From music industry news feed
http://www.hypebot.com
More than 26,000 respondents from 25 countries took an eMusic sponsored Music Intelligence test designed to determine whether they have a well-rounded music collection. The survey revealed that Icelandics have the highest average national music IQ with a score of 119.
The homeland of Bjork, The Sugar Cubes and Sigur Ros beat Switzerland who came second with 113 points and Ireland with 111 points. Other countries to demonstrate better than average music intelligence...
were The United States (101), France (100) and Sweden (101). The UK came in an equal fourth with Spain. At the other end of the scoreboard Israel, Mexico and Finland couldn’t tell their Kinks from their krunk, only managing 85 points.
The Music Intelligence questionnaire was developed by musicians, industry experts and journalists in conjunction with eMusic. Covering every genre and era of music, the questions ranged from Beethoven to The White Stripes.
THE TOP 10
1. Iceland 119
2. Japan 112
3. Ireland 107
4. Spain 106
5. Great Britain 106
6. New Zealand 104
7. Sweden 101
8. United States 101
9. France 100
10. Canada 100
Matt @ Kurb adds:
No surprises seeing Iceland come up on top, I've always been fascinated by how the Nordics run such sophisticated societies in the freezing cold.
Iceland of course puts New Zealand in second place for the highest penetration of internet users per capita.
From wikipedia:
As of 2007, Iceland is the most developed country in the world with fellow Nordic country Norway according to the Human Development Index[3] and one of the most egalitarian, according to the calculation provided by the Gini coefficient[4]. Based upon a mixed economy where service, finance, fishing and various industries are the main sectors, it is also the fourth most productive country per capita.[5]
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
twitbits: is tweeting on twitter for twits?
Hey yo, it's matt from Kurb.
been having some nightmares with the website recently. All sorted now but have taken a mad hit on google.
Living 3 pages down at the moment.
Ouch! This could test my mettle as a marketer for sure.
http://www.kurb.co.nz
http://www.cd-dvd-duplication.co.nz
http://www.kurbartistmanagement.info
http://www.aucklandposters.info
Gonna have the new concept for Kurb online promotion services rolling out soon.
Basically im on a mission now to provide everything for any musician anywhere in the world. Yup, even that job I wont touch - booking gigs!
Basically you're going to have access to a whole lot of top internet resources, info and tools looking at a price of about $50 p/month.
Then on top of that you're going to have access to a whole bunch of awesome secret cutting edge promotion services and expert assistance and implementation support at a level of $100 p/month
And at the final level of $200 which is what my clients have had to pay now, they're going to get priority access to all this new stuff, PLUS of course regular one on one strategy consultations with me personally, tweaking and developing.
Then in 2009 developing a total virtual management package priced about $400 p/month so we can offer comprehensive management services to anyone in the world. Yup, including bookings!!!
You'll be hearing much more detail soon, looking to go to beta in August!!!!
TWITTER
I must admit I was feeling as if Twitter was a bit dumb too.
But all my friends used to tell me 2005 that
"myspace is dumb"
"oh, I REFUSE to join myspace!"
They soon changed their minds.
It doesn't negate the fact that twitter is hot right now and if you remember my golden rule of social music promotion - that is, go where the people go - you'll be on twitter soon enough too.
From http://www.courtneytuttle.com
"All I see on twitter is an odd hybrid of a forum and a blog, except nothing meaningful is being said. And I mean nothing. So far as I can tell twitter is something the A List bloggers are promoting as a way to get their groupies to follow them around all day, begging for a shred of acknowledgment with some sort of “@joeshmoe” response to a….tweet (again, am I saying that right?).
Talk about a colossal waste of time. Be warned, there are those that are saying twitter is great for connectivity and getting information in real time."
Yup, web geeks LOVE twitter.
And it is all those big name bloggers crowing about twitter because it does have a bit of an indulgent side to it.
Sure you read my stuff because you want to learn about forwad looking music promotion.
You dont need to know that I might get a DVD out now I can watch while I pack these 120 christian personal development dvd sets I have to pack.
But I guess if you were my "IRL" (in real life) friend, I might love a suggestion!
Maybe next year it'll blow over. Or it'll just stay a geek thing.
But what if it doesn't?
As your online music promotion consultant I don't think that's a risk you want to take.
Just before I posted this blog I stopped by my Twitter account.
My call has always been that if you're a homebody like me and don't get out of the house much, spending days at a time online planted at the consul, nose to the grindstone, Twitter isn't going to bring your communication efficiency forward in leaps and bounds.
If you're a heavy touring artist or highly performance based or one of those highly mobile, highly networked individuals of which I know plenty, the access and simplicity that Twitter allows could be genuinely useful.
Even I'm attracted to the fact I can have my twitter app up on all my many myspaces, blogs, my facebook, crusty old profiles I never update manually and I cut down my update maintenance time from about half an hour to 5 minutes.
you can "follow" me as: MattNZ
As I just stopped by at my new account been getting into the swing, signed up to follow Dubber, Gerd, and Bob Baker.
But not Ariel because then she'll know I have a crush on her and I don't want things moving too fast. More on Ariel real soon.
Yup this "microblogging" thing could easily become a bit indulgent and unproductive.
But hey. Social networking is like that.
Already thinking about how to sp- "automate"
oh god and now I'm setting up so I can be a twit - I mean "tweet" - from my mobile . . .
here we go . . .
see you on twitter? forgive me!!!!
ps: twitter "does follow" so you get google juice from posting your urls
been having some nightmares with the website recently. All sorted now but have taken a mad hit on google.
Living 3 pages down at the moment.
Ouch! This could test my mettle as a marketer for sure.
http://www.kurb.co.nz
http://www.cd-dvd-duplication.co.nz
http://www.kurbartistmanagement.info
http://www.aucklandposters.info
Gonna have the new concept for Kurb online promotion services rolling out soon.
Basically im on a mission now to provide everything for any musician anywhere in the world. Yup, even that job I wont touch - booking gigs!
Basically you're going to have access to a whole lot of top internet resources, info and tools looking at a price of about $50 p/month.
Then on top of that you're going to have access to a whole bunch of awesome secret cutting edge promotion services and expert assistance and implementation support at a level of $100 p/month
And at the final level of $200 which is what my clients have had to pay now, they're going to get priority access to all this new stuff, PLUS of course regular one on one strategy consultations with me personally, tweaking and developing.
Then in 2009 developing a total virtual management package priced about $400 p/month so we can offer comprehensive management services to anyone in the world. Yup, including bookings!!!
You'll be hearing much more detail soon, looking to go to beta in August!!!!
I must admit I was feeling as if Twitter was a bit dumb too.
But all my friends used to tell me 2005 that
"myspace is dumb"
"oh, I REFUSE to join myspace!"
They soon changed their minds.
It doesn't negate the fact that twitter is hot right now and if you remember my golden rule of social music promotion - that is, go where the people go - you'll be on twitter soon enough too.
From http://www.courtneytuttle.com
"All I see on twitter is an odd hybrid of a forum and a blog, except nothing meaningful is being said. And I mean nothing. So far as I can tell twitter is something the A List bloggers are promoting as a way to get their groupies to follow them around all day, begging for a shred of acknowledgment with some sort of “@joeshmoe” response to a….tweet (again, am I saying that right?).
Talk about a colossal waste of time. Be warned, there are those that are saying twitter is great for connectivity and getting information in real time."
Yup, web geeks LOVE twitter.
And it is all those big name bloggers crowing about twitter because it does have a bit of an indulgent side to it.
Sure you read my stuff because you want to learn about forwad looking music promotion.
You dont need to know that I might get a DVD out now I can watch while I pack these 120 christian personal development dvd sets I have to pack.
But I guess if you were my "IRL" (in real life) friend, I might love a suggestion!
Maybe next year it'll blow over. Or it'll just stay a geek thing.
But what if it doesn't?
As your online music promotion consultant I don't think that's a risk you want to take.
Just before I posted this blog I stopped by my Twitter account.
My call has always been that if you're a homebody like me and don't get out of the house much, spending days at a time online planted at the consul, nose to the grindstone, Twitter isn't going to bring your communication efficiency forward in leaps and bounds.
If you're a heavy touring artist or highly performance based or one of those highly mobile, highly networked individuals of which I know plenty, the access and simplicity that Twitter allows could be genuinely useful.
Even I'm attracted to the fact I can have my twitter app up on all my many myspaces, blogs, my facebook, crusty old profiles I never update manually and I cut down my update maintenance time from about half an hour to 5 minutes.
you can "follow" me as: MattNZ
As I just stopped by at my new account been getting into the swing, signed up to follow Dubber, Gerd, and Bob Baker.
But not Ariel because then she'll know I have a crush on her and I don't want things moving too fast. More on Ariel real soon.
Yup this "microblogging" thing could easily become a bit indulgent and unproductive.
But hey. Social networking is like that.
Already thinking about how to sp- "automate"
oh god and now I'm setting up so I can be a twit - I mean "tweet" - from my mobile . . .
here we go . . .
see you on twitter? forgive me!!!!
ps: twitter "does follow" so you get google juice from posting your urls
Innovating as a musician: New ways to make money online.
In order to help everyone to better understand the ways people go about creating an online income, I wanted to provide a simple list, complete with a simple explanation of each method. I will also try to point you toward some resources that you can use to dig deeper into creating online income.
Remember!
It’s not a horse race!
Research, try different things out, innovate in ways that will work for you and your unique proposition, push forward with that, and drop the things that take effort and resources that aren’t working!
But if you got a hundred different ways to make a dollar every day well you’re not doing too badly in the music industry. In fact you’re doing great cos than you can make 100 into 200 or you can make $1 into $2.
Again, it’s all about innovating and getting to the heart of where and how value is created for the user or purchaser.
#1 - Starting a Blog
Blogs are informational websites that people use to share information. The basic idea here is that the sharing of free information can bring visitors to your website, and you can in turn make a profit from that traffic. Most blogs will show the latest articles (known as posts) on the homepage, making it very easy for people to find the latest information that has been shared.
People use a variety of methods to bring traffic to a blog including search engine optimization, social media, paid advertising, email marketing, and press releases. Recently there is a growing trend of bloggers using traditional media such as television and radio to gain exposure to their blogs, but in all honesty this is only happening for elite level bloggers.
To make money with a blog, people use a variety of different methods including selling advertising space, products, and services. Many other blogs make great money by using affiliate marketing, which is selling products for others in exchange for commissions.
This method is a great way to go, especially if you want to start casually. You can start a blog with no pressure, and allow it to build up over time.
Musicians tip: Musicians can use their blog not only to communicate with fans and draw in new ones but can also create authority, trust and rapport in a wider community by discussing issues of interest to the musician and the lifestyle associated with the music the community is built around.
#2 - Starting a Content Website
This method uses the same basic idea as idea #1. You will use free content to attract visitors to a location where you can sell advertising and products, and create exposure for your brand as a musician and music community authority.
Technically, a blog is a content website, but for the purpose of this guide, ‘content websites’ are the traditional content sites that aren’t blogs. A popular choice amongst webmasters is of course lyric sites.
You got a website with lyrics for 2 million songs?
That’s a lot of search volume.
That’s a lot of advertising space.
You may be wondering to yourself what type of content people use to create content websites. These sites can be built around literally anything, but many of them review products and services or report on news specific to an industry or niche.
Like idea #1, people use a lot of different methods to bring traffic to content websites, such as search engine optimization, social media, paid advertising, email marketing, and press releases.
Musicians tip: As a musician, always think about your niche. You a black metal band and got a lyrics site for every black metal song ever written? And every one of the thousands of pages has a link to your website, your blog, your myspace and an add for your album linking back to your cdbaby and itunes sale pages?
Yeah um that’s gonna HELP with your internet promotion. Help A LOT.
Of course building, maintaining and administering a monster content site could become pretty much a full time job in itself.
#3 - Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate Marketing is the process of promoting products for other people and companies, in exchange for commissions. For example, let’s say that you have a site that provides people with home loans. I could sign up as an affiliate and then push people to your loan site. When people get a loan, you will make some money and will pay me a commission. I would be the affiliate marketer and you would be running an affiliate program.
There are thousands of different affiliate programs that you can use to make money online. Here are some examples of some of the more well known programs:
- eBay - eBay’s affiliate program pays you commissions when you get people to sign up for eBay, and also pays some commissions if the traffic you send ends up buying something on eBay.
- Amazon - Amazon’s program pays you commissions for pushing people to Amazon. You earn a commission when a person you pushed to Amazon buys a product. Amazon commissions start at 4% and go up from there and depend on how many conversions you can get.
Affiliate marketing is often combined with a few of the other ways to make money online. For example, bloggers often use affiliate marketing to make money from their blog traffic. List builders (see list building section) use affiliate marketing as the primary method of making money with their lists. They will usually send their list an affiliate offer (an offer to buy a product or service) around once per month (sometimes more or less often).
Musicians tip: Affiliate marketing, when you’re ultra clever and have already established a loyal fanbase of 1000+ subscribers represents major opportunites for reasonably established artists to make money in the future that creates value all over the place. Really exciting area for the future.
There’s so much scope. Remember there are affiliate plans for so many things.
Offers can be
novelty – as in a different kind of product associated with the theme of a release or band related news item.
niche – I mean if youre in a punk or emo or metal band with a distinct culture around the music you’re going to be mad not partnering to make fashion items and accessories available as an affiliate. I think any niche can come up with specific high value products tailored to the audience.
trust based – this was something I posted before. When you have an affiliate offer that actually costs nothing, you can ask your fans to sign up as an act of good faith. In my previous example, affiliates were being paid $US1.50 for every sign up to a free ecard service. Get a large teenage or any loyal kind of following and youre going to be printing money.
Value based – There’s not only value for niche related products what if you affiliate with a product that’s just . . . a good product? What if I told everyone to set up skype and make 3c a minute phone calls around the world with a $30 USB handset and I collected $4 for every handset sold through my link?
Some items run commissions as high as 50% (why do you think internet marketers are so keen to sell you penis enlargement pills?)
#4 -
List building is one of the more aggressive and powerful ways to make online money. The method combines amazingly well with affiliate marketing, and most good affiliate marketers rely heavily on building lists to scale up their businesses.
A good list builder will usually set up a site specifically to capture names and emails. You have probably done a search in Google to find a page that offered you a free product. All you have to do to get the free product is type in your name and email, right? By downloading that free product, you will probably be signed up to be on that marketer’s list. He will then be able to communicate with you in the future and will send you and everyone else on the list offers. A certain percentage of the people on the list will take advantage of those offers and this will get the marketer paid.
Good list builders will come up with ways to help the people on their list, which will keep them on the list for a longer time period. They are able to create a win-win. Over time, their list grows larger and larger which provides them with larger and larger income. Good affiliate marketers sometimes end up with millions of names.
To build their lists, list builders usually use a service like Aweber, which helps them to create forms to capture information, and stores the names and emails in a database for future communication.
List building combines with quite a few of the other methods, including blogging, affiliate marketing, lead generation, and starting an online service business.
Musicians tip: That’s what it says. Your mailing list is SO important now!!! You think giving your mp3’s away free is a silly idea if you can build a fan list of 10,000 people who have connected with your music and trust you?
And just think, when it grows that big and you’ve gained trust with all these people . . . I think your music career will be in rude health!
#5 - Lead Generation
Generating leads can be an extremely lucrative way to create money online. Mortgage leads, for example can be sold for more than $40 per lead, with no promise of conversion.
Usually the process of lead generation involves setting up a site to bring traffic, and then funneling traffic to a page where the visitor requests more information about a product or service. In the case of mortgage loans, the visitor would request more information about a loan. The marketer doing the lead generation (the person who created the lead) will then sell the information to a mortgage broker or company, who will in turn call the lead to try to get them to get a loan.
There are literally hundreds of different industries that rely on lead generation including:
- Loans
- Finance
- Weight Loss
- Real Estate
- Credit Cards
- Cell Phone Plans
Savvy marketers will set up businesses that capture leads in these and other industries and can make some truly killer profits.
Musicians tip:
Yeah I don’t know too much about this one. Affilaite marketing can be done smart by a band.
This kind of thing – mortgages and weight loss – im not sure will be healthy for your brand as a musician pushing this kind of stuff even if
Hey I don’t want to put you in a box but I mean – are your fans mainly fat people looking for houses? Cos if they are you could be doing alright!
#6 - Starting an Online Service Business
Those who become good at generating leads will often transition into creating their own service businesses. They usually realize that while they are able to make good money selling off leads, they could make more by creating businesses for the leads.
For example, a marketer may create a site at some point that provides people with good information about finance. They then go through the lead generation process to create and sell leads to an experienced financial planner. This goes great and the marketer makes great money, but eventually realizes that the financial planner makes a lot more from those leads than he does.
At that point, the marketer will often find a financial planner to partner with, or will become a financial planner himself. The leads are already there so the transition isn’t too complicated.
Selling services online usually takes a few simple steps:
- Bringing traffic to a website
- Generating a lead
- Selling to that lead
Since the first step in the process is bringing traffic to a website, the method is often combined with other ways to make money online including blogging and list building. Many times, people that use this method will also purchase a good amount of paid
advertising, as long as they are able to convert that traffic into clients.
Musicians tip:
Again this is highly refined depending on what skills you have outside of your music – and I should know, because it’s my game!
Don’t step on my toes and decide you’re going to become an internet music marketing guru too! haha
As a marketing and promotions guy, this technique is a cornerstone of my success – having used the concept in theory to create lucrative innovations several times and I will continue to do so for that reason.
For example – aside from kurb promotions itself most obviously – I’ve just started a new business went back to my part time job in university telling dressing up and telling pirate stories at kids parties because I already had the marketing and business skills, I just needed to find an expensive unique high end high value service or product I could deliver.
http://www.piratesofauckland.info
So yeah, if you have a kids birthday party coming up, I only charge $150 per hour!!!
DON’T FORGET: this also applies to licensing as a service!!! You might want to think about creating a page or section of your website solely addressing and soliciting for licensing enquiries.
#7 - Creating Products
Those that make the most money online are often those that create their own products. These products are often informational and can be downloaded by the purchaser.
For example, a savvy marketer will do research and then create an information product that will teach people how to lose weight. The product will probably be sold as an ebook or as a site that has a paid membership. The marketer will then use a variety of methods to bring traffic to the site including affiliate marketing (the marketer will recruit affiliates), paid advertising, list building, and sometimes blogging.
Since an informational product costs basically nothing to deliver, there is often great money in creating this type of product. I would highly recommend getting some experience before using this method because there’s a lot to it.
Musicians tip: No brainer. You’re a musician, you sell music. Recently I’ve put a lot of emphasis on innovating your product line but that needs a whole post.
You’re not going to sell a whole bunch of copies of your CD’s any more. You will sell some cd’s. And if you’ve got say
500 other products and different price points and value propositions
You’ll probably sell a fair few of those, too.
I personally will be looking into the ebook thing, maybe when you’re taking a little time out to think about innovating, you might too.
#8 - Setting up an Online Store
The old fall-back is creating an online store that sells tangible products. Some people will buy products at wholesale and sell them at retail for profits. Others will drop-ship, which is the process of selling a product before you buy it. You hold a list of what you can buy products for and sell them at an increase. Your supplier will then ship the product for you.
This method is often combined with many of the other methods including list building, lead generation, affiliate marketing, and creating products.
Examples:
Musicians tip:
I’m also huge on this - although I don’t see it as a big long term money spinner like affiliate marketing to your mailing list could possibly become, there’s no reason why with a lot of targeted traffic, especially if you’re active in a very obvious niche, you cant pick up more of those lovely little long tail earnings.
Bruce Warila @ http://www.unsprungmedia.com mentioned in a blog about how to consider the concept of “competition” in the music business.
Your fans may have already bought your album! That doesn’t mean that they wouldn’t be interested in more stuff that you’re probably in an excellent position of trust and authority to recommend.
Get it right and you not only pick up th e commission but that’s right – your authority and trust within your little niche community continues to grow.
You see we’re living in an era where there’s so much information that trusted sources for high quality content are going to in the position to create a lot of value.
As soon as Dubber @ http://www.newmusicstrategies.com started his liquid crunch store I knew there was just a little bit of a push toward innovative thinking going on.
http://newmusicstrategies.com/2008/
Dubber often seems to do these things – such as putting ads on his blog – more to illustrate how rewarding and valuable these propositions can be in the wider context of the music related products, services and value you provide.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Attack of the innovators
What is going on?
Just trying to have a chilled weekend and not work 12 hours every day and what happens????
I’ve gone and innovated EVERYWHERE.
Whoops. Sorry.
I’m just innovating all over the show. I can’t turn around without innovating some product or service or brand.
I was just casually innovating my business model like I often do, thinking about innovating on my blog, when suddenly I just started innovating spontaneously and decided I might record myself talking about how to become a famous on the internet for an hour or something and sell it for like 99c on itunes.
Just another way I’ll be earning $1 a day for the rest of my life.
Y’know?
You need to innovate. Just as much as you need the next song you write to be the best thing you’ve done, you need to be thinking of new ideas about how you do things, taking your strengths, taking the best and most successful parts of what you do and taking that forward to a unique new position.
Look at possible new ways to minimise areas where you’re skills are not strong, areas that drain your creative and emotional energy because you don’t enjoy them.
I’ve been innovating like crazy.
On one hand I had clients lining up at the door, on the other I was troubled that I wasn’t delivering the best service possible for my current clients.
I was troubled by the Jerry Seinfeld dilemma. Where was my mid range product?
It's not about me, it's about you, if you want to spend $20 on promoting your music, where is my product for that niche?
have you got a product for every niche, the casual fan, the supporter, the wealthy obsessive collector?
Expanding your business operation is not something to take lightly – ladders can turn into snakes if you take your eye off the ball.
So this week we’re going to be talking about innovating and some exciting new developments at Kurb so I can share what I’m doing with more artists at a price that more artists can afford and create even more value.
Stay tuned.
Just trying to have a chilled weekend and not work 12 hours every day and what happens????
I’ve gone and innovated EVERYWHERE.
Whoops. Sorry.
I’m just innovating all over the show. I can’t turn around without innovating some product or service or brand.
I was just casually innovating my business model like I often do, thinking about innovating on my blog, when suddenly I just started innovating spontaneously and decided I might record myself talking about how to become a famous on the internet for an hour or something and sell it for like 99c on itunes.
Just another way I’ll be earning $1 a day for the rest of my life.
Y’know?
You need to innovate. Just as much as you need the next song you write to be the best thing you’ve done, you need to be thinking of new ideas about how you do things, taking your strengths, taking the best and most successful parts of what you do and taking that forward to a unique new position.
Look at possible new ways to minimise areas where you’re skills are not strong, areas that drain your creative and emotional energy because you don’t enjoy them.
I’ve been innovating like crazy.
On one hand I had clients lining up at the door, on the other I was troubled that I wasn’t delivering the best service possible for my current clients.
I was troubled by the Jerry Seinfeld dilemma. Where was my mid range product?
It's not about me, it's about you, if you want to spend $20 on promoting your music, where is my product for that niche?
have you got a product for every niche, the casual fan, the supporter, the wealthy obsessive collector?
Expanding your business operation is not something to take lightly – ladders can turn into snakes if you take your eye off the ball.
So this week we’re going to be talking about innovating and some exciting new developments at Kurb so I can share what I’m doing with more artists at a price that more artists can afford and create even more value.
Stay tuned.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Commenting on blogs as a promotin strategy
One thing not touched on here is commenting as a search engine strategy - remember when you comment on a blog there's a little place where you can put your URL (website/blog address) and this CAN add to improved "google juice" BUT many blogs have what is called a "no follow" implemented so you cant gank google juice off them just be leaving
"great post!"
comments.
COMMENTING ON BLOGS AS A PROMOTION STRATEGY
Commenting on blogs is often an effective strategy for promotion. It can boost your credibility, bring in more sales, and increase your revenue. A well-placed, well-written comment gets readers interested in you, and they’ll follow you back to your blog, website or profile page to find out more about you.
Blog commenting attracts attention. And attention is good.
Your commenting helps convey that you’re real, with ideas, thoughts, and personality. That’s appealing, because it creates relationships with other people. And that’s what business is about these days: relationships, not just dollars and cents.
Each person that sees your comment is a potential customer. The more people that become familiar with you and your business, the more likely they are to take that next step and buy from you.
The best blog commenting strategy starts with – you got it – research. You need to target specific blogs that offer the best return on your time investment.
Choose blogs that target the same people that you’re targeting or that have an audience that needs what you offer. For example, if you sell personalized cat collars, find blogs for cat-lover communities. If you offer virtual assistance services, find blogs for online entrepreneurs.
Tapping the Activity Potential
Make sure that the blogs you target have good-sized readerships – but not huge ones. Many comments on a post may seem attractive, but the reality is that your comment becomes lost in the sea of other people. Likewise, blogs that have very few comments may not attract enough attention to be worth your time.
An established blog with good participation can be just the right size. Something in the middle between no readers and too many readers – say, a volume of 10 to 20 comments - can be just the right size of blog to target.
Time Is On Your Side
Many people think that blog commenting takes a phenomenal amount of time to be effective. It can take time, yes, especially if you’re not a fast reader or writer. If that’s the case, focus on two to three very targeted blogs and invest a half hour a day at the most in your strategy. Or less. Or more.
Your efforts directly determine your returns. Do more and you’ll get more attention and clients. Do less and you’ll be forgotten quickly. On the Internet, out of sight is out of mind, and fast.
The Nitty Gritting of Commenting
Want some fast tips on effective blog commenting? Here you go:
* Never leave one-liner sentences that don’t add value. “Great post!” is a fast way to make sure people gloss over your comment.
* Keep your comments on the short side. Long novels tend to become boring and people skip past these monologues to the next comment.
* Sound positive. People like happiness and inspiring comments. Show your optimism each time you write.
* Be friendly. Address other commentators directly. Instigate conversation. Ask questions about their work or a comment they left.
* Disagree – politely and gently. Sometimes, taking the opposite stance with some friendly debate can be a good thing. Avoid disagreeing all the time, though.
* Don’t push a sale. Focus on building a reputation and a relationship. No one wants a sale shoved in his or her face.
* Don’t link drop. You have a field for your URL – use that instead of peppering comments with links.
* Use your name. Some people hide behind cute or witty nicknames or only use their business name to identify themselves. It’s a bad idea and detracts from your business credibility.
Already Have a Blog?
If you have a blog, and you’re ready to commit to its success, then it’s time to become part of the blog community.
Your goal is to establish a firm presence to be easily recognized by others. It doesn’t take long before people remember you and treat you as one of the gang. They may discuss directly and address you personally. You might even strike up a conversation or move on to emailing, which is a step closer to a sale.
It’s word-of-mouth marketing, the best kind.
"great post!"
comments.
COMMENTING ON BLOGS AS A PROMOTION STRATEGY
Commenting on blogs is often an effective strategy for promotion. It can boost your credibility, bring in more sales, and increase your revenue. A well-placed, well-written comment gets readers interested in you, and they’ll follow you back to your blog, website or profile page to find out more about you.
Blog commenting attracts attention. And attention is good.
Your commenting helps convey that you’re real, with ideas, thoughts, and personality. That’s appealing, because it creates relationships with other people. And that’s what business is about these days: relationships, not just dollars and cents.
Each person that sees your comment is a potential customer. The more people that become familiar with you and your business, the more likely they are to take that next step and buy from you.
The best blog commenting strategy starts with – you got it – research. You need to target specific blogs that offer the best return on your time investment.
Choose blogs that target the same people that you’re targeting or that have an audience that needs what you offer. For example, if you sell personalized cat collars, find blogs for cat-lover communities. If you offer virtual assistance services, find blogs for online entrepreneurs.
Tapping the Activity Potential
Make sure that the blogs you target have good-sized readerships – but not huge ones. Many comments on a post may seem attractive, but the reality is that your comment becomes lost in the sea of other people. Likewise, blogs that have very few comments may not attract enough attention to be worth your time.
An established blog with good participation can be just the right size. Something in the middle between no readers and too many readers – say, a volume of 10 to 20 comments - can be just the right size of blog to target.
Time Is On Your Side
Many people think that blog commenting takes a phenomenal amount of time to be effective. It can take time, yes, especially if you’re not a fast reader or writer. If that’s the case, focus on two to three very targeted blogs and invest a half hour a day at the most in your strategy. Or less. Or more.
Your efforts directly determine your returns. Do more and you’ll get more attention and clients. Do less and you’ll be forgotten quickly. On the Internet, out of sight is out of mind, and fast.
The Nitty Gritting of Commenting
Want some fast tips on effective blog commenting? Here you go:
* Never leave one-liner sentences that don’t add value. “Great post!” is a fast way to make sure people gloss over your comment.
* Keep your comments on the short side. Long novels tend to become boring and people skip past these monologues to the next comment.
* Sound positive. People like happiness and inspiring comments. Show your optimism each time you write.
* Be friendly. Address other commentators directly. Instigate conversation. Ask questions about their work or a comment they left.
* Disagree – politely and gently. Sometimes, taking the opposite stance with some friendly debate can be a good thing. Avoid disagreeing all the time, though.
* Don’t push a sale. Focus on building a reputation and a relationship. No one wants a sale shoved in his or her face.
* Don’t link drop. You have a field for your URL – use that instead of peppering comments with links.
* Use your name. Some people hide behind cute or witty nicknames or only use their business name to identify themselves. It’s a bad idea and detracts from your business credibility.
Already Have a Blog?
If you have a blog, and you’re ready to commit to its success, then it’s time to become part of the blog community.
Your goal is to establish a firm presence to be easily recognized by others. It doesn’t take long before people remember you and treat you as one of the gang. They may discuss directly and address you personally. You might even strike up a conversation or move on to emailing, which is a step closer to a sale.
It’s word-of-mouth marketing, the best kind.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Bob's on fire: New music industry paradigm
Bob Lefsetz has been on fire recently.
Check it out at http://www.lefsetz.com
He's got a new game now which relies heavily on the theme of telling it to the artists like it is with some tough love and from my position, I'm loving it.
Labels and other irrelevant parts of the industry are going down like the titanic.
No one actually knows how to break a new act right now.
I know Im making my business a success using the methods I apply working with my artists and clients but you kinda gotta remember I'm benefiting now from work I began like . . .
5 years ago!!!! You get me??? It used to be in the past that if you were really talented and attractive and worked hard, you'd get signed to a label and that was your only chance.
Now, everyone's got a chance.
That doesn't mean you dont have to work harder, or be good, or have and an image! It actually means you have to work harder, be better and ! Back in the day there was all those people at the label who did the work - if you were lucky enough to get signed to a label.
Now there aint no one to do all the work but you.
Well what? Kids go to uni for 3 years just to get some lousy job.
What makes you think you shouldn't have to put in 3 years updating your content every day before you can make a decent earn?
2 LISTS FROM BOB LEFSETZ @ http://www. lefsetz. com
(no bob doesnt have a feed. Just add http://www. lefsetz. com to your reader)
The big breaks today?
1. Being able to give up your day job. Used to be, you got signed, you thought you’d made it, you were just a year or so from going back to McDonald’s, behind the counter. Today, since you’ve invested in yourself, built everything yourself, if you can shitcan your day job and make it playing music, kick back and have a drink, congratulate yourself, you’ve truly made it. Carly Smithson had a record deal and national TV exposure and she’s still pulling drinks in a bar in San Diego, or will be again soon. That’s the first hurdle, earning your freedom from the everyday grind.
2. Which may come before 1, getting an agent. It’s hard to book yourself. The road is where you make money. If someone’s interested in booking you, they think they can make money on you, they want their 10%. This is a good sign. This is more important than getting a record deal.
3. Owning something besides an amp and your instrument. Maybe it’s a car, maybe it’s real property. But once your musical enterprise is generating enough extra cash that you can acquire extraneous items, you’ve truly made it.
4. And this can happen anywhere in the food chain, really. An act YOU respect says it likes YOUR music.
5. You play larger and larger venues and your merch numbers grow.
And that’s about it.
NEW MUSIC INDUSTRY MODELS: Crighton and Allison are creating the ultimate artist/fan relationship. They are asking people to give Clint the opportunity to make his own record and this is how it works.
Limited to 1000 individuals who want to be involved, Talking Moon Music (Crighton and Allison’s new label) are asking them to purchase a membership for AU$100. This is the deal.
1.Members will have the 1/1000 chance to be randomly selected for an all expenses paid 10 day journey to LA to witness part of the recording process as well as see the sites of LA including Hollywood, Santa Monica Beach, Sunset Strip and Universal Studio’s.
2. Members will be a part of the creation of an independent record which will be marketed to the world (names will be printed ON the CD artwork).
3.Members will receive lifetime entry into all solo/headline performances by Clint Crighton.
4. Members will receive a signed CD prior to its official release.
5. Once 100 000 copies of this album are sold worldwide, members will get their money back.
/bob> Matt: Now thats what I'm talking about!!!! INNOVATIVE MODELS!!! KIILLER PROPOSITION!!!!! LOVE IT!!! (ps America's big. You cant make money in NZ touring)
Check it out at http://www.lefsetz.com
He's got a new game now which relies heavily on the theme of telling it to the artists like it is with some tough love and from my position, I'm loving it.
Labels and other irrelevant parts of the industry are going down like the titanic.
No one actually knows how to break a new act right now.
I know Im making my business a success using the methods I apply working with my artists and clients but you kinda gotta remember I'm benefiting now from work I began like . . .
5 years ago!!!! You get me??? It used to be in the past that if you were really talented and attractive and worked hard, you'd get signed to a label and that was your only chance.
Now, everyone's got a chance.
That doesn't mean you dont have to work harder, or be good, or have and an image! It actually means you have to work harder, be better and ! Back in the day there was all those people at the label who did the work - if you were lucky enough to get signed to a label.
Now there aint no one to do all the work but you.
Well what? Kids go to uni for 3 years just to get some lousy job.
What makes you think you shouldn't have to put in 3 years updating your content every day before you can make a decent earn?
2 LISTS FROM BOB LEFSETZ @ http://www. lefsetz. com
(no bob doesnt have a feed. Just add http://www. lefsetz. com to your reader)
The big breaks today?
1. Being able to give up your day job. Used to be, you got signed, you thought you’d made it, you were just a year or so from going back to McDonald’s, behind the counter. Today, since you’ve invested in yourself, built everything yourself, if you can shitcan your day job and make it playing music, kick back and have a drink, congratulate yourself, you’ve truly made it. Carly Smithson had a record deal and national TV exposure and she’s still pulling drinks in a bar in San Diego, or will be again soon. That’s the first hurdle, earning your freedom from the everyday grind.
2. Which may come before 1, getting an agent. It’s hard to book yourself. The road is where you make money. If someone’s interested in booking you, they think they can make money on you, they want their 10%. This is a good sign. This is more important than getting a record deal.
3. Owning something besides an amp and your instrument. Maybe it’s a car, maybe it’s real property. But once your musical enterprise is generating enough extra cash that you can acquire extraneous items, you’ve truly made it.
4. And this can happen anywhere in the food chain, really. An act YOU respect says it likes YOUR music.
5. You play larger and larger venues and your merch numbers grow.
And that’s about it.
NEW MUSIC INDUSTRY MODELS: Crighton and Allison are creating the ultimate artist/fan relationship. They are asking people to give Clint the opportunity to make his own record and this is how it works.
Limited to 1000 individuals who want to be involved, Talking Moon Music (Crighton and Allison’s new label) are asking them to purchase a membership for AU$100. This is the deal.
1.Members will have the 1/1000 chance to be randomly selected for an all expenses paid 10 day journey to LA to witness part of the recording process as well as see the sites of LA including Hollywood, Santa Monica Beach, Sunset Strip and Universal Studio’s.
2. Members will be a part of the creation of an independent record which will be marketed to the world (names will be printed ON the CD artwork).
3.Members will receive lifetime entry into all solo/headline performances by Clint Crighton.
4. Members will receive a signed CD prior to its official release.
5. Once 100 000 copies of this album are sold worldwide, members will get their money back.
/bob> Matt: Now thats what I'm talking about!!!! INNOVATIVE MODELS!!! KIILLER PROPOSITION!!!!! LOVE IT!!! (ps America's big. You cant make money in NZ touring)
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Promoting your music on Trademe - which is like EBay
oh oh killer post on the loose!!! Look out!!!
This is very NZ related but if you can think of Trademe as Ebay, much of it applies.
Trademe is my local New Zealand version of Ebay. It’s kind of a bit different but one things for sure.
New Zealanders are crazy about trademe. They’re insane. It’s worse than P (meth), there’s likely to be suffering in every family.
I think this is because kiwis love getting a sweet deal. They want to get the best deal, no matter what!
Sites like Trademe, Youtube and things like Mp3’s are all part of a megatrend called “digitisation” which is really a revolution in communication that we can interact with each other in this way, but of course is HIGHLY disruptive to certain industries the music industry obviously being one of them, and it wont be the last by no means.
But lets cut the fluff, the most important thing about Trademe in online music promotion is that essential concept:
It’s where the people are. This is why Myspace took off. Because everyone was there! When it comes to trademe in New Zealand . . . everyone uses trademe!!!!
I mean seriously. You have a profile on myspace but you’re not taking advantage of New Zealand’s biggest online community????
Lets look at what you can do on Trademe.
You can sell CD’s. You want physical distribution for your CD’s?
Your physical distributor is now crying in his soup because he is a poor poor man now. He does not care about sending 2 copies of your CD to every store in the wop wops so he can make what? $2? on each one.
He does not care.
Go see someone at Real Groovy. Make sure you ask for it to go to the four centres. Go home, put an ad on trademe.
YAY! You've got a distribution deal!!! Congratulations!!!!
And what do you know? You’ve got a “profile” on trademe! You can search it on google, pity you CANT put your website address, that’s against the rules.
But theres no reason you shouldn’t cram as much information about your music into that page as possible. This isn’t myspace! You’ve got a customer in the shop!
This is your opportunity to paint a picture of what it is that makes you a unique local voice and win them over with a stunning depiction of your raw essence that makes them just want to support!!!!
When you reflect on the new paradigm of the music industry and bloggers going on about the “1000 true fans” model for a successful career in music, the personal connection you make when you sell a CD on trademe is doing more work than a mountain of spam to take one step closer to having a viable fanbase.
For kiwi musicians who want to work hard this is FOR REAL. Make that interaction as positive as you can make it.
Put things in the envelope! Posters, stickers . . . use your imagination!
These people are purchasing directly off the artist and that makes them feel positive.I honestly feel, especially from lots of touring etc., that everyday New Zealanders everywhere want to support local musicians. They feel good about it, but the opportunity doesn’t really arise. Work that!
And you know what’s next!!!
”Wellll what else can we sell on trademe????”
Well it’s a little bit like that magic question
“What kinda stuff can we sell from our website in the future?”
Which I will posting about soon, BUT different because trade me is only for PRODUCTS and not SERVICES.
So you can sell a CD. Or a DVD. Or a T-Shirt. Or mugs. Lighters. Pens. Balloons.
Condoms.
Uh . . . you get the picture. There’s quite a bit of stuff you can sell on trademe.
In fact that’s the whole thing about this long tail thing I’ll tell you about sometime. You have to sell something for everybody. DEFINITELY have one area that you specialize in. But DO NOT have one measley little thing that you sell.
Innovate. When you innovate, success can creep up on you so fast its scary!
LUCKY DIP!!!! 10 RANDOM SONGS ON A BURNT CD $6.73 NO RESERVE FREE DELIVERY WITHIN NZ!!!
What products can you create with the resources you have that can be uniquely branded?
Hmmmm But no services! . . . SO that means you cant sell like
A performance, offering to play somewhere
Rights to a song. Or offer to write a song
BUTTTTT guess what?
You can sell ticketssssss! That’s right.
Got a gig on? Got a felt tip? (:p) Make some tickets and sell them on trademe!!!
Remember! It’s not about making $20 selling a couple of tickets if youre lucky on trademe.
It’s that YOUR GIG IS ON NEW ZEALANDS BIGGEST WEBSITE.
Remember how I said go where the people are? MMMM
So okay how much were you spending on promotion for this gig coming up? Hundy? 2 spot? You’re doing radio??? You can get the front page of Trademe for what $40?? And like . . . 50,000 people are going to see it!!!
Could work out good if you timed it jjuuusssstt riiightttt
UHHHHH yeah.
Again. You can go on an on about your band and your CD, and all the other wonderful products you can purchase online!!! Good to have someone who can write well for that.
That’s why radio and magazines and stuff are in bigggg trouble. When you put your money to work smart online by giving it to google or trademe you can potentially do so much better with your investment, even if its $20.
Radio works when it plays KFC ads at lunch time. Trust me, I’m in marketing. HAHA
Okay moving right along. I actually have been working on a song called “Positive Feedback” and that’s what led me to right this blog.
I’m not even a real trademehead but even I – and I’m sure you identify with me – proudly maintain my feedback rating. It was only just now that I looked at my feedback and realised
”Great music, top guy!”
”Wicked sounds man!”
”Awesome beats!”
my feedback is now not just a pretty number but a totally compelling reason and impartial recommendation to purchase one or several of my fine products!
I can quote that stuff IN the listing, hell I can even put it on my CD Baby page, My myspace and let me just underline that point – that because of the pervasive use of Trademe in New Zealand telling people to buy your CD on Trademe is not a stretch because everyones got an account!!!
it's likely a lot of people would feel MORE comfortable buy on trademe than say Itunes!!!
So that’s my blog about trademe!
I think the most important things to remember are
- everyone in New Zealand is there, so you should too
- use your ad to tell readers about stuff that makes you unique
- innovate with your product line!!! Don’t just sell your CD album!! Get creative, look at your resources.
- You can sell tickets on trademe like it’s a default gig guide! You can use paid advertising to create exposure that goes beyond the product on auction
(that’s a big tip!!!! You owe me!!! HAHA)
- Lastly and most importantly:
You’re selling stuff on trademe. YES it is smalltime. This is your opportunity to invest in creating something out of what you have got – Other New Zealanders on trademe who are interested in your music!!!
You’ve got their email!!! You’re going to be sending them a physical delivery, you’ve got a chance to make that a significant interaction and begin building a quality fan base !!! DO IT!!!
Theres lots of other ways and reasons that online classified sites - such as craigslist - can be used in highly innovative ways for bands to sell services as well as products all over the world. But we'll have to get to that!
"So give me Positive. Feedback!
- trademe baby wont you save me!
Positive. Feedback!
- yeah just so I know, goods came as described!"
This is very NZ related but if you can think of Trademe as Ebay, much of it applies.
Trademe is my local New Zealand version of Ebay. It’s kind of a bit different but one things for sure.
New Zealanders are crazy about trademe. They’re insane. It’s worse than P (meth), there’s likely to be suffering in every family.
I think this is because kiwis love getting a sweet deal. They want to get the best deal, no matter what!
Sites like Trademe, Youtube and things like Mp3’s are all part of a megatrend called “digitisation” which is really a revolution in communication that we can interact with each other in this way, but of course is HIGHLY disruptive to certain industries the music industry obviously being one of them, and it wont be the last by no means.
But lets cut the fluff, the most important thing about Trademe in online music promotion is that essential concept:
It’s where the people are. This is why Myspace took off. Because everyone was there! When it comes to trademe in New Zealand . . . everyone uses trademe!!!!
I mean seriously. You have a profile on myspace but you’re not taking advantage of New Zealand’s biggest online community????
Lets look at what you can do on Trademe.
You can sell CD’s. You want physical distribution for your CD’s?
Your physical distributor is now crying in his soup because he is a poor poor man now. He does not care about sending 2 copies of your CD to every store in the wop wops so he can make what? $2? on each one.
He does not care.
Go see someone at Real Groovy. Make sure you ask for it to go to the four centres. Go home, put an ad on trademe.
YAY! You've got a distribution deal!!! Congratulations!!!!
And what do you know? You’ve got a “profile” on trademe! You can search it on google, pity you CANT put your website address, that’s against the rules.
But theres no reason you shouldn’t cram as much information about your music into that page as possible. This isn’t myspace! You’ve got a customer in the shop!
This is your opportunity to paint a picture of what it is that makes you a unique local voice and win them over with a stunning depiction of your raw essence that makes them just want to support!!!!
When you reflect on the new paradigm of the music industry and bloggers going on about the “1000 true fans” model for a successful career in music, the personal connection you make when you sell a CD on trademe is doing more work than a mountain of spam to take one step closer to having a viable fanbase.
For kiwi musicians who want to work hard this is FOR REAL. Make that interaction as positive as you can make it.
Put things in the envelope! Posters, stickers . . . use your imagination!
These people are purchasing directly off the artist and that makes them feel positive.I honestly feel, especially from lots of touring etc., that everyday New Zealanders everywhere want to support local musicians. They feel good about it, but the opportunity doesn’t really arise. Work that!
And you know what’s next!!!
”Wellll what else can we sell on trademe????”
Well it’s a little bit like that magic question
“What kinda stuff can we sell from our website in the future?”
Which I will posting about soon, BUT different because trade me is only for PRODUCTS and not SERVICES.
So you can sell a CD. Or a DVD. Or a T-Shirt. Or mugs. Lighters. Pens. Balloons.
Condoms.
Uh . . . you get the picture. There’s quite a bit of stuff you can sell on trademe.
In fact that’s the whole thing about this long tail thing I’ll tell you about sometime. You have to sell something for everybody. DEFINITELY have one area that you specialize in. But DO NOT have one measley little thing that you sell.
Innovate. When you innovate, success can creep up on you so fast its scary!
LUCKY DIP!!!! 10 RANDOM SONGS ON A BURNT CD $6.73 NO RESERVE FREE DELIVERY WITHIN NZ!!!
What products can you create with the resources you have that can be uniquely branded?
Hmmmm But no services! . . . SO that means you cant sell like
A performance, offering to play somewhere
Rights to a song. Or offer to write a song
BUTTTTT guess what?
You can sell ticketssssss! That’s right.
Got a gig on? Got a felt tip? (:p) Make some tickets and sell them on trademe!!!
Remember! It’s not about making $20 selling a couple of tickets if youre lucky on trademe.
It’s that YOUR GIG IS ON NEW ZEALANDS BIGGEST WEBSITE.
Remember how I said go where the people are? MMMM
So okay how much were you spending on promotion for this gig coming up? Hundy? 2 spot? You’re doing radio??? You can get the front page of Trademe for what $40?? And like . . . 50,000 people are going to see it!!!
Could work out good if you timed it jjuuusssstt riiightttt
UHHHHH yeah.
Again. You can go on an on about your band and your CD, and all the other wonderful products you can purchase online!!! Good to have someone who can write well for that.
That’s why radio and magazines and stuff are in bigggg trouble. When you put your money to work smart online by giving it to google or trademe you can potentially do so much better with your investment, even if its $20.
Radio works when it plays KFC ads at lunch time. Trust me, I’m in marketing. HAHA
Okay moving right along. I actually have been working on a song called “Positive Feedback” and that’s what led me to right this blog.
I’m not even a real trademehead but even I – and I’m sure you identify with me – proudly maintain my feedback rating. It was only just now that I looked at my feedback and realised
”Great music, top guy!”
”Wicked sounds man!”
”Awesome beats!”
my feedback is now not just a pretty number but a totally compelling reason and impartial recommendation to purchase one or several of my fine products!
I can quote that stuff IN the listing, hell I can even put it on my CD Baby page, My myspace and let me just underline that point – that because of the pervasive use of Trademe in New Zealand telling people to buy your CD on Trademe is not a stretch because everyones got an account!!!
it's likely a lot of people would feel MORE comfortable buy on trademe than say Itunes!!!
So that’s my blog about trademe!
I think the most important things to remember are
- everyone in New Zealand is there, so you should too
- use your ad to tell readers about stuff that makes you unique
- innovate with your product line!!! Don’t just sell your CD album!! Get creative, look at your resources.
- You can sell tickets on trademe like it’s a default gig guide! You can use paid advertising to create exposure that goes beyond the product on auction
(that’s a big tip!!!! You owe me!!! HAHA)
- Lastly and most importantly:
You’re selling stuff on trademe. YES it is smalltime. This is your opportunity to invest in creating something out of what you have got – Other New Zealanders on trademe who are interested in your music!!!
You’ve got their email!!! You’re going to be sending them a physical delivery, you’ve got a chance to make that a significant interaction and begin building a quality fan base !!! DO IT!!!
Theres lots of other ways and reasons that online classified sites - such as craigslist - can be used in highly innovative ways for bands to sell services as well as products all over the world. But we'll have to get to that!
"So give me Positive. Feedback!
- trademe baby wont you save me!
Positive. Feedback!
- yeah just so I know, goods came as described!"
viral video marketing, death of old media - and still whinging about amplifier.co.nz
I can’t stop marketing even though I really should!
Still got way too much work on!!!
You see if I stop testing and developing new online marketing strategies then how am I going to create further and increasing value to my digital promotions clients by providing the most effective new techniques?
It’s really time I made some more videos but I’m trying to find a unique angle.
That USP (unique selling point) is essential in what you do!
We have the internet now. If there’s something better, than people are going to find it.
I’m always trying to find something better, I think that’s what I just told you. But you can't always be the best.
But you can always be unique!
So I’ve been planning for a while to try some true viral video marketing techniques – that is – focus more on being “remarkable” than actually pushing my product and reasoning why people should give me their money.
This is more of a branding exercise. Selling stuff is so 20th century. Building relationships and attention with your audience is the new paradigm.
I was going to do a typical TV ad style video going on about how “bands were exploding” online and have a warzone bunker theme with explosions going off in the background and musicians who were literally blowing up.
Silly stuff.
I thought about making a funny video based around Seth Godin’s “purple cow” concept the original metaphor for “remarkable” marketing where some hick farmer calls me up wanting services from Kurb because they’ve used purple food colouring to make a purple cow and now they want to “Mana Tai’s” it
(that’s monetize for all you non Maori :p)
This is stuff that people want to see and share. Not me asking for money.
The state of new media in New Zealand leaves me with mixed feelings, much like the slashing of EMI’s operation in New Zealand (and throughout the world) just recently is sad given EMI’s historical role in developing New Zealand talent, and that this does represent decreased opportunities for New Zealand artists, but on other hand once again, it represents increased opportunities in the market for people like me who are digital strategists and innovators.
Because . . . there’s a lot of Dinosaurs just waiting round for the next meteor.
I am going to have to stop being polite about Amplifier.
I know its Chris the lawyer, and Simon who I love and Richie from One Million Dollars and all but seriously!!!
STOP THIS WEB 1.0 NONSENSE IMMEDIATELY!
Only 50% for the artists? NO! (itunes offers 70%)
No share of advertising revenue for artists? NO! (sites like Reverb nation and Squidoo are already rolling out revenue sharing, while myspace has struck such a deal with the Majors)
No variable pricing determined by artists? NO!
Widgets only for P-money? NO!
Incredibly limited features? NO!
No access to fan data? NO!!
No social or any other discernable web 2.0 features? NO!
I may have to come out as an official critic of www. amplifier. co. nz
Amplifier, please!!!!! SORT IT!!!!!
Why if I wasn’t bigger and tougher I’d innovate their faces in!!!!
What is so ironic is that AMPLIFIER HAS A MYSPACE PAGE.
I was looking at the myspace of another popular traditional NZ Music media institution, not geographically that far from amplifier, thinking about 2006 when so many people capitulated and accepted that being on Myspace just had to be done.
How frustrating it must be to be part of the old media. Doing things like setting up a myspace page and probably thinking . . .
will this increase our readership or advertising revenue?
Not realising that the massive backlash against traditional advertising has already begun.
Television, Radio, Magazines – the authority of this old, centralized, gatekeeper style of media based on the disruptive power of advertising is just going to lose any relevance and quickly.
I’m not expecting to make a lot of money as a result of making silly videos, doing my blogs, and building my very own personalised media communication, specialized for my audience who trusts my authority.
But I will be very very surprised if I don’t.
Still got way too much work on!!!
You see if I stop testing and developing new online marketing strategies then how am I going to create further and increasing value to my digital promotions clients by providing the most effective new techniques?
It’s really time I made some more videos but I’m trying to find a unique angle.
That USP (unique selling point) is essential in what you do!
We have the internet now. If there’s something better, than people are going to find it.
I’m always trying to find something better, I think that’s what I just told you. But you can't always be the best.
But you can always be unique!
So I’ve been planning for a while to try some true viral video marketing techniques – that is – focus more on being “remarkable” than actually pushing my product and reasoning why people should give me their money.
This is more of a branding exercise. Selling stuff is so 20th century. Building relationships and attention with your audience is the new paradigm.
I was going to do a typical TV ad style video going on about how “bands were exploding” online and have a warzone bunker theme with explosions going off in the background and musicians who were literally blowing up.
Silly stuff.
I thought about making a funny video based around Seth Godin’s “purple cow” concept the original metaphor for “remarkable” marketing where some hick farmer calls me up wanting services from Kurb because they’ve used purple food colouring to make a purple cow and now they want to “Mana Tai’s” it
(that’s monetize for all you non Maori :p)
This is stuff that people want to see and share. Not me asking for money.
The state of new media in New Zealand leaves me with mixed feelings, much like the slashing of EMI’s operation in New Zealand (and throughout the world) just recently is sad given EMI’s historical role in developing New Zealand talent, and that this does represent decreased opportunities for New Zealand artists, but on other hand once again, it represents increased opportunities in the market for people like me who are digital strategists and innovators.
Because . . . there’s a lot of Dinosaurs just waiting round for the next meteor.
I am going to have to stop being polite about Amplifier.
I know its Chris the lawyer, and Simon who I love and Richie from One Million Dollars and all but seriously!!!
STOP THIS WEB 1.0 NONSENSE IMMEDIATELY!
Only 50% for the artists? NO! (itunes offers 70%)
No share of advertising revenue for artists? NO! (sites like Reverb nation and Squidoo are already rolling out revenue sharing, while myspace has struck such a deal with the Majors)
No variable pricing determined by artists? NO!
Widgets only for P-money? NO!
Incredibly limited features? NO!
No access to fan data? NO!!
No social or any other discernable web 2.0 features? NO!
I may have to come out as an official critic of www. amplifier. co. nz
Amplifier, please!!!!! SORT IT!!!!!
Why if I wasn’t bigger and tougher I’d innovate their faces in!!!!
What is so ironic is that AMPLIFIER HAS A MYSPACE PAGE.
I was looking at the myspace of another popular traditional NZ Music media institution, not geographically that far from amplifier, thinking about 2006 when so many people capitulated and accepted that being on Myspace just had to be done.
How frustrating it must be to be part of the old media. Doing things like setting up a myspace page and probably thinking . . .
will this increase our readership or advertising revenue?
Not realising that the massive backlash against traditional advertising has already begun.
Television, Radio, Magazines – the authority of this old, centralized, gatekeeper style of media based on the disruptive power of advertising is just going to lose any relevance and quickly.
I’m not expecting to make a lot of money as a result of making silly videos, doing my blogs, and building my very own personalised media communication, specialized for my audience who trusts my authority.
But I will be very very surprised if I don’t.
Preparing artists for the future: The meat in the digital promotions sandwich
www.kurb.co.nz website still down! two days now!!!!
If there wasn't a line of business out the door I'd be freaking out.
That website is like my instrument, I cant really make a living without it!
Just a recap on the last few posts - I actually realised my latest description of what it is we actually do wasn't too shabby so I thought I'd take the chance to cut the fluff and go over that again.
Remember, we don't specialize in overnight success. We specialize in creating exposure and revenue around content and growing a long term career in the music and related creative industries.
Our digital services are based on the following concepts:
Automation: We are experienced using a wide variety of exclusive software, services and techniques so we can maximise your exposure through many common internet channels, Myspace, Youtube, Google Searches and much more. Our focus is on targeted, useful, fan friendly interaction and functional, efficient content distribution, not thoughtless spam.
Implementation and Support: Often artists have specialised needs, that's what unique about Kurb. Our experience using all the latest digital and online trends means we work with you to establish all the elements of your online platforms for distribution and sale of mp3's and other digital products, your website, blogging, advertising platforms, p2p – everything you need to develop online as a serious artist now and in the future. There are also practical areas of photoshop, web coding, copywriting, profile design and other areas of consulting which we can support you with depending on the specific needs of the artists.
Coaching Strategy: Building a strategy starts to happen at least a month or two into promotions. Initially I answer artists questions and offer tips specific to the artist in developing habits that will produce a momentum – for example blogging advice is a biggie.
But once platforms are established and automated promotion tools are ticking over its time to really focus and examine the use of these platforms and tools into strategies based around certain goals, where we want fans to go, what we want them to do, and building hooks and propositions around those outcomes.
Research: Being ahead of the pack isn't enough for us – our unique and forward looking service is continually developing. New promotion tools, strategies, techniques and offers are becoming available as the digital revolution rolls on and I truly believe one of the best reasons clients should get involved with kurb is not just what we're doing now, but because we are the promotions company preparing artists for the future.
Also I'd like to add cross promotion to that. Because as we become a fixture in the music industry it's giving us the opportunity to access and create projects that increase exposure for my whole stable of artists.
People who are passionate about music are coming to me offering help and opportunities. While I'm pursuing opportunities to innovate and create platforms more suited to the modern music industry.
I'm developing kurb music as an entertainment platform for my artists as well as exploring CD projects.
For example, I have more clients in Melbourne than anywhere else now. Which gives me the opportunity to create a project focused on raising the awareness of artists I'm working with within Melbourne.
Close to announcing our first 50/50 deal with a local band!!!! Watch this space.
Mailbox blogging bonus round!!!!
Join Twitter. Don't ask me why, just do it.
When there's heat online, don't muck around, stake your claim early!
I'm not going to pretend I know why twitter is so wonderful, but that I have joined, because I have learned to recognise that when there is heat on the internet around a site, you make yourself a part of it.
If you weren't on myspace in 2005, 2006, you'd be kicking yourself.
If you weren't on facebook in 2007, you'd be kicking yourself.
And if you're not on twitter in 2008 . . . could be ow ow ouchies.
Don't forget little reverbnation to is still getting heat.
also wanted to tip you off about www.stumbleupon.com
the whole social media/social bookmarking scene is something I want to get you into in the future - it kind of goes hand in hand with blogging, but just like myspace or anything else you cant just sit there and wait for it to happen.
If you start bookmarking sites that other people think are cool as well, your "stumbles" (web pages you like) will increase in authority and that will include stumbling your own pages, I willl be stumbling my artists pages, as well as building networks of stumblers who support each other.
See? I learn a lot of stuff from doing marketing on the computer.
If you can get this right, it becomes very powerful when 500 people turn up on your site out of nowhere. Again, the result of this could be nothing. But if you have advertising on your site the result is likely to be $US5 if nothing else.
There are tonnes of sites like these but stumbleupon is really the big boy, so start there.
If you missed it: Bob Baker interviews Derek Sivers!!!!
Mr. Guerilla Marketing Vs. Mr. CD Baby!!!
Derek, Bless 'im, has been using the same material for years but it doesn't really take away from the fact that you got the two big guns of DIY music nattering for over an hour.
I was following these two guys way before myspace and their knowledge and understanding of the independent music scene is unparalleled.
http://www.bob-baker.com/musicpromotionblog/2008/05/derek-sivers-of-cd-baby-audio-interview.html
If there wasn't a line of business out the door I'd be freaking out.
That website is like my instrument, I cant really make a living without it!
Just a recap on the last few posts - I actually realised my latest description of what it is we actually do wasn't too shabby so I thought I'd take the chance to cut the fluff and go over that again.
Remember, we don't specialize in overnight success. We specialize in creating exposure and revenue around content and growing a long term career in the music and related creative industries.
Our digital services are based on the following concepts:
Automation: We are experienced using a wide variety of exclusive software, services and techniques so we can maximise your exposure through many common internet channels, Myspace, Youtube, Google Searches and much more. Our focus is on targeted, useful, fan friendly interaction and functional, efficient content distribution, not thoughtless spam.
Implementation and Support: Often artists have specialised needs, that's what unique about Kurb. Our experience using all the latest digital and online trends means we work with you to establish all the elements of your online platforms for distribution and sale of mp3's and other digital products, your website, blogging, advertising platforms, p2p – everything you need to develop online as a serious artist now and in the future. There are also practical areas of photoshop, web coding, copywriting, profile design and other areas of consulting which we can support you with depending on the specific needs of the artists.
Coaching Strategy: Building a strategy starts to happen at least a month or two into promotions. Initially I answer artists questions and offer tips specific to the artist in developing habits that will produce a momentum – for example blogging advice is a biggie.
But once platforms are established and automated promotion tools are ticking over its time to really focus and examine the use of these platforms and tools into strategies based around certain goals, where we want fans to go, what we want them to do, and building hooks and propositions around those outcomes.
Research: Being ahead of the pack isn't enough for us – our unique and forward looking service is continually developing. New promotion tools, strategies, techniques and offers are becoming available as the digital revolution rolls on and I truly believe one of the best reasons clients should get involved with kurb is not just what we're doing now, but because we are the promotions company preparing artists for the future.
Also I'd like to add cross promotion to that. Because as we become a fixture in the music industry it's giving us the opportunity to access and create projects that increase exposure for my whole stable of artists.
People who are passionate about music are coming to me offering help and opportunities. While I'm pursuing opportunities to innovate and create platforms more suited to the modern music industry.
I'm developing kurb music as an entertainment platform for my artists as well as exploring CD projects.
For example, I have more clients in Melbourne than anywhere else now. Which gives me the opportunity to create a project focused on raising the awareness of artists I'm working with within Melbourne.
Close to announcing our first 50/50 deal with a local band!!!! Watch this space.
Mailbox blogging bonus round!!!!
Join Twitter. Don't ask me why, just do it.
When there's heat online, don't muck around, stake your claim early!
I'm not going to pretend I know why twitter is so wonderful, but that I have joined, because I have learned to recognise that when there is heat on the internet around a site, you make yourself a part of it.
If you weren't on myspace in 2005, 2006, you'd be kicking yourself.
If you weren't on facebook in 2007, you'd be kicking yourself.
And if you're not on twitter in 2008 . . . could be ow ow ouchies.
Don't forget little reverbnation to is still getting heat.
also wanted to tip you off about www.stumbleupon.com
the whole social media/social bookmarking scene is something I want to get you into in the future - it kind of goes hand in hand with blogging, but just like myspace or anything else you cant just sit there and wait for it to happen.
If you start bookmarking sites that other people think are cool as well, your "stumbles" (web pages you like) will increase in authority and that will include stumbling your own pages, I willl be stumbling my artists pages, as well as building networks of stumblers who support each other.
See? I learn a lot of stuff from doing marketing on the computer.
If you can get this right, it becomes very powerful when 500 people turn up on your site out of nowhere. Again, the result of this could be nothing. But if you have advertising on your site the result is likely to be $US5 if nothing else.
There are tonnes of sites like these but stumbleupon is really the big boy, so start there.
If you missed it: Bob Baker interviews Derek Sivers!!!!
Mr. Guerilla Marketing Vs. Mr. CD Baby!!!
Derek, Bless 'im, has been using the same material for years but it doesn't really take away from the fact that you got the two big guns of DIY music nattering for over an hour.
I was following these two guys way before myspace and their knowledge and understanding of the independent music scene is unparalleled.
http://www.bob-baker.com/musicpromotionblog/2008/05/derek-sivers-of-cd-baby-audio-interview.html
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Mailbox blogging 2: Music promotion standard response
OH SO YOU WANT ONLINE INTERNET ARTIST MUSICIAN BAND PROMOTION MARKETING MANAGEMENT DO YOU?
(it’s keyword time haha!)
Okay coming up is my new standard reply form letter. It helps people learn about EXACTLY what I offer so they dont ask me too many dumb questions. (which is inevitable, but I rather they pay for it first)
AND as I've said, you gotta keep updating your blog so I’m posting outta my gmail.
So yeah, too many artists, not enough Matt! It’s a problem right now!
This is the thing if I meet demand by raising my fees again or lowering the quality of my service, is that good for my business?
I’m getting tough on artists and fronting up. What I do, takes a long time to actually work and requires your involvement. I can’t really do that much for you in 3 months.
I’m sorry, I can’t! Providing value online is not about cashing in on overnight success. It's about growing something that provides true and lasting value slowly and winning peoples trust and respect enough to profit from that.
This post is also about another point. My website is never finished (in fact it's actually down right now but lets not get too worried) My standard response letter is never finished.
I am constantly revising, updating, tweaking, both my website and the standard letters and all elements of the marketing process for optimum communication efficiency and results. As in - results in my bank account.
First you gotta build a website.
THEN you gotta get people to come to it.
THEN you gotta get those people to engage with the content and respond with their minds and wallets.
Not so simple!!!! Thats going to take longer than 3 months. It is.
That is why you are constantly revaluating, revising all elements of the marketing process for optimisation, for results. A pretty website doesn't make people want to spend.
Connecting them with the message they want to hear and the feeling they want to have does.
Hi there person who has emailed me wanting to spend money, thanks for your email!
Yes, this is a standard response email from me, Matt @ Kurb for artists who have made their first enquiry about our online promotion and digital services for artists.
Currently there is high demand for the unique specialised services we offer to a limited group of artists so it’s important to me that potential clients understand the nature of what we provide to ensure the best service.
The digital promotion and revenue management service we provide is not a quick fix, it’s not a shot in the arm, it is not about creating hype. It is long term, it is accumulative, it is sustainable, it is highly specialised to the individual client. It is about building a presence and exposure online, engaging fans, and creating revenue in innovative new ways.
The service we offer is currently based on a strictly limited number of artists who pay a monthly fee of between $US100-300 p/month, 1 month in advance.
Commonly, we ask an act to commit to an initial campaign of 3 months at $US500, but because of recent demand and our reluctance to turn clients away in view of the need for long term sustained promotion, we have introduced a new low intensity entry level package of US$100 p/month so we can begin groundwork on long term strategies, and familiarising ourselves with what the artist and their target audience is “about”.
Our digital services are based on the following concepts:
Automation: We are experienced using a wide variety of exclusive software, services and techniques so we can maximise your exposure through many common internet channels, Myspace, Youtube, Google Searches and much more. Our focus is on targeted, useful, fan friendly interaction and functional, efficient content distribution, not thoughtless spam.
Implementation and Support: Often artists have specialised needs, that’s what unique about Kurb. Our experience using all the latest digital and online trends means we work with you to establish all the elements of your online platforms for distribution and sale of mp3’s and other digital products, your website, blogging, advertisng platforms – everything you need to develop online as a serious artist now and in the future. There are also practical areas of photoshop, web coding, copywriting, profile design and other areas of consulting which we can support you with depending on the specific needs of the artists.
Coaching Strategy: Building a strategy starts to happen at least a month or two into promotions. Initially I answer artists questions and offer tips specific to the artist in developing habits that will produce a momentum – for example blogging advice is a biggie.
But once platforms are established and automated promotion tools are ticking over its time to really focus and examine the use of these platforms and tools into strategies based around certain goals, where we want fans to go, what we want them to do, and building hooks and propositions around those outcomes.
Research: Being ahead of the pack isn’t enough for us – our unique and forward looking service is continually developing. New promotion tools, strategies, techniques and offers are becoming available as the digital revolution rolls on and I truly believe one of the best reasons clients should get involved with kurb is not just what we’re doing now, but because we are the promotions company preparing artists for the future
Needless to say please reply with any further questions, but I must remind you I can’t just quickly explain many elements of how online promotion works, it is multi layered and complex, I get a lot of enquiries and the reason I have introduced the new US$100 p/month entry level package is to introduce you to the concept without a big commitment.
You can pay by paypal to kurbpromo@gmail.com to ensure your place.
Often it will be a week after we receive first payment before promotion starts due to our schedule. Much of the first month or two can be necessary set up, groundwork, assessing what needs to be done.
I hope this isn’t too much information but we really strive to be working with the right artists for the best results.
Regards, Matt @ Kurb
(it’s keyword time haha!)
Okay coming up is my new standard reply form letter. It helps people learn about EXACTLY what I offer so they dont ask me too many dumb questions. (which is inevitable, but I rather they pay for it first)
AND as I've said, you gotta keep updating your blog so I’m posting outta my gmail.
So yeah, too many artists, not enough Matt! It’s a problem right now!
This is the thing if I meet demand by raising my fees again or lowering the quality of my service, is that good for my business?
I’m getting tough on artists and fronting up. What I do, takes a long time to actually work and requires your involvement. I can’t really do that much for you in 3 months.
I’m sorry, I can’t! Providing value online is not about cashing in on overnight success. It's about growing something that provides true and lasting value slowly and winning peoples trust and respect enough to profit from that.
This post is also about another point. My website is never finished (in fact it's actually down right now but lets not get too worried) My standard response letter is never finished.
I am constantly revising, updating, tweaking, both my website and the standard letters and all elements of the marketing process for optimum communication efficiency and results. As in - results in my bank account.
First you gotta build a website.
THEN you gotta get people to come to it.
THEN you gotta get those people to engage with the content and respond with their minds and wallets.
Not so simple!!!! Thats going to take longer than 3 months. It is.
That is why you are constantly revaluating, revising all elements of the marketing process for optimisation, for results. A pretty website doesn't make people want to spend.
Connecting them with the message they want to hear and the feeling they want to have does.
Hi there person who has emailed me wanting to spend money, thanks for your email!
Yes, this is a standard response email from me, Matt @ Kurb for artists who have made their first enquiry about our online promotion and digital services for artists.
Currently there is high demand for the unique specialised services we offer to a limited group of artists so it’s important to me that potential clients understand the nature of what we provide to ensure the best service.
The digital promotion and revenue management service we provide is not a quick fix, it’s not a shot in the arm, it is not about creating hype. It is long term, it is accumulative, it is sustainable, it is highly specialised to the individual client. It is about building a presence and exposure online, engaging fans, and creating revenue in innovative new ways.
The service we offer is currently based on a strictly limited number of artists who pay a monthly fee of between $US100-300 p/month, 1 month in advance.
Commonly, we ask an act to commit to an initial campaign of 3 months at $US500, but because of recent demand and our reluctance to turn clients away in view of the need for long term sustained promotion, we have introduced a new low intensity entry level package of US$100 p/month so we can begin groundwork on long term strategies, and familiarising ourselves with what the artist and their target audience is “about”.
Our digital services are based on the following concepts:
Automation: We are experienced using a wide variety of exclusive software, services and techniques so we can maximise your exposure through many common internet channels, Myspace, Youtube, Google Searches and much more. Our focus is on targeted, useful, fan friendly interaction and functional, efficient content distribution, not thoughtless spam.
Implementation and Support: Often artists have specialised needs, that’s what unique about Kurb. Our experience using all the latest digital and online trends means we work with you to establish all the elements of your online platforms for distribution and sale of mp3’s and other digital products, your website, blogging, advertisng platforms – everything you need to develop online as a serious artist now and in the future. There are also practical areas of photoshop, web coding, copywriting, profile design and other areas of consulting which we can support you with depending on the specific needs of the artists.
Coaching Strategy: Building a strategy starts to happen at least a month or two into promotions. Initially I answer artists questions and offer tips specific to the artist in developing habits that will produce a momentum – for example blogging advice is a biggie.
But once platforms are established and automated promotion tools are ticking over its time to really focus and examine the use of these platforms and tools into strategies based around certain goals, where we want fans to go, what we want them to do, and building hooks and propositions around those outcomes.
Research: Being ahead of the pack isn’t enough for us – our unique and forward looking service is continually developing. New promotion tools, strategies, techniques and offers are becoming available as the digital revolution rolls on and I truly believe one of the best reasons clients should get involved with kurb is not just what we’re doing now, but because we are the promotions company preparing artists for the future
Needless to say please reply with any further questions, but I must remind you I can’t just quickly explain many elements of how online promotion works, it is multi layered and complex, I get a lot of enquiries and the reason I have introduced the new US$100 p/month entry level package is to introduce you to the concept without a big commitment.
You can pay by paypal to kurbpromo@gmail.com to ensure your place.
Often it will be a week after we receive first payment before promotion starts due to our schedule. Much of the first month or two can be necessary set up, groundwork, assessing what needs to be done.
I hope this isn’t too much information but we really strive to be working with the right artists for the best results.
Regards, Matt @ Kurb
Mailbox blog 1: working in music promotion
I often like to put a wee bit of effort into making my success a little bit inconspicuous.
But I have to announce in July I'm taking up a lucrative full time month long contract so business will be pretty much closed up except for all my current clients who will receive a free months promotion!
As guilty as I am of blogging away as artists beat a path to my door, research is as important as ever, and I must keep it up. Even if I lose clients. There'll be more.
When I realised recently that because my proposition was so unique it would inevitably be under great demand, I also realised I must continue to research, test and develop to keep moving forward in innovative new techniques.
Did I tell you I had to stop all marketing because I couldn't handle the amount of business coming through? Life is hard.
This is the result of groundwork laid and begun over a year ago.
Now you're providing music and not a business service like I am so you're going to have to be even more patient then me before you start getting offered 15k for a months work!
So all of my clients who are signed up for june will receive a free month of digital services in July, although I will be obviously fairly busy over that month!
As I said except when I'm using my blog to tell people why I know what I do works, or questioning government music industry funding, I like to play down my success. Otherwise I get people emailing me, and I don't mean just obnoxious hip hop MC's who think they're all that, but people who want jobs, or yknow they want to "work with me" or "work together".
Sometimes it's good. Mostly it's a waste of time.
But it really is an exciting time for digital innovation. I think in the next few years we're going to see the amount of freelancers, self employed, innovators, consultants etc. explode.
I been to busy to write a blog so you can read what I write people in my mail.
Well It's an exciting time for people working in digital industries
because the disruption caused by broadband and new technology is
creating so many new opportunities for people who are not stuck doing
things the old way.
Things have only just begun to change and already
the benefits are emerging clearly and yet internet marketing and
branding is yet to be embraced or even grasped by the mainstream.
I can't really offer you a job as I have learnt to manage the growth
of my business very closely.
A lot of the work I do is not that
glamourous or sophisticated so I'm usually on the look out for kids to
take care of that.
But I can assure you there is a lot of opportunity right now.
Myself I could be off to set up in melbourne or I could focus on business
clients instead and double my fee. I am also looking seriously at Children's entertainment.
You've got to remember the music industry is being severely disrupted
right now and there are massive challenges there, including the
misconceptions of artists and many inside the industry who's concept
of the business is still stuck in the 90's.
As a marketer I need to connect people with the unique inherent value
of a product, service or brand, and I want to be on the winning team
that gets a result.
Most musicians dont really understand how long and hard the game theyre playing is and they havent created unique value around a product, service or brand.
The things I do are pretty unique, and have made my business fairly
profitable but I dont have a magic wand or a recipe that makes people
famous, if I did Id be out spending my millions, not still working to
get there!
Regards, Matt @ Kurb
PS In school, school leaver? Keen on minimum wage but doing something half decent at least?
Like guillotines? Like glue? Like Photoshop? Like blogging? Like Myspace and Youtube?
Drop me a line. I'm a mellow boss, and the work isn't too much of a drag.
The pay IS crap though.
But I have to announce in July I'm taking up a lucrative full time month long contract so business will be pretty much closed up except for all my current clients who will receive a free months promotion!
As guilty as I am of blogging away as artists beat a path to my door, research is as important as ever, and I must keep it up. Even if I lose clients. There'll be more.
When I realised recently that because my proposition was so unique it would inevitably be under great demand, I also realised I must continue to research, test and develop to keep moving forward in innovative new techniques.
Did I tell you I had to stop all marketing because I couldn't handle the amount of business coming through? Life is hard.
This is the result of groundwork laid and begun over a year ago.
Now you're providing music and not a business service like I am so you're going to have to be even more patient then me before you start getting offered 15k for a months work!
So all of my clients who are signed up for june will receive a free month of digital services in July, although I will be obviously fairly busy over that month!
As I said except when I'm using my blog to tell people why I know what I do works, or questioning government music industry funding, I like to play down my success. Otherwise I get people emailing me, and I don't mean just obnoxious hip hop MC's who think they're all that, but people who want jobs, or yknow they want to "work with me" or "work together".
Sometimes it's good. Mostly it's a waste of time.
But it really is an exciting time for digital innovation. I think in the next few years we're going to see the amount of freelancers, self employed, innovators, consultants etc. explode.
I been to busy to write a blog so you can read what I write people in my mail.
Well It's an exciting time for people working in digital industries
because the disruption caused by broadband and new technology is
creating so many new opportunities for people who are not stuck doing
things the old way.
Things have only just begun to change and already
the benefits are emerging clearly and yet internet marketing and
branding is yet to be embraced or even grasped by the mainstream.
I can't really offer you a job as I have learnt to manage the growth
of my business very closely.
A lot of the work I do is not that
glamourous or sophisticated so I'm usually on the look out for kids to
take care of that.
But I can assure you there is a lot of opportunity right now.
Myself I could be off to set up in melbourne or I could focus on business
clients instead and double my fee. I am also looking seriously at Children's entertainment.
You've got to remember the music industry is being severely disrupted
right now and there are massive challenges there, including the
misconceptions of artists and many inside the industry who's concept
of the business is still stuck in the 90's.
As a marketer I need to connect people with the unique inherent value
of a product, service or brand, and I want to be on the winning team
that gets a result.
Most musicians dont really understand how long and hard the game theyre playing is and they havent created unique value around a product, service or brand.
The things I do are pretty unique, and have made my business fairly
profitable but I dont have a magic wand or a recipe that makes people
famous, if I did Id be out spending my millions, not still working to
get there!
Regards, Matt @ Kurb
PS In school, school leaver? Keen on minimum wage but doing something half decent at least?
Like guillotines? Like glue? Like Photoshop? Like blogging? Like Myspace and Youtube?
Drop me a line. I'm a mellow boss, and the work isn't too much of a drag.
The pay IS crap though.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Bob Lefsetz: Net opportunities for musicians
Kurb is a media promotions company providing a regular blog on digital music promotion, marketing digital content and creating revenue from new media online.
Kurb also provides online promotion and revenue management services for musicians and artists internationally CD / DVD printing and duplication and poster services.Our physical media services come with free graphic set up and support, free delivery, and free promotions advice and support for musicians.
If I get one more e-mail from a middling artist telling me how tough life is, how the Net has ruined their income, their lives, their careers, I’m gonna EXPLODE!
The Net is the very best thing that has ever happened to everybody but superstars.
We can debate the effect upon superstars at a later date… Or the inability to be a superstar. But if you used to have a recording deal, and you lived off the advances/royalties, and now you’ve lost your deal or your sales are off…I’VE GOT NO SYMPATHY FOR YOU!
I’m not saying people shouldn’t pay for music. Let’s legalize P2P, let’s authorize new consumption methods, let’s cast a wide net… But until that happens, stop crying in your beer and seize the opportunity!
The major labels are freaked out. Because historically they’ve only made money in the recorded music sphere. They’ve got opportunities in the future too, if they’d only step into the twenty first century. But they’re about amalgamation, you’re about…one.
Everything you build comes back to you. Every effort you make enhances your career. Choices may not be as obvious, effects might not be measured instantly, but get in the game for the long haul and watch as dividends get paid.
First and foremost, for the very first time in history, you can know who your audience is. You can collect the e-mail address of everybody who likes your music. Maybe give a track away for free for an e-mail address. Maybe not all of the addresses will be valid, but if they’re truly fans, they’d LOVE IT if you contacted them in the future. This is what Led Zeppelin did with their O2 ticket sale, this is what Radiohead did with their name your own price "In Rainbows" deal, this is what Trent Reznor does again and again. You have to harvest e-mail addresses. So when you go on tour, when you’ve got something to sell, you can ALERT YOUR FANS!
And it’s no longer ONLY when you’re on tour. You can sell t-shirts while you’re at home watching the tube. People who’ve never seen you live can order a t-shirt or keychain or autographed tchotchke. Hell, you can PERSONALIZE all your merch and sell it at an exorbitant price. Shit, you can even ask your fans for money to record. True fans will give you ALL their dough. They want to support you, they’re in it for the long haul… Unlike the label. If your first emphasis track/single fails, the fan doesn’t drop you, he redoubles his effort, he’s even more committed, because you NEED HIM!
Stop trying to take the easy way out. Looking for a sugar daddy, a bank. Start doing the hard work. Or get your spouse to do the heavy lifting. Or enlist a fan, who will do it all FOR FREE! Doubt me? Then how about all those fans who establish Websites in your honor. They’ll do the authorized one FOR NOTHING!
And that site has to be updated EVERY FUCKING DAY! So people will continue to come back, to bond.
Just because music can be stolen doesn’t mean you can’t sell it. Hell, look at iTunes, it exists side by side with P2P. And sell vinyl, which can’t be downloaded and traded. Even if people don’t have a turntable, they want the physical object as a work of art, as a totem of their dedication!
Don’t tell me you can’t get a deal. That advances are low. That publishing royalties are off. That’s like lamenting you can’t find anybody to fix your cathode ray television. That’s all HISTORY! You’ve now gone cottage industry. Instead of going to the bar, maybe you should get an MBA, because that’s what you’re running, a tiny corporation…that can throw off MILLIONS of dollars if you think about it and execute.
In the not so distant future, there will be entrepreneurs who will help you do this. Who will pick up the slack for a fee. Just like record labels do now. At first you’ll love them, then you’ll hate them for having so much power, the same way the labels hate Apple and iTunes. You can do this work… If you’d just get up off your lazy butt and GO FOR IT!
Or maybe the cold hard truth is too hard to take. You’re just not good enough. The label that dropped you was right, they made a mistake, they shouldn’t have signed you, you’re not commercial. Maybe only your mother and best friend truly like your music. YOU ARE NOT ENTITLED TO AN AUDIENCE! You must EARN your audience. Maybe doing some experimentation isn’t such a bad thing. Does your audience like vocals or instrumentals? Long or short numbers? Novelty tracks or love songs? Sit down, write and record some material and put it up on your site. See what’s downloaded the most. Ask for feedback. Ask YOUR FANS what to do, what they can do FOR YOU! Mobilize your fan base.
You’re living in the best era for music creation and distribution in the history of mankind. By complaining, you’re just showing your ignorance. Knowing how to play is not enough. Just like you can’t survive in today’s world without knowing how to type. Don’t cling tighter to history and complain, take a typing lesson, do some research, TAKE A CHANCE!
Kurb is a media promotions company providing a regular blog on digital music promotion, marketing digital content and creating revenue from new media online.
Kurb also provides online promotion and revenue management services for musicians and artists internationally CD / DVD printing and duplication and poster services.Our physical media services come with free graphic set up and support, free delivery, and free promotions advice and support for musicians.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Matt @ Kurb gets a telling off from NZ on Air
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Just got a note from Brendan Smythe, boss of NZ on Air responding to my blog
"New Zealand music industry funding whinge fest"
Kinda made me think, gee, I wish I worked for the government then I could spend more time emailing bloggers instead of innovating to create value.
Lets get straight to the take aways.
Blogging gives you presence and a powerful voice.
I live only a few blocks from the New Zealand Music Industry Commission. I've emailed them about the digital economy and the long tail.
Once I even called them up and I asked for support. Some smug fuck asked me "What do you mean, like a wheelchair?"
Now because I have a blog and an online presence and I just happen to republish a bunch of articles complaining about NZ on Air for a variety of reasons because I know my readership would be interested, I get some long letter from the head of NZ on Air taking the trouble to "correct" me.
The only point I wanted to make was that they should give 50k to amplifier to juice up their site or to somebody who will build a site so that ALL kiwi musicians can get paid, not just Brad Carter because he used to be in Steriogram. (Brad Carter is only one of 2 New Zealanders in his new band Pistol Youth BTW)
http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vd3d3Lm15c3BhY2UuY29tL3Bpc3RvbHlvdXRo
I'd like to do it but I'm pretty busy and I don't know that much about web design.
(PS: I made $US3 on my blog yesterday. One click in particular made me $1.20! sweet!!! And for the record - it looks like brendan found these comments on my blog before he even realised they were on nz musician. I wonder if they'll get taken down off NZ musician now. Thats what I'm talking about in the NZ music industry. We're all friends. )
That - It's not really actually the who you know thing so much any more.
Well it is, of course it is. BUT we're living in a new era. I may sound full of myself but I don't have any connections.
I think musicians, ESPECIALLY New Zealand musicians need to understand what I'm saying, that up until now you simply couldn't hope to be successful in the music business without knowing personally people who were already successful.
I'm not friends personally with anyone in the industry. There's only one connection I've made that's been responsible for my success and that's my connection to the internet.
What a beautiful thing, to understand the true meaning of being "independent" to never depend on social relationships or government money to make a living in music. There is no barrier now between artists and their niche fanbases except promotion!
Not living in Auckland (Or lets be realistic, Melbourne or Sydney) is a disadvantage. But not so much any more. I live in Auckland. Hire me and that's half the problem solved.
But yeah, I didn't want to be rude to Mr. NZ on Air because my main response to him was actually amused that he bothered. Cos, y'know. I was just blogging!
I'm just doing my thing!
But I did feel like making my point y'know, Muldoon is dead. There's no hand holding in the 21st century, those who innovate, create and embrace new models will succeed regardless of some out of touch government funding agency.
I'm not being mean, but I think he probably thinks that what he thinks is gonna mean something to me, because he thinks . . .
Well let's be honest.
How can a band make it in New Zealand without government funding?
Or is that why NZ on Air is more part of the problem, not the solution?
(PS when artists email me for an official quote as part of a request for funding application, I do purposefully ignore those requests as an official waste of time. Doesn't look like any application with a quote from kurb on it will be getting funding any time soon anyway! haha :p)
love you Brendan. Obviously a very passionate guy commited to his work.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
2 outside perspectives on micro music marketing
Yes two short articles here from people who have a pretty firm grasp on marketing in practice, but not specifically in music, making some observations on their local music microcosm.
If you're outside of the industry well . . . you're outside of the industry! Maybe this gives some fresh outside perspective into what the average punter sees . . .
First is from Geoff at http://cantgetrich.com/
Geoff is a internet marketer with a slightly tongue in cheek take on the revolution of "pajama clad entrepreneurs".
http://www.cantgetrich.com/2008/04/22/you-cant-get-rich-if-youre-a-tone-deaf-indie-myspace-band/
About a block from where I work, there’s a coffee shop that makes the best quesadillas in town. I go down there two or three times a week to grab dinner. Unfortunately, it seems like every time I walk in, there’s some horrible local emo-pop band in there hell-bent on wrecking my eardrums. They always have overpriced Cafepress shirts, they always have flyers advertising their Myspace page, and they always suck.
Thanks digital distribution
The one that was playing last night even tried to charge me $2 to get in. I told him to piss off and that I was there for the food, not the band (tech support puts me in a bad mood). I ended up having to use a combination of sign language, writing, and pointing at the menu to communicate with the barista, since the band was so loud. After I placed my order, I had a good ten minutes to witness a terrible assault on my senses and enumerate their many issues. If you’re a part of, or have ever wanted to make your own band, pay attention:
The venue is everything
The coffee shop I was in is about the size and shape of a shoebox. Shoeboxes don’t have good acoustics (only slightly better than a two-dimensional shape). The band, of course, compensated for this by turning up the volume to glass-shatteringly high levels.
The singer is probably holding you back
I have to admit that the drummer, guitarist, and bassist were all pretty good. The vocalist, on the other hand, was too loud, off beat, and tone deaf. Ruined the whole experience.
Make sure your equipment is working before going live
Apparently there were two guitarists, but one was having technical issues. For three songs.
Don’t send mixed signals
You have depressing, emo clothes and haircuts. Your backdrop is black. Your hair has been dyed black. Your logo is a skull (on a black background). Why are you dancing around like monkeys and singing about how life is great and you’ll never give up?
Don’t quit your day job
If you’re performing in a coffee shop to 13 people, you’re probably not very good. Fire your singer and stay in school.
Speaks to me about a point Bruce Warila made:
http://www.musicthinktank.com/blog/create-validate-sell.html
This is such a massive part of what I'm doing now. You cant expect to make music and then run out there and start making it if you haven't put any effort into establishing yourself and validating your music with your audience as something worthy of attention.
The second is professor Cornwall who is a professor of entrepreneurship at the university of Belmont in Tennessee at http://theentrepreneurialmind.com/
http://forum.belmont.edu/cornwall/archives/009465.html
Last evening we went to hear a group of songwriters at the Bluebird Cafe here in Nashville as part of the Folk Alliance (their website is folk.org, which seems to be down this morning as I write this post). One of them performing last night, James Lee Stanley, is one we first heard over thirty years ago -- I blogged about him a couple of months ago.
What a wonderful evening of music and an affirmation that the music industry is alive and well. The three featured songwriters had all been writing and performing since the 1970s. Are they rich and famous? No. Have they been making a living pursuing what gives them passion? Absolutely.
There is a good lesson here for entrepreneurs in any industry.
Too much attention is given to celebrity and fame. We see it in entertainment and more and more we see it in the world of entrepreneurship. The vast majority of our economic growth is coming from entrepreneurs working in small businesses across the country. It is hard work. It is not very glamorous. But, it has created economic independence for these entrepreneurs and the people working with them.
The same is true in music. There are thousands of songwriters and performers toiling away out there. Many are fortunate and have become successful enough to make a living at it.
The vast majority of entrepreneurs will not reach the heights of Gates, Dell, Jobs, and others whose little ventures grew into empires. In fact, most won't even make their local list of "leading entrepreneurs" in their community.
But, most entrepreneurs don't really care about fame and recognition. That is not what drives them. That is not how they measure their success.
What a blessing it is to be able to share in real success -- the songwriters who continue to hone their craft -- the entrepreneurs who pursue their passion and find fulfillment in the businesses they create.
Yes I DID cut and paste from other blogs BUT at least I am attempting to atone not only backlinking (of course) but I stumbled both posts and bookmarked on delicious.
PS had record days on my blog with the "blogging for musicians 2008" post!!! up around 200 visitors 2 days in a row!!! Yes this could be because I took the effort to use a bit of social media by stumbling, digging and posting to delicious but mainly it is because a couple of bigger bloggers dropped a link on their blog - probably after finding it on stumbleupon or delicious in the first place.
so special thanks to
SO according to my adsense stats, if I'd been running adsense on wordpress I would have made around $US3 from this blog alone on consecutive days!
It's looking good people - it just keeps getting better, it's all about the EXPONENTIAL GROWTH - so keep blogging!
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