Have Blogs Killed Conventional Websites?
This is a short list i grabbed from the www.problogger.com site discussing the advantages and i guess differences between blogs and websites.
Now this is from the site of a guy who's sole 6 figure yearly income comes from posting lists and written pieces like this dicussing blogging, and this has kind of been something I've been getting at - these guys are getting rich from monetizing free content with advertising.
I guess I would say that blogs are important to musicians because its as easy way to grow your online presence, develop additional benefits such as search recognition, and get you into the kinds of habits you'll need as a digital entertainer.
But websites still serve as "your place" a place where you make the rules, and you can create the environment you want for your fans, and dictate what gets shown and how commerce is conducted.
1. Websites are clunky and expensive; blogs are lean and cheap.
2. You have to wait for someone to make changes to your website; your blog can be changed easily by you.
3. You have to wait for someone else to set up your site; your blog can be set up by you in 15 minutes.
4. You can update your blog at an airport, while you’re on the run. You have to call your webmaster … and wait … to update your site.
5. You can collect email addresses, and download free reports and bonuses off of a website. Same with a blog.
6. You can use a shopping cart to collect money for e-commerce of a website. Same with a blog.
7. You can set up a press room with all sorts of cool links and forms on a website. Same with a blog.
8. It takes three to six months for the big search engines to find you with a website. It takes two or three days with a blog.
9. You can easily track stats of who has visited your regular website. Same with a blog.
10. The media are more likely to find you on a blog.
11. You can learn more about your audience from a blog.
12. You market automatically with a blog. But not with a conventional website.
13. You can make a lot more friends with a blog.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Warrant of fitness NZ music industry workshops
I'll be keeping the worst parts of my personality in check: The flagrant self promoter and the know it all kid who thinks he knows more about monetizing content online than teacher -
but I will definately be there to meet and chat, most likely toting a hand out tip sheet of what I feel are the most important ideas artists should be embracing about building their presence online - which should save me having to get into any arguments.
Lets just hope no one wants to discuss the state of local online music community facilities provided for New Zealand musicians.
Or how visionary NZ on Air/Creative NZ are.
Or . . .
I really hope they don't end up talking to us like we all have no problem moving 10,000 units like they so often do.
8th February 2008
The NZ Music Commission has confirmed the speakers for the three-city Warrant Of Fitness music industry seminar series in 2008.
Featuring music industry professionals currently working in international markets, the sessions will focus on what makes an act internationally roadworthy, the skills and techniques required to work in the global marketplace, and will assist in developing music careers that are export-ready.
Here's the updated schedule - a must-attend for anyone interested in this field.
Wednesday March 5
Auckland Room 4, SKYCITY Convention Centre
Session 1 - MIDDAY: Managing From Afar
Mike Holdsworth talks about how to establish and maintain international contacts when starting from scratch. He'll discuss how much can be done without leaving NZ, the degree of planning and progress you should have in place before going offshore, and what tools are ideal to take with you. Other topics will include examining the most important services to pay for (publicity, radio plugging etc) and how much you can expect them to cost.
Session 2 - 2:00PM: The Future Of Independent Labels
Mike Holdsworth and Rev. Moose take a critical look at how much the online world has changed the independent landscape. Sales, promotion, and the deals artists strike all work differently now, so what are the most exciting digital opportunities, and how do you prioritise what will make the most impact? They'll also discuss the best online strategy or strategies they've come across and how they fit into an act's overall plan of attack.
Session 3 - 4:00PM: International Touring
Julian Carswell and Rev. Moose take you through setting up a tour from afar. They'll discuss how it works with (or without) a booking agent or promoter, parts of the world easier or more profitable to tour than others, and whether to be on someone else's tour or go it alone. Find out what it is actually like out there on the road, the opportunities or problems that can crop up mid-tour, and how you go about dealing with them in that environment.
Thursday March 6 - Auckland
Auckland Room 4, SKYCITY Convention Centre
Session 4 - MIDDAY: Making Noise Globally
Mike Holdsworth and Rev. Moose discuss how you best going about making an impact in an increasingly saturated marketplace. With so many avenues to promote music, be they media, websites, or festivals, are there certain places you should focus on where more of the industry pays attention, and how much should you deviate from your plan when an opportunity arises? They'll also look at how hard it is to get noticed, and whether giving your music away for free to the public actually works.
Session 5 - 2:00PM: Market vs Market
Julian Carswell and Mike Holdsworth discuss some of the key differences between various markets. They'll look at how deals, promotion, trends, and the industry in general may differ from country to country, and which ones may be the best starting points for your act. Some big territories may have tastemaker regions within them, while some countries take their cues from others - but what are they? Learn more about these key differences to best take advantage of them.
Session 6 - 4:00PM: The Wrap Up
All three of our guests will take part in this final session, allowing them to emphasise their main points, talk about what they've come across during their time in NZ, and share their final thoughts. They will also be asked to prepare a 5 minute plan for an artist presented to them to illustrate some of the topics previously addressed.
Friday March 7
Wellington City Gallery Cinema
Session 1 - MIDDAY: Managing From Afar/Making Noise
With Mike Holdsworth and Rev. Moose
Session 2 - 2:00PM: International Touring/Market vs Market
With Julian Carswell, Mike Holdsworth and Rev. Moose
Session 3 - 4:00PM: The Wrap Up
With Julian Carswell, Mike Holdsworth and Rev. Moose
Saturday March 8
Christchurch CPIT Jazz School Auditorium
Session 1 - MIDDAY: Managing From Afar/Making Noise
With Mike Holdsworth and Rev. Moose
Session 2 - 2:00PM: International Touring/Market vs Market
With Julian Carswell, Mike Holdsworth and Rev. Moose
Session 3 - 4:00PM: The Wrap Up
With Julian Carswell, Mike Holdsworth and Rev. Moose
but I will definately be there to meet and chat, most likely toting a hand out tip sheet of what I feel are the most important ideas artists should be embracing about building their presence online - which should save me having to get into any arguments.
Lets just hope no one wants to discuss the state of local online music community facilities provided for New Zealand musicians.
Or how visionary NZ on Air/Creative NZ are.
Or . . .
I really hope they don't end up talking to us like we all have no problem moving 10,000 units like they so often do.
8th February 2008
The NZ Music Commission has confirmed the speakers for the three-city Warrant Of Fitness music industry seminar series in 2008.
Featuring music industry professionals currently working in international markets, the sessions will focus on what makes an act internationally roadworthy, the skills and techniques required to work in the global marketplace, and will assist in developing music careers that are export-ready.
Here's the updated schedule - a must-attend for anyone interested in this field.
Wednesday March 5
Auckland Room 4, SKYCITY Convention Centre
Session 1 - MIDDAY: Managing From Afar
Mike Holdsworth talks about how to establish and maintain international contacts when starting from scratch. He'll discuss how much can be done without leaving NZ, the degree of planning and progress you should have in place before going offshore, and what tools are ideal to take with you. Other topics will include examining the most important services to pay for (publicity, radio plugging etc) and how much you can expect them to cost.
Session 2 - 2:00PM: The Future Of Independent Labels
Mike Holdsworth and Rev. Moose take a critical look at how much the online world has changed the independent landscape. Sales, promotion, and the deals artists strike all work differently now, so what are the most exciting digital opportunities, and how do you prioritise what will make the most impact? They'll also discuss the best online strategy or strategies they've come across and how they fit into an act's overall plan of attack.
Session 3 - 4:00PM: International Touring
Julian Carswell and Rev. Moose take you through setting up a tour from afar. They'll discuss how it works with (or without) a booking agent or promoter, parts of the world easier or more profitable to tour than others, and whether to be on someone else's tour or go it alone. Find out what it is actually like out there on the road, the opportunities or problems that can crop up mid-tour, and how you go about dealing with them in that environment.
Thursday March 6 - Auckland
Auckland Room 4, SKYCITY Convention Centre
Session 4 - MIDDAY: Making Noise Globally
Mike Holdsworth and Rev. Moose discuss how you best going about making an impact in an increasingly saturated marketplace. With so many avenues to promote music, be they media, websites, or festivals, are there certain places you should focus on where more of the industry pays attention, and how much should you deviate from your plan when an opportunity arises? They'll also look at how hard it is to get noticed, and whether giving your music away for free to the public actually works.
Session 5 - 2:00PM: Market vs Market
Julian Carswell and Mike Holdsworth discuss some of the key differences between various markets. They'll look at how deals, promotion, trends, and the industry in general may differ from country to country, and which ones may be the best starting points for your act. Some big territories may have tastemaker regions within them, while some countries take their cues from others - but what are they? Learn more about these key differences to best take advantage of them.
Session 6 - 4:00PM: The Wrap Up
All three of our guests will take part in this final session, allowing them to emphasise their main points, talk about what they've come across during their time in NZ, and share their final thoughts. They will also be asked to prepare a 5 minute plan for an artist presented to them to illustrate some of the topics previously addressed.
Friday March 7
Wellington City Gallery Cinema
Session 1 - MIDDAY: Managing From Afar/Making Noise
With Mike Holdsworth and Rev. Moose
Session 2 - 2:00PM: International Touring/Market vs Market
With Julian Carswell, Mike Holdsworth and Rev. Moose
Session 3 - 4:00PM: The Wrap Up
With Julian Carswell, Mike Holdsworth and Rev. Moose
Saturday March 8
Christchurch CPIT Jazz School Auditorium
Session 1 - MIDDAY: Managing From Afar/Making Noise
With Mike Holdsworth and Rev. Moose
Session 2 - 2:00PM: International Touring/Market vs Market
With Julian Carswell, Mike Holdsworth and Rev. Moose
Session 3 - 4:00PM: The Wrap Up
With Julian Carswell, Mike Holdsworth and Rev. Moose
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
plasticast strikes back 2008: spamming freeconomics
Okay you may remember my concept the plasticast that I launched this time last year.
to me it was really positive because something I'd turned my back on – running a label – had evolved into a new concept, a giveaway CD promoting local artists that would generate contributions from acts that wanted to participate in the cd, and sponsors that would want to associate their brand with the giveaway.
Another concept I have developed is looking to develop a website that would start by combining itunes (retail) and myspace (social) go into competition with amplifier and could grow to cover practically every function of the NZ music industry within 5 years. But that's another story bound to lurk in the darkness until its moment comes.
But for the plasticast f course the money never materialized and I decided to pursue an interest in spam.
The funny thing is, the more I've learned about spam from bad guys as well as listening to "butter wouldn't melt" type marketers like Seth Godin the more I came back round to proposing value in a remarkable way.
See the problem with spam on myspace was that it was all done by crazy Korean university students sitting round in their undies playing RPGs and 1st person Shooters creating the most ridiculous propositions for penis pills, legal buds, maceys gift vouchers . . .
But even most lay band spammers don't understand how spam should be used . . . not just to leave stupidly oversized flyer comments about your latest gig or free download . . . spam works on levels that – though annoying and intrusive as they may be – are FAR more powerful.
My rule became that each time I issued a proposition on myspace by means of spam I had to propose value even MORE remarkably than the last time in order maintain my reputation in the NZ music scene as someone progressive with lofty ambitions for NZ music, not just a money grabbing nuisance taking myspace noobs for a ride.
So this time I am planning to go ahead with the plasticast but to fund it out of kurb myself as a unique "hook" concept, a remarkable concept, a positive concept under which to conduct my next spampaign which encourages the following ideas:
- that kurb is committed to promoting local music even where there isn't a guaranteed profit involved, and leading by example in showing how free content builds brands.
- unknown musicians must be willing to participate in such projects which do not generate revenue in order to create promotional opportunities to gain exposure, while unknown artists expecting to sell cd's at sold out gigs will be severely disappointed.
- take a business like approach to the development of new models and start ups, that is to put the model into testing before there is any sign of commercial interest.
- and most obviously, kurb and all the bands associated look good and create awareness and exposure doing it.
So yeah that's it, Plasticast is back on the cards! But because it's free, I'll have to work even harder to make sure the music on the CD is quality. Musicians with poor recordings, no engineering and most importantly that are falling out of tune and time all over the place will not make it on to the CD unless it really is a rough gem!
This helps cover another unspoken issue – that a lot of acts just don't have the talent.
Of course my first consideration will be for my clients, but come May hopefully there will be a new beta version of the Plasticast around Auckland.
If you're interested lets get those mp3's through to kurbpromo@gmail.com
i'm busy as remember so you're not likely to hear back from me for a while.
Otherwise . . . sit tight for that spam!!!!
Kurb website check it out
Real cheap CD/DVD reproduction in NZ
Kurb Promo on Youtube
to me it was really positive because something I'd turned my back on – running a label – had evolved into a new concept, a giveaway CD promoting local artists that would generate contributions from acts that wanted to participate in the cd, and sponsors that would want to associate their brand with the giveaway.
Another concept I have developed is looking to develop a website that would start by combining itunes (retail) and myspace (social) go into competition with amplifier and could grow to cover practically every function of the NZ music industry within 5 years. But that's another story bound to lurk in the darkness until its moment comes.
But for the plasticast f course the money never materialized and I decided to pursue an interest in spam.
The funny thing is, the more I've learned about spam from bad guys as well as listening to "butter wouldn't melt" type marketers like Seth Godin the more I came back round to proposing value in a remarkable way.
See the problem with spam on myspace was that it was all done by crazy Korean university students sitting round in their undies playing RPGs and 1st person Shooters creating the most ridiculous propositions for penis pills, legal buds, maceys gift vouchers . . .
But even most lay band spammers don't understand how spam should be used . . . not just to leave stupidly oversized flyer comments about your latest gig or free download . . . spam works on levels that – though annoying and intrusive as they may be – are FAR more powerful.
My rule became that each time I issued a proposition on myspace by means of spam I had to propose value even MORE remarkably than the last time in order maintain my reputation in the NZ music scene as someone progressive with lofty ambitions for NZ music, not just a money grabbing nuisance taking myspace noobs for a ride.
So this time I am planning to go ahead with the plasticast but to fund it out of kurb myself as a unique "hook" concept, a remarkable concept, a positive concept under which to conduct my next spampaign which encourages the following ideas:
- that kurb is committed to promoting local music even where there isn't a guaranteed profit involved, and leading by example in showing how free content builds brands.
- unknown musicians must be willing to participate in such projects which do not generate revenue in order to create promotional opportunities to gain exposure, while unknown artists expecting to sell cd's at sold out gigs will be severely disappointed.
- take a business like approach to the development of new models and start ups, that is to put the model into testing before there is any sign of commercial interest.
- and most obviously, kurb and all the bands associated look good and create awareness and exposure doing it.
So yeah that's it, Plasticast is back on the cards! But because it's free, I'll have to work even harder to make sure the music on the CD is quality. Musicians with poor recordings, no engineering and most importantly that are falling out of tune and time all over the place will not make it on to the CD unless it really is a rough gem!
This helps cover another unspoken issue – that a lot of acts just don't have the talent.
Of course my first consideration will be for my clients, but come May hopefully there will be a new beta version of the Plasticast around Auckland.
If you're interested lets get those mp3's through to kurbpromo@gmail.com
i'm busy as remember so you're not likely to hear back from me for a while.
Otherwise . . . sit tight for that spam!!!!
Kurb website check it out
Real cheap CD/DVD reproduction in NZ
Kurb Promo on Youtube
Monday, February 25, 2008
Future music revenue: Your website matters more than your album now
Future revenue for artists: Your website matters more than your album
Okay I been getting these hunches and yknow I've been railing on about how your website is more important than your CD now - and I think a little bit of crystal ball stuff is okay as long as yknow – this is technology we're talking about so you got to keep your options open.
NEWSFLASH: Google releases adsense for video!!! And you thought I was being silly talking about revenue from videos in 2008.
Of course revver and metacafe are already sharing revenue with content generators, and Kurb is of course developing methods to create, promote and open revenue streams from video on the cheap!!!
But what I want to draw your attention to is that all these revenue streams will be so tiny you're going to have to be onto it – and have someone onto it like me – opening up as many channels for revenue as possible, who knows how to turn the constant – at least WEEKLY – stream of content you'll need to be creating into $$$
You see that popcrunch web tv show? I just wanna get straight to my point.
They namedrop top search engine and probloggers . . . why? To give these geeks a headswell so they'll link back to it. Look everyone, I got mentioned on a
These are the guys (here watch me do it, everyones doing it) Darren Rowse, Shoemony, John Chow, Graywolf etc. who just make a lot of money from blogging, They do 5 figures a month easy. These guys maintain subscriber lists of 50,000+ - I'm not going to go over it in detail but I guess these guys inspire people because they have become rich in proving that you can stick some words on a page and sort out some ads to go around the words.
These guys make hundreds of grands a year. It took them a few years, writing most days. But that's all it was. Writing, and ads around the words.
Oh sure – every second day theres something good and new on their site and that takes work keeping it fresh and new. They probably gave away a free ebook. And of course now that theyre rich and kind of famous, they get paid to speak and no doubt constantly being offered deals to endorse stuff and be involved in new projects.
What did I hear? Perez Hilton, the worlds most popular blogger does like 45k a week? 3 million hits a day?
Can you see why I'm saying your website is more important than your album?
Can you see why if a year goes by now and all you've got is 12 audio tracks on a bit of plastic that's pathetic? Have you posted on your blog this week?
I honestly don't want to be repeating myself in 6 months time saying "You should really start a blog to help get more traffic."
I got approached by these cats in NZ who wanted to play 5-30sec audio ads on my site. I'm illustrating this because there will be many ways to open up revenue as soon as you created enough interest in what you're doing.
I've said that 2008 is all about preparing for 2009 when we can expect to see some decent opportunities and who can really say what they will be but its gonna be long tail stuff. You're going to be opening up dozens to hundreds of income streams and digital products dripfeeding you dollars or for the early years maybe only cents at a time.
The internet is taking us into a new era of information, entertainment and advertising communication.
I've managed to succeed outside of the usual industry networks that have always existed because I've learnt to use the new tools. I realised what was possible a couple of years ago but it was a useless waste of time – at the time - because there just wasn't the amount of people using online networks and the platforms and systems available.
But by the time music is practically free in 5 years time and they stop making CD players . . . you're gonna have a hell of a time selling mp3's for a dollar and CD's for $10.
So lets get smart about this now! Your website matters in the new model but your CD and your album and just more other things you'll be using to make money off whether through retail or advertising.
So that's why I'm running around saying your website is now more important than your album!!! And creating a website that makes money involves so much more than looking pretty. But that's something we can talk about another time.
Or of course we can talk about that right now if you want to pay me.
There's lots of advice on the Kurb blogs on what smart musicians should know about using the internet to promote your music, so subscribe here on myspace oh and leave a comment with a link to your site on our official blog it'll help to get better google search results.
So whats new @ Kurb?
Still the cheapest CD and DVD duplication on runs under 500, with free posters and free graphic set up costs!
But now we've released digital coaching packages to help musicians and artists build income online. And we're doing video production as well as promotion, making it easy for musicians we work with to make videos and promote them online real cheap!
Check out our youtube
Remember our Kurb site is full of articles, videos and ideas for promoting bands and brands.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Lefsetz: Costs
http://www.lefsetz.com
Do you know anybody who’s a graphic designer? Maybe a photographer? Their businesses have been DECIMATED by technology.
Used to be you provided all these services…that corporations now pawn off on twentysomethings in-house. Yup, take your point and shoot to the event and fix the images in Photoshop. There is Adobe software to do seemingly everything. Sure, some high-end jobs remain. But if you want to remain in business, you’ve got to do it on the cheap, you’ve got to control COSTS!
Or go back to the story of Compaq. Making high-priced machines with new technology that IBM couldn’t yet deliver. Parts tested multiple times. BMWs to IBM’s Mercedes-Benzes. And then along came Dell and ruined Compaq’s business model. Dell acquired industry standard parts, just in time, and sold computers directly to the consumer, built only upon order, so as to control inventory costs. Dell’s parts weren’t tested, but how often did RAM fail? Better to ship it and deal with it coming back. Cutting all these costs, Dell decimated Compaq, to the point where it was merged into HP.
Now we can talk about Dell’s war with HP today. But that’s about the commoditization of computers. Important, but too deep for our discussion right now. Then again, music has become a commodity, shouldn’t it be sold that way?
Point is, the old model was a good one. Spend a fortune to make a fortune. Some records didn’t hit? Who gives a shit, we can sell ten million Jewels! And Kid Rocks! But no one goes diamond anymore. The music might be just as good, but it’s hard to reach people. So, you’ve got to retool, you’ve got to align with modern realities, you’ve got to cut costs.
Major labels provided the capital for production. And controlled distribution. For this, they extracted a pretty penny. Which they made back because they controlled exposure too, and only what they signed sold.
But now anybody can make a record and sell it on the Internet. The key isn’t finding out how to put the genie back in the bottle, how to make the major labels dominant today, but to figure out what your niche is and how to compete!
If no record can sell double digit millions, you’ve got to cut expenses. The album has to be recorded more cheaply. Which technology allows. Oh, don’t tell me studio time is expensive. And musicians too. Studios will just have to charge less, which they’re doing. And musicians will just have to be paid less. I KNOW YOU HATE THIS! But you can only fight reality for so long. There will be fewer superstars in the future and more journeymen. Look at yourself in the mirror right now and decide who you are. Can you get on Top Forty radio? If so, you’re a POTENTIAL superstar. If not, you’re a JOURNEYMAN!
Hair and makeup? Private jet travel? They’re like the old billboards on the Sunset Strip. It’s questionable whether they EVER sold any records. They just played to the star’s vanity. Great when there’s extra money floating around, but when there isn’t…
Radio promotion/marketing? Is it cost effective? If not, slice it off the budget. Oh, it’s great to have your record on the radio, but is it going to move product, is it going to score you gigs, IS ANYBODY LISTENING?
Make the music cheaply and focus on what’s inexpensive or free. Like distribution. The major model of paying an act less than ten cents per dollar download won’t be changed because of the Allman Brothers and Cheap Trick’s lawsuit, but because new acts won’t stand for it, they won’t sign up for this heinous deal. This might leave the majors marginalized, only swinging for the fences, and the rest of the field might be chaos, made up of mini-corporations. Or maybe some young ‘un will consolidate the new acts. That’s an opportunity, making nickels and dimes instead of dollars. But the major labels don’t want to do this.
It costs nothing to build a mailing list. It has to be managed appropriately, you can’t dun your fans ad infinitum, you’ve got to give something back. And the music must be good.
Your revenues come from recorded music sales, live gigs, merch and any sponsorships/endorsements/advertising you choose to do. LOOK AT IT THIS WAY! You have YOUR OWN 360 deal. Recorded music revenue is just part of the pie. And chances are recorded music is not driving touring sales, but vice versa.
Any label in business now must look at every line item. It’s not about cutting overhead willy-nilly, but evaluating what’s necessary. As for the well-paid top execs, they’re dinosaurs, about to go extinct. The system just can’t support them. Maybe some of the younger ones will become managers, but the days of making ten million bucks running the publicly-traded label? THROUGH!
As for the musician… More musicians can make money than ever before, because it’s easier to bring your wares to the market, and you can expose them with little capital. But those at the top, who are used to scoring beaucoup bucks…they’re going to have to adjust their lifestyles. Because there just isn’t enough money to support the way they used to live.
A musician may still get laid at will, but all the accessories demonstrated on "Cribs"? They’re gonna be on your wish list, but you’ll probably never acquire them. Consider the "Robb Report" a fantasy book.
What has this got to do with music?
Great music can still be made. And good stuff is sold by word of mouth. Which has the advantage of being instant and vast on the Internet. You can’t control the public the way you used to be able to, you can’t manipulate the consumer. Quality is the start, a relationship is second and managing this connection is third. Most of this requires sweat equity more than cash. Start perspiring.
Do you know anybody who’s a graphic designer? Maybe a photographer? Their businesses have been DECIMATED by technology.
Used to be you provided all these services…that corporations now pawn off on twentysomethings in-house. Yup, take your point and shoot to the event and fix the images in Photoshop. There is Adobe software to do seemingly everything. Sure, some high-end jobs remain. But if you want to remain in business, you’ve got to do it on the cheap, you’ve got to control COSTS!
Or go back to the story of Compaq. Making high-priced machines with new technology that IBM couldn’t yet deliver. Parts tested multiple times. BMWs to IBM’s Mercedes-Benzes. And then along came Dell and ruined Compaq’s business model. Dell acquired industry standard parts, just in time, and sold computers directly to the consumer, built only upon order, so as to control inventory costs. Dell’s parts weren’t tested, but how often did RAM fail? Better to ship it and deal with it coming back. Cutting all these costs, Dell decimated Compaq, to the point where it was merged into HP.
Now we can talk about Dell’s war with HP today. But that’s about the commoditization of computers. Important, but too deep for our discussion right now. Then again, music has become a commodity, shouldn’t it be sold that way?
Point is, the old model was a good one. Spend a fortune to make a fortune. Some records didn’t hit? Who gives a shit, we can sell ten million Jewels! And Kid Rocks! But no one goes diamond anymore. The music might be just as good, but it’s hard to reach people. So, you’ve got to retool, you’ve got to align with modern realities, you’ve got to cut costs.
Major labels provided the capital for production. And controlled distribution. For this, they extracted a pretty penny. Which they made back because they controlled exposure too, and only what they signed sold.
But now anybody can make a record and sell it on the Internet. The key isn’t finding out how to put the genie back in the bottle, how to make the major labels dominant today, but to figure out what your niche is and how to compete!
If no record can sell double digit millions, you’ve got to cut expenses. The album has to be recorded more cheaply. Which technology allows. Oh, don’t tell me studio time is expensive. And musicians too. Studios will just have to charge less, which they’re doing. And musicians will just have to be paid less. I KNOW YOU HATE THIS! But you can only fight reality for so long. There will be fewer superstars in the future and more journeymen. Look at yourself in the mirror right now and decide who you are. Can you get on Top Forty radio? If so, you’re a POTENTIAL superstar. If not, you’re a JOURNEYMAN!
Hair and makeup? Private jet travel? They’re like the old billboards on the Sunset Strip. It’s questionable whether they EVER sold any records. They just played to the star’s vanity. Great when there’s extra money floating around, but when there isn’t…
Radio promotion/marketing? Is it cost effective? If not, slice it off the budget. Oh, it’s great to have your record on the radio, but is it going to move product, is it going to score you gigs, IS ANYBODY LISTENING?
Make the music cheaply and focus on what’s inexpensive or free. Like distribution. The major model of paying an act less than ten cents per dollar download won’t be changed because of the Allman Brothers and Cheap Trick’s lawsuit, but because new acts won’t stand for it, they won’t sign up for this heinous deal. This might leave the majors marginalized, only swinging for the fences, and the rest of the field might be chaos, made up of mini-corporations. Or maybe some young ‘un will consolidate the new acts. That’s an opportunity, making nickels and dimes instead of dollars. But the major labels don’t want to do this.
It costs nothing to build a mailing list. It has to be managed appropriately, you can’t dun your fans ad infinitum, you’ve got to give something back. And the music must be good.
Your revenues come from recorded music sales, live gigs, merch and any sponsorships/endorsements/advertising you choose to do. LOOK AT IT THIS WAY! You have YOUR OWN 360 deal. Recorded music revenue is just part of the pie. And chances are recorded music is not driving touring sales, but vice versa.
Any label in business now must look at every line item. It’s not about cutting overhead willy-nilly, but evaluating what’s necessary. As for the well-paid top execs, they’re dinosaurs, about to go extinct. The system just can’t support them. Maybe some of the younger ones will become managers, but the days of making ten million bucks running the publicly-traded label? THROUGH!
As for the musician… More musicians can make money than ever before, because it’s easier to bring your wares to the market, and you can expose them with little capital. But those at the top, who are used to scoring beaucoup bucks…they’re going to have to adjust their lifestyles. Because there just isn’t enough money to support the way they used to live.
A musician may still get laid at will, but all the accessories demonstrated on "Cribs"? They’re gonna be on your wish list, but you’ll probably never acquire them. Consider the "Robb Report" a fantasy book.
What has this got to do with music?
Great music can still be made. And good stuff is sold by word of mouth. Which has the advantage of being instant and vast on the Internet. You can’t control the public the way you used to be able to, you can’t manipulate the consumer. Quality is the start, a relationship is second and managing this connection is third. Most of this requires sweat equity more than cash. Start perspiring.
Facebook is popping - dont muck around
Back like a year ago, we used to live pretty high on the hog on myspace.
People still email me from around the world who have heard about what we used to be able to do but those days are over, which is a shame because if people had signed up back then they would have reaped the rewards of not having to plod along on myspace like we do now.
So I dont want anybody mailing me in 6 months time trying to jump on an artist package - or what am I calling it now - "digital coaching" package - expecting to rock Facebook because you heard 6 months ago we were doing things!
Kurb is rocking facebook NOW. Don't muck around.
$200 p/month. Get on a digital coaching package for artists from kurb.
People still email me from around the world who have heard about what we used to be able to do but those days are over, which is a shame because if people had signed up back then they would have reaped the rewards of not having to plod along on myspace like we do now.
So I dont want anybody mailing me in 6 months time trying to jump on an artist package - or what am I calling it now - "digital coaching" package - expecting to rock Facebook because you heard 6 months ago we were doing things!
Kurb is rocking facebook NOW. Don't muck around.
$200 p/month. Get on a digital coaching package for artists from kurb.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Killing it on Facebook + Google
Finally cracked facebook!!!!!
YAYY
Facebook is coming up fast on Bebo as NZ's top social network, Myspace as you may already know, has totally dropped off the radar.
People still check out music on Myspace, but Facebook is where they hang out .
So on facebook theyve been eating my spam all day. But I;'m going to make an extra effort to post some great blogs and info there because thats what responsible spamming is all about.
Giving something back!!!
AND IN OTHER GOOD NEWS . . .
My wordpress blog has rocketed up to A google Page Rank 4!!!!!
http://kurbpromotion.wordpress.com
As ugly as it looks with my 90's corporate style design ughh :p
PR4 is the highest I've ever got any page to! EVen most of the kurb site is just 2's and 3's.
Page Rank is an indicator of how much influence a page has on google search results, so any page I link to from my wordpress blog is going to get higher search results on Google.
So I am definately going to start linking to all my clients sites from that page!!!
GO THE BLOGS! If you're already blogging on myspace - and you should be developing this habit - get on wordpress and cut and paste.
It's obviously worth it!
Wordpress pisses me off because they make it hard for you to embed youtube videos but hey, I can hardly complain!!!
So facebook is happening, Myspace is still happening, blogs are happening . . .
EVEN . . . Nimbit . . . after waiting all these months for these guys to lift up into some serious game whats on offer there now is looking very promising!!!
Check out the nimbit player @ www.nimbit.com
Hey Digital coaching from Kurb is ramping up right here and waiting for you to get serious, digital promotion for artists starts at NZ$200 p/month so get in touch, there's about 4-5 places available right now
YAYY
Facebook is coming up fast on Bebo as NZ's top social network, Myspace as you may already know, has totally dropped off the radar.
People still check out music on Myspace, but Facebook is where they hang out .
So on facebook theyve been eating my spam all day. But I;'m going to make an extra effort to post some great blogs and info there because thats what responsible spamming is all about.
Giving something back!!!
AND IN OTHER GOOD NEWS . . .
My wordpress blog has rocketed up to A google Page Rank 4!!!!!
http://kurbpromotion.wordpress.com
As ugly as it looks with my 90's corporate style design ughh :p
PR4 is the highest I've ever got any page to! EVen most of the kurb site is just 2's and 3's.
Page Rank is an indicator of how much influence a page has on google search results, so any page I link to from my wordpress blog is going to get higher search results on Google.
So I am definately going to start linking to all my clients sites from that page!!!
GO THE BLOGS! If you're already blogging on myspace - and you should be developing this habit - get on wordpress and cut and paste.
It's obviously worth it!
Wordpress pisses me off because they make it hard for you to embed youtube videos but hey, I can hardly complain!!!
So facebook is happening, Myspace is still happening, blogs are happening . . .
EVEN . . . Nimbit . . . after waiting all these months for these guys to lift up into some serious game whats on offer there now is looking very promising!!!
Check out the nimbit player @ www.nimbit.com
Hey Digital coaching from Kurb is ramping up right here and waiting for you to get serious, digital promotion for artists starts at NZ$200 p/month so get in touch, there's about 4-5 places available right now
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Kurb video: digital coaching + viral promotion for artists
New video from me introducing our new "artist packages" as . . . DIGITAL COACHING FOR ARTISTS.
Working alongside artists to build international exposure and develop and open up revenue streams online. Build your social networks, distribute content and gain traction, build a website to generate revenue, pursue new income streams with your music and content. STRICTLY LIMITED PLACES @ $A200 P/month.
DIGITAL COACHING AND CAMPAIGN STRATEGIES FOR PROMOTING ARTISTS AND GENERATING INCOME ONLINE
Digital Coaching is a brand new artist development concept released in 2008 by Kurb to help artists develop their online presence and digital assets into exposure, access and revenue generating income streams.
KURB DIGITAL COACHING IS YOUR ONE STOP SERVICE FOR ALL YOUR EXPANDING ARTIST NEEDS ONLINE -
CONTACT US NOW PLACES ARE STRICLTY LIMITED!!!!
- Build your following and presence on social networks such as Myspace, Youtube, Facebook, Bebo etc. using powerful automation - avoid mistakes and use all the hidden advantages.
- Develop your website into a powerful tool to attract and develop a fanbase - then create online revenue streams from a variety of sources
- Get your digital content (songs, videos etc.) earning money online through Itunes, storefronts, ad supported revenue and more
- Use blogging tools and youtube techniques to create powerful distribution networks and feeds for your content - attract more fans and revenue from your expanding presence
- Use both search engine optimisation, search engine marketing and dedicated online campaigns to build your all important google traffic
- creative support developing dynamic concepts and content (video, blogs) to drive your viral campaign - design and production services
- Explore media campaigns that create publicity and licensing options
- Develop cutting edge and forward looking campaign strategies using new technology such as P2P and new software techniques exclusively available to kurb
Kurb Promo on Youtube
HOW I APPROACH A NEW CLIENT FOR PROMOTION@ KURB
how digital promotion and social marketing works
more indie self promotion articles hub
Our packages - “digital coaching” and online promotion packages for artists
Overview of online promotion strategies
Real cheap CD/DVD duplication
Official Kurb Blog
Blogging onwards: once more into the breach of cyberspace
I'm ready to start powerblogging again.
....
I'd gone off blogging actually because there was one major thing. Leads.Like blogging definitely does heaps for the kurb brand and contributes to search etc. but most of the people who pay my bills come from google searches and spampaigns, not so much directly from my blogs.
....
All my blogs are currently a visual and organisational nightmare, but I just kept writing, its all about creating a steady stream of written and now video content, slowly expanding the momentum of your online presence.
....
So although I may have spent more time than it was really worth on blogging there's nothing like blogging to clear out some ideas and get focused.
....
You could easily be talking about whether the cruisy numbers should be before or after the dancy numbers on my CD, or when it's best to tour the South Island to get the ski bunnies and the students.
....
For example I've become really confident about the idea of your website overtaking your CD as your main earner about next year.
....
Blogging often allows you to develop certain streams of thought and ideas. Here's some of the stuff that's all about ready to come up over the next week or so from me, hopefully with some new videos from me to.
....
In introducing the new "digital coaching" concept to replace our "artist packages" I'll be talking about the new direction of our online marketing for bands – accepting I can only work with a limited amount of clients, working with bands that understand that opening revenue streams to a fanbase is a strategy dependent on building a digital asset from a steady stream of content and activity long term.
....
When I'm talking about "digital coaching" I'm saying we all know the future of music is online, there's still very few people other than me offering these services on this side of the world, and not spam, nor cd's nor posters or anything else we offer to carry your message is going to make you famous overnight. We can send the message, it's up to you to make that message more than just a few great songs. I also want to work with more bands in ....Auckland.... so we can start creating value out of video as well as using posters and cd's to develop local campaigns.
....
I'm also putting my money where my mouth is, using my skills to create revenue from my own entertainment services and content – and no, not my DJing which I see strictly as a hobby.
....
I'm seriously preparing to go back to my part time uni job dressing up as a pirate for kids birthdays on the weekend because the money is that good and I realise I now have the marketing skills to do it myself, as well as building a website that could easily generate advertising revenue and sales just like any other performer, and eventually generate quite healthy affiliate income from the sale of toys and kids products, long after I get too old to keep DJing in boozy clubs at 3 in the morning.
....
And finally, I'm bringing the plasticast back!!!
....
Previously the Plasticast – A free giveaway CD featuring local musicians and drawing on new models for finance and distribution – failed to pick up enough financial interest, so now I will be fully funding it myself in order to represent the kind of marketing behaviour that is necessary to create results these days. Traditional down-your-throat advertising is a dead horse. More people are following the words of nice guy uber guru Seth Godin and killing them with kindness.
....
STAY TUNED FOLKS!!!!
I'm off to make some more videos.
Kurb Promo on Youtube
http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vZGF0YWJhc3MuZ2lhbnRyb2JvdC5jby5uei9uZXdfY2xpZW50c19mcmVlX2NvbnN1bHRhdGlvbi5odG0=how digital promotion and social marketing works more indie self promotion articles hub Our "digital coaching" packages for artists Overview of online promotion strategies Real cheap CD/DVD reproduction in NZ poster printing – placement in Auckland / Free delivery in NZ
Cheers and all the best with your work from Kurb
....
I'd gone off blogging actually because there was one major thing. Leads.Like blogging definitely does heaps for the kurb brand and contributes to search etc. but most of the people who pay my bills come from google searches and spampaigns, not so much directly from my blogs.
....
All my blogs are currently a visual and organisational nightmare, but I just kept writing, its all about creating a steady stream of written and now video content, slowly expanding the momentum of your online presence.
....
So although I may have spent more time than it was really worth on blogging there's nothing like blogging to clear out some ideas and get focused.
....
You could easily be talking about whether the cruisy numbers should be before or after the dancy numbers on my CD, or when it's best to tour the South Island to get the ski bunnies and the students.
....
For example I've become really confident about the idea of your website overtaking your CD as your main earner about next year.
....
Blogging often allows you to develop certain streams of thought and ideas. Here's some of the stuff that's all about ready to come up over the next week or so from me, hopefully with some new videos from me to.
....
In introducing the new "digital coaching" concept to replace our "artist packages" I'll be talking about the new direction of our online marketing for bands – accepting I can only work with a limited amount of clients, working with bands that understand that opening revenue streams to a fanbase is a strategy dependent on building a digital asset from a steady stream of content and activity long term.
....
When I'm talking about "digital coaching" I'm saying we all know the future of music is online, there's still very few people other than me offering these services on this side of the world, and not spam, nor cd's nor posters or anything else we offer to carry your message is going to make you famous overnight. We can send the message, it's up to you to make that message more than just a few great songs. I also want to work with more bands in ....Auckland.... so we can start creating value out of video as well as using posters and cd's to develop local campaigns.
....
I'm also putting my money where my mouth is, using my skills to create revenue from my own entertainment services and content – and no, not my DJing which I see strictly as a hobby.
....
I'm seriously preparing to go back to my part time uni job dressing up as a pirate for kids birthdays on the weekend because the money is that good and I realise I now have the marketing skills to do it myself, as well as building a website that could easily generate advertising revenue and sales just like any other performer, and eventually generate quite healthy affiliate income from the sale of toys and kids products, long after I get too old to keep DJing in boozy clubs at 3 in the morning.
....
And finally, I'm bringing the plasticast back!!!
....
Previously the Plasticast – A free giveaway CD featuring local musicians and drawing on new models for finance and distribution – failed to pick up enough financial interest, so now I will be fully funding it myself in order to represent the kind of marketing behaviour that is necessary to create results these days. Traditional down-your-throat advertising is a dead horse. More people are following the words of nice guy uber guru Seth Godin and killing them with kindness.
....
STAY TUNED FOLKS!!!!
I'm off to make some more videos.
Kurb Promo on Youtube
http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vZGF0YWJhc3MuZ2lhbnRyb2JvdC5jby5uei9uZXdfY2xpZW50c19mcmVlX2NvbnN1bHRhdGlvbi5odG0=how digital promotion and social marketing works more indie self promotion articles hub Our "digital coaching" packages for artists Overview of online promotion strategies Real cheap CD/DVD reproduction in NZ poster printing – placement in Auckland / Free delivery in NZ
Cheers and all the best with your work from Kurb
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Kurb TV - kurb videos are up!!!
Finally got kurb videos up!!!
Okay okay - pretty basic stuff here but there's a point - making cheap videos is about creating content, creating access and delivering messages in new, effective and CHEAP ways.
Don't sit around masterminding world domination from your bedroom with your gatefold concept album - start building connections, start building access, start builidng your fanbase!
Create access, create trust . . . then create revenue!
Whats the deal? Aucklanders, or those who come to auckland on a regular basis can get on our artist packages starting at $200 p/month and start looking at how we can add video to the range of services we provide for artists.
It could be as simple as performing in our garage or doing a short interview. Not just music videos! thats flippin' obvious! Create access, create trust, create content of value - there are so many ways for these tools to be used!
Okay okay - pretty basic stuff here but there's a point - making cheap videos is about creating content, creating access and delivering messages in new, effective and CHEAP ways.
Don't sit around masterminding world domination from your bedroom with your gatefold concept album - start building connections, start building access, start builidng your fanbase!
Create access, create trust . . . then create revenue!
Whats the deal? Aucklanders, or those who come to auckland on a regular basis can get on our artist packages starting at $200 p/month and start looking at how we can add video to the range of services we provide for artists.
It could be as simple as performing in our garage or doing a short interview. Not just music videos! thats flippin' obvious! Create access, create trust, create content of value - there are so many ways for these tools to be used!
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