Unsigned Acts and Drawing Fans
A Commentary, by Professor Pooch
(C) 2008-2010 David J. Spangenberg
Part 3
Now, “Promotion” is the most obvious step that comes next in most people’s minds. Artists promoting themselves, telling their fans and potential fans that they’re playing at this venue or that venue.
But my question to you is, “What is it you’re actually promoting?” That is, when you’re promoting yourself, what will be your potential fans perception of what you’re promoting? Will you just be one more “amateur artist” playing somewhere?
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Unsigned Acts and Drawing Fans
(C) 2008-2010 David J. Spangenberg
Part 2
The 2nd main reason it’s hard to draw new fans revolves around the word “Perception”. Perception includes, in part, the Artist’s perception or view of their “job”, and how it affects the potential fans perception of the “Unsigned Artists Scene”.
Now, let me say here, the problem of perception and the answers to this problem do not lie totally on the Artist’s shoulders, but also fall on the Artists’ Managers, Venues, Promoters and Fans, which I will also cover later and throughout…
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Unsigned Acts and Drawing Fans
A Commentary, by Professor Pooch
(C) 2008-2010 David J. Spangenberg
Part 1
I look all around the country and I see Musical Artists/Bands looking for places to play for as large an audience as possible, wanting to be heard, wanting to gain new fans, wanting to earn a living doing what they like to do – which is: Creating and Playing their Music.
Naturally, they are going to go where they can be hired, which most of the time consists of different Bars, Clubs and other drinking establishments…
Well, in theory, this should work pretty well; you have places to gather and nurture fans, and you’re doing what you love to do – play Music. But, as I’m sure most of you have found out, this rarely works very well…
Why? The 1st of a couple main reasons is actually very simple when you really look at it…
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MusicianWages.com have posted a pretty cool series of articles on self-releasing your album as an independent artist. The articles are written by guitarist, Cameron Mizell. Subjects covered in the 4 part series are -
- Part I: An Introduction to the Self-Released Album
- Part II: The Self-Released Album 101: The Basics
- Part III: The Self-Released Album 201: The Details
- Part IV: The Self-Released Album Reference Guide for Musicians
Visit An Introduction to the Self-Released Album and let me know what you think!
Hypebot posted SoundExchange’s new artist checklist, so yeah, I hijacked it for my readers. Despite your stand on SoundExchange, this is a strong list, not to be overlooked!
In response to questions about what new artists should do to launch their careers and protect their creative output SoundExchange has put together a strong New Artist Checklist. No matter how long a band has been around, theres probably at least one thing on this list that theyve forgotten to do.
Here are a few examples from the checklist.
- Register your copyrights
- Draft a band membership agreement
- Trademark your name & logo
- Form a company
Click through to to read them all.
via A New Artist Checklist From SoundExchange – hypebot.
I ran across this article by David J. Hahn today. Although it’s geared toward the current recession, I believe it’s good advice anytime. I know a number of bands that have been doing the same old thing for years, wondering why they never “make it.”
Maybe you’re doing the same things you used to to get gigs, but no ones calling and you’re not making as much money – what do you do? The short answer is “try something else.”
via What To Do When Nothing Is Working – Musician Wages.com.
Just ran across a great post at eleetmusic.com by Greg Rollett of Gen-Y Rockstars in which he states there are 3 types of musicians right now. Which one are you?
- Still obsessed with the old model of getting a deal and having their music heard by that one person that can change your life.
- Pure artists that have no knack for business and unfortunately will not break through today’s market.
- Artists that get it, or at least want to get it.
via The New Music Industry Economy « eleetmusic
Here’s a great post from Hollywood Music Magazine w/contributions from Wes Colony (President of Downpour Records), Mikey Doling (Snot/Soulfly), Billie Stevens (Wank/Handsome Devil), and Blasko (Rob Zombie/Ozzy).
As a reminder from the first in this series, there is no cryptic message that only a select few are able to decipher in order to make it. Take a look at where you are at, an honest look. Then take a look at where you want to be. There is no one step to that goal. However, there are many logical steps along that path.
via How to Make it in the Music Industry | Hollywood Music Magazine.
Thanks to Chris Bolton for sharing this on the HostBaby blog!
There’s been a lot written recently about “crowd funding,” a term born of another internet buzz word “crowd sourcing.” Crowd funding is as simple as it sounds. It simply means to fund a project by gaining small donations from a large group of people.
via Crowd Funding and the Art of the Album Pre-Sale @ Hostbaby Musicians Blog.
Now this is what I’m talking about! I don’t know how many times I’ve tried to explain the importance of a non-flash, regularly updated, easy to navigate website with a basic home page containing a very short bio, A MUSIC PLAYER, updates/gigs, and a pitch to join the mailing list.
Chris Vinson, founder of BandZoogle, lays out 6 basic rules in his guest post on Hypebot which covers
- No flash
- A strong front page
- Keep it simple
- Keep it updated
- Make it personal
- Create a community
via 6 Rules To Make A Band Website That Rocks – hypebot.
