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Yes, MySpace is dead for musicians.
I've got more thoughts here...
Plus, I'm going to show you what the next big trend for musicians is and get you step-by-step info on how you can take advantage of it...if that's what you want.
This isn't for everybody. Those who want to dominate the "next big thing" though have a REAL opportunity.
Had you done that with MySpace, you'd have a record deal right now.
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Got another great comment about my Top 10 Ways to Get More Money from a Gig post, which I feel will help you guys. It's a great way to make more money and also get take advantage of free nights, which often don't have a lot of competition.
This one came via email, so I'm posting it here...
One thing you might add is that a performer or band can find a venue that has a dead night, like a Monday or Tuesday, and offer to play for the door and 10 to 20 points at the bar. I've gotten 15 points of a bar plus the door.I got this tip from Flamin Harry, who said that no one would book him and his original band in the late 70s and early 80's, so he went to a corner bar and drank and drank and noticed that only 1 other person was there, the bartender.It's a good tip and I've made at least $2000 from it.
It's a great tip! And thanks to Ian Bruce for sending it in!
Thoughts? Post 'em below...
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This thread contains a list of musicians, songwriters, bands, and other music industry people who are using Twitter. People like me, David Hooper.
If you're on Twitter, leave a comment with your URL in the body of the message to be added.
And while you're here, make sure you read Twitter - How Musicians Can Use it to Get More People to Gigs.
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Another comment to my Top 10 Ways to Get More Money from a Gig post...
"Do you think musicians (especially touring acts) should adjust their asking price due to the huge increase in gas prices?"
My response...
Everybody else is. UPS has an extra charge for every package they deliver. USPS just increased postage rates. American Airlines now charges $15 for the first piece of checked baggage and $25 for each additional piece of checked baggage. I could go on and on...
Chances are that other bands on the road are increasing prices, so you probably wouldn't be the first to do it. But even if you were, it's still the perfect excuse for a price increase. You've got a "reason why" which almost everybody can relate to.
But, like a duet with Justin Timberlake, just because everybody else is doing it and you could probably get away with it, doesn't mean you should.
I believe is doing anything that you can do separate yourself from the next guy. The fact that club owners are now paying more for talent (and probably other things, such as beer and food) will help you stand out when you approach them with a "fuel prices are going up, but we've decided to keep our prices the same as last year" pitch.
People like bargains and you'll be giving one without making yourself come off as cheap. You'll also be doing the guy a solid, which will likely come back to help you in the future, when you need him to come through for you.
With that said, if you're playing a new place, go ahead and raise your prices a bit. You should always be in the process of raising your prices!
But now is a better time than most. Why? Everybody else is raising prices, so it's likely that you'll still come off like a bargain. Don't mention a "fuel surcharge" though. Club bookers feel the same way about it as you do-- they hate to have somebody "nickel and dime" them. Just because you can get away with it, doesn't mean you can forget good marketing and the fact that the guy needs to feel like he's getting his money's worth.
And speaking of good marketing... The "fuel surcharge" (or in your case, lack thereof) is something you might want to mention in negotiation. And on the invoice, cross out the price and note it as "FREE." Like I said, you want the guy to feel like he's getting a bargain, even if he's paying you just as much because you raised your talent fee.
Thoughts? Please hit the "comments" link and and share them with other MusicMarketing.com readers.
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You'd probably get a lot of people passing it around...
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Got this comment to my Top 10 Ways to Get More Money from a Gig post...
"I don't like a tip jar. It feels like begging. Although I am a broke-ass musician, it hasn't come to that quite yet."
My response...
First of all, if you don't feel comfortable with a tip jar, that's ok. This technique isn't for everybody. But I've dealt with many people who once felt like you do and changed their minds to find the tip jar a very good income stream.
My very first "real" job, when I was 15, was scooping ice cream at a Baskin-Robbins. Every other store in the city had a tip jar. The store I worked in didn't.
I asked my boss for the reason why. She said she didn't feel customers would be comfortable with it.
That's a pretty good reason not to do something, but where she got that perception, I'm not sure. Like I said, every other store in the city had a tip jar and none of the customers seemed to care. And the employees, who were the beneficiaries of the extra money, loved it.
Maybe her customers were different. But I doubt she asked them to find out. And by not doing that to at least find out, she lost good employees who could make more money by doing the exact same work elsewhere.
My point is this... Don't let your perception of a tip jar and what it stands for keep you from trying it out. The only opinion which really matters here is that of the customer...and believe it or not, some people like giving tips. In fact, we live in a culture where it's expected.
When I get a smoothie, I tip the guy who made it. When I get my hair cut, I tip the stylist. When I get a massage, I tip the therapist.
And I think nothing more of it...
There are certainly venues where tip jars work better than others. But you're probably playing one. Most venues have a coat check or, at the very least, a bar with a tip jar (or similar setup). If you're a Christian band playing a church, you're in a building that is funded by tips. And the list goes on and on... Coffee houses, restaurants, etc...
A lot of acts write off the tip jar, but this isn't just chump change we're talking about. I've worked with acts which make over $100,000/year in tips...or "love offerings" as the Christians call them. There is money to be made.
So I encourage you to give the tip jar a shot. If it doesn't work, that's cool, but at least you'll know. And it it does work, you may just have a really great income stream to help you continue on your musical path.
A final though...
I've seen "virtual tip jars" on sites for the last few years, but never considered one. Why? Like you, I think they're cheap. But I'm not the one reading this blog...you are.
So, in the interest of finding out an answer to your question, I'm adding my own "tip jar" to this post. If you like MusicMarketing.com and have gotten something out of it, please leave a donation. All the money will go to help fellow entrepreneurs via Kiva.org.
Think it's tacky? That's cool.
Either way, I'd love to have you have thoughts on this issue. Please post them in the comment section below.
NOTE: I'll post the results next week, so subscribe to the feed to keep updated on how this goes.
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You are an artist, it's true. But just because you’re an artist doesn’t mean you don’t need to get paid. Money makes a lot of things possible, including time in a recording studio, new and better instruments, and paying your rent so you don’t have to live in a cardboard box and burn your guitar for warmth. There’s nothing wrong with making money from your shows, and if you’re smart you’ll try to optimize that earning power. You don’t have to be a marketing genius or a public relations guru—just think outside the box and make the most of what you already have going for you.
1. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you’re worth.
Just because you want the gig doesn’t mean you have to beg for it. If you’ve got experience performing, and you regularly draw a crowd, your venue stands to benefit as much—if not more—than you do from the show. So don’t let them tell you that you’re not worth paying as much as a “bigger name”. It is also a good idea to go in and tell them exactly what you’re doing to generate a buzz about the show. If they can see that you’re working to get a crowd in, they’ll be a lot more willing to pay you a good rate.
2. Don’t run up a huge bar tab.
Take a lesson from the Blues Brothers. If you’re buying your own drinks at the show, it’s going to eat in to your bottom line. You don’t want to end up owing them money for playing a show. A couple beers to keep you loose isn’t a big deal, but when you start buying round after round of top shelf drinks you’re going to rack up quite a bill. Not to mention that it’s going to affect your performance. You might not think it’s a problem…but then, neither does Amy Winehouse. Stay on top of your game while you’re on stage. There’s plenty of time to party after the show.
3. Sell T-shirts, bumper stickers and CDs at the show.
A small investment in your own marketing merchandise can help generate income. Make sure whatever you’re selling is cool in design and functionality. You can’t go wrong with T-shirts, as long as they don’t look cheesy. Don’t try to sell them for $40 each. You’re not Pink Floyd (yet). The kids that are going to your show aren’t loaded, but they’ll gladly buy and wear your shirt around if it’s affordable and looks good. That’s free advertising. Stickers and other inexpensive items can also bring in some extra money. Remember, you’re not trying to get rich off this stuff—just clear a little profit and get your name out there.
4. The Tip Jar
It never hurts to set it out there. And even if you only get a few bucks, it’s a few bucks more than you had before. Make sure that you sincerely thank the audience for their tips before you close the show.
5. Generate a buzz to ensure a big crowd.
If you’re getting part of the cover, you want to do everything in your power to get people in the door. That means going out and hitting the streets for weeks before the show, printing flyers and cards, asking friends and family to spread the word, and using your contacts to get people to the show. Even if there’s no cover, the more people at your show, the more opportunity you have to sell your CD’s and T-shirts and get tips. Don’t leave it to chance—work hard to get people to the show and it’ll pay off in more ways than one.
6. Make sure your venue will attract people who will like your music.
If you’re an acoustic singer/songwriter, don’t try to play at a club that is known for head banging. It sounds simple enough, but there’s something to be said for playing up to the regulars that are used to going to the venue where you’re playing. Go to a few shows at the same venue beforehand and hang out. See who’s there and talk to some people about your upcoming show. People that are already at the venue are more likely to come back than people who’ve never been there before—even if they know who you are.
7. Look for different types of venues—not just the same old bar scene.
There are lots of places you can play to earn a few bucks. Big corporations often throw parties a couple times a year to celebrate holidays or sales performance. Schools have festivals and events. There are endless places where you can attract a crowd and sell your CD’s. Think outside the box!
8. Make sure you have a website and blog—and a mailing list to remind people where they can see you!
This is such an important piece of getting recognition and money. Make sure people know how to find you online. Every piece of advertising or marketing you do should have your website address on it. Keep your site updated regularly and post information about upcoming shows. When your shows are over be sure to immediately post pictures and videos. Respond to inquiries from fans, prospective venues, and press. You can also sell MP3’s of your songs or the entire CD on your website to generate income. There are literally endless possibilities, and with today’s web tools, it is easier and easier for anyone to create and manage their own website. Most importantly, once you’re on the web, people from all over the world can find you and hear your music. Think big, and make yourself available to an unlimited fan base.
9. Treat your booking professionally.
Make sure you keep track of phone numbers, dates, and venue contacts. This is going to ensure repeat bookings. Until you make it big and have yourself a real business manager, you’re going to have to keep things organized. Some people are naturally good at this, and some people, well…aren’t. Bare minimum, get a big calendar and scribble phone numbers and important dates and times on it to keep track. The more you treat your band like a business, the more money you’re going to make.
10. Stick around after the show and work the room.
Don’t just pack your stuff and high tail it out of the club when you’re done playing. Unless it’s closing time, spend a while chilling out with the crowd and talking to people. When you’ve finished your show, you’ve got a little bit of ‘star quality’ that comes from having been the center of attention for the duration of the show. When you take the time to walk around and thank people for coming, introduce yourself to people and tell them your CD is for sale, or hand them your card with your website on it, you are doing yourself an invaluable service. Try this for three shows in a row, and I guarantee you’re going to see huge results.
Like this list? A new one is published every few days. See previous articles in this series and make sure you subscribe to the feed to get more.
Have a comment? Please post it here.
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Yesterday, I had a good conversation with Bob Baker, author of the Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook, about his upcoming event in St. Louis, Indie Buzz Bootcamp.
Decided to tape the call... You can download the recording, if you're interested.
Now, if you'll allow me to put on my Dr. Phil mustache for a bit...
If you can't make Indie Buzz Bootcamp, or you're broke and don't feel like you can afford it, don't listen. You'll only be pissed at yourself when you find out what you'll be missing.
Of course, I suppose you could cancel your plans, charge it on a credit card, or get another job and make the extra money you'll need to attend... That's what somebody who is really serious about a career in the music business would do.
Yes, it will be short term pain, but the long term results will be worth it.
It's much like learning how to play your instrument... Not always fun to practice, but that works pays off when you're performing and are able to put on a good show.
Same is true for the business end of your music. Learn this stuff about marketing and how to sell yourself and you'll make more money.
Worth it? Hell yes, it's worth it.
Do what you need to do to attend. Make the sacrifice. That's what I would suggest, because all the big players from the independent music scene are going to be there and this is your chance to get face time with them. Plus, you'll get to find out what really works when it comes to making money as an independent musician as well as connect with others who are as serious about this as you are.
Derek Sivers from CD Baby will be there. We're talking the man behind a company which sells millions of dollars worth of music each year. He knows what gets people to buy and he's going to share that with you at this event. If you missed it, check out this recording of Derek for some great music business advice.
Tom Jackson will be there. You may not know the name, but you know the bands he's worked with and, once you see him in action, you'll never look at live shows the same way again. This guy is the man when it comes to making your stage show major label ready.
For a full explanation of who Tom is and what he can do for you, check out this interview I did with him...
I could give you a thousand reasons about how great this event is going to be and why you need to be there. Bottom line though is that you really need to go to St. Louis and experience it for yourself.
Bob is so confident in this thing that he has a 100% moneyback guarantee. At the end of the event, if you feel it wasn't worth your investment, just let him know and he'll give you 100% your money back, with no hard feelings.
But trust me...you're going to feel it's worth it because it will be worth it. I've been to Bob's events and they're worth 100x what he asks for.
So do what it takes to get yourself to St. Louis next month.
A final word... There is limited room at this thing and bands are signing up 3-4 people at a time. If you want to go, you need to make the decision now. It's going to sell out regardless, so it doesn't make a difference to Bob whether you personally go or not, but it will make a huge difference to you, the income you make, and your life in general. Don't kick yourself later because you missed out.
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Daryl Hall is 1/2 of the best selling pop duo of all time, but he's also had a great run as a solo artist as well as a songwriter.
What's the secret to his longevity? In my opinion, it's that he lays the foundation with a great, well-written song, but has the flexibility to follow musical and trends without completely selling out.
His new project, Live from Daryl's House, is a great example of this. The site has a different live show every month, each with different guest musicians who help bring a new twist to old classics. If you go there now, you'll see a stripped down version of this song from 1986...
Yes, it has all the trends you'd expect from 1986-- the long hair, the hexagon drums, the neon... But it doesn't feel like an act.
Compare it with the current version on his site... Acoustic guitars, a set that looks like a barn, denim and cowboy hats...
Totally different from the original, but it doesn't feel like an act either.
If you've got a foundation like he has with this kind of flexibility, you'll have a long career.
Do you know of any other artists with a similar ability? Post them here.
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Twitter is a social networking application that lets people "follow" you on daily activities via RSS feed, mobile phone text messages, instant messenger, or web.
For an example of how it works, check out my page. And if you want, feel free to "follow" me.
Most of the time, it gets really annoying when people post a message about every part of their day and exactly what they're doing...eating cereal, walking up a flight of stairs, getting a bikini wax, etc.
ZZZZZzzzzz... Nobody cares!
But, with that said, Twitter is still a great way to reach out to people. And since the messages are sent via mobile phone and you can reach people when they're out doing things, it's a great way to reach people about live events.
My idea...
Set up an account on Twitter for each city that you play. For example, if your band is called Band XYZ, and you play Nashville, Memphis, and Atlanta, I'd set up three accounts:
1. BandXYZ-Nashville
2. BandXYZ-Memphis
3. BandXYZ-Atlanta
Then, when you have a gig in Nashville, you can send a message to "BandXYZ-Nashville" and let everybody know.
Have you gotten my new audio book about networking? In it, I talk about the importance of building rapport and how "multiple touches" can help to speed that up, even if it's something quick, such as a message on Twitter.
By the way, if you haven't gotten this audio book, you can download it free with the form on the righthand column of this site. :)
Back to Twitter, rapport, and promoting local shows...
Just booked a show in Nashville? Let "BandXYZ-Nashville" know about it.
Playing tonight in Memphis? Send "BandXYZ-Memphis" a reminder, a few hours before the show.
Did you record the show you did in Atlanta last night? Let "BandXYZ-Atlanta" know they can download it on your website. Have some photos of the show posted? Let them know that too.
As you can see, it's easy to reach out to people, multiple times, with content which is relevant to them. As people who "follow" you can see other people on the follow list, Twitter is also a great place for fans to connect with other fans.
Interested in more ways to use Twitter? Check out my Twitter page and "follow" me. When I come up with new ways to use it, you'll be the first to know.
NOTE: Don't give up on your email list and also your postal mail list. Not everybody uses Twitter and you want to reach out to as many people as possible. And while I'm on the subject of "old school" ways to connect with folks, if you really keep up to date on all the latest music marketing stuff, make sure you subscribe to the feed.
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