Texas music promotion for Texas musicians and unsigned bands since 1997
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. So I began learning what it takes to make a successful and
profitable living in as a Texas musician and unsigned band.
I read
book after book, promoted my bands, and pushed my music and songwriting
forward. Eventually, I came across an incredible author and book
that really helped me as an unsigned band who I'll mention later.
In
1997, I realized the web was the great equalizer. I designed webpages
and learned about the online music music promotion for unsigned bands. I read newsletters by online
marketers and music promoters and studied other music promotion resources.
In 2000, I took my knowledge and began publishing my own music promotion
tips, called Texas Music Tips, a free music promotion ezine.
Texas
Music Biz Tips continues to earn rave reviews from Texas bands
and music promotion professionals worldwide though it is published once
a quarter now. The reason? It features practical and inexpensive
music promotion tips to help Texas musicians move forward in
a world dominated by Major Labels.
Texas music
groups and unsigned bands are faced with huge challenges in the music biz, including:
- Virtually
no income from gigs
- Lack
of money to record and promote your CDs
- Few
dedicated fans to buy your CDs and see your live performances
- Unfamiliarity
with how the music business works, and,
- the
biggest cause of failure in music, lack of effective music management
skills
The
great thing is Texas musicians can be taught to promote their music!
It may take a while to learn the music biz skills you need to succeed,
but you can learn them and make a fortune without a record label.
Here's a brief
intro to making a living as an Texas band or musician:
When
I stared Texas Music Biz Tips, my band had no fan base and
very little money to promote our music. Using online resources and
aggressive music promotion ideas, we were able to push our unsigned
band into one of the most-popular unsigned Celtic bands online!
And using some of the music promo tips below, I'm gonna show you
how you can do the same!
Texas
Music Biz Promo Articles
How
to Get Your Music Heard by Millions
Last week, I introduced the term Viral Music Marketing, whereby
your musical career grows with little effort on your part. Then
I was surfing the net, and I came across a bulletin board on MP3.com
regarding viral marketing. I read through some outstanding marketing
ideas. The prob I had was they were contributing word-of-mouth marketing
advice, not viral marketing. What the contributors did not realize
is that viral marketing requires virtually effort on your part,
after your initial effort..
Send
Them Away And Reap The Rewards
This past weekend, my group, the Brobdingnagian Bards performed
at Barnes & Nobles during an Irish Poetry Reading. It was sponsored
by the Gaelic League of Austin and a local radio program, Celtic
Storm. Over the past few months we've developed quite a name on
Celtic Storm. Donnelle McKaskle, the host, has grown to love us.
We've performed a half a dozen events for KOOP Radio at Donnelle's
request while we promote her show at every opportunity.
Personal
Touch to the Texas Music Promotion
Do you remember the story of King Midas? He's the one in Greek mythology
who was so greedy, the Gods "blessed" him with the magical power
that anything he touched would turn to gold. But it wasn't until
he touched his only daughter that he realized his folly and decided
that his blessing was actually a curse.
Plan
Your Work, Then Work Your Plan
The lower cost of manufacturing makes it possible for any band to
put together a CD. But, the first thing to remember is you need
a strategy before you start. The truth is only 1% of all CDs manufactured
(indie and major) sell over one thousand copies. That doesn't mean
that it won't happen for you, but you better have a plan. Some things
to consider:
It's
Not Who You Know, It's Who You Meet
In Ireland a few hundred years ago, feudal lords ruled the land.
The lay people did not interact with lords. People could exist their
whole lives and never meet, or for that matter, see their reigning
lord, unless you were a bard.
Texas
Music Promotion Mailing List
For startup musicians, email is a gift of God. When I first started
managing bands a number of years ago, I spent hours licking stamps
and sending out postcards for upcoming gigs, spending over $100
on people that never showed up to my bands' gigs. We didn't even
make that much at the gig, and we were blowing money left and right.
Support
Your Favorite Texas Band
A couple of my groups favorite Celtic bands are Enya, Loreena McKennit
and the Chieftains. Sure I'd "liken" my bands to those and now when
you next hear those names, you will think of the Brobdingnagian
Bards (although you may not be able to say it, at least The Bards)
and you will think of me.
April Fools...Okay, So I'm Late!
My group has been together for a bit over a year now.You name it,
and we've pretty much done it. Over this time, we've built up a
nice sized following and a decent mailing list. Most don't buy CDs
from us unless they hear us play. Most are not to keen on the idea
of ordering a CD online...until March 31st when I learned something
new about marketing.
Top
Music Biz Links
Bards Crier Music Marketing and Promotion Ezine
A free monthly guerrilla music marketing and promotion ezine for
workings musicians. Because your musical success depends on how
you market your music. Sign up today and get free tips on how to
sell more CDs.
Texas
Music Office
The Texas Music Office serves as the information clearinghouse and
promotion office for the Texas music industry.
Recommended
Reading
The
Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook
Bob Baker's hefty manual delivers 11 chapters and 7 best-selling
reports -- over 120 pages of tips and tools you can use to turbo-charge
your music promotion activities.
How
To Be Your Own Booking Agent And Save Thousands Of Dollars
Jeri Goldstein's definitive guide for booking gigs. Everything you
want to know about booking can be found here!
How
To Make $100,000 a year in the Music Business
(Without a Record Label, Manager or Booking Agent) Yes, it is possible.
You just need to learn how. Start with this inspiring book by one
of the top internet promoters, David Hooper of Kaythode Ray Music.
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