As always keep sending in examples of people doing cool stuff with music videos...
Had the hiccups last night. Looked up "hiccup cure" and this video popped up...
Sure, it was a bit weird taking advice from this lady, but I was in need and had nothing to lose...except maybe a little dignity.
Well, it worked. No more hiccups.
What will work even better is the marketing idea behind this. Giving people a simple solution to a common problem is gold when it comes to getting traffic online.
If you've got a fun personality, such as the woman in the video above, definitely think about doing some videos like this.
This video by Tanya Davis is a great example of what can be done with video, even if you don't have a huge budget...
Thanks to Tricia Mitchell for the link.
This is going to sound a bit strange, but I have had a lot of music business executives come on my radio show and tell me that radio is dying...at least when it comes to music.
Found an interesting video clip from 1982, which talks about the subject...
Of course, the focus above is the switch from AM radio to FM. However, I'd argue that we're seeing the exact same thing happen right now, with a switch from broadcast to other radio distribution methods, such as satellite, cable, and Internet.
Options are always a good thing when they're yours, and it's great to have various distribution methods for a medium such as radio. The problem is that there are only so many people who actually like radio and, when you have thousands of choices to listen to, the audience is split thousands of ways. That wasn't the case when broadcast radio was all we had, and our choices were limited to whatever was on an AM or FM dial.
Check out the video at 3:40, where WABC's Ron Lundy says, "I don't think there will ever be another radio station that will ever come close to being as big as we were."
True. And the issue isn't just the new options on broadcast radio. Those 6,000,000 listeners are split between online stations, satellite, mp3 players, and who knows what else...
That's not saying that broadcast radio is totally gone. It's the only format that is in the hands of almost everybody. Even the poorest of people in this country can afford a $10 radio. And even somebody who is afraid of new technology can figure out how to turn it on. You plug it in, you get music...or talk, or sports, or whatever. There is something to be said for the simplicity.
Because of how little it costs to receive and its ease of use, until something can compete on these issues, broadcast radio is here to stay and has the largest audience of any radio delivery system right now.
Here's the problem...
As was mentioned in the video, many broadcast stations are going to a talk format, or sports, or "syndicated formats" which broadcast the same "station" in multiple markets and don't play any new music. And most of the stations which do play music have a small playlist, often times based on programming consultants who are concerned with how they can increase ad revenue more than being a benefit to local community or upcoming musicians.
And even if you can get on a broadcast station, the number of listeners are down. If it worth all the trouble you have to go through?
The good news...
You have more options for your music than ever. Radio isn't the only way to get the word out about what you're doing. In fact, there are options available to you, the independent musician, songwriter, or band, that actually give you more publicity (and royalties) than broadcast radio.
Yes, I'm talking about licensing your music to:
While the audience for broadcast radio has been shrinking, the audience for these things has been growing. In fact, by 2011, the video game industry will be larger than the music industry.
I can help you to get your music licensed in film, television, and video games. In fact, I can help you make a lot of money doing it.
I just released a video course which explains the opportunity you have right now and how you can cash in big time. If you want it, input your name and primary email address below and I'll send it to you free, as my thanks for reading this blog.
Also, please take a moment to subscribe to my feed. It's free and this will make sure you're instantly updated when I post a new video or other information on licensing music here.
Sign up for my free course on music licensing below. Not only will you get my free videos that explain how you can make big money licensing your music, you'll also get bonus information, such as the direct contact information for music supervisors that I can't post here.
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If you've been following me for a while, you've probably read my book, "How I Make $100,000/year in the Music Business (Without a Record Label, Manager, or Booking Agent)." If not, I suggest trying to find a copy. It's out of print, but the methods still work and there are usually used copies available on Amazon.
When I was actively promoting this book, people would always ask me about the title. The "$100,000year" was very enticing...
The title had nothing to do with me though. It was about my co-author and the money he was making as a working musician.
But there is more to the story...
Although I'm known as a marketing guy, I'm also a musician. I'm not talking about playing a few chords on guitar either. I've played since I was a kid, I studied music in college, and my degree is in music. I was once a working musician and I still have a publishing company.
I'm just like you. I know what it's like to want my music heard. I know what it's like to want respect as a musician.
So why are you just now finding this out? Because marketing is my real strength.
I started my own direct mail business when I was a teenager. When I was in college, the volume of mail I received was so great that I had to work out a special deal with the campus postal service, who refused to deliver the buckets of mail I'd receive to my dorm, since I was running a business via my campus address, and would make me come pick everything up at the main post office.
Marketing is what I was born to do...not music. But coming from the musician culture, I wanted to stick around. I didn't want anybody thinking I was a failed musician trying to make money on others in the business though.
Being a marketing guy, I branched out to various things... Most of you know about my syndicated radio show, books like the one mentioned above, and my live "bootcamp" events to help musicians sell more music and get more people to their shows.
But what you might not know is that I make a ton of money via licensing.
Music licensing is the licensed use of copyrighted music. This allows companies such as those in the film/TV and video game industries to use your music in exchange for money, a licensing fee.
There is big money to be made in music licensing. Big money. It's not uncommon for independent artists and songwriters to get five-figures at a time. But it can be a lot more than five-figures...
The Rolling Stones song ''(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction'' can be heard on a TV commercial for Snickers, played by studio musicians. The candy bar has used the slogan ''Snickers Satisfies'' for years and wanted to use ''Satisfaction'' in a big way.
How big? Music publisher ABKCO, which owns the rights, received $4,000,000.00, of which songwriters Mick Jagger and Keith Richards got $2,800,000.00.
Not a bad day's work.
Will you make that kind of money via licensing? I doubt it. But as I mentioned earlier, it's not uncommon for indie musicians and songwriters to pull in five-figures at a time...and that's not bad. ;)
Ask yourself...
Again, this stuff isn't uncommon. You can do this. I know because I've done it...and continue to do it.
Your time to make this happen is now.
The opportunity to license your music to film and television companies had never been better. The time to license your music to advertising companies has never been better. And the video game industry brings in $18 BILLION per year. How much of that goes to licensing music? Plenty.
I'm going to show you how to do this...free.
Over the new few weeks, I'll be posting a series of videos, audios, and other information on how you can make a killing with music licensing. Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to ask questions and even email me directly.
By the time we're done, you'll have everything you need to know. :)
Again, this is free...a gift from me to you.
To get started, I need you to do two things:
1. Subscribe to my feed. It's free and this will make sure you're instantly updated when I post a new video or other information on licensing music.
2. Sign up for email updates. Not everything will be posted here.
Why? First of all, I want to keep this information exclusive to the people who really want it.
And secondly, I've got some contact info for you, which will put you directly in touch with people who are looking for new music. Can't post that on a public website. :)
Input your name and primary email address below. That way you'll be sure to stay on top of everything I release.
NOTE: You can unsubscribe from this list at any time, with a simple click. :)
That's it! Looking forward to talking more with you about getting your music licensed to film, television, and video games soon!
After a hundred years and $10,000,000,000 of studio time, Guns N' Roses is finally releasing a new song, Shackler's Revenge.
More interesting to me is the fact that they're doing it via the Rock Band 2 video game.
May be a good idea. I don't know. I question whether anybody under 35 knows who this band is.
Does that matter? Games like Rock Band and Guitar Hero are certainly exposing a new generation to "old generation" music. Maybe Guns N' Roses will have some luck with a younger crowd...
"Will it Blend?" is a video series developed by a blender company, where various things are blended to show how powerful the blender is. Things like...
There are dozens of videos in the series, most of them dealing with very timely topics. Such as this one...
Who would have thought blenders could be so exciting?
This series works for a number of reasons, but one of the big ones is that it deals with stuff which is hot now. They recently did one on US politics. A few months ago, they were talking about the iPhone. Halo 3 was hot. Harry Potter was hot. When "Will it Blend?" deals with these topics, it captures momentum which is already there.
My question for you...
How are you using current events in your marketing? Post responses below.
Always looking for cool use of video, especially when it's low budget. And here one is...
Just when you thought everything had been done, California-based Cursive Memory has done something different. One of the more creative things I've seen lately, plus a great use of teasers to get people waiting for the big launch.
The concept...
Here is another teaser...
And the final product...
Uncensored Interview is a site dedicated to giving independent musicians and their fans a voice through an interactive interface. Via streaming video, Uncensored Interview showcases interviews with indie bands across all genres.
"The truth is, indie music fans just don't have outlets like TV and radio to access the indie musician world," said Marisa Bangash, founder of Uncensored Interview. "Today, the internet is the place for art, ideas and intimacy to be exchanged. Uncensored Interview is the site for indie artists, fans and music aficionados to experience, learn, express, unite, and debate."
Uncensored Interview provides a needed channel for bands to reach to fans, express their feelings and share themselves beyond their music. It is a forum where theplatonicband/fan relationship which thrives in the indie music world is respected and allowed to grow.
Uncensored Interview recognizes that passive is out when it comes to online behavior and encourages users to "talk back" to the bands and share their views via video. The interviews captured highlight the indie artist's opinions and ideas. Then a grassroots, non-linear video conversation becomes the name of the game. The uncensored interviews produced for the site and user-generated content known as "v-sponses" create a forum for the two parties to interact on topics ranging from global warming to sex with fans to the state of the music industry.
"With the major labels failing, airwaves filled with disposable music and cookie cutter artists being pushed as the next big thing - fans need a way to cut through the clutter," said Bangash. "Uncensored Interview is a reference point for people to find the diamonds in the rough."
Artists interviewed also talk about what they know best and why they are recognized - their music. More than just commentary on their own albums, bands converse about everything that affects their lives as musicians, including touring, influences, the music industry, media and challenges they face. Some of the content also serves as advice for aspiring musicians.
Uncensored Interview's videos encompass broader social issues as well since artists develop their work based on their experiences as individuals. To capture what compels each artist and share it with fans introduces a new way for the two parties to connect.
The Interview Process: Step by Step
* Starts with a simple thought shared by the indie artists captured and published by Uncensored Interview producers.
* Videos featuring the indie artist are published online and are ready for viewing.
* Socially aware individuals, indie artists, fans, music aficionados and the bands themselves interact by uploading their own videos in response (the v-sponses) to the original band videos or to other v-sponses.
* The end result - video conversations that are interactive, intellectual, meaningful, ever-changing and uncensored.
Videos on Uncensored Interview are classified into several channels, delivering content based on the user's preference; whether by genre or by area of interest. Interviews take place in locations where the artist feels most comfortable - a favorite bar, rehearsal space or even a toilet seat. From here, artists speak in an unrestricted environment, enabling their fans to get a voyeuristic glimpse into their worlds. Uncensored Interview doesn't string together pieces of the interview to create an enhanced image of the artists; but instead provides raw, truthful moments as they happen. For more information, visit www.uncensoredinterview.com.
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