I always talk about creating value for other musicians and fans of your music. Dan Kennedy the well known marketer in this short but important video talks about creating value and why it's important. Why packaging of your CDs or product doesn't have to be perfect either. Nor does the sound quality of your music have to be perfect. It should be good mind you. But what Dan is trying to get at which connects to musicians like you is there has to be a connection made, or your fan resonating with your music.
That connection is so important players. It's a short video that can give insight into why marketing and the message you send through your music is more important than anything else. Dan Kennedy is a writer and marketer who's advice has helped multitudes of people in business. I think your band would be served well to look at Dan's free marketing advice.
Don't be hasty and say it isn't relevant to music. It wouldn't surprise me if some musicians have used his marketing advice to help their band. I'm going to give you his website to go to along with this video so your band can learn more about marketing your music better. And it's free.
http://dankennedy.com
Showing posts with label Music marketing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music marketing. Show all posts
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Musicians,why the US Financial Crisis is a Great Opportunity for your Band to get More Money
By Mark Grove
This is a repost of a very important topic most musicians ignore.The US financial problems.Most musicians will see it as a reason to give up,quit,lay dormant or do nothing in general.I see it as a way for bands to take advantage of any recession and make even more money. A famous profiteer once said,"When There's Blood in the streets--is the best time to buy". Meaning the stock market and business in general. It always come back, and music always does. Even in a bad economy people want to be entertained, socialize and drink social beverages from pop to beer and liquor.That's why it's your duty as a musician to make money,entertain people and help other musicians. Read this important report and tell me what you think.
mdgrove@rock.com
Most musicians who are not enlightened to what the US financial woes mean, will obviously think that the money problem means potential money problems for their band. They will whine and complain and have a herd mentality like everyone else in the general public. They may still have a regular job or a small business and a band to boot, yet they still think the financial fuck-up will hurt them. If you let it, yeah it will hurt you monetarily. How does any of this financial problem with the banks and mortgage lenders involve musicians?
It won't if you're ready for it.Musicians will say the clubs will all dry up and they'll be fighting for gigs,or even opening for others.And no the money's not gone, it's just one sector of the economy that was hit because people thought giving great deals for mega houses would not go in the toilet. Unfortunately it did. The money is not gone!
The money crisis will make some musicians new multi-millionaires when worked right. Don't ask me how, it just will. Incredible bargains will be had for music equipment, making deals with club owners to play regular gigs or even buying stocks of major record labels, rehearsal and recording studio time.
These musicians will profit hugely!
The intelligent players will see the crisis as opportunity to make money in off the beaten paths, not just the staple of club gigging.The prices will drop to have a CD made as well. You can put that money to work doing online marketing and setting up a website. Write Press-Kit articles for musicians, or where agents see gloom and doom you can set up shop and book musicians at just a little lower percentage and grab a bunch of blues or rock acts, and there by capitalize on the lower percentage.
If you're a musician who sees this as opportunity, you'll know that your band and music business is providing value to other musicians, fans and music industry people. There's still lots of money out there and people will always want to see live music.
Music Marketing:
It's still important to concentrate on the business of music, and in this financial crisis you can ask people on your email list what they do for a living if they value your music and articles on music. That way you can see where they are financially by knowing what they do.
Most musicians will still freak out because of the financial crisis and think shit!
What am I gonna do for my band?
They will wait everything out and focus on what they aren't doing and making. Marketing is huge, besides the music. And where major label deals and major booking agent deals go south, if you're resourceful enough you could book certain bands or offer an indie label deal for a band who's had some success but a major has dropped them. You don't need to be a major player to do big deals every time.
But think about this, why would a major label keep an artist coming out with albums if they don't sell a certain amount based upon what the label puts into marketing and recording of an album, then lose money. Now you know they keep their interests on the bands that make money for them.
Makes sense doesn't it. But they could do a better job with their smaller labels. Just some input. Maybe the banks could learn a little something from the major labels on focusing on the money making deals. Most companies in this crisis will be petrified and think their market will go in the dumper and a recession.
No matter what, think of this as an opportunity ripe for the pickin'.
Here's a Little Secret:
There will always be music--and even if there is a major recession people will still listen to music. Any problems with labels, bookers or clubs has nothing to do with your band. And most musicians will do nothing to make their situations better, so if your band is ready to pounce on opportunities will profit from the financial crisis. And most musicians will wish everything better.
I deal mainly with blues musicians and it's the toughest to make money at. I feel there are monstrous opportunities for blues artists and blues promoters,writers and bookers. If a bluesman can make money in this economy why isn't your band?
I think that it's worth the investment in your band to challenge them to overcome the financial crisis and come out on top. Think of ways to bring more people to gigs. Offer to play for free to club owners. Get them to bring the media and interview the band. The free gig will help you bring more people out to add to your mailing list and buy your CD's.
Offer Q and A sessions to fans, and put up a forum on your site where they can talk about your music. Market your band's ass off and you'll say, Financial Crisis, What Financial Crisis?
Mark Grove
This is a repost of a very important topic most musicians ignore.The US financial problems.Most musicians will see it as a reason to give up,quit,lay dormant or do nothing in general.I see it as a way for bands to take advantage of any recession and make even more money. A famous profiteer once said,"When There's Blood in the streets--is the best time to buy". Meaning the stock market and business in general. It always come back, and music always does. Even in a bad economy people want to be entertained, socialize and drink social beverages from pop to beer and liquor.That's why it's your duty as a musician to make money,entertain people and help other musicians. Read this important report and tell me what you think.
mdgrove@rock.com
Most musicians who are not enlightened to what the US financial woes mean, will obviously think that the money problem means potential money problems for their band. They will whine and complain and have a herd mentality like everyone else in the general public. They may still have a regular job or a small business and a band to boot, yet they still think the financial fuck-up will hurt them. If you let it, yeah it will hurt you monetarily. How does any of this financial problem with the banks and mortgage lenders involve musicians?
It won't if you're ready for it.Musicians will say the clubs will all dry up and they'll be fighting for gigs,or even opening for others.And no the money's not gone, it's just one sector of the economy that was hit because people thought giving great deals for mega houses would not go in the toilet. Unfortunately it did. The money is not gone!
The money crisis will make some musicians new multi-millionaires when worked right. Don't ask me how, it just will. Incredible bargains will be had for music equipment, making deals with club owners to play regular gigs or even buying stocks of major record labels, rehearsal and recording studio time.
These musicians will profit hugely!
The intelligent players will see the crisis as opportunity to make money in off the beaten paths, not just the staple of club gigging.The prices will drop to have a CD made as well. You can put that money to work doing online marketing and setting up a website. Write Press-Kit articles for musicians, or where agents see gloom and doom you can set up shop and book musicians at just a little lower percentage and grab a bunch of blues or rock acts, and there by capitalize on the lower percentage.
If you're a musician who sees this as opportunity, you'll know that your band and music business is providing value to other musicians, fans and music industry people. There's still lots of money out there and people will always want to see live music.
Music Marketing:
It's still important to concentrate on the business of music, and in this financial crisis you can ask people on your email list what they do for a living if they value your music and articles on music. That way you can see where they are financially by knowing what they do.
Most musicians will still freak out because of the financial crisis and think shit!
What am I gonna do for my band?
They will wait everything out and focus on what they aren't doing and making. Marketing is huge, besides the music. And where major label deals and major booking agent deals go south, if you're resourceful enough you could book certain bands or offer an indie label deal for a band who's had some success but a major has dropped them. You don't need to be a major player to do big deals every time.
But think about this, why would a major label keep an artist coming out with albums if they don't sell a certain amount based upon what the label puts into marketing and recording of an album, then lose money. Now you know they keep their interests on the bands that make money for them.
Makes sense doesn't it. But they could do a better job with their smaller labels. Just some input. Maybe the banks could learn a little something from the major labels on focusing on the money making deals. Most companies in this crisis will be petrified and think their market will go in the dumper and a recession.
No matter what, think of this as an opportunity ripe for the pickin'.
Here's a Little Secret:
There will always be music--and even if there is a major recession people will still listen to music. Any problems with labels, bookers or clubs has nothing to do with your band. And most musicians will do nothing to make their situations better, so if your band is ready to pounce on opportunities will profit from the financial crisis. And most musicians will wish everything better.
I deal mainly with blues musicians and it's the toughest to make money at. I feel there are monstrous opportunities for blues artists and blues promoters,writers and bookers. If a bluesman can make money in this economy why isn't your band?
I think that it's worth the investment in your band to challenge them to overcome the financial crisis and come out on top. Think of ways to bring more people to gigs. Offer to play for free to club owners. Get them to bring the media and interview the band. The free gig will help you bring more people out to add to your mailing list and buy your CD's.
Offer Q and A sessions to fans, and put up a forum on your site where they can talk about your music. Market your band's ass off and you'll say, Financial Crisis, What Financial Crisis?
Mark Grove
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Mark Grove--The Real Deal On The Musicians Instant Press Kit
By Mark Grove
In this short rant and talk about who I really am,I include an example of what a band should really do when doing their first demo,and embracing not so good reviews of their songs.
That's the real deal.A well known marketer and businessman named Vegas Vince is a true hustler and says to step up and look in the mirror.Be true to how to be a real person,and true to yourself.
That way when your band deals with journalists,labels,agents and managers --those people will see the real you.Not just a band who wants to be like every other successful band,but a band with creative integrity that does it their way.
Kind of like Dee Curtis,a real bluesman and friend
to us here at Canadian Guitar Player.
Okay,I've said enough.Here's the link to the Real Deal
Podcast all musicians and music industry people can learn
from.
Just click here: http:markgrove.mypodcast.com
I am including a link to Vegas Vince,a true street marketer that can give you the goods to become the band you need to be,and take your artistry to the next level,and stay real.
Vince makes my marketing look like crap,in comparison.But listen to
The Real Deal Podcast first.
http://blogtalkradio.com/vegasvince
Select any of his podcasts,because they're all gold!! and give you little nuggets to help your music marketing.
Much success Musicians
Mark G
In this short rant and talk about who I really am,I include an example of what a band should really do when doing their first demo,and embracing not so good reviews of their songs.
That's the real deal.A well known marketer and businessman named Vegas Vince is a true hustler and says to step up and look in the mirror.Be true to how to be a real person,and true to yourself.
That way when your band deals with journalists,labels,agents and managers --those people will see the real you.Not just a band who wants to be like every other successful band,but a band with creative integrity that does it their way.
Kind of like Dee Curtis,a real bluesman and friend
to us here at Canadian Guitar Player.
Okay,I've said enough.Here's the link to the Real Deal
Podcast all musicians and music industry people can learn
from.
Just click here: http:markgrove.mypodcast.com
I am including a link to Vegas Vince,a true street marketer that can give you the goods to become the band you need to be,and take your artistry to the next level,and stay real.
Vince makes my marketing look like crap,in comparison.But listen to
The Real Deal Podcast first.
http://blogtalkradio.com/vegasvince
Select any of his podcasts,because they're all gold!! and give you little nuggets to help your music marketing.
Much success Musicians
Mark G
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Off The Beaten Path Ways For Musicians Like You To Make Money
By Mark Grove
Most musicians don't get the media they deserve. Especially blues and rock players. Its all about what band is creating the most buzz. If you're going with the crowd, or mainstream media, players you're missing the picture here. Go the other way. When the media or a band goes one way, go the other. One way you can start getting media for your band is interview one of your favorite bands and put that interview on your band website.
Write free articles for musicians and host question and answer sessions for them at their gigs and on line. Keep doing this for free. At some point ask them to reciprocate. If they won't go on to the next band. Chances are some other band sees what you're doing and want to help. Another way to get alternative media to interview your band is use college radio, print and TV. Shun mainstream media.
Fuck them!
Find a writer who writes for the type of music you play. Ask them to interview your band. If they say no, change your approach. Offer them free guitar lessons, free admission to your gigs. Barter comes in handy when dealing with media people. Interview other bands still and put their interviews on your site still. Do live video streams and use You Tube to get more traffic. Offer Press Kit services such as article writing, bios, CD reviews and get an on line presence. Also offer to let bands open up for you, and for your band to open up for others for press kit services. Keep your services focused on your genre.You can do press kit services for other genres, but don't go in too many directions.
You'll want a regular writer for your band who also has connections to underground media sources, and is willing to work for free until your band plays regularly. Keep on writing for other bands. To make extra money online, offer music equipment at a discount. Sell wholesale music equipment. Two top notch whole sale music equipment sources are Sweetwater and Musicians Friend. You can also sell Rock Band Merch from Rock.com in either their affiliate program, or sell off Ebay.
Booking other blues or rock acts can also act as another off the beaten path way of making money for your band besides gigs. But start by helping bands for free. If you want more info on these ways to make money for your band, just email me.
mdgrove@rock.com
Peace and success to all players.
Mark G
Most musicians don't get the media they deserve. Especially blues and rock players. Its all about what band is creating the most buzz. If you're going with the crowd, or mainstream media, players you're missing the picture here. Go the other way. When the media or a band goes one way, go the other. One way you can start getting media for your band is interview one of your favorite bands and put that interview on your band website.
Write free articles for musicians and host question and answer sessions for them at their gigs and on line. Keep doing this for free. At some point ask them to reciprocate. If they won't go on to the next band. Chances are some other band sees what you're doing and want to help. Another way to get alternative media to interview your band is use college radio, print and TV. Shun mainstream media.
Fuck them!
Find a writer who writes for the type of music you play. Ask them to interview your band. If they say no, change your approach. Offer them free guitar lessons, free admission to your gigs. Barter comes in handy when dealing with media people. Interview other bands still and put their interviews on your site still. Do live video streams and use You Tube to get more traffic. Offer Press Kit services such as article writing, bios, CD reviews and get an on line presence. Also offer to let bands open up for you, and for your band to open up for others for press kit services. Keep your services focused on your genre.You can do press kit services for other genres, but don't go in too many directions.
You'll want a regular writer for your band who also has connections to underground media sources, and is willing to work for free until your band plays regularly. Keep on writing for other bands. To make extra money online, offer music equipment at a discount. Sell wholesale music equipment. Two top notch whole sale music equipment sources are Sweetwater and Musicians Friend. You can also sell Rock Band Merch from Rock.com in either their affiliate program, or sell off Ebay.
Booking other blues or rock acts can also act as another off the beaten path way of making money for your band besides gigs. But start by helping bands for free. If you want more info on these ways to make money for your band, just email me.
mdgrove@rock.com
Peace and success to all players.
Mark G
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Real Music Business Tips
By Mark Grove
I was reading an interview with Music business owner Terry McBride who runs Nettwerk Group talked about downloading, music business on the internet,and big business running record labels.Terry is all about business and how he can prosper in the coming decades.He deals with mainly big name artists.
Well,I don't care about downloading because it will continue regardless. I get a good laugh out of some labels actually taking regular citizens to court and literally fining them huge amounts of money.
No balls man! That's cowardice!
The labels should have realized they can't stop it and to figure out street ways of selling music instead of worrying about money that doesn't come in from the internet.
First of all I hope that music is sold through conventional means,meaning stores and at club gigs and concerts.The real experience of music will be lost if all music ends up on servers and totally sold through the internet.
As well,big companies becoming record labels scares the shit out of me.Just the name of a record label being General Motors Records? or Bank Of America Records? come on! I think major labels are gullible enough to take a huge check from huge companies to change the name of their record company.
But labels will have to keep on pumping out music,products and services customers want.
More musicians will start their own labels and have to sell at gigs and press conferences and fan events.Forget record stores or selling online.Most don't have a big enough following to make it worth it to
sell their wares online.
Musicians can have a website and offer their tracks online for free, and have interviews online and interviews they do with other bands to create interest.Help other musicians,and interview successful bands in your genre,or ones who are successful and fly under the radar of major labels and media.
Think differently. Don't sell online.Only do it if you have boatloads of traffic online.
Terry also talked about having causes you believe in be a way of marketing. Like Diseases that decimate people.But don't just have people give money to cancer,blood disorders,physically challenged organizations and such.
Giving money doesn't do shit! Actually taking that money and helping an individual or a family shows to fans you care.And I hope you do.This will help a lot more than money just disappearing into a cause's coffers.
All this can help people,generate CD sales and more people at your gigs.
Musicians Saving Money:
Interview recording studio owners,musicians who have a home studio,and promote their biz on your site or at your gigs.This may help get you free or reduced studio time.Or buy a cheap Tascam cassette tape 4 track and do a bottom feeder CD.
Or crowd source as Terry Mcbride says.Terry says to remix into dance tracks. I say you could collaborate with a hip hop or rap singer and stay true to your genre,and have an element of your music that's part of what today's music fans want.
That may also get more fans out of your blues or rock.Its up to you. But Terry is right,you have to make money to stay in the music business. Even on your site,if you have one you could sell advertising that acts as part of your content,could make you extra money.As long as it looks like part of your site and not just blatant selling.
So there are lots of ways to make money and be creative as a musician. Lets hope the major labels and the big guns on the internet don't screw it up for everybody else.There are a few golden nuggets you can use to help your music business.
Email me with your results guys.
Peace and success to all musicians
Mark G
I was reading an interview with Music business owner Terry McBride who runs Nettwerk Group talked about downloading, music business on the internet,and big business running record labels.Terry is all about business and how he can prosper in the coming decades.He deals with mainly big name artists.
Well,I don't care about downloading because it will continue regardless. I get a good laugh out of some labels actually taking regular citizens to court and literally fining them huge amounts of money.
No balls man! That's cowardice!
The labels should have realized they can't stop it and to figure out street ways of selling music instead of worrying about money that doesn't come in from the internet.
First of all I hope that music is sold through conventional means,meaning stores and at club gigs and concerts.The real experience of music will be lost if all music ends up on servers and totally sold through the internet.
As well,big companies becoming record labels scares the shit out of me.Just the name of a record label being General Motors Records? or Bank Of America Records? come on! I think major labels are gullible enough to take a huge check from huge companies to change the name of their record company.
But labels will have to keep on pumping out music,products and services customers want.
More musicians will start their own labels and have to sell at gigs and press conferences and fan events.Forget record stores or selling online.Most don't have a big enough following to make it worth it to
sell their wares online.
Musicians can have a website and offer their tracks online for free, and have interviews online and interviews they do with other bands to create interest.Help other musicians,and interview successful bands in your genre,or ones who are successful and fly under the radar of major labels and media.
Think differently. Don't sell online.Only do it if you have boatloads of traffic online.
Terry also talked about having causes you believe in be a way of marketing. Like Diseases that decimate people.But don't just have people give money to cancer,blood disorders,physically challenged organizations and such.
Giving money doesn't do shit! Actually taking that money and helping an individual or a family shows to fans you care.And I hope you do.This will help a lot more than money just disappearing into a cause's coffers.
All this can help people,generate CD sales and more people at your gigs.
Musicians Saving Money:
Interview recording studio owners,musicians who have a home studio,and promote their biz on your site or at your gigs.This may help get you free or reduced studio time.Or buy a cheap Tascam cassette tape 4 track and do a bottom feeder CD.
Or crowd source as Terry Mcbride says.Terry says to remix into dance tracks. I say you could collaborate with a hip hop or rap singer and stay true to your genre,and have an element of your music that's part of what today's music fans want.
That may also get more fans out of your blues or rock.Its up to you. But Terry is right,you have to make money to stay in the music business. Even on your site,if you have one you could sell advertising that acts as part of your content,could make you extra money.As long as it looks like part of your site and not just blatant selling.
So there are lots of ways to make money and be creative as a musician. Lets hope the major labels and the big guns on the internet don't screw it up for everybody else.There are a few golden nuggets you can use to help your music business.
Email me with your results guys.
Peace and success to all musicians
Mark G
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Music Business--What's More Important,Better Gear Or Making A Top Notch Album?
Blues Great Eddie Taylor
By Mark Grove
I came across a website called Artists House with a post that asked, Should you use better road gear or make a better album.Okay,I'll get right to the point.If any working musicians say making a better album is more important,stop reading this,sell all your gear and go back to that day job you hate.
This is dead simple guys
A player who's been in the game one month could figure it out.If they can you can.
Before doing anything else learn how to play better with the gear you currently before you do anything else.Learn from other musicians better than you,and attend jam sessions with other blues and rock players.
This is not hard guys.
Okay,what to do next?
Make a better album.Noooooo!
Better Gear? Yes!
Anyone can make a better album with today's technology.You don't have to be a musician to make a good album with computer technology.If you're a working player it's vital your band uses road worthy gear.Amps like Mesa-Boogie,Ampeg,SWR or Randall for heavy music players.
Use top quality cables,cords,mic's and mixing equipment for your live gear.Even top quality cases that protect your gear.It will take time to start being able to afford this top quality gear. Just be patient.
If you don't make investments in top quality gear your playing will suffer and your gear will not last 3 months on the road.
Bottom-Feeder Recording To Be Creative:
Forget making a better album,do it ghetto style lads when you're first starting out.You'll waste your money and time.Wait until you have a band together for a year or so and you're making a good living before considering using a top quality studio.And don't use computer technology to record your first album.
Do it with Analog equipment at first.That will help your band be more creative than doing it with digital equipment.I've mentioned in other articles to go buy an old Tascam 4 track cassette with a built in mixer on it.Record it directly on the floor like a live gig.Use high quality mic's like Shure 57's or 58's.Make sure its mixed well and keep the analog state of the live recording in tact.
At this point if you're playing regularly,you'll know local studio recording engineers.Get them to listen to it.Ask for any tips on recording and mixing it better.Interview them and offer to put the interview on your band site.Offer to interview him on a regular basis. This may get him to do a free mastering and final mixing of your CD.
Still keep the analog sound in tact.
You can grab cheap Tascam 4 track decks off E-Bay and Craigslist.
Simple marketing of your Analog CD:
Make only 100 or 200 and split the cost between the band members.This will probably not make any money.But if your band is smart you'll start a business.I'm off on a tangent here,but it's all inter-related guys.
Give out 50 to 100 at your gigs.Give out at least 50 to local media,clubs, agents and blues music societies.Even include a couple to your local musicians union who are huge resources of help to musicians.
Marketing damn important!!!
Interview other bands
Write articles for other bands
Hold Q and A sessions for your fans and fans of other bands
Help other bands,buy better equipment,market your band properly and learn all you can from doing what you love,song writing and recording.Forget the better album right now.
Mark Grove
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Musicians And The US Financial Crisis--Why There Are Major Opportunities For You The Musician
By Mark Grove
This is a re-posting of a back article that should be important to you the musician. This is not to alarm you, but to give you the ability to make money despite tough economic times.
Your band can succeed despite the bullshit with our governments in the US and Canada bailing out mega corporations and other companies who feed us bullshit lines everyday.
Musicians Like you will succeed!
Most musicians who are not enlightened to what the US financial woes mean, will obviously think that the money problem means potential money problems for their band. They will whine and complain and have a herd mentality like everyone else in the general public. They may still have a regular job or a small business and a band to boot, yet they still think the financial fuck-up will hurt them. If you let it, yeah it will hurt you monetarily. How does any of this financial problem with the banks and mortgage lenders involve musicians?
It won't if you're ready for it.Musicians will say the clubs will all dry up and they'll be fighting for gigs,or even opening for others.And no the money's not gone, it's just one sector of the economy that was hit because people thought giving great deals for mega houses would not go in the toilet. Unfortunately it did. The money is not gone!
This money crisis will make some musicians new multi-millionaires or make a good living when worked right.Incredible bargains will be had for music equipment,making deals with club owners to play regular gigs,labels,rehearsal and recording studio time.
These musicians will profit hugely!
The intelligent players will see the crisis as opportunity to make money in off the beaten paths, not just the staple of club gigging.The prices will drop to have a CD made as well. You can put that money to work doing online marketing and setting up a website. Write Press-Kit articles for musicians, or where agents see gloom and doom you can set up shop and book musicians at just a little lower percentage and grab a bunch of blues,metal or even jazz acts, and thereby capitalize on the lower percentage.
Be willing to book bands for 5 percent at first. or even for free until they get playing regular gigs. Be willing to go through lean times before hitting the big payday.
Take only 10 percent at the most. Don't be greedy because most poor musicians think they have to make a million dollars to do well.
That's not the case.Don't play the lottery and think you'll
never make it.
If you're a musician who sees this as opportunity, you'll know that your band and music business is providing value to other musicians, fans and music industry people. There's still lots of money out there and people will always want to see live music.
Music Marketing:
It's still important to concentrate on the business of music, and in this financial crisis you can ask people on your email list what they do for a living if they value your music and articles on music. That way you can see where they are financially by knowing what they do.
Most musicians will still freak out because of the financial crisis and think shit!
What am I gonna do for my band?
They will wait everything out and focus on what they aren't doing and making. Marketing is huge, besides the music.
And where major label deals and major booking agent deals go south, if you're resourceful enough you could book certain bands or offer an indie label deal for a band who's had some success, but a major has dropped them. You don't need to be a major player to do big deals every time.
But think about this, why would a major label keep an artist coming out with albums if they don't sell a certain amount based upon what the label puts into marketing and recording of an album, then lose money. Now you know they keep their interests on the bands that make money for them.
Makes sense doesn't it. But they could do a better job with their smaller labels. Just some input. Maybe the banks could learn a little something from the major labels on focusing on the money making deals. Most companies in this crisis will be petrified and think their market will go in the dumper and a recession.
No matter what, think of this as an opportunity ripe for the pickin'.
Here's a Little Secret:
There will always be music--and even if there is a major recession people will still listen to music. Any problems with labels, bookers or clubs has nothing to do with your band. And most musicians will do nothing to make their situations better, so if your band is ready to pounce on opportunities will profit from the financial crisis.
And most musicians will wish everything better.
I deal mainly with blues musicians and it's the toughest to make money at. I feel there are monstrous opportunities for blues artists and blues promoters,writers and bookers. If a bluesman can make money in this economy why isn't your band?
I think that it's worth the investment in your band to challenge them to overcome the financial crisis and come out on top. Think of ways to bring more people to gigs. Offer to play for free to club owners. Get them to bring the media and interview the band. The free gig will help you bring more people out to add to your mailing list and buy your CD's.
Offer Q and A sessions to fans, and put up a forum on your site where they can talk about your music. Market your band's ass off and you'll say, Financial Crisis, What Financial Crisis?
Mark Grove
This is a re-posting of a back article that should be important to you the musician. This is not to alarm you, but to give you the ability to make money despite tough economic times.
Your band can succeed despite the bullshit with our governments in the US and Canada bailing out mega corporations and other companies who feed us bullshit lines everyday.
Musicians Like you will succeed!
Most musicians who are not enlightened to what the US financial woes mean, will obviously think that the money problem means potential money problems for their band. They will whine and complain and have a herd mentality like everyone else in the general public. They may still have a regular job or a small business and a band to boot, yet they still think the financial fuck-up will hurt them. If you let it, yeah it will hurt you monetarily. How does any of this financial problem with the banks and mortgage lenders involve musicians?
It won't if you're ready for it.Musicians will say the clubs will all dry up and they'll be fighting for gigs,or even opening for others.And no the money's not gone, it's just one sector of the economy that was hit because people thought giving great deals for mega houses would not go in the toilet. Unfortunately it did. The money is not gone!
This money crisis will make some musicians new multi-millionaires or make a good living when worked right.Incredible bargains will be had for music equipment,making deals with club owners to play regular gigs,labels,rehearsal and recording studio time.
These musicians will profit hugely!
The intelligent players will see the crisis as opportunity to make money in off the beaten paths, not just the staple of club gigging.The prices will drop to have a CD made as well. You can put that money to work doing online marketing and setting up a website. Write Press-Kit articles for musicians, or where agents see gloom and doom you can set up shop and book musicians at just a little lower percentage and grab a bunch of blues,metal or even jazz acts, and thereby capitalize on the lower percentage.
Be willing to book bands for 5 percent at first. or even for free until they get playing regular gigs. Be willing to go through lean times before hitting the big payday.
Take only 10 percent at the most. Don't be greedy because most poor musicians think they have to make a million dollars to do well.
That's not the case.Don't play the lottery and think you'll
never make it.
If you're a musician who sees this as opportunity, you'll know that your band and music business is providing value to other musicians, fans and music industry people. There's still lots of money out there and people will always want to see live music.
Music Marketing:
It's still important to concentrate on the business of music, and in this financial crisis you can ask people on your email list what they do for a living if they value your music and articles on music. That way you can see where they are financially by knowing what they do.
Most musicians will still freak out because of the financial crisis and think shit!
What am I gonna do for my band?
They will wait everything out and focus on what they aren't doing and making. Marketing is huge, besides the music.
And where major label deals and major booking agent deals go south, if you're resourceful enough you could book certain bands or offer an indie label deal for a band who's had some success, but a major has dropped them. You don't need to be a major player to do big deals every time.
But think about this, why would a major label keep an artist coming out with albums if they don't sell a certain amount based upon what the label puts into marketing and recording of an album, then lose money. Now you know they keep their interests on the bands that make money for them.
Makes sense doesn't it. But they could do a better job with their smaller labels. Just some input. Maybe the banks could learn a little something from the major labels on focusing on the money making deals. Most companies in this crisis will be petrified and think their market will go in the dumper and a recession.
No matter what, think of this as an opportunity ripe for the pickin'.
Here's a Little Secret:
There will always be music--and even if there is a major recession people will still listen to music. Any problems with labels, bookers or clubs has nothing to do with your band. And most musicians will do nothing to make their situations better, so if your band is ready to pounce on opportunities will profit from the financial crisis.
And most musicians will wish everything better.
I deal mainly with blues musicians and it's the toughest to make money at. I feel there are monstrous opportunities for blues artists and blues promoters,writers and bookers. If a bluesman can make money in this economy why isn't your band?
I think that it's worth the investment in your band to challenge them to overcome the financial crisis and come out on top. Think of ways to bring more people to gigs. Offer to play for free to club owners. Get them to bring the media and interview the band. The free gig will help you bring more people out to add to your mailing list and buy your CD's.
Offer Q and A sessions to fans, and put up a forum on your site where they can talk about your music. Market your band's ass off and you'll say, Financial Crisis, What Financial Crisis?
Mark Grove
Monday, February 2, 2009
Why The US Financial Crisis Is A Great Opportunity For Musicians
By Mark Grove
This is a re-posting of a back article that should be important to you the musician. This is not to alarm you, but to give you the ability to make money despite tough economic times.
Your band can succeed despite the bullshit with our governments in the US and Canada bailing out mega corporations and other companies who feed us bullshit lines everyday.
Musicians Like you will succeed!
Most musicians who are not enlightened to what the US financial woes mean, will obviously think that the money problem means potential money problems for their band. They will whine and complain and have a herd mentality like everyone else in the general public. They may still have a regular job or a small business and a band to boot, yet they still think the financial fuck-up will hurt them. If you let it, yeah it will hurt you monetarily. How does any of this financial problem with the banks and mortgage lenders involve musicians?
It won't if you're ready for it.Musicians will say the clubs will all dry up and they'll be fighting for gigs,or even opening for others.And no the money's not gone, it's just one sector of the economy that was hit because people thought giving great deals for mega houses would not go in the toilet. Unfortunately it did. The money is not gone!
This money crisis will make some musicians new multi-millionaires when worked right. Don't ask me how, it just will. Incredible bargains will be had for music equipment, making deals with club owners to play regular gigs or even buying stocks of major record labels, rehearsal and recording studio time.
These musicians will profit hugely!
The intelligent players will see the crisis as opportunity to make money in off the beaten paths, not just the staple of club gigging.The prices will drop to have a CD made as well. You can put that money to work doing online marketing and setting up a website. Write Press-Kit articles for musicians, or where agents see gloom and doom you can set up shop and book musicians at just a little lower percentage and grab a bunch of blues acts, and thereby capitalize on the lower percentage.
If you're a musician who sees this as opportunity, you'll know that your band and music business is providing value to other musicians, fans and music industry people. There's still lots of money out there and people will always want to see live music.
Music Marketing:
It's still important to concentrate on the business of music, and in this financial crisis you can ask people on your email list what they do for a living if they value your music and articles on music. That way you can see where they are financially by knowing what they do.
Most musicians will still freak out because of the financial crisis and think shit!
What am I gonna do for my band?
They will wait everything out and focus on what they aren't doing and making. Marketing is huge, besides the music.
And where major label deals and major booking agent deals go south, if you're resourceful enough you could book certain bands or offer an indie label deal for a band who's had some success but a major has dropped them. You don't need to be a major player to do big deals every time.
But think about this, why would a major label keep an artist coming out with albums if they don't sell a certain amount based upon what the label puts into marketing and recording of an album, then lose money. Now you know they keep their interests on the bands that make money for them.
Makes sense doesn't it. But they could do a better job with their smaller labels. Just some input. Maybe the banks could learn a little something from the major labels on focusing on the money making deals. Most companies in this crisis will be petrified and think their market will go in the dumper and a recession.
No matter what, think of this as an opportunity ripe for the pickin'.
Here's a Little Secret:
There will always be music--and even if there is a major recession people will still listen to music. Any problems with labels, bookers or clubs has nothing to do with your band. And most musicians will do nothing to make their situations better, so if your band is ready to pounce on opportunities will profit from the financial crisis.
And most musicians will wish everything better.
I deal mainly with blues musicians and it's the toughest to make money at. I feel there are monstrous opportunities for blues artists and blues promoters,writers and bookers. If a bluesman can make money in this economy why isn't your band?
I think that it's worth the investment in your band to challenge them to overcome the financial crisis and come out on top. Think of ways to bring more people to gigs. Offer to play for free to club owners. Get them to bring the media and interview the band. The free gig will help you bring more people out to add to your mailing list and buy your CD's.
Offer Q and A sessions to fans, and put up a forum on your site where they can talk about your music. Market your band's ass off and you'll say, Financial Crisis, What Financial Crisis?
Mark Grove
This is a re-posting of a back article that should be important to you the musician. This is not to alarm you, but to give you the ability to make money despite tough economic times.
Your band can succeed despite the bullshit with our governments in the US and Canada bailing out mega corporations and other companies who feed us bullshit lines everyday.
Musicians Like you will succeed!
Most musicians who are not enlightened to what the US financial woes mean, will obviously think that the money problem means potential money problems for their band. They will whine and complain and have a herd mentality like everyone else in the general public. They may still have a regular job or a small business and a band to boot, yet they still think the financial fuck-up will hurt them. If you let it, yeah it will hurt you monetarily. How does any of this financial problem with the banks and mortgage lenders involve musicians?
It won't if you're ready for it.Musicians will say the clubs will all dry up and they'll be fighting for gigs,or even opening for others.And no the money's not gone, it's just one sector of the economy that was hit because people thought giving great deals for mega houses would not go in the toilet. Unfortunately it did. The money is not gone!
This money crisis will make some musicians new multi-millionaires when worked right. Don't ask me how, it just will. Incredible bargains will be had for music equipment, making deals with club owners to play regular gigs or even buying stocks of major record labels, rehearsal and recording studio time.
These musicians will profit hugely!
The intelligent players will see the crisis as opportunity to make money in off the beaten paths, not just the staple of club gigging.The prices will drop to have a CD made as well. You can put that money to work doing online marketing and setting up a website. Write Press-Kit articles for musicians, or where agents see gloom and doom you can set up shop and book musicians at just a little lower percentage and grab a bunch of blues acts, and thereby capitalize on the lower percentage.
If you're a musician who sees this as opportunity, you'll know that your band and music business is providing value to other musicians, fans and music industry people. There's still lots of money out there and people will always want to see live music.
Music Marketing:
It's still important to concentrate on the business of music, and in this financial crisis you can ask people on your email list what they do for a living if they value your music and articles on music. That way you can see where they are financially by knowing what they do.
Most musicians will still freak out because of the financial crisis and think shit!
What am I gonna do for my band?
They will wait everything out and focus on what they aren't doing and making. Marketing is huge, besides the music.
And where major label deals and major booking agent deals go south, if you're resourceful enough you could book certain bands or offer an indie label deal for a band who's had some success but a major has dropped them. You don't need to be a major player to do big deals every time.
But think about this, why would a major label keep an artist coming out with albums if they don't sell a certain amount based upon what the label puts into marketing and recording of an album, then lose money. Now you know they keep their interests on the bands that make money for them.
Makes sense doesn't it. But they could do a better job with their smaller labels. Just some input. Maybe the banks could learn a little something from the major labels on focusing on the money making deals. Most companies in this crisis will be petrified and think their market will go in the dumper and a recession.
No matter what, think of this as an opportunity ripe for the pickin'.
Here's a Little Secret:
There will always be music--and even if there is a major recession people will still listen to music. Any problems with labels, bookers or clubs has nothing to do with your band. And most musicians will do nothing to make their situations better, so if your band is ready to pounce on opportunities will profit from the financial crisis.
And most musicians will wish everything better.
I deal mainly with blues musicians and it's the toughest to make money at. I feel there are monstrous opportunities for blues artists and blues promoters,writers and bookers. If a bluesman can make money in this economy why isn't your band?
I think that it's worth the investment in your band to challenge them to overcome the financial crisis and come out on top. Think of ways to bring more people to gigs. Offer to play for free to club owners. Get them to bring the media and interview the band. The free gig will help you bring more people out to add to your mailing list and buy your CD's.
Offer Q and A sessions to fans, and put up a forum on your site where they can talk about your music. Market your band's ass off and you'll say, Financial Crisis, What Financial Crisis?
Mark Grove
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Bill Graham On The Running Of The Fillmore East and West in late 60's and 70's
The Fillmore East And West had some of the best musicians ever to grace a stage. Not for business but just to play great music. Bill also gives some very illuminating insight into where music was headed in the 70's.
Also, see about being out in the Bay Area January 10,2009 at the Fairmont Hotel and Fillmore West on Geary Boulevard in San Francisco. This is Bill's birthday and Jimmy Page's birthday as well. No, Jimmy won't be there.
There will be the presenting of the Bill Graham Justice Award. Bill did all he could to help out the little guy in his life. I hope all players will do the same.
Peace,
Mark
http://www.billgrahamfoundation.org
Friday, November 7, 2008
Have a Music Related Blog or Site--BlogCatalog.com is a great way to drive traffic
I came across a great Social networking site for Musicians and music industry people who want more traffic and back links to their sites. Blog Catalog is a great site for getting the word out.
http://www.blogcatalog.com
You can also rate Canadian Guitar with the widget below. Whatever you think of my site if it's good or just crap, rate it.
Peace,
Mark
http://www.blogcatalog.com
You can also rate Canadian Guitar with the widget below. Whatever you think of my site if it's good or just crap, rate it.
Peace,
Mark
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Music Business and how making simple stupid videos can help your fans see the real you
Written By Mark Grove
I seem to be on a music business bent of late but it's important so musicians understand some basics and tie both musicianship and the business of selling your band,CD's and Merch to the betterment of your music career.
Online marketing with video no matter what kind of business you're in is important. Just having video or strictly text by them selves does not tend to resonate with music fans. You need both because people are different, and while video correlates
with one area of the brain, text meshes with another.
Some will like a lot of text while most like both video and text. I've learned from some musicians about internet marketing but most of the knowledge I've gained comes from successful internet marketers. These people know that music fans don't just want to see music videos of your band playing songs but videos that show the real you. Meaning, videos of their favorite band just sitting around talking like real people having normal conversations.
Being stupid or talking about the weather,politics or the guy that pisses them off at work, whatever. Being real people,eh?
That in it's self will click with many of your fans more than all the music videos and interviews with journalists. If real people could interview your band that will mesh with your fans even more. Besides seeing the real you as a person who just happens to be a very successful musician--people are more in tune to what you do to record and write songs, the axe and rig you use that creates value for other musicians, and fans will want to know more as well.
By having real fans become a part of your world they are more apt to buy your CD's,DVD's and other merch. So get busy making videos of your band just hanging out, and talking amongst themselves. Don't make a script, just turn your camcorder or Mac Eye-Site camera on and just say whatever is on your mind. Your fans and future ones will love you for it.
They will become loyal to your "Brand" and want more crazy videos. Ask your fans what they want to see on your site. Have them interview your band. Have draws where they can win packages to your gigs or help musicians to move up in the world.
I don't care if you have a metal,rap,hip-hop,blues or country act people will love you for making simple videos.
Mark Grove
I seem to be on a music business bent of late but it's important so musicians understand some basics and tie both musicianship and the business of selling your band,CD's and Merch to the betterment of your music career.
Online marketing with video no matter what kind of business you're in is important. Just having video or strictly text by them selves does not tend to resonate with music fans. You need both because people are different, and while video correlates
with one area of the brain, text meshes with another.
Some will like a lot of text while most like both video and text. I've learned from some musicians about internet marketing but most of the knowledge I've gained comes from successful internet marketers. These people know that music fans don't just want to see music videos of your band playing songs but videos that show the real you. Meaning, videos of their favorite band just sitting around talking like real people having normal conversations.
Being stupid or talking about the weather,politics or the guy that pisses them off at work, whatever. Being real people,eh?
That in it's self will click with many of your fans more than all the music videos and interviews with journalists. If real people could interview your band that will mesh with your fans even more. Besides seeing the real you as a person who just happens to be a very successful musician--people are more in tune to what you do to record and write songs, the axe and rig you use that creates value for other musicians, and fans will want to know more as well.
By having real fans become a part of your world they are more apt to buy your CD's,DVD's and other merch. So get busy making videos of your band just hanging out, and talking amongst themselves. Don't make a script, just turn your camcorder or Mac Eye-Site camera on and just say whatever is on your mind. Your fans and future ones will love you for it.
They will become loyal to your "Brand" and want more crazy videos. Ask your fans what they want to see on your site. Have them interview your band. Have draws where they can win packages to your gigs or help musicians to move up in the world.
I don't care if you have a metal,rap,hip-hop,blues or country act people will love you for making simple videos.
Mark Grove
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Music Business--Chase Sanborn Shows Musicians Every Day Strategies besides having a "Real Job"
Chase Sanborn is one dedicated Trumpet Player. Don't go thinking I don't want to hear how to skyrocket my music career from a horn player. Just let me tell you a bit about this well known player. Chase is very much into helping musicians and creating value for them.
Chase does what he loves and focuses on that.
First of all Chase is interested in creating massive value with Pushing the free line by writing how to articles for musicians in Canadian Musician Mag, and has written a number of how-to books for horn players and one called Music Business Tactics for all players including horn guys.
I have a crappy dry sense of humor if you got that.
http://www.musicbusinesstactics.com
Having logged many sessions for top artists and orchestras--Chase also played with Ray Charles,Diana Krall and numerous jazz gigs. Sanborn has many irons in the fire including his own line of signature mouth pieces for horn players and teaches Jazz at the University Of Toronto and playing gigs here in Canada.
Whew!
This article will give some insight into getting musicians into the mind set that having just a regular job and gigging is not, I repeat not the only way to make money in the Music Business.Keeping this in mind Musicians have to think about ways to make money in off the beaten paths as I've said in previous articles.
Chase will help you to get to the next level in your passion as musicians.
As well, Chase has a great website and a how to book called Music Business Tactics to give you the ammo you need to make money from many music sources. This way you won't worry so much about spinning your wheels in bands or music business that take you no where.
http://www.musicbusinesstactic.com
The Day Job
By Chase Sanborn
Any musicians supplement their earnings with a ‘day job’. There is no dishonor in this, simply an acceptance that musical jobs are rare and valuable commodities. Actors have lived with this reality for a long time. Aside from the financial incentive, having an alternate source of income helps mitigate the discouragement and lack of motivation that can accompany lack of employment. You don’t want to get sucked into the vortex of no-gigs-leads-to-no-practice-leads-to-no-chops-leads-to-no-career.
If your day job relates to music, that’s great, but not essential. What is essential is that you feel challenged and stimulated, rather than simply punching a clock. You won’t accomplish much in the practice room if your day job leaves you brain dead.
Music Industry Jobs
There are many jobs in the music industry: instrument manufacturing or retail; sound engineering and production; artist management and publicity; music journalism; music preparation (copying); instrument repair. All will keep you in touch with the business and help you develop the contacts that may lead to playing gigs.
Non-Music Industry Jobs
Many fine musicians earn some of their money in other occupations. I know musicians who ‘moonlight’ as computer programmers, web designers, golf and tennis pros, pilots, real estate and insurance agents, lawyers, doctors, accountants and dentists.
http://www.musicbusinesstactics.com
Teaching
Teaching is an obvious way for a musician to earn extra money. It keeps the instrument in your hands and your mind on music. Mind you, teaching is a demanding occupation. If your prime motivation is money, you and your students may wind up dissatisfied.
Fitting In Your Practicing
With a day job, you have to be creative to find time to practice. Try to play a little in the morning, before you head out the door. Consider bringing your instrument to work, if there is someplace you can play during the day. I once knew a lead trumpet player who worked as an air traffic controller. On breaks, he would go to the base of the tower and practice. Interestingly, he felt more stressed on the bandstand than in the control tower. As he put it: “At work, there are controls and backups for everything I do. Playing the horn, I’m on my own.”
Positive Energy
Although it can be hard to hit the practice room with full enthusiasm after working all day, spending time with your instrument should fill you with positive energy. Similar to exercise, you may not relish the prospect initially, but once you get going it feels good.
Being paid to play is a privilege, not a right. You earn that privilege by staying at the top of your game, regardless of what else life has in store for you.
By Chase Sanborn
http://www.musicbusinesstactics.com
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Repost on this important issue:Why the Financial Crisis in the US is a great opportunity for you the musician
By Mark Grove
This is such an important issue for musicians like you.There is also a vote in the US today as well.
There is a good chance a lot of Democrats in the Senate and Congress may lose their seats. But as I 've said in the past most people especially musicians should not vote.You get one say then when they get voted in you don't have a say.Why bother? We are headed toward a cataclyzmic collision financially and morally in North America and the world if we don't smarten up.
This is an even better opportunity for musicians to prosper and become self sufficient doing something
you want to do and entertain people. What do people gravitate towards in hard times? Being entertained
despite the price. Now is your opportunity to become the musician you always wanted despite the
money problems our losers in government have created. There is lots of money to be had in the music and entertainment biz fellow musicians.Become informed and know no matter who's in power chances are they won't reduce taxes,create jobs or help society.
Take it upon yourself to just forget about our politicians and their bullshit and create a band that plays the music you want,and make the kind of money most people in regular jobs will never even try.
The world is ours musicians!!! Even more in hard times.
Most musicians who are not enlightened to what the US financial woes mean, will obviously think that the money problem means potential money problems for their band. They will whine and complain and have a herd mentality like everyone else in the general public. They may still have a regular job or a small business and a band to boot, yet they still think the financial fuck-up will hurt them. If you let it, yeah it will hurt you monetarily. How does any of this financial problem with the banks and mortgage lenders involve musicians?
It won't if you're ready for it.Musicians will say the clubs will all dry up and they'll be fighting for gigs,or even opening for others.And no the money's not gone, it's just one sector of the economy that was hit because people thought giving great deals for mega houses would not go in the toilet. Unfortunately it did. The money is not gone!
This money crisis will make some musicians new multi-millionaires when worked right. Don't ask me how, it just will. Incredible bargains will be had for music equipment, making deals with club owners to play regular gigs or even buying stocks of major record labels, rehearsal and recording studio time.
These musicians will profit hugely!
The intelligent players will see the crisis as opportunity to make money in off the beaten paths, not just the staple of club gigging.The prices will drop to have a CD made as well. You can put that money to work doing online marketing and setting up a website. Write Press-Kit articles for musicians, or where agents see gloom and doom you can set up shop and book musicians at just a little lower percentage and grab a bunch of blues acts, and thereby capitalize on the lower percentage.
If you're a musician who sees this as opportunity, you'll know that your band and music business is providing value to other musicians, fans and music industry people. There's still lots of money out there and people will always want to see live music.
Music Marketing:
It's still important to concentrate on the business of music, and in this financial crisis you can ask people on your email list what they do for a living if they value your music and articles on music. That way you can see where they are financially by knowing what they do.
Most musicians will still freak out because of the financial crisis and think shit!
What am I gonna do for my band?
They will wait everything out and focus on what they aren't doing and making. Marketing is huge, besides the music.
And where major label deals and major booking agent deals go south, if you're resourceful enough you could book certain bands or offer an indie label deal for a band who's had some success but a major has dropped them. You don't need to be a major player to do big deals every time.
But think about this, why would a major label keep an artist coming out with albums if they don't sell a certain amount based upon what the label puts into marketing and recording of an album, then lose money. Now you know they keep their interests on the bands that make money for them.
Makes sense doesn't it. But they could do a better job with their smaller labels. Just some input. Maybe the banks could learn a little something from the major labels on focusing on the money making deals. Most companies in this crisis will be petrified and think their market will go in the dumper and a recession.
No matter what, think of this as an opportunity ripe for the pickin'.
Here's a Little Secret:
There will always be music--and even if there is a major recession people will still listen to music. Any problems with labels, bookers or clubs has nothing to do with your band. And most musicians will do nothing to make their situations better, so if your band is ready to pounce on opportunities will profit from the financial crisis.
And most musicians will wish everything better.
I deal mainly with blues musicians and it's the toughest to make money at. I feel there are monstrous opportunities for blues artists and blues promoters,writers and bookers. If a bluesman can make money in this economy why isn't your band?
I think that it's worth the investment in your band to challenge them to overcome the financial crisis and come out on top. Think of ways to bring more people to gigs. Offer to play for free to club owners. Get them to bring the media and interview the band. The free gig will help you bring more people out to add to your mailing list and buy your CD's.
Offer Q and A sessions to fans, and put up a forum on your site where they can talk about your music. Market your band's ass off and you'll say, Financial Crisis, What Financial Crisis?
Mark Grove
This is such an important issue for musicians like you.There is also a vote in the US today as well.
There is a good chance a lot of Democrats in the Senate and Congress may lose their seats. But as I 've said in the past most people especially musicians should not vote.You get one say then when they get voted in you don't have a say.Why bother? We are headed toward a cataclyzmic collision financially and morally in North America and the world if we don't smarten up.
This is an even better opportunity for musicians to prosper and become self sufficient doing something
you want to do and entertain people. What do people gravitate towards in hard times? Being entertained
despite the price. Now is your opportunity to become the musician you always wanted despite the
money problems our losers in government have created. There is lots of money to be had in the music and entertainment biz fellow musicians.Become informed and know no matter who's in power chances are they won't reduce taxes,create jobs or help society.
Take it upon yourself to just forget about our politicians and their bullshit and create a band that plays the music you want,and make the kind of money most people in regular jobs will never even try.
The world is ours musicians!!! Even more in hard times.
Most musicians who are not enlightened to what the US financial woes mean, will obviously think that the money problem means potential money problems for their band. They will whine and complain and have a herd mentality like everyone else in the general public. They may still have a regular job or a small business and a band to boot, yet they still think the financial fuck-up will hurt them. If you let it, yeah it will hurt you monetarily. How does any of this financial problem with the banks and mortgage lenders involve musicians?
It won't if you're ready for it.Musicians will say the clubs will all dry up and they'll be fighting for gigs,or even opening for others.And no the money's not gone, it's just one sector of the economy that was hit because people thought giving great deals for mega houses would not go in the toilet. Unfortunately it did. The money is not gone!
This money crisis will make some musicians new multi-millionaires when worked right. Don't ask me how, it just will. Incredible bargains will be had for music equipment, making deals with club owners to play regular gigs or even buying stocks of major record labels, rehearsal and recording studio time.
These musicians will profit hugely!
The intelligent players will see the crisis as opportunity to make money in off the beaten paths, not just the staple of club gigging.The prices will drop to have a CD made as well. You can put that money to work doing online marketing and setting up a website. Write Press-Kit articles for musicians, or where agents see gloom and doom you can set up shop and book musicians at just a little lower percentage and grab a bunch of blues acts, and thereby capitalize on the lower percentage.
If you're a musician who sees this as opportunity, you'll know that your band and music business is providing value to other musicians, fans and music industry people. There's still lots of money out there and people will always want to see live music.
Music Marketing:
It's still important to concentrate on the business of music, and in this financial crisis you can ask people on your email list what they do for a living if they value your music and articles on music. That way you can see where they are financially by knowing what they do.
Most musicians will still freak out because of the financial crisis and think shit!
What am I gonna do for my band?
They will wait everything out and focus on what they aren't doing and making. Marketing is huge, besides the music.
And where major label deals and major booking agent deals go south, if you're resourceful enough you could book certain bands or offer an indie label deal for a band who's had some success but a major has dropped them. You don't need to be a major player to do big deals every time.
But think about this, why would a major label keep an artist coming out with albums if they don't sell a certain amount based upon what the label puts into marketing and recording of an album, then lose money. Now you know they keep their interests on the bands that make money for them.
Makes sense doesn't it. But they could do a better job with their smaller labels. Just some input. Maybe the banks could learn a little something from the major labels on focusing on the money making deals. Most companies in this crisis will be petrified and think their market will go in the dumper and a recession.
No matter what, think of this as an opportunity ripe for the pickin'.
Here's a Little Secret:
There will always be music--and even if there is a major recession people will still listen to music. Any problems with labels, bookers or clubs has nothing to do with your band. And most musicians will do nothing to make their situations better, so if your band is ready to pounce on opportunities will profit from the financial crisis.
And most musicians will wish everything better.
I deal mainly with blues musicians and it's the toughest to make money at. I feel there are monstrous opportunities for blues artists and blues promoters,writers and bookers. If a bluesman can make money in this economy why isn't your band?
I think that it's worth the investment in your band to challenge them to overcome the financial crisis and come out on top. Think of ways to bring more people to gigs. Offer to play for free to club owners. Get them to bring the media and interview the band. The free gig will help you bring more people out to add to your mailing list and buy your CD's.
Offer Q and A sessions to fans, and put up a forum on your site where they can talk about your music. Market your band's ass off and you'll say, Financial Crisis, What Financial Crisis?
Mark Grove
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