Bob Baker’s recent post should provide that extra incentive to go out there, appreciate what the Internet has to offer, and work harder at self-promotion.
Some excerpts for the lazy folks:
* … the most effective artists are hands-on with many aspects of their promotion. It’s something they accept and embrace and make the time for.
* It [...]

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This Wired article was so informative and so interesting that I couldn’t wait until the end of the month to post it as V11’s April Post of the Month.

The article is definitely LONG, especially for Internet articles. However, it offers some incredible insight as to what is going on behind the scenes of the most forwarding thinking band for internet marketing – Nine Inch Nails.

The article describes NIN’s new iPhone app as well as highlights the importance of fan interaction, and will give any band an endless supply of things to consider for their website.

The article also highlights the future and depth of fan interaction and music marketing.

Here are some excepts:

Label execs have no idea where to turn. “They’re in such a state of denial it’s impossible for them to understand what’s happening,” Reznor says. “As an artist, you are now the marketer.” And the only marketing vehicle that makes sense is the net.

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Myspace is upgrading and readjusting their music angle.
A good amount has changed in the music industry since Myspace was sold to Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation in 2005, and just from feel one can sense the drop in relevance of Myspace, whose website presence has become a top priority for bands in recent years.
Still, it seems [...]

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I am still somewhat surprised how so many bands, even in tech savvy San Francisco, still are not doing all the basic things that are needed to establish a platform best suited to efficiently take advantage of the Internet.

Here are the very basic items I still see bands/musicians not doing:

1. Website. You need a website to be the hub of an information related to your band. Just having a myspace page will not cut it. Or just using facebook. These tools will change constantly, but your website will be your center, always.

2. Email addresses. Use the band’s website for your email address. Drop yahoo, gmail or whatever strange domain name you may now be using. Matt(at)VolumeEleven.net is what I use here, even though I have other person emails. Same concept.

3. Web chatting. You need to be engaged with fans on certain chat rooms related to your genre or musical interests. This is one of the major advantages the Internet has to offer – connecting people over dispersed geographical areas. To not fully take advantage of this opportunity is …

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We all know self-promotion is neither fun nor easy, but in this day and age you need to do what you can. This post has some good examples to motivate musicians to try even harder at self-promotion during their gigs.

Good luck!

http://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2009/04/topspin.html

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Interesting stuff, Glenn Peoples of Billboard goes over the first few days of numbers on iTunes after the price jumps on some tracks from $0.99 to 1.29.
The short of it is: “The changes in chart position between Tuesday and Thursday, however, clearly show that higher prices had forced many songs to cede chart position to [...]

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One of the bands I manage was recently doing a radio interview. The interview was in the band’s local area. However, newly impressed fans were writing in from around the country with praise. Ah, the benefits of streaming over the web.

It really made me think, though. The band plays so many shows in its local area, and does not have the funds nor the ability to tour nationally. The band has even won some awards on popular web sites.

But the live experience needs to be translated in order for people to truly connect with the music. This live show/interview did a great job with establishing a very real connection with the listeners.

I recommend any band or musician to pay more attention to finding these streaming radio interview spots where they can talk and play live for an extended period of time. It should be just as an important part of your growth strategy as playing live gigs.

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March’s blog post of the month comes from Mike Tunnicliffe’s piece in Adweek. This article describes how advertisers may be the new viable vehicle of distribution for musicians. By striking deals to include music in commercials and the like musicians are able to both (1) get paid and (2) get exposure.

His examples:

• The world’s largest consumer brands company formed a record label: Procter & Gamble/Def Jam’s Tag Records, to help break new urban acts through its advertising.

• Bacardi partnered with British Dance Act, Groove Armada, to build a global marketing strategy based around music.

• Red Bull and Levi’s set up labels and studios to help create and break new music.

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