Advice to Aspiring Artists
I recently sent out this rant to the artists on AERIA. I think it might be useful to any indie musician whether DIY or on a small label..
--- ------ ----------
Listen guys, I can appreciate the frustration of having a record out and feeling stuck, chomping at the bit etc.
All I can say to assure you is that we'll do the best we can..
FYI, will be doing a modest AD in CMJ soon.. Details TBA..
In the mean time there are things you can do. They are tedious and time consuming, but they do work..
Please:
* Stay on top of myspace. not just adding friends but interacting with those who show interest - ROCK STARS DON'T JUST PERFORM ONSTAGE, keep blogging - not stupid nonsense, but personal expression that reveal personalities that folks can identify with..
* THANK PODCASTERS PROFUSELY - leave nice voice mails, join their myspace sites, leave comments, join their frapper lists, etc.
* Put live shows on Etree, so geographically challenged fans can hear the show! THIS IS VITALLY IMPORTANT and gives fans a dynamic connection
* PLAY OUT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE - ANY opportunity to win a new fan is worth considering.. NEW TARGETS - New Brunswick, Hoboken, Washington DC, etc. YOU CAN'T Play NYC too much.. EVEN the SHIT GIGS are RESUME BUILDERS (keep a gig history)
* LEVERAGE your fan base, give the (YOUR BAND NAME HERE) ARMY a "to do" list, target one radio station or media outlet at a time (preferably one that can positively impact a live show in a particular region ex. Boston newspaper for a Boston Gig, etc.)
* DRESS TO THRILL & Visit your local record stores that carry your album and just say thanks to the kid at the counter - that kid will be converted and start evangelizing you.. You have listening stations in JACK's, VINTAGE VINYL (local retail), and your own freaking bin at TOWER RECORDS in NYC...
* BE YOUR OWN STREET TEAM - BE (YOUR ARTIST NAME HERE)... Go to the MALL, CRASH WEDDINGS, POLITICAL EVENTS, COUNTY FAIRS, BE OUTRAGEOUS and walk tall like your Johnny Cash..
* HAVE INITIATIVE - visit web sites, contact the media, upload mp3s on free music sites, post in relevant message boards, chats, and guest books - get your fans to do it too... Start fake fans sites on geocities, add customer reviews on EVERY we site that sells your products, beg your fans to do it, have your Mom do it, have your Grand Mom do it..
Guess what? There's tons of bands doing this shit everyday, most aren't nearly as good as you at all, but like anything else in American consumerism its a numbers game. Improve your odds by doing as much as you can. The reality is that AERIA is a little indie label with very modest resources, despite that I think we've pulled off some miraculous stuff, but the reality is that we're all in a sweat equity situation.. We have three artists to serve and more releases coming down the pike. We'll do all we can, but you guys really all have to dig deeper if you really want it.. Besides, people respond the most enthusiastically to the artists themselves..
Think a big budget would make a difference? Not really.. The major labels are scrambling right now.. They don't even know what to throw their money on. The music business is enduring a RADICAL STATE of TRANSFORMATION RIGHT NOW. A gazillion dollar AD in SPIN doesn't necessarily mean shit anymore. We are a FRACTURED SOCIETY with a BLITZ of media infotainment fighting for our attention 24/7.
Grassroots, targeted, niche micromarketing is the FUTURE of this business and hopefully many industries. At its best marketing makes a connection between a product or service to an entity with a need or desire for that particular thing. Before the new media revolution, ignorance and fear was easier to galvanize into consumer action since only the guys with the dinero could access the media.. Now its a more level playing field with more players scrambling for smaller slices of the pie.
Anyway.. enough ranting, the end result is there is never enough to do to promote indie new music.. Do what you can and do it well...
God Bless Us Everyone,
Colie
--- ------ ----------
Listen guys, I can appreciate the frustration of having a record out and feeling stuck, chomping at the bit etc.
All I can say to assure you is that we'll do the best we can..
FYI, will be doing a modest AD in CMJ soon.. Details TBA..
In the mean time there are things you can do. They are tedious and time consuming, but they do work..
Please:
* Stay on top of myspace. not just adding friends but interacting with those who show interest - ROCK STARS DON'T JUST PERFORM ONSTAGE, keep blogging - not stupid nonsense, but personal expression that reveal personalities that folks can identify with..
* THANK PODCASTERS PROFUSELY - leave nice voice mails, join their myspace sites, leave comments, join their frapper lists, etc.
* Put live shows on Etree, so geographically challenged fans can hear the show! THIS IS VITALLY IMPORTANT and gives fans a dynamic connection
* PLAY OUT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE - ANY opportunity to win a new fan is worth considering.. NEW TARGETS - New Brunswick, Hoboken, Washington DC, etc. YOU CAN'T Play NYC too much.. EVEN the SHIT GIGS are RESUME BUILDERS (keep a gig history)
* LEVERAGE your fan base, give the (YOUR BAND NAME HERE) ARMY a "to do" list, target one radio station or media outlet at a time (preferably one that can positively impact a live show in a particular region ex. Boston newspaper for a Boston Gig, etc.)
* DRESS TO THRILL & Visit your local record stores that carry your album and just say thanks to the kid at the counter - that kid will be converted and start evangelizing you.. You have listening stations in JACK's, VINTAGE VINYL (local retail), and your own freaking bin at TOWER RECORDS in NYC...
* BE YOUR OWN STREET TEAM - BE (YOUR ARTIST NAME HERE)... Go to the MALL, CRASH WEDDINGS, POLITICAL EVENTS, COUNTY FAIRS, BE OUTRAGEOUS and walk tall like your Johnny Cash..
* HAVE INITIATIVE - visit web sites, contact the media, upload mp3s on free music sites, post in relevant message boards, chats, and guest books - get your fans to do it too... Start fake fans sites on geocities, add customer reviews on EVERY we site that sells your products, beg your fans to do it, have your Mom do it, have your Grand Mom do it..
Guess what? There's tons of bands doing this shit everyday, most aren't nearly as good as you at all, but like anything else in American consumerism its a numbers game. Improve your odds by doing as much as you can. The reality is that AERIA is a little indie label with very modest resources, despite that I think we've pulled off some miraculous stuff, but the reality is that we're all in a sweat equity situation.. We have three artists to serve and more releases coming down the pike. We'll do all we can, but you guys really all have to dig deeper if you really want it.. Besides, people respond the most enthusiastically to the artists themselves..
Think a big budget would make a difference? Not really.. The major labels are scrambling right now.. They don't even know what to throw their money on. The music business is enduring a RADICAL STATE of TRANSFORMATION RIGHT NOW. A gazillion dollar AD in SPIN doesn't necessarily mean shit anymore. We are a FRACTURED SOCIETY with a BLITZ of media infotainment fighting for our attention 24/7.
Grassroots, targeted, niche micromarketing is the FUTURE of this business and hopefully many industries. At its best marketing makes a connection between a product or service to an entity with a need or desire for that particular thing. Before the new media revolution, ignorance and fear was easier to galvanize into consumer action since only the guys with the dinero could access the media.. Now its a more level playing field with more players scrambling for smaller slices of the pie.
Anyway.. enough ranting, the end result is there is never enough to do to promote indie new music.. Do what you can and do it well...
God Bless Us Everyone,
Colie
posted by AERIA Records at 8:10 AM
1 Comments:
Hey AERIA folks:
Some stuff to add on:
1) You're always welcome on the Jersey Toddshow to promote anything or everything.
2) If you play Princeton,or surrounding area, you're welcome to come over for a home-cooked meal. RSVP early and often.
-"Jersey Todd"
Post a Comment
<< Home