Dear DIY's, Are You Making the Time?

"Dearest Artist,

I f’n love you man.  If music was a religion – you’d be gods.  No wait - bigger than gods - because I make time for you nearly every day, and not just when I want something.

I’ve heard a lot like you...but you – you’re the real deal. You help me get through my less than inspiring work-day, and I make time for you in my study schedule.  Sometimes you even make the most mundaine tasks (like house cleaning, barf) – dare I say, more bearable.

Sometimes you get me in the mood (if you know what I’m sayin).  And sometimes you help get me out of a mood I'd rather not be in.

I read your newsletters. I compliment you daily on your Facebook wall. I visit your website.  I happily vote for you every time you’re entered in some contest.  I even spend my hard-earned dollar from my miserable day job on you.  I tell everyone about you, and spread the good word in hopes that one day everyone else will recognize your magnificence.

What do you do for me?

Sincerely,
Your biggest fan."

*       *       *       *

All fake-fan letters aside... The real question is:  What have you done for your fans today?  How much time have you given them?  To state the obvious, communication is one of most effective ways to build and retain a fan base. 

This may not be true for the pre-packaged, manufactured artists of the world (you know who these are) that have the support of a major label shoving their bland over-produced bubble-gum garbage down consumers throats.  But in the case for the DIY artists (that actually play their own instruments) trying make a buck – interaction is one of the easiest, most effective ways to make your fans feel like buying an over-priced ticket to your Tuesday night show is worth it - and to keep them coming back for more.

Too often I hear artists say, “We just don’t have the time to engage....”

Really?!

Not 'having time' is no excuse, imho. Communication is the easiest it's ever been.  Remember the days when the only way to reach out to fans was to physically reply to hand-written fan mail?  Talk about time consuming.

The average consumer has a day job, even two or three jobs - And faced with 3000+ advertisements per day.  But yet, a die-hard fan will take the time to rifle through the onslaught of junk and seek out information on the artists they admire.

In a world where time is a commodity – are you giving your followers the same time they give you?  Or are you one of those that believe artist-to-fan communication comes in the form of a mass Facebook message only when you need something?

When Shady Promoters Piss in My Cornflakes...

I'm not a moody girl, really.  But, if there is one thing that puts me in a cranky mood - it's shady promoters. 

They come with the territory, though.  Really what fun would the industry be without the classic money-grubbing, slime-ball promoter?  Don't get all worked up now just yet - I have been a promoter, and they are not all bad.  The slimy ones though...those are the ones that can crush a live music scene.  It's kind of sad sometimes.  Think about it - if you are in a smaller city, you've likely got one or two guys that bring in all the shows.  If they're the shady type, and have found a way to swindle every band they work with - who is going to want to come gig in your stopping grounds?

In several of my posts I talk about what performers need to do to better their career.  But there is more to the industry than just performers.  Promoters are essential at times, though with the technology now available, artist are able to do the bulk of the work on their own.  However, a good promoter will be of great benefit.  With that being said though, some need to be just as cautious with the actions they take.  Really, there are only so many bridges you can burn before no one wants to be a part of your "successful" events again.  As I mentioned in one of my recent posts, word travels fast - with the push of a button, actually.

I know you are all wondering..."who pissed in your cornflakes?!"... right? No one in particular actually...but if they did...I am certainly not going to do them the justice of saying their name and giving them any kind of free promotion.  Besides, I am sure my words can relate with several.

I will be the first to say that I am not a full-time promoter, nor is it the bulk of what I do.  I would never even say that I have a promotional business.  But at least, I know what I am doing when I do it and execute it with success. 

Don't expect a sell out event if you are only going to give yourself three days of radio advertising and toss up a couple of posters.  A well executed event needs a 5 week marketing plan - at minimum!!  Ticket prices should not be double what they are worth just so you can make an extra buck.  Prepare to lose money.  And just because a few hundred people "confirmed" on your Facebook invite page - don't think that they are actually going to come until you have the money and the tickets are gone.

One of the worst business moves when you are trying to establish yourself as a legitimate promoter - not paying your bands!  A budget should always include payment to be allocated to your performers, staff, security, etc.  You can't bank on ticket sales at the end of the night to pay off your staff and entertainment.  And if you don't have it in the budget, you are in the wrong business.

Bands...always, always, ALWAYS sign a contract!  Of course there are certain instances when it can be avoided - if you really trust the person you are working with.  But, in almost every case...if you don't have a contract, you are not under any legal binding to get paid.  And just because you think Mr. Promoter is a good dude...doesn't mean he will pay you.  If by chance, he/she doesn't know what they are doing and loses a shit load of money, and then can't afford to pay you...guess what, they won't.  Trying to get your money from some idiot that doesn't know how to properly organize a show can be more money than it's worth in the end.  However, if you haven't inked your signature...they can easily say that you never ever performed.  In that case, you just gigged for nothing.

I've seen this happen to so many artists, and it irritates me.  Artists are usually the last ones to make money off of anything these days, and need to be paid for their time and effort just like anyone else.   Not all promoters are dangerous, I know plenty of great ones.  It's the shifty ones with the wandering eyes that give the good folks that have a  true passion for the industry a bad name.  And that makes me cranky.

Okay, rant is over!  I'm sure you get what I am saying! :)

Hallelujah! America DOES Have Talent...

In my last post, I talked about ditching the same old marketing avenues and doing something good to build up your name, so it's a coincidence that I noticed this group in their efforts to do something positive.  It's not very often that I watch TV...very little, if at all.  But today, during my recovery  process from last night's festivities I turned it on, and America's Got Talent was on.  I didn't watch very long as I find television uninteresting and my A.D.D kicks in after a few minutes. 

However, I did have the opportunity to be completely wowed by a Miami band originally from Haiti and their performance of Lenard Cohen's 1984 hit Hallelujah.  The group, Harmonik, and their arrangement of the legendary song completely blew me a way, and the passion that they displayed gave me goosebumps.

I couldn't find a ton of information on the group, but one thing is for certain - they have my attention.  And their mission - to show the world that after the devastation to strike Haiti - they are still standing.  They've moved on to the next round and have hopes of bringing the money back to Haiti to help rebuild their country.

If they were anywhere near me, I would definitely be buying a concert ticket. 

Kudos boys.

 Check out the clip below...

Ditch the Same Old and Try Something Good for a Change...

If I had a quarter for every band t-shirt I have, I bet you I would have enough to buy just about every Sevendust album.  No wait a second, I think I have every album.  Anyway...

New clothes are always great, and there is nothing better than wearing a pair of my favorite Econoline Crush boy shorts or a glow in the dark thong from some washed up rock band (I won't mention names) - but seriously, what's up with the boring same-old same-old?!  The last piece of band clothing that distinctly stood out to me is my gal pal's GoGol Bordello's polo dress - that was a pretty sweet find, actually.

I know - bands need merch to survive.  There is no money in record deals these days. Merch, along with the live show is the biggest source of income for a band (and if you know what you are doing - you also have a few publishing and sponsorship deals up your sleeve).  I got that.  I've sold tons merch for a ton of bands.  And people buy it, lots of it.

I'm not saying to stop selling merch.  But, if you really want to get noticed - do something big.  And by 'big' I don't mean you have to have a big bank account.  Do something memorable.  And do something that brings some good into the world.  There are enough senseless assholes going around...when you do something beyond the typical selfish acts of "buy my music!!" - it gets noticed, in a big way.  And not to mention, the promotional payoff is f***ing sweet.  Not only that, you also get that warm fuzzy feeling deep down inside.

Max Lenderman talked about this at last week's Art of Marketing conference that I attended in Calgary.  Calling it Experiential Marketing, Max dived into examples that go well beyond the typical branding and marketing platform.  Did you know that in some parts of India, they don't have televisions (I'm sure you knew that)...so how do companies get their name out?  They travel to the remove villages, turn their trucks into stages, and perform plays - acting it out.  Neat, eh?

Have you ever thought about getting on board a charity?  Could you imagine?  Front page of the news paper reads:  Local band (insert name here) Helps Build New Homes for Victims of...And Plays Free Concert..."

Perhaps it's just my opinion, but that would stand out to me far more than "So-and-so Releases New Album..Check Out Their Show at Such-and-Such Venue...Buy a Ticket to Support Their Starving Asses"

Guess what?  Promoting yourself isn't always about making people buy your shit so you can do that XCross American tour and make sure you hit up Vegas on the way.  If I, or anyone, for that matter knew you were doing something good for humanity, and trying to put an end to idiot takover, I would be far more inclined to support that band's efforts and give them my hard earned dollar.

Want to see just how cool it is to watch a good message spread?  Check out the video below - it too will give you that warm, fuzzy feeling deep down inside. 

And just for the record...if you have your doubts...this video received millions of views in only a few days.  Goodness spreads...use it to help yourself, others, and build your name. 

By the way...this video is how I started listening to Sick Puppies.  Just sayin :)

Artsy-Marketing-Goodness-O-Rama

I've been absent for a short time...what can I say, there is not enough time in the day sometimes.

Tomorrow a fine (not to mention extremely good-looking) crew, along with myself will make our way to the beautiful city of Calgary, Alberta to attend the Art of Marketing. 

Lead by industry veteran, and a leader in creativity and innovation, Sir Ken Robinson (yes, a Sir!) the day long conference will undoubtedly be one filled with plently of learning and some wicked cool new concepts.  Not only that, there is a ton of other high-profile speakers on the list.  I'm pretty stoked about this.

What does this have anything to do with music?  Plenty.  A band/artist without a solid and incredibly unique  marketing plan may as well stay in their garage.  The music can be the best of the best - but if you don't have an interesting enough way to enter into consumers' minds - forget spending your hard earned cash on that semi-reliable gig van with shag carpet and leapord print interior.  Marketing your band goes far beyond keeping an updated Myspace page, Facebook or Twitter - far beyond your stage image - and far beyond the glow in the dark autographed women's thongs you sell at your gigs.

In my opinion, your marketing efforts are just as important, if not more than your practise schedule.  That's if, of course, you want to get out of the garage and stop playing cover gigs in sweaty, run down bars.

Looking forward to sharing some the highlights when I return!