable business is all about building a business with a long-term perspective in mind...Before we get into the part whether music streaming businesses are sustainable or not, let us briefly know the story of music streaming services..."
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: May 14, 2018
Category: The Musician Business
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**Guest post written by Ellie Batchiyska, a writer for SoundStageDirect, the number one online source for the best vinyl records and turntables.
"The final step in your self-promotion efforts, however, should be none other than creating an EP...Having an EP is great for giving people a taste of your musical sound and style. Think of it as your curriculum vitae, a summary of your most impressive and promising work."
View Full ArticlePosted: May 7, 2018
Category: The Musician Business
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**Guest post written by Rachel M., originally featured on Push Power Promo's Blog.
"Do you want to make a good impression on your fans and for other people in the music industry?...If so, there are plenty of ways to make this happen...Below are a few ways to boost your brand and show people that you're the real deal."
View Full ArticlePosted: Apr 30, 2018
Category: Online Presence
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**Guest post written by Melanie of Bandzoogle.com.
"It’s no secret that in order to appear professional, your own website with your own .com address is essential. So what ingredients make for a great musician website exactly? You’ve got the music of course, some images, videos, and show dates. Pulling together content is an easy first step. The part where many musicians get stalled is with the website’s design..."
Posted: Apr 23, 2018
Category: Marketing
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**Guest post written by Jordan Gates, of Megaphone Agency.
"A huge component of being successful in the music industry has to do with how you market yourself...Creating a powerful brand will help you achieve [lifelong fans]. Your band is the music making machine that will enable your career, and your brand is the face of your music that people will learn to know and love."
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."