What's Your Music News Hook?

What exactly is a news hook? It's an idea that you pitch to an editor or writer. It's a story angle that is newsworthy and that should appeal to the readership of the publication in which you're wanting to get exposure.

News hooks are suggestions you make to media people via press releases, cover letters, e-mails or phone calls. If your news hooks are strong enough, lots of editors and writers will bite and cover you in the press.

So who or what should your news hooks be about? Most musicians put themselves front and center. And that makes sense, right? After all, they are trying to promote themselves. The drawback with this approach is that the focus is on the artist ... and not on the needs of the journalist.

To be a successful self-promoter, you need to learn to craft news hooks that keep the interests of the media person and his or her audience foremost in mind.

Want some good and bad examples?

"Great New CD Out Now by Local Band!"

Sorry, but this is not a very effective hook. Thousands of CDs come out every week. Yet another new one from another up-and-coming artist is not "news." Dig a little deeper.

"New Music CD Celebrates the 10-Year Anniversary of the Monica Lewinsky Scandal"

I know, this one is bizarre. But admit it, when you read it, you probably thought, "Now that's a weird concept for an album. I wonder what those songs would sound like?" Imagine what fun you could have with the song titles. A news hook like this stands out because it has a specific story that separates it from "here's another rock or pop or hip-hop CD."

"Look Out World: XYZ Is the Band to Watch in 2008"

This is a classic example of the over-hyped PR pitch. Most journalists roll their eyes at this type of bombastic announcement before tossing it in the trash (or hitting the delete key). Don't tell people how awesome you are. Paint a descriptive positive picture, but let the journalist determine the adjectives.

"Punk Rocker Offers 5 Tips for Overcoming Addictions"

If you have a significant personal story to share, feel free to make it a part of your news hook, especially if your experience can help other people. Have you overcome a personal obstacle, fought a deadly disease, feel strongly about a cause, or experienced something extraordinary? Chances are, people will want to know about it, and the music media may very well be eager to cover it.

So, let me ask you ... What's your music news hook?

-Bob

P.S. For more music publicity tips and tactics, check out the Indie Music Publicity Home Study Course or Killer Music Press Kits: Deluxe Edition.

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What Do YOU Want in a Music Conference?

As you may know, I'll be presenting the first Indie Buzz Bootcamp music conference June 20-22 in my hometown of St. Louis, MO. If you've read my early description of it, you also know that I want to make this a weekend workshop event unlike any other in existence today.

While I have some definite ideas about how I want to present this life-changing event (solo speakers instead of panels, a focus on education and action plans instead of showcases and parties, etc.) I'd love to get your thoughts on what you'd like to see in a music conference.

Please consider the following questions, then click the comments link below and post your responses:

• What's been missing from the music conferences you've attended in the past?
  
• What would you really like to see in a weekend event dedicated to indie music career success?
• What topics would you like to see covered?
• Who would you like to hear speak?
• What factors would motivate you to attend?

Thanks in advance for giving me your honest feedback. I'll give consideration to all the responses and incorporate the ones that make the most sense.

-Bob

P.S. Register to win a pair of free admissions to the Indie Buzz Bootcamp here.

P.P.S. If you're on Facebook, I have an event page for the conference here.

Check out Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook, the classic guide to indie music promotion. Now revised and updated, with four new chapters on Internet and Web 2.0 music marketing. Get more details here.

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Frank Zappa on Music Industry Change

I'm guessing this video clip is about 20 years old or so. (Frank Zappa died in 1993.) It's interesting to hear this innovative musician's views on the recording industry in light of what's happening now.


You can also watch it on this page at YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UAWqwLjN70

-Bob


Register now to win tickets!

Does Business Ruin Art?

An anonymous musician just posted this comment regarding my latest podcast episode:

"Business ruins art. It's unfortunate that most people are reshaping their musical goals to fit their financial ones. All this just makes me want to keep music a hobby instead of a profession so I don't feel like I have to make crappy, watered-down poop music."

Here's my response:

I understand the frustration that mingling art and commerce can create, especially when it comes to music and "big business" -- where quick results and bottom lines rule.

But let me ask you something ...

Does holding a general belief that "business ruins art" empower you? Only you can answer that, but there's no denying a belief like that colors how you feel about music and how you interact with the world.


All mental beliefs -- whether positive, negative, or in between -- are simply perceptions that an individual has chosen to buy into. None of them exist as objective truths in the real world. They only exist in the thoughts of each person who decides to let certain beliefs take up permanent residence in their minds.

Here's the belief I have chosen to give free lifetime room and board in my brain: There's nothing wrong with wanting to be compensated for the value that your music delivers to fans. It's healthy and natural to want to grow and prosper.

But if you can't get over your hang-ups about music and business and money, then do yourself (and the rest of us) a favor ... and play music as a hobby for the best reason of all: the love of it.

That's what I believe. How about you?

-Bob


Make the most of the world's biggest social networking web site with this great primer on MySpace Music Marketing. Available in paperback or ebook format. Get more details here.

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How to Get a Record Deal

Want to know how to get signed to a major label? Interested in grabbing the attention of a record label A&R exec? Well, Music Connection magazine spilled the beans in a recent issue.
On my latest Artist Empowerment Radio podcast, I reveal their secrets and give you my own advice on how to increase your chances of having a successful music career and gaining music industry attention.

Start listening to How to Get a Record Deal now.

-Bob

Ready to Transform Your Musical Life?

Mark your calendar for June 20-22 in St. Louis, Missouri. That's when I'll present Indie Buzz Bootcamp, a life-changing, one-of-a-kind weekend event. Join me, Derek Sivers (of CD Baby), music publicist Ariel Hyatt, and other visionary speakers who will inspire you. Register to win free tickets!

Did you enjoy this blog post? Subscribe now and get all of my newest ideas delivered by email or RSS feed. Learn how here.

How to Quit Your Day Job

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." -Mark Twain

So begins a recent post on Leo Babauta's incredibly useful Zen Habits blog. In the post he announced that he had quit his job and would become a full-time blogger after just one intense year of high-quality blogging. (He also just announced a book deal with a major publisher.)

How did Leo do it? And what can musicians learn from his example? I mean, the guy is married and has six kids. Plus he lives on Guam. It's not like he's been hobnobbing with the social elite in LA or NYC (like Perez Hilton).

Luckily, Leo explains what he did to quit his job on this page. You may not aspire to be a full-time blogger, but his "habits" can be applied to any field.

Here I've paraphrased his main points:

• Create from the heart.
• Be insanely useful (serve your fans).
• Focus your efforts and your creativity.
• Ask for donations.
• Create and sell something.
• Interact with your supporters
• Transition from your day job.
• Get out of debt and build an emergency fund.

But do yourself a favor and read his entire blog post on the subject. It just might inspire you.

-Bob

Check out Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook, the classic guide to indie music promotion. Now revised and updated, with four new chapters on Internet and Web 2.0 music marketing. Get more details here.

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Do You Have a Millionaire Mind?

One way to increase the flow of money into your life is to study the ways that other successful people do it. (Hint: It's not about getting an inheritance, ripping people off, or being a super salesperson.)

Readers Digest may not be the first magazine you pick up at the newsstand, but last month it ran an interesting article called "Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires." And ... believe it or not, there are a lot of lessons musicians can learn here.

Some of my take-aways from the article:

Don't paint yourself into a small corner. Think Big! The article quotes "Secrets of the Millionaire Mind" author T. Harv Eker: "The biggest obstacle to wealth is fear. People are afraid to think big, but if you think small, you'll only achieve small things."

I wrestle with this myself. I make a nice living as an author who serves a niche market: aspiring indie musicians. And I advocate that artists should serve their ideal slice of the music fan population and not try to please everyone.

I still embrace that philosophy, but that doesn't mean you should limit yourself or downplay the impact you can have with your music. You can serve your niche in a big way -- and profit accordingly. And, should you choose to do so, and if your fans support you in your quest, you CAN take your music to a wider and wider audience.

I try to raise the level of my activities every year. You should too. But that won't happen until you give yourself permission to think big and act accordingly.

Educate yourself. From the article: "One of the biggest obstacles to making money is not understanding it: Thousands of us avoid investing because we just don't get it. But to make money, you must be financially literate."

Even if you don't have much money to work with and invest right now, start preparing for the day when you do. Get comfortable with cash flow and how to direct it. Hint: The wealthiest people are very good at saving it and giving it away to worthwhile causes.

This education thing extends beyond finances. I've made a lifelong habit out of feeding my mind with positive messages and information on marketing, publicity and sales, in addition to health, wealth and spirituality. It all gets ingrained and makes you a better (and more prosperous) person.

The passion principle. Also from the article: "According to research by Thomas J. Stanley, author of "The Millionaire Mind," over 80 percent of millionaires say they never would have been successful if their vocation wasn't something they cared about."

You already have this one down, I'm sure. You love what you do. But this is more than just "do what you love and the money will follow." It's about staying connected to your passion for music, and finding a way to serve your fans and make a living doing it.

There you have just some of the success secrets of self-made millionaires. Think big. Educate yourself. And immerse yourself in something you love that serves others in a meaningful way.

Ready to take the plunge? No time like the present!

-Bob

Ready to Transform Your Musical Life? Mark your calendar for June 20-22 in St. Louis, Missouri. That's when I'll present Indie Buzz Bootcamp, a life-changing, one-of-a-kind weekend event. Join me, Derek Sivers (of CD Baby), music publicist Ariel Hyatt, and other visionary speakers who will inspire you. Register to win free tickets!

Did you enjoy this blog post? Subscribe now and get all of my newest ideas delivered by email or RSS feed. Learn how here.