Thursday, September 1, 2011

New DIY Music Workshop Hits 5 Cities This Fall - Can You Help?

The fall of 2011 will be a busy one for yours truly, as I take a brand new workshop on the road. And I would really appreciate your help ...


A few months ago I conducted a simple online poll. I asked readers like you what topic I should work on next. Subjects ranged from publicity to advanced guerrilla marketing to Facebook and Twitter tips.

The top two vote-getters involved converting fan attention into sales and how to sell more music and merch. You spoke, I listened. And that's why this new workshop is called ...

How to Make Money as a DIY Artist:
4 Steps to Converting Fan
Attention Into Sales
Here are the dates and cities. Follow the links for details on location, time, and pricing.

Tuesday, September 27
Kansas City, MO - Register here


Wednesday, October 5
St. Louis, MO - Register here


Monday, October 10
Salt Lake City, UT - Register here


Saturday, October 22
Nashville, TN - Register here


Monday, November 7
Hollywood, CA, at Musicians Institute - Register here


November 3 thru 6, at the TAXI Road Rally
Los Angeles, CA
This event is free, but you must be either a TAXI member or the guest of one to attend. Details at http://www.taxi.com/rally.


Here's how you can help:
  • Do you live near any of these cities? If so, I would love for you to attend!

  • If you can't attend, do you know music people in any of these areas that you can spread the word to? Send them an email, tweet about it, post it on Facebook!

  • Do you have any suggestions for people, organizations, songwriters groups, etc, that I should contact in these cities to get the word out?
I'm really looking forward to sharing these powerful ideas - many of them inspired by recent interviews I've done with Karmin, Pomplamoose, David Nevue and Mark Mohr, as well as experts like Tony van Veen, Joe Vitale, Michael Brandvold, and Jason Van Orden.

I appreciate anything you can do to help me spread the word and get more people to these live events. In particular, I would love to meet YOU in person at one of them!

-Bob

Thursday, August 25, 2011

How to Sell & License Cover Songs, YouTube, Pomplamoose & More

I just posted part one of a great two-part interview with Jack Conte and Nataly Dawn of the duo Pomplamoose. They explain how they've used a combination of cover songs and originals to attract more than 300,000 YouTube subscribers and 60+ million video views.

They also sell more than 100,000 digital music downloads a year through iTunes and their own website. These online sales are comprised of both cover songs and originals.

Which has led to a ton of questions from artists wondering:

How does Pomplamoose (and many other musicians like them) legally post cover songs on YouTube and then sell them?

Some of these cover song issues will be addressed in part two of the Pomplamoose interview. But since a lot of people are asking now, here is what I know about this topic ...

There are two separate aspects to this:

1) Recording your version of someone else's song and POSTING it on YouTube - where anyone can watch it for free

2) Recording your version of someone else's song and SELLING it on iTunes, Amazon, your own site, etc.

Regarding #1 ... Admittedly, this is a gray area with no clear-cut answers. YouTube probably has a blanket license from BMI and ASCAP for this purpose. Much like a live music venue should have a license that allows you to play cover songs in a club.

Based on my research of this topic, the main reason a cover song video might be removed from YouTube is if someone files a complaint or the copyright holder objects to it. This has happened with some videos. But considering the thousands (if not millions) of cover songs on YouTube, it is rare to have such a video pulled.

There's currently no easy system in place to get permission or purchase what's called a "sync license" before posting your rendition of a popular song on YouTube. So most indie artists simply upload them for the world to see. If an artist, record label or publisher does object, it seems the worst that happens is that YouTube deactivates that video.

Warning: There is some evidence that YouTube has a "three strikes" rule -- meaning that after three such copyright deactivations they will shut down your entire channel. So if you've had complaints in the past, you might want to steer clear of cover songs on that channel.

(Note: All of these guidelines pertain to YOUR RENDITION of a song! Do NOT post the original recording of someone's else song. THAT is a definite no-no.)

Thanks to Suzanne Lainson who provided this link to a much more in-depth overview of this topic.

Regarding #2 ... To SELL your recorded version of someone else's song, you must purchase a mechanical license. As Jack and Nataly will point out in part two, this is incredibly easy and affordable to do -- especially for digital download sales in small quantities.

Pomplamoose uses the Harry Fox Agency, which you can find at www.harryfox.com/public/songfile.jsp or simply www.songfile.com.

Many indie musicians use Limelight at www.songclearance.com -- which some have said is even easier to use.

Using either one of these sites, you could buy the mechanical rights to sell 100 digital downloads of a cover song for as little as $24 USD. (That includes a $15 fee to Limelight or Harry Fox, plus $9.10 for royalties to the publisher.)

Pretty simple, huh?

Note that there are different rates and rules for songs over five minutes in length, sampling, parodies, etc. But for a simple rendition of a cover song, it's pretty easy.

If I missed anything, please leave a comment below.

-Bob

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Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Don't Let the Bastards in the Door! The Cure for Economic Doom & Gloom

I've had it with those Bastards, and I will no longer let them in my door. And ... I highly recommend you do the same.

What? Let me explain ...

Yes, I'm frustrated with U.S. politicians in D.C. But I'm not talking about them. Yes, I'm not at all happy with Wall Street insiders focused on short-term greed. But I'm not talking about them either.

I'm also fed up with the head honchos at media outlets who choose to report fear and loathing 24 hours a day. But they are not the Bastards I refer to here.

Like you, I've been bombarded with messages about debt ceilings, downgrades, downturns, shortages, layoffs, foreclosures, and more. I've had my fill.

And now I refuse to let the Bastards in my door!

The Bastards I'm talking about here are not people or corporate entities. They are the negative and destructive thought forms that are hypnotizing you and me and much of the population these days.

If you want to truly survive and thrive through this (or any other) economy, you must send these Bastards packing and not let them get anywhere near the door to your psyche.

Note of Clarification ...

I am NOT talking about burying your head in the sand and denying that many people are hurting financially these days. There is some very real pain being experienced by good people. There's a pretty strong chance that someone close to you is facing an economic challenge, or even you yourself are.

I get that. I have felt the pinch myself, and I have watched and am watching good friends wrestle with it.

But the best way for you to help them and help yourself is to rise above the misery mentality. Don't buy into the mass consciousness of lack and limitation. That will serve no one.

It's one thing to be aware of global economics and have empathy for those who have been affected. It's quite another to shrivel up and become a card-carrying member of the Doom and Gloom Association.

The Bastards are trying to infiltrate your brain, your mindset, and your entire belief system. Don't let them in the door!

The Best Medicine for Economic Doom and Gloom

Again, these Bastards (with a capital B) are not people or things. They are perceptions, attitudes, and highly contagious viruses of the mind that must be obliterated from your life at all costs.

They must be dealt with like the diseases that they are with swift and radical treatment. Otherwise, they will continue to fester and grow within you -- and before you know it, your physical world will reflect the sickness that permeates your mind.

In fact, your current circumstances already reflect your internal belief system -- whether you know it or not. Your physical reality is formed by what you think is possible, combined with the actions you take and how you show up in the world.

The U.S. government may have a debt ceiling, but you have internal ceilings of your own. And one of them can be described as a "growth ceiling."

That's right, your personal experience of income, joy, creativity, love and much more is very much determined by what you believe is possible and what you feel you deserve.

These factors are at work in your life whether the media is saying the economy is soaring, plummeting or in neutral. So it's a good idea to not let the Bastards in your door at any time. But during times of mass gloom-filled hypnosis, it's especially important to stand guard at the doorway to your mind.

I Repeat ... Don't Let the Bastards in the Door!

By remaining in control of your attitude and outlook, you are in a much better position to see opportunities, maintain your enthusiasm, and take constructive steps to get out of any financial mess you may be in (or to help loved ones get through a challenge they are going through).

The other choice is to be sucked into the doomsday rhetoric, let the Bastards get a foot in your door, and before long your entire mental house will be filled with poison. This will cause you to retreat, miss opportunities because you are too pessimistic to see them, withhold taking action because "everyone is hurting now," and on and on.

In which position would you rather be?

One way you remain empowered and in control. The other way you succumb to being a victim.

Here are three quick ways you can keep the Bastards outside your door:

1) Go on a news and media diet. It's okay to be aware of world events and to be an informed consumer and citizen. But that doesn't mean you have to submit yourself to a constant barrage of negative news programming. (There's a reason it's called "programming.") Cut way back on your weekly intake of traditional media.

To keep the Bastards from getting in your door and infecting your mind, you may need a big dose of preventative medicine. My drugs of choice are books and audio programs that remind me of my potential and recharge my outlook and skills set. Doing this will strengthen the hinges on your mental door.

The media would have you believe there's a boogeyman "out there" trying to get you. But the real culprit is the Bastard that you willingly allow inside your door!

2) Be extremely grateful for what you have. I don't want to get all "Oprah" on you and tell you to start journaling (although that can be very helpful if you're into it). But I can't stress enough the power of appreciating what you already have. So start today to count your many blessings.

When you truly appreciate the richness and abundance of the life you already lead, it gives you a much firmer launching pad from which to grow. When you only focus on what's missing and what's wrong, there's little gas in the tank to get you moving.

So, what are you grateful for? Your health or your family? Do you have a place to live, a car to drive, or clothes to wear? What about the amazing technology we have today that allows us to communicate so effortlessly? How about your gifts, talents, friends, fans, and the good deeds you have personally witnessed recently?

Going on a "rampage of appreciation" will improve your outlook. I guarantee it!

3) Be open, available and eager for more. Hand in hand with your extreme gratitude should be an openness and eagerness to experience more. Being deeply appreciative of what you have and where you are does not mean you have to settle - that this is as good as it will ever get.

Life is all about growth, evolution and expansion. All you have to do is observe nature for a while to understand this concept. You should live your life in accordance with these natural laws too. Appreciate what you have, and simultaneously open yourself up to be, do, have, and create more.

Both factors are needed. Gratitude without growth can lead to stagnation. And wanting more without appreciating what you have will leave you feeling empty along the journey. So appreciate where you are AND where you are going!

Of course, this state of eagerness for growth must be combined with action. The good news is, your actions will flow more energetically and much easier once these three steps are fully embraced.

There you have it. My prescription for overcoming the disease of economic doom and gloom: Go on a news and media diet; be extremely grateful for what you have; be open, available and eager for more; take affirmative action.

I hope these ideas help you through this and any other troubling time ahead. But whatever you do ...

Don't let the Bastards in the door!


-Bob

P.S. I welcome your comments.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Google+ Hangouts for Music Promotion

In the first post, I introduced Google+ and talked about its Circles feature and how it might be used for music marketing.

But ... the feature I'm most excited about is called Hangouts. This is basically a throwback to the chat rooms of old, where a small group of people huddle up and interact in real time.

The thing that makes Google+ Hangouts special is its build-in video feature. As it functions now, up to 10 people with webcams can participate in a live audio-visual chat session.

Cool idea. It didn't take long for some creative and proactive musicians to jump on this opportunity.

This past Saturday night, indie artist Daria Musk held a live performance using Google+ Hangouts that ended up lasting more than six hours. She did a good job promoting it beforehand, and the live event stirred up a lot more interest among G+ users as it was happening.

Therefore, because of the 10-person limit, most people were shut out. Thankfully, one of the audience members was a Google engineering director, who soon connected a series of Hangouts in a daisy-chain that allowed more people to watch live.

Attendees also purposely rotated out to allow new G+ users in, and by the end several hundred people had participated.

At the end of the marathon performance, Daria wrote "My heart is forever changed. You all made my dreams come true tonight. I guess I'm really a global artist now! I cannot express how grateful I am. I've fallen in love with all of you."

All of that activity on the new Google+ led to lots of exposure across the Web. Check out this search string.

Jazz guitarist Rob Michael has also been busy exploring the possibilities of Google+.

This Friday he plans to perform live during a Google Hangout, only he has found a solution to the 10-person limit. As he explains, "Early attendees will get 'Front Row' seats in the actual Hangout. Should it be full when you arrive, there will be additional seating via Ustream.com."

Smart thinking! Details on Rob's live concert can be found on this page.

I plan to hold my first informal Hangout on G+ this week. I'll use that to play with features and get familiar with how it works. I'll also record it using ScreenFlow on the Mac and share some of the session with people who can't get in live.

Follow my Google+ profile to learn more.

What are your thoughts on Google Hangouts? Would you be willing to give it a shot?

Bob

Google+ for Music Marketing

Tech geeks the world over have been drooling the past few weeks over Google's new social platform called Google+ (which is simply pronounced "Google Plus").

You may already be using it. But if you're not, don't feel bad. Google+ is so new, it's still officially in "beta" mode and by invitation only. Word has it that it will go fully public within a couple of weeks.

If you're just now learning about it, take a quick look at this page for Google's overview.

Reportedly, 18 million people have signed up in its first few weeks, and it has a lot of prominent bloggers and social media experts buzzing.

Opinions on Google+ range widely, from calling it a "Facebook killer" to asking "Why in the hell do we need another social networking site to manage?"

I'm still getting acquainted with the features myself. And I've seen lots of buzz sites come and go nowhere, like Quora.com. And let's not forget Google Wave, a project that was closed within a year of its launch.

So I'm very cautious about predicting that any new thing will become the next Big Thing. But since it is getting a lot of attention, and since it is powered by the Google machine, I think it is worth starting a Google+ account and at least exploring what all the hoopla is about.

By the way, you can find my Google+ profile here.

Running Around in Circles

One of the first features you'll notice that sets apart G+ (as all the hipsters refer to it :-) is something called Circles. In essence it's a way to divide the people you keep tabs on into separate groups.

This function is actually nothing new. On Facebook you can create friend list subgroups, but few people use it or even know about it. Twitter also gives you the ability to create lists that display the feeds of people you select.

The difference I see with Google+ is that it places a big emphasis on Circles. And it gives you a more visually appealing, drag-and-drop way to categorize the people you want to follow and interact with.

Here's a Google video that explains it:



Some obvious Circle categories for artists might be Fans, Media People, Music Biz Tips, Other Musicians, etc.

As the video above explains, when you post updates, you can choose which of your Circles will see them. That way, you can post specific messages just for fans or only for other artists, etc. That is something that sets Google+ apart from Facebook, Twitter, and others.

What are your initial thoughts on Google+? Will you sign up and use it? I welcome your comments.

Bob

P.S. In the next post I talk about Google+ Hangouts, one of the most promising features of Google+.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

7 Ways to Destroy Your Music Career - The Video

Tired of experts who always put a positive spin on everything? Great. Here are seven simple steps you can take right now to completely ruin your music career!



This is a brand new video version of a 7 Ways to Destroy Your Music Career blog post I ran about a year and a half ago. If you want to read (and pass along) that text version, you'll find it here.

What do YOU think of my seven tongue-in-cheek steps to failure? What would you add to the list? I welcome your comments.

-Bob

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Monday, June 20, 2011

The Jonathan Coulton, Amanda Hocking Success Formula


These two simple sentences from Bob Lefsetz really drive home a vitally important point:

"Only the best and the brightest, the top of the elite, make it in the democratic Web/self-publishing world. Without all the marketing, without all the hype, all you've got is the naked product -- and it had better be damn good."

Brilliant!

What inspired Lefsetz was a New York Times article on 26-year-old author Amanda Hocking. Over the last several months she's become the poster child for self-publishing success in the book world.

After writing several novels and honing her writing chops in obscurity since she was in elementary school, Hocking decided to write in a specific genre (paranormal romance) and in a style that she felt had potential commercial appeal.

Still, traditional publishers rejected her over and over again. In the spring of 2010, she self-published her first novel as an ebook on Amazon (which is fairly easy to do). She started getting a steady trickle of sales right away.

As sales grew she wrote and submitted more novels to the Kindle store and other online ebook retailers.

Things snowballed far beyond her wildest expectations. It's been reported she made about $2 million USD last year. And she recently signed a $2 million deal with a major book publisher for a three-book series.

Of course, as Lefsetz points out on his blog, there are not a lot of Amanda Hockings out there. In the indie music world, the same can be said for success stories like Jonathan Coulton (who grossed a half million dollars last year as an unsigned, independent artist).

It would be easy to write off both of these examples as flukes and discredit their success instead of celebrate it (and, believe me, MANY people do). But not honoring what led to their good fortune is shortsighted.

Here are the traits that Coulton and Hocking share:
  • They are both prolific; they have created a vast body of work over the years
  • Through years and countless hours of effort, they have honed their craft and created music and books that a certain slice of the population deems "damn good"
  • They have been willing to use the Internet and the digital tools available to them to connect with an audience
  • They create even more music and books to feed the appetite of their existing audience, which further grows their fan base and income streams
There's your modern day formula for success -- at music and anything else, for that matter!

To reinforce these steps, here's the "business model" that Jonathan Coulton recommends:

"You need to work extremely hard, make music that is great, and find people to buy it from you. The end."

What are YOUR thoughts on these modern DIY success traits? I welcome your comments.

-Bob

P.S. Here are links to the Bob Lefsetz blog post, the Amanda Hocking article, and Jonathan Coulton's blog.

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