CD Sales Success Stories
by Bob Baker
There are nearly as many ways for
musicians to sell self-released CDs as there are CDs. The following stories
show how two artists colored outside the lines. More.....
How to Beat the Major Labels
at Their Own Game
by Bob Baker
In an issue of the trade magazine
Billboard, columnist Chris Moore once expressed his bewilderment over the
avalanche of new releases from independent labels during the months of
October, November and December. More....
The First Question You Must
Answer When Promoting Your Music
by Bob Baker
I'm going to use up this entire article
dealing with one subject, because I think it's vital to the success of your
music promotion efforts. Every day I see the same mistakes being made in
this area and feel I owe it to you to drive this crucial point home.
More.....
The Ultimate Music Business
Conspiracy Theory
by Bob Baker
Whether it's the second gunman on
the grassy knoll, the alien mystery at Roswell or what really is hidden
within the high-security confines of Area 51... conspiracy theories abound.
More.....
Back to Top | Back to Article
Index
Where to Find Your Best Music
Marketing Ideas
by Bob Baker
Different bands have different ways of
coming up with promotional strategies. Many bands take a look at how their
favorite successful band is promoting itself... then borrow some of those
tactics to apply to their own marketing campaign. More.....
Four Essential Music Promo Kit
Mailing Tips
by Bob Baker
As you surely know, one of the
primary ways to present your band or record label to the industry is through
a solid press kit. I've spent a great deal of time over the years preaching
about the art of crafting effective bios, cover letters, press releases and
more. More.....
Six Steps to Creating Powerful
Music Ads
by Bob Baker
It's sad to say, but most music
marketers approach advertising in a shoot-from-the-hip, spontaneous manner.
That quality is great for jamming, but it does little to make the best use
of your ad dollars. More.....
Laziness and Greed: How to Make the Most of
Them in the Music Biz
by Bob Baker
I recently read an online posting in
which someone was venting about the apparent apathy of indie music people.
He wrote "People tend to be lazy and greedy -- a sour combination. Many
people aren't aware of these traits in themselves." More.....
Back to Top | Back to Article
Index
The One-Dollar Music Marketing Tool
by Bob Baker
Traditionally they come in yellow. But
these days you can find them in orange, green, pink, blue and all the other
colors of the rainbow. In school you probably used highlighters to flag
important passages in textbooks. More.....
Music Print Ads: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly
by Bob Baker
Whether you've spent thousands on
four-color ads in national magazines or just $50 to place a small display ad
in your local music rag, chances are you've advertised your music at one
time or another. More.....
How to Get the Music Career
Results You Want
by Bob Baker
Human communication is a crazy thing.
You tell somebody something with the intention of getting a certain response
... and the person reacts in a completely unpredictable manner, sometimes
with disastrous results. More.....
How to Win Friends and
Influence People in the Music Business
by Bob Baker
People who say "It's better to give than
to receive" are flat out lying. It's always better to be on the receiving
end of any transaction (unless you're receiving insults or incoming fire).
Keep that sentiment in mind as you build relationships in the music
business. More.....
Back to Top | Back to Article
Index
Unsigned Band Music Promotion
by Marc Gunn
Ten years ago, I
decided to follow my idol Elvis Presley into a music career. I quickly
learned that Elvis' singing ability was matched with Col. Tom Parker's
incredible artist marketing and music promotion skills. More.....
Selling CDs Online: A Three-Pronged
Approach by David Nevue
Recently,
a visitor to the Music Biz Academy asked me a very common question; "How can
I sell more CDs on the Internet?" Good question, though very open-ended.
More.....
Confessions of a Master CD
Sales Woman
by Sharon Wothke & Marc Gunn
A couple
months ago, I wrote The
Rogues to ask them directly what it is that makes them so successful at
selling CDs, and why they are one of the top 10 bands on CDstreet selling
CDs. Sharon Wothke wrote back: More.....
Back to Top | Back to Article
Index
Confessions of a Master CD
Sales Woman, Part 2
by Sharon Wothke & Marc Gunn
Well a great
performance and an interactive sales crew is just the start to selling
more CDs at gigs. The
Rogues also employ other salespeople. "Our sellers work off of a
commission, with bonuses built in when an individual's sales total reaches a
certain amount. More.....
Selling More CDs at Gigs
by Marc Gunn
A few
weekends back, the Brobdingnagian Bards performed at the Austin Celtic
Festival. We shared the stage with some amazing bands, but at the very top
of my list were The Rogues. We first met The Rogues last year at the Texas
Renaissance Festival. More.....
The Notoriety You Deserve by
Marc Gunn
Last
night I saw Scottish songwriter, Andy M. Stewart, and Gerry O'Beirne
perform at the Cactus Cafe here in Austin. It was a brilliant performance.
For those who don't know him, Andy M. Stewart (not to be confused with Andy
Stewart) is one of the... More.....
Living the Dream by Marc Gunn
I read
somewhere not too long ago that someone was lamenting that artists are
putting out too many albums without spending enough time promoting them.
Well, I hate to say it, but my group, the
Brobdingnagian Bards, is guilty of such a crime. More.....
Back to Top | Back to Article
Index
How To Effectively Sell Your
CDs by Marc Gunn
The
recent changes in the payback formula at MP3.com had catastrophic results
to indie artists everywhere. My band, the
Brobdingnagian Bards, was making over $100 per day when the system dropped
out from beneath us. More..... How To
Break a #1 Hit Song on MP3.com
by Marc Gunn
At the
end of August 2000, I read some ad copy at CelticWays.com. In it John
Wilmott, NMA Promoter, spoke of a new direction in the music market. He
predicted CDs were going out of style to be replaced by MP3s and the new
digital technology. More.....
Building a Fan Base. As Easy as 1-2-3
by John Wilmott
forward by Marc Gunn, Bard
Originally, I was planning on publishing an article by John Wilmott of
Celtic Ways. But the
"article" was actually a promotional piece designed specifically for the
Celtic Ways roster, and was less of an article than I anticipated.
More.....
The New Music Marketing Model
for 21st Century by Marc Gunn
A year
ago, I wrote a passionate article on the merits of charging $15 when you
sell your CDs. Some of my reasonings included: It's tough for indie
musicians and you have a good music, so don't short-change yourself; you can
always... More.....
Back to Top | Back to Article
Index
Play
It Forward by Marc Gunn
Have you
seen the new Kevin Spacey movie, Pay It Forward? I'll tell you, I loved the
movie. I'm an idealist. So seeing an "idea" rocketed forward to me is
beautiful. For those of you who
haven't seen it, it's about a boy responding to a class.... More.....
Effective Post Card Mailings -
Direct Mail by
Marc Gunn
We all know that off-line promotion
is just as vital as on-line promotion. But what other means of "off-line"
promotion can you do other than mailing out your Flyer or Newsletter? A lot.
More.....
Promotion Success Story!
by Damien ReillyIrie
Hello Everybody, I recently
put to work a number of Guerilla tactics I've learned over the course of
this year. I organized, promoted, and did publicity, for the band I manage,
GiantFella's release party on December 2nd. More.....
Band Newsletters
by Marc Gunn
I first
started publishing my band newsletter during the Summer of '98. I tried the
snail mail route. It was exhausting. Electronic newsletters (aka ezines)
were the way to go. I must've tried it all too. More.....
Back to Top | Back to Article
Index
Four Ways to Attract More
Music Fans Faster by Bob Baker
Attracting more fans. Admit it, that's what music marketing is all about --
getting more people to come to your shows and buy your CDs. And hopefully,
getting a lot more people to do those things. More....
The
Power of having a Musical Focus by
Bob Baker
Focus. It's not just something you do with a camera. The kind of focus I'm
talking about can be one of the most powerful weapons you use to attract
fans. Through the magic of focus, you can transform your musical identity...More....
Why the
Media Needs You as Much as You Need Them
by Bob Baker
Are you ready to transform yourself into a music media darling? Are you
interested in generating feature stories on your band and reviews of your CD
through online music magazines, newsletters and music news sites?
More....
14 Ways
Musicians Can Increase Their Tips by
Marc Gunn
I was listening to NPR the other day when they did a report on tipping in
the restaurant industry. One they had a list of tips on how wait staff can
increase their tips. More....
(Don't) Play By The Rules
by Marc Gunn
I was walking on campus today back from our weekly gig at the University of
Texas' South Mall, when I heard a member of the Young Conservatives of Texas
speak. March 2nd is Texas Independence Day and so this fellow was...
More....
More coming soon! |
