Investigating How New Media Channels Have Created Opportunities For Popular Music Artists

The digital age has brought about many changes within the music industry in both how we receive and how we consume music. It has been well documented that the music industry has had a hard time trying to keep up. In this article I will be looking at the way in which new media channels have opened up opportunities for popular music artists to convey themselves and capture an audience through some the new channels that have opened up from the creation of the Internet.

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Need help winning Joe Bonamassa's Blues Masters Competition

Hello my name is Hollaman Lindsay and I am asking all of you to see if you can possibly aid me in my attempt to win Joe Bonamassa’s Blues Masters Competition. The first round for this contest is based off of viral popularity and how many views and shares your audition video gets, now I aint sayin that I cant generate that many views and shares because I dont have the talent, Its just that I live in Hiram Georgia and we got more stock in rakes then we do computers so its hard for me to find many people around me to support it. So I am inquiring you to see if you can help me get my name out there and get my audition video views and shares because if I can get past this first round and make it to guitar duals I think I got it made in the shade.

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A possible alternative model of musical experience.

How can we make it a no-brainer for people to listen to our music? Mike Rubini suggests to facilitate the process of listening to music in terms of time, money and effort in order to structure future long-term behaviors, reduce barriers and create networks, spreading ideas and creating attention on music.

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Creating an Unstoppable Kickstarter Campaign: Start With the Fans

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by John Lee Dumas of Entrepreneur on Fire. He was launching a new podcast series called “The Great Business Experiment: Kickstarter.” It featured interviews with ten successful Kickstarter campaigns to talk about what worked, what was learned, and what can be done for the future. 

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Joe Solo: Commonsense advice sprinkled with gems

The more emails and tips I get from this guy, the more his great advice sinks in - and I’m not a working/recording musician. It’s just damned good advice. A mix of “DOH! slap me up side the head” commonsense stuff that we need to be reminded of constantly - sprinkled with brilliant gems of creative advice. I heard him speak at a couple of different songwriter workshops and conferences within a 3-month time span, and then I signed up for his free email tips and video nuggets. It’s THAT good that I suggest y’all do the same at his website joesolo dot com. Did I mention that it’s FREE!!!!  End of public service announcement. :-)

Stevie Wonder and Barack Obama say your music isn't good enough to just have people show up at a gig.

Have you heard of Stevie Wonder? Have you heard of Barack Obama? If you knew that a free Stevie Wonder concert was being staged at your local University would you go? Would you at the very least tell someone else about it? Is this too many questions to start an article with?

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How to Get More Fans on Facebook

During a consulting session earlier this week, I was asked “How do you get more fans on Facebook?”

I began by talking about the usual techniques: advertising the Facebook page, better cross-promoting with other sites, increasing engagement, etc. However, the more that I thought about the question, the more I realized it was the wrong question. Many artists are constantly looking for ways to increase the number of followers on their Facebook or Twitter. They even buy fake followers to do so. But the bigger question isn’t amount how to get more fans on Facebook, it should be more about how to get more fans, period.

When you are staring at your Facebook fan page and are thinking about how to increase the number of likes, think about the bigger picture: how can you increase the number of fans. Who cares if you have a large number of followers but no one buying your music or attending the shows? When you increase the number of genuine fans, your social media metrics automatically increase.

So how do you get more fans? Many of the important thoughts about this are covered in The Best Social Media Site for Bands as well as in How to Develop a Hardcore Fan Base. Enjoy 

Music Without Labels Seeking Submissions for New Web Series!

Hello Everyone!

I am the spokesperson for Music Without Labels & Beat-Play LLC.  MWL is an umbrella for many music projects, ideas and conversation. The MWL Live just wrapped up a on a 15,000 mile cross-country video tour covering the hottest summer musicians and artists across the country. We featured several great bands such as Portugal. The Man, Datsik, The Lonely Forest, Yann Tiersen, Carina Round, Vintage Trouble, Dry the River, Washed Out, Gardens & Villa, Fun. and many more! Check out the MWL Live Tour 2012 videos here. 

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I'm your #1 Fan....what would you call me?

We’ve all heard of the “Beliebers”, “Barbies”, “Armies”, “Angels”, and “Navies”, if you haven’t, these names represent a musician’s fans/fan club. Have you ever thought about putting a fan club or group together? If not, then maybe you should start. Nothing will get your fans more riled up to come out and support than placing a “brand” on them as well. This will also help you to stand out and continue the awareness for yourself in this industry.

When looking to name the brand of your fans, find something that is creative and that coincides with your image and/or stage name. This will make it easier for media, potential fans, and industry professionals connect you with your fan club/group. Also, look for a logo that is similar to your own (if you have one) to place on merchandise, social media pages, and your website. Start creating the buzz about your group by reaching out to your fans first. Thank them for their support and congratulate them on being the first members of your fan group.

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Musicians, Actors, and Comics Addictions and Recoveries (Infographic)

With music legends Etta James, Ray Charles, and Johnny Cash illustrating the power to overcome addiction, others can find there is still hope for the music industry’s biggest addicts. Over the past couple of years, the media and paparazzi has learned that there is a lot of money surrounding the exploitation of celebrities and their addictions. With TV shows like Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew becoming a popular series among many other reality shows, this infographic, provided by established drug and alcohol rehab center, Clarity Way, looks back on some of our favorite musicians and celebrities that have struggled with addiction, but many of which who have found solace and success by undergoing rigorous rehabilitation.

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Measuring Fan Interaction Methods: A Case Study

Everyone has that band or artist, the one that initiated you into the fan relationship. Your every musical thought was directly related to the music, which spoke to you more than anybody else out there. They got you like no one ever had or ever would. It was a case of music speaking for itself and generating the emotional connection that music has always elicited from fans.

With the rise of technology, the interaction between that of fan and their favorite band or artist has changed dramatically. The messages of mega stars once conveyed by their record label or by their publicist are now coming directly from the band or artist. The middleman has effectively (in most cases) been eliminated. As such this has freed up the realm of how bands or artists communicate with their fans.

This new freedom has allowed many ways for band and artists to communicate and interact with their fans. Some efforts have been blissfully successful and others have been dismal. Certain factors that used to be set by the sales people at record labels have now been set up as “pay as you go” or “pay as much as you can afford” effectively changing price points forever.

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True Entertainer OR Master of Smoke and Mirrors from BRASH! - A Music Marketing Blog

I have tuned into various award shows, concerts, and talk show performances displayed by artists. The performances that I love the most are when artists show their TRUE self whether it’s the dance skills amazing or just a microphone and a piano expressing their inner selves with. However, some artists take advantage of high technology, background dancers, and major effects using it to mask their lack of talent. As a devoted entertainment fan, it’s easy to tell the difference.

In this industry artists are charged with the task of entertaining. With that in mind, some feel that pulling out all stops to perform a good show along with creating a massive buzz for the media to cover is the way to go.

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App for Musicians to create Setlists

Gigster - Setlists at your fingertips

With this great iPhone-App you can:

Create, play and share setlists for gigs and shows as a band, individual artist, manager or fan.

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Artists: Respect Your Fans

Yes…I am an artist. But in addition to that, yes…I am a FAN of music. I wouldn’t even consider trying to become an artist if my love for music wasn’t there. I still go crazy when I hear someone like Ghostface or Rakim on stage live, rocking out their classic songs. I still enjoy taking the time to listen to albums, giving my undivided attention and reading the liner notes. Even if I wasn’t an artist, I would forever be a fan of music that feeds the soul.

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