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THE BUZZ FACTOR E-ZINEMusic marketing tips, promotion ideas and moreMay 21, 2002
In This Issue:
Read the previous issue here: Current number of subscribers: 6,701 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! I received lots of nice feedback on last week's book excerpt about obliterating the starving artist mentality. Subscriber Herb Belofsky (www.rainravens.com) wrote: "I agree with your take on self image. It is crazy for so many people to confuse or misuse the word 'starving.' Starving for attention? I prefer the term 'underemployed.' But I only use this term with other musicians, and as a joke. Or to let them know that I am available for work." Herb also offered a word of caution regarding my advice to speak and think confidently about one's music. "We live in a world of hyperbole, where everyone who owns a guitar thinks they can play one," he remarks. "So it is not surprising to hear people with very little experience calling themselves musicians, much less starving. "What gets me is when some lame no-talent tells everyone that they are in the best band you have ever heard, or other exaggerations of bravado. I love promotion. But premature promotion? Please." The best advice is to be coolly confident but not overbearing. No matter who you are, you're a musical work in progress. Have a successful, fun-filled week! -Bob =========== Recommended Resources ===========
10 Great Places to Promote Your Music Online
GUERRILLA MUSIC MARKETING HANDBOOK ============= Quotes of the Week ============= "Get a good idea and stay with it. Dog it, and work at it until it's done right." -Walt Disney
"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great ones make you feel that you, too, can become great."
========== Bob's Buzz Tip of the Week ========== STOP TALKING SO MUCH ABOUT YOURSELF (Here's an excerpt from Chapter 2 of the Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook.) I know it seems like we've beaten this premise to death, but just in case it hasn't sunk in, let's drive it home one more time: Make certain your words -- whether in person or on the phone, by e-mail or on your web site, in ads or sales letters -- focus on the benefits to your fans. Time and time again I explained this essential concept to some of the business owners who advertised in my former music newspaper. And, sure enough, when they turned in the wording for their ads, they were filled with "I can do this, we've done that, I, me, mine ... blah, blah, blah!" Reality: Human beings gravitate toward talking and thinking about themselves. And for a good reason. For millions of years, members of our species had to focus on their own needs to survive. In the caveman days, if you weren't consumed with self-preservation, you'd be consumed by any one of a number of wild predators, not to mention being done in by members of rival tribes. There's a long-standing tradition of human self-indulgence. So you're not going to wipe out millions of years of conditioning in a couple days. But you can use your advanced, reasoning brain to decide to resist these primitive urges when it comes to marketing your music-related pursuits. Also, realize that you can use this knowledge of human nature to your advantage. When you approach potential fans through your live shows, web site, business cards, mailing pieces and so on, who will they be focusing on? Don't kid yourself and think it's going to be you. Knowing this, give fans what they want and make sure your marketing message hits them squarely on the head with what's in it for them. Lead off with the number one benefit fans get from you and your music, followed by the number two benefit and so on. Pile the motivating reasons they should care about you one on top of the other until even the most thickheaded of humans can figure it out. A more specific example: Let's say you were put in charge of marketing a new electric drill for carpenters. How would you go about it? Most people would start listing features: the manufacturer, mechanical specs, materials the drill was made of ... all focusing on -- you guessed it -- the drill. But what do people really want when they buy a drill? A hole. They also want a hole that can be created quickly, easily and economically. It doesn't matter if the hole gets there because of a drill, a toaster, a pair of socks or a monk -- as long as the appropriate hole is conveniently creating in the appropriate place. In other words, sell the hole, not the drill. Then, and only then, use your features to show how your drill can meet the fan's specific needs. Download a FREE 25-page sampler version of the Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook. Details here. ========== Promote & Sell Your Music ==========
SELL MORE CDs & MERCHANDISE!
197 PROMOTION TIPS FOR INDIE MUSICIANS =========== Ideas for Music Teachers =========== TEACH YOUR STUDENTS WELL If you're a music teacher or simply give lessons in your spare time, take a look at these tips from Martha Beth Lewis, Ph.D. She offers good advice on how to motivate new students. "Give students the tools for pickup music," she writes. "These are things such as knowledge of how to build triads, sight-reading ability, knowledge of how to play fake book style, knowledge of how to improvise a 12-bar blues, and so on. This allows students to explore music on their own and to make up their own. Don't leave this to chance and hope the student will investigate at home. Unless you show him it exists, he might never think to explore it." Read Dr. Lewis's entire article at www.serve.com/marbeth/motivation.html
While we're on the subject, here's a page that explores how playing music helps children improve academic development, self-esteem and critical thinking abilities:
DEVELOP VOCAL POWER, RANGE AND PROJECTION
MAKE MONEY AS BUZZ FACTOR AFFILIATE ============= More Cool Resources =============
Guerrilla Music Marketing Power Course
Indie Music Contact Bible
How to Promote Your Music on the Internet
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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