Wow, it’s been too long since my last article… will try not to do that again…
Okay, I suppose I shouldn’t speak for all cellphone companies, but in past experience I’ve seen cellphone companies offer fantastic incentives to join their network.  They’re offering huge discounts on the handsets, at times even free, very attractive talk and data plans, etc.  We all know the catch is that they want you to sign a contract with them for …

Okay, here’s a new thing I’m trying out… answering reader questions… I hope I can help.
One reader writes…
Ian,
I am trying to get into the music business with the ultimate goal of owning my own independent record label. I have been asked by a friend of mine to run their street team. What type of advice would you give to someone taking over a street team? They have amassed a large following in the local area, …

Two approaches to promoting your band, both of which are not mutually exclusive.  Meaning, you should try to do them both as best you can.
The first, Be Where Everyone Is… is all about knowing your target fans, and making sure that you are active in those places, both online and in the offline space.  Being active where your potential fans already spend their time – the bars, websites, blogs, concerts, radio stations, specialty record shops, …

Sounds a little violent, and the origins of the phrase quite possibly are… but taken in the context of a band performing live… it’s one hell of a mantra.
Not only does it clearly state that you have to perform exceptionally well – that’s where the kicking ass part comes in – but it indicates a follow up action – the taking of names.  This part should be taken quite literally… make sure that every time …

Indie bands, why not do your part to help save the Earth… you could stop making fancy elaborate press packages to mail out to unsuspecting record labels, agents, managers, etc.  They don’t need a printed two-pocket folder emblazoned with your band logo, or paper copies of all your lyrics, biography or printouts of all your online press.  They also don’t need copies of your CD, stickers, swag, or hard copies of your band photos.
If you …

I was recently watching a fascinating documentary called “Connected: The Power Of Six Degrees”  that focuses on a growing field of science called Network Theory.  It’s origins stem from the celebrity-game “Six Degrees Of Kevin Bacon” that challenges people to connect two seemingly random actors through the movies they’ve been in and via their co-stars.  The documentary focuses on how the world is much smaller and more connected than we ever thought it was.  They …

If you’re a musician, in a band, or solo performer, and you are aspiring to be able to make that your full time work, then one of your main goals, (aside from writing better songs, and making your live performances better) is to grow your audience.  Sounds pretty obvious, but it’s also a pretty broad statement.  Let’s get a little more clinical for a minute… Increasing the number of people who like (and will pay …

As promised, today’s post is about trying to “buy your way in.”  There are several ways that musicians try to do this… they think that if only they could buy advertising, or if they could hire an indie publicist, or a radio promoter, or buy their way onto a tour, then people would hear their music and fall in love with it, becoming lifelong fans in the process.  There have been bands who were born …

As a band who wants to spread the word about your music, promoting yourself is a great investment of your time and money.  Just please think twice before you spend your money on promotion, and also make sure you’re being smart about how you promote yourself.  A simple way to check and see if you’re being both ethical and effective, is to imagine yourself on the receiving end of your own marketing.  Imagine that someone …

Okay, so this post is a little bit overdue, but life happens, right?  And it’s Wednesday now, so time to get back on track.
When I wrote about building your community online by thinking like a fan, I mentioned that a similar philosophy can be applied to the offline world as well.  The same type of actions, getting involved in existing communities, asking questions, getting involved in discussions, frequenting sites, supporting other artists… it all works …