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THE BUZZ FACTOR E-ZINEMusic marketing tips, promotion ideas and moreMarch 11, 2002
In This Issue:
Read the previous issue here: Current number of subscribers: 6,439 See the end of this message for Subscribe and Unsubscribe instructions. ============ Buzz Factor Sponsor ============
Three reasons OASIS CD DUPLICATION should top
your list for CD manufacturing:
WELCOME! Are you a new artist who's praying for a record label deal to come your way? If so, you're not alone. The majority of aspiring musicians still cling to the dream of signing a recording contract. But why? Is it really the best goal to shoot for? Later in this issue, I mention an Austin Chronicle article that spells out the ugly realities of standard music contracts. I encourage you to read it. Here's an excerpt that's noteworthy: "Of course, you can always not sign with anybody. David Garza made nine records by himself before inking his deal with Atlantic, and he's completely content with the Ani DiFranco-esque course he took. "'Most bands sign too early in their career,' says Garza. 'I thank God every day I didn't sign in 1991. I was nowhere near ready. I would have been thinking, okay, here's our big record deal, so now I'm going to make a lot of money. That's not what happens when you get signed.' "Because he had a career under his belt before negotiating with Atlantic, Garza brought a lot to the table and, as a result, got what he called 'an incredible deal' with the label." The takeaway message: Don't be in such a hurry to get signed. Stay independent. Learn the craft of self-promotion. Do it yourself and grow from the experience. It's a funny thing. NOT pursuing a label deal is sometimes the very thing that will lead to landing one. The more successful you are on your own, the less you need a record label. And the less you need them, the more they want you. Do it yourself. Build up a solid fan base. Then you'll be able to negotiate from a position of strength. -Bob =========== Recommended Resources ===========
GUERRILLA MUSIC MARKETING HANDBOOK ...
197 PROMOTION TIPS FOR INDIE MUSICIANS ============= Quotes of the Week ============= "When you can't have what you want, it's time to start wanting what you have." -Kathleen A. Sutton "Stoop and you'll be stepped on; stand tall and you'll be shot at." -Carlos A. Urbizo ========== Bob's Buzz Tips of the Week ========== HOW TO SELL 60,000 INDIE CDs "It took me more than four years at 200 performances a year -- combined with all my fans' word of mouth -- for me to sell 60,000 units," says April Nash, referring to the sales of her self-released album, "Strong Willed Woman." How did she do it? First, she moved to Nashville and became actively involved with the Nashville Songwriters Association International. She also built up a mailing list, established a fan club and published a newsletter. In addition, Nash got creative with distribution. "I originally sold my CDs and cassettes via consignment at Tower Records, but I soon started selling them in local record stores, western clothing stores, etc. I even placed them in beauty supply stores." Read more about Nash's CD sales secrets at discmakers.com/music/ffwd/sellcds.html
THE COLD, HARD TRUTH ABOUT CONTRACTS In an Austin Chronicle article called "Indentured Servitude," writer Michael Bertin uncovers the raw truth about recording contracts. Here's an excerpt: "There's packaging deduction -- artwork, insert booklets, jewel boxes and shrink wrap all cost money, and the labels don't want to pay artist royalties on those expenses, so they don't. Typically, labels deduct a whopping 25 percent off the retail price of a CD for the costs of packaging it. "Royalty rates are generally paid on the list price, so with the packaging deduction alone, a recording artist can lose a full quarter of the artist share. The massive deduction is something akin to theft. 'It's a total myth,' says Cindi Lazzari, an Austin entertainment lawyer. 'Packaging doesn't cost them that much.' "So how do record companies get away with depriving artists of a sizable portion of the money due them? Fastball guitarist Miles Zuniga explains, 'That, my friend, is what's called the industry standard. In this way, record companies can screw new artists and not have to worry about it because everybody does it.' Read Bertin's entire article at auschron.com/issues/vol17/issue41/music.labels.html =========== Promote & Sell Your Music ===========
THE ONLINE MUSIC PR HOT LIST
SELL MORE CDs & MERCHANDISE ONLINE! ======== More Tips and Ideas You Can Use ======== YOUR FANS: A LIFELONG RELATIONSHIP Most music marketers don't see the ongoing value of a single customer. They sell a new fan a $12 CD and take pride in making a $9 to $10 profit. But the guerrilla music marketer sees it differently. He or she knows that, with proper care and attention, a single new fan can be worth far more over the course of many years. Not only will that fan buy future releases and attend numerous shows, but this person will also tell others about this great band that treats him or her so well. These new, referred fans will also buy lots of CDs and pay the cover at many live concerts. A single CD sale (with a $10 profit) has the potential to be worth 10 to 20 times that over several years. That is, if you caress and pamper your fans (figuratively, of course) and show them you really care. - From the Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook. Find out more about this Buzz Factor bestseller.
WANNA GET MORE BOOKINGS? Visit these four sites for a lengthy list of booking agents who may be able to help you expand your quantity and quality of gigs:
Berklee Press Music Resources - Agents
FolkLib Index - Booking Agents/Management
Musicians-Find.com - Managers and Booking Agents
BookLiveMusic.com ============= More Cool Resources =============
MusicMarketingBooks.com
Creating Musical Wealth
Branding Yourself Online
How to Promote Your Music on the Internet
Indie Music Contact Bible
How to Make $100,000 a Year in the Music Business
Internet Marketing Secrets Revealed
SPREAD IT AROUND Can you think of two or three indie music people who would benefit from Buzz Factor tips? Forward this issue to them. Encourage them to subscribe. It's easy ... and it's free!
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Free Stuff - PR Services - About Bob - Order Form THE BUZZ FACTOR is published by Bob Baker PO Box 43058, St. Louis, MO 63143 Phone: (314) 758-7578 - E-mail: info@thebuzzfactor.com
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