Music Business Archives - Page 3 of 4 - Debra Russell

Debra Recommends Bob Baker – The Buzz Factor

Bob Baker is an author, musician, and workshop leader who is dedicated to helping musicians, authors, and creative people of all kinds get exposure, connect with fans, and increase their incomes through their artistic passions. Bob’s books include “Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook,” “Unleash the Artist Within,” “Branding Yourself Online,” “Self-Publishing Success Secrets,” and more.

I was thrilled to interview Bob for the Artist’s EDGE Membership awhile back and everyone was very impressed with his knowledge of Marketing and how to apply it to the world of the Arts and Entertainment Industry. He made what can be a scary subject both understandable and approachable.

For hundreds of music marketing tips, visit Bob’s Website – The Buzz Factor

Save

Debra Recommends Ariel Publicity and Cyber PR

1 Comment/in Internet and Social Media Marketing

Since meeting Ariel Hyatt from Cyber PR in 2009, we have become good friends. I was honored to participate on a Panel at the TAXI Road Rally that she moderated. (Pictured left to right, Dean Krippaehne, Vikki Flawith, Ariel Hyatt, Derek Sivers, and me, Debra Russell)

I was very impressed by her knowledge and presence and the more I learn about her, the more impressed I become. She’s hosted me as a speaker in NYC and I’ve interviewed Ariel for the Artists Marketing & Business Academy.

Here’s some information from the Cyber PR Website:

Ariel Hyatt, author of Music Success in Nine Weeks, is the founder of Ariel Publicity & Cyber PR a New York based digital firm that connects artists to blogs, podcasts, Internet radio stations and social media sites. Over the past 13 years her firm has represented over 1,400 musicians of all genres.

Ariel Publicity started out as a traditional PR firm and for 9 years Ariel pitched bands to newspapers, magazines TV and radio. Five years ago she noticed a dramatic downturn in effectiveness of traditional PR for her clients. It was harder and harder to even secure a calendar listing in newspapers that once gave her artists cover stories and feature interviews.

At the same time she noticed that online portals were covering her artists extensively and much faster than their traditional media counterparts. 2005 was the year of the podcast and 2006 the year of the blog (The TIME Magazine person of the year was YOU) and 2006 was the year Ariel Publicity abandoned all traditional media pitching and went digital.

Teaching and educating musicians is an integral part of the Cyber PR platform and the philosophy is: combine social networking with Internet marketing to help artists grow their fanbases and increase their income.

Save

Debra Recommends ifanz

0 Comments/in Contact Management, Sales and Marketing

ifanz is a very cool resource originally developed for musicians, but really applicable for creative professionals in all walks of life who are building their career by building their relationship with their fans. More than just a database and newsletter management tool, it also offers one-stop shopping for many of the needs of the small business owner!

As I teach in Multiple Streams of Art Income, Step 7 is “Strengthen Relationship”, communicating to your fans is critical for this step and ifanz can help. This one-stop-shop can also help with steps 4 and 6.

From the ifanz.com website:

Invented by Musicians – For Musicians

Ruth McCartney, our CEO, grew up in Liverpool, England in the 60’s. She heard her step-brother Paul and his partner John Lennon lamenting the business side of the Beatles and grew up knowing that “the suits” as John affectionately called them were basically accountants who cared little for the future of music.

When the awesome task of sorting literally tens of thousands of pieces of fan mail fell to her Mother Angie, she made her pocket money by helping to catalog and answer some of the mail. She soon learned that a relationship with the fans is the second most important thing a musician can have – apart from great song material that is!

With the advent of the internet in 1995, Ruth and husband / business partner Martin Nethercutt decided to build a system to collect names and send out newsletters. Today, nearly 10 years later, iFanz now allows thousands of folks just like you to:

Collect names >> develop a relationship and a dialog >> get guidance from your peers >> blast out gig calendars >> download your data to see where your Fanz are geographically >> send a personalized automated birthday greeting to each fan on their big day>> send newsletters by State or Zip >> and much much more.

In addition to communication and database management, iFanz also offers NetShop, a turnkey online store that comes complete with credit card processing and order fulfillment. We offer CD burns on demand and over 30 items of merchandise all available with your custom imagery. One fan, one order, one royalty check. Never again worry about creating huge inventories that might not sell. NetShop products (100% cotton t-shirts, mousepads, mugs, caps, totes and more) are made to order using your design (or we can create one for you) so there’s never any over-stock. And never any upfront costs to you.

The bottom line: if your Fanz have a relationship with you, they are much less likely to steal your music. Who knows, 3 years from know you might be selling them cookbooks, paintings, photography or guitars. iFanz. Because your fanz ARE your future.

Save

Debra Russell Recommends Indie Band Manager

0 Comments/in Administrative, Sales and Marketing

My friend, Charlie Cheney, designed this system based on filemaker Pro for his own career in music. But when he saw how many musicians, agents and other professionals in the music industry needed this product, he made it available to the public.

This program is a comprehensive contact management, booking and tour management system.

And I have used it for my own Contact Management System – it’s great for both my Speaking Business and my Private Coaching! I’m honored to be his first affiliate.

Here’s what his website says:

More and more musicians are proving they only need 1000 true fans to make a living playing music. Indie Band Manager is the complete and affordable database management system for musicians, freelancers, agents, labels, publicists and managers alike to cultivate those 1000+ (up to 5 million) true fans. Over 3000 people in 21 countries and all 50 states have purchased it (and raved about it btw) because it’s the most complete and affordable solution anywhere. Take your career, business, or hobby to the next level. Try it for free right now!

NoCover Magazine calls it “an incredible way to stay organized”; Performing Songwriter says it’s “fabulous and will have you up and running in no time”; and American Songwriter Magazine raves “it works because it was made by someone who knows what it’s like out here on the independent scene.”

Check out Indie Band Manager

Save

Debra Russell Recommends ReverbNation

0 Comments/in Fulfillment, Internet and Social Media Marketing

I’ve been hearing nothing but great buzz about ReverbNation as a one stop shop for contact management and social networking for your music business. Here’s what they say on their website:

ReverbNation.com is a Music 2.0 company that is responding to the changing music business paradigm.

We provide innovative marketing solutions that musicians need to compete, cooperate, and differentiate in an increasingly noisy online environment. Unlike typical “closed” communities, artists use ReverbNation as their home base for approaching marketing and promotion across the Internet as a whole — be it via social networks, blogs, or the artist’s homepage. Tools like TunePaks, FanReach, and Widgets give the artist the power to spread their music and information virtually anywhere. Real-time stats then provide a 360-degree view of how the music is spreading, who is listening, and which fans are actually passing it on to their friends and posting it on their pages. For more information on what ReverbNation can do for artists, click here.

Save

Debra Recommends Songsalive

1 Comment/in Business, Creative

Since 1997, Songsalive! is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to the nurturing, support, promotion and education of songwriters and composers worldwide. Founded in 1997, by Gilli Moon and Roxanne Kiely in Sydney, Australia, Songsalive! is run by volunteer songwriters for songwriters and has reached the far corners of the globe with over 25 chapters worldwide. Through our grassroots international efforts, we’ve put a stamp on what “global community” truly is and it’s the type of community that is definitely needed in this ever changing music business where songwriting can be a very isolating experience and career.

I have spoken for the Songsalive! organization and count Gilli as a good friend. I’ve interviewed her for the Artist’s EDGE Membership and given great value to my Members.

Check out Songsalive! – supporting and promoting songwriters and composers worldwide

Save

Debra Recommends TAXI

3 Comments/in Business, Sales and Marketing

I’ve been working with TAXI as a speaker for the yearly conference, the Road Rally, since 2005. I’ve come to know many TAXI Members, as well as Michael Laskow and the other staff who tirelessly work to help their members create a prosperous living doing what they love.

I can without hesitation recommend TAXI Membership to anyone who wants to take their music to the next level through licensing to Film, TV and music libraries, who wants to be exposed to A&R reps in their genre without having to move to LA, New York or Nashville.

If you join TAXI on my recommendation, you will receive a $25 rebate for your first year’s dues from me. In order to do that, you must do the following:

After you join, call TAXI and tell them you were referred by Artist’s EDGE, Studio number #ST1490
Then send me an email with your full name, mailing address and date you joined TAXI.
As soon as I get confirmation from TAXI, I will cut you a check!

Even if you’re not quite ready to join TAXI, I recommend you hang out on The TAXI forum. There is a ton of information, support and opportunity to get feedback to improve your songwriting and recording.

Save

Debra Recommends Ruthless Self-Promotion in the Music Industry

0 Comments/in Sales and Marketing

by Jeffrey Fisher

Product Description from Amazon.com
Despite the ever-changing nature of the music industry, one constant remains: you must become a ruthless promotion fanatic to achieve success. There are no quick fixes or shortcuts to fame and fortune in the music business. But if you truly desire success and are dedicated to putting your time, energy, money, patience, and talent to the task, you can achieve the notoriety you desire…if you learn the art of ruthless self-promotion.

“Ruthless Self-Promotion in the Music Industry, Second Edition” is not a book about how to compose, play, or produce music; it’s the key to the magic forumula for building your music career, reaching your goals, and achieving what you want, need, and feel you deserve. Effective promotion is a journey that never ends, and you will find yourself returning to this comprehensive, up-to-date reference again and again as you pursue your musical goals.

Buy Ruthless Self-Promotion in the Music Industry now

Save

Debra Recommends Music, Money and Success

0 Comments/in Business

The Insider’s Guide to Making Money in the Music Industry

by Jeffrey Brabec and Todd Brabec

My friends, Jeff and Todd, have written a comprehensive and incredibly informative book about the world of music licensing.

From Amazon:

The music and entertainment business means money for songwriters, composers, recording artists, musicians, music publishers and record companies. Whether it’s videogames, worldwide blockbuster movies, television programs which make instant stars, advertising commercials touting products via hit songs and records, cell phone ringtones or downloads and subscription services, Music Money And Success tells you how the business works and where the money comes from in every area of music. Whether you’re just starting out, looking to move up to the next level, been making a living in this business for years or are a major superstar, Music Money and Success is the blueprint for your financial success. This well reviewed book is now in its fifth edition and has been completely revised with updated information.

Now includes a section of entertainment law contract templates

Written by well-known industry insiders, Jeff Brabec, VP of Business Affairs for Chrysalis Music and Todd Brabec, VP of ASCAP

Endorsed by Billboard, Vibe, the American Bar Association, The Hollywood Reporter, Library Journal, Entertainment Law Reporter, and many others

Buy Music Money and Success now

Debra Recommends I Am A Professional Artist

0 Comments/in Creative

The Key To Survival and Success in the World of the Arts

by Gilli Moon

My dear friend, Gilli Moon, brings a level of reality to this topic filled with illusions and lies. And she does it with great humor and compassion. A fellow TAXI Road Rally speaker, she created Songsalive! and several other resources for musicians. I’ve also interviewed her for the Artist’s EDGE Membership.

Amazon says:

Some say succeeding in the Arts as a professional Artist is all about fame and fortune. So much of our desires are based on false illusions about the industry and what we read in glossy magazines. Being a professional Artist is a life long journey of becoming who you want to be, and achieving success through what you love to do. It’s about living your dream. It’s also about setting goals that you alone determine if they have rewarded you rather than what the industry defines as success.

The Arts industry, whether that be in music, theatre, film, writing, dance or any business about Art, can be cruel and very un-artistic. It’s often about survival, especially survival of the fittest. It can feel like a competitive war against large corporations, those who judge you (which can even include your family) and the other artists who are also climbing their way to the top. Gilli Moon, artist, author and record company owner, brings to you her first book, I Am a Professional Artist offering Artists who’ve chosen the professional path, practical steps in harnessing one’s creative abilities to succeed and survive in the Arts and enjoy your artistry at the same time.

Including interviews with various professional Artists, I Am a Professional Artist combines a self-empowering practical guide in surviving and succeeding in the Arts with key business principles and spiritual nourishment. Consider it an Artistic soul’s survival guide in business!

I AM a Professional Artist follows 2 simple principles: If you want to be a professional Artist, the first thing to realize is that you have to be two people: An Artist, and a Business person. The second principle is based on her own coined phrase: The three Os: Optimism + Organized equals Opportunity I Am a Professional Artist will certainly change the thinking of any professional artist who may doubt themselves or their art, who may feel pressured by the industry, or may feel the hardship of the roller coaster ride.

Buy this book now

Posts

Invented by Musicians – For Musicians

The Insider’s Guide to Making Money in the Music Industry

The Key To Survival and Success in the World of the Arts

Pin It on Pinterest