Bob Baker's "The Buzz Factor" Delivering music marketing tips, self-promotion ideas and more since 1995 - http://TheBuzzFactor.com/ February 28, 2003 - Vol. 9, Issue 6 In This Issue: - Lessons Learned from the Grammys - A Great Idea for Spicing Up One-Sheets - I'm on a Mission. Are You with Me? - Spell Out Your Music -- Up Front and Center __________________________________________________ See the end of this message for details on how to get on and off the Buzz Factor mailing list. __________________________________________________ Welcome! => LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE GRAMMYS No matter what you thought of the Grammy Awards this past Sunday night, and whether it recognizes or ignores true talent, you gotta admit it was cool to see Norah Jones do so well. Not only does Ravi Shankar's love child have a cool sultry voice and a compelling knack with sparse arrangements ... she's also a fantastic example of what can happen when an artist's career is allowed to grow organically. Less than two years ago, Jones was singing for tips in Manhattan bars until word-of-mouth acclaim for her shows reached people at the independent label Blue Note Records. A year ago, the label released her debut CD. There was no multi-million-dollar media blitz. In fact, the CD is often described as having been released "with little fanfare." So how did she end up selling more than four million copies of her first CD and catching the attention of Grammy voters? The Toronto Star reports, "For months her songs have haunted the airwaves of adult-oriented radio; on the strength of constant touring, TV appearances and heavy rotation in coffee shops, cocktail parties and other places where grownups gather." Norah Jones wasn't manufactured by major label moguls. Her notoriety grew through a buzz created slowly but surely by fans. As Tony Bennett told New York Newsday, "She's not a heavily marketed artist. She made it because the public loves her so much." Blue Note president Bruce Lundvall, as quoted in Newsweek magazine, said, "Norah and others like her may be the cure for the record industry's ills. When you try and manufacture art, you are headed for short-term gains and nothing more." It's interesting that Jones earned her popularity in the same year that "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" did the same thing in the film world. This movie snowballed because people saw it, enjoyed it and recommended it to others -- so much so that the film played in theaters for several months -- a feat that's practically unheard of in the movie biz. Moral of the story: It is possible to make an impact without a big corporate machine behind you. If you have a good product and the stamina to take your art to the people over a long haul, it is possible to break through to a wider audience. => HERE'S A GREAT IDEA FOR ONE-SHEETS A one-sheet is a single-page document that can be sent to retailers, distributors, media people and more to promote the availability of a music CD. It usually includes the CD's cover art, a description of the artist and music, the title's bar code, lists of distributors and promotion contacts, etc. It's a common marketing tool that can easily get stale. However, the Funky Tickle label is doing something creative with the one-sheet it's using to promote the CD "Puzzles" by Headness. Check out these opening lines: "You have a great job reading one-sheets. You are now on your 75th one-sheet and it's still morning. An attractive honey glaze has formed over your eyeballs, and in the center of your droopy lower lip a spittle-bubble is forming." It's a clever way to let music industry folks know you feel their pain. What can you do to put your own unique spin on this idea? => I'M ON A MISSION. ARE YOU WITH ME? Are you pumped up about your artistic endeavors to the point you feel it's your life's mission? If not, I suggest you find a way to do so. Why? Hang in there with me for a moment and I'll explain ... Lately, I've been even more energized about my writing and publishing activities. As the years go by, I realize that I've been blessed to pursue so many creative pursuits. I've enjoyed being a writer and a musician, and have also spent some time acting, doing stand-up comedy, painting and more. The reason I feel blessed is because so many people have aspirations to pursue their creative urges, but so few do. And even those who do exercise their craft often don't enjoy the satisfaction that comes from sharing their talents with a large group of fans. I'm on a mission to motivate people to breath life into their creative interests. No one should go to their grave with their talent still locked up inside them. Music may be my specialty area, but the same benefits should be gained by people in all creative fields. Plus, I've found that many musicians also express their creativity in ways beyond music alone -- through visual art, writing, photography and more. That's why I was so thrilled to get the first shipment of my new book, "Unleash the Artist Within," from the printer. I really believe this book has the potential to change lives. And I'd like to send you five free excerpts by e-mail. If your interested, just send a blank e-mail to unleash2@freeautobot.com Understanding how my work affects people in positive ways has really added an extra dimension to my enthusiasm in pursuing it. Do you completely comprehend how your music and art improve the lives of the people you entertain? I hope you do. Once you're locked into that, you'll be on a personal mission, too. => SPELL IT OUT -- FRONT AND CENTER Starland Music's Tomas Michaud does a great job of describing his music right at the top of his most recent post card mailer. It reads: "Passionate instrumental music that lifts your spirits and touches your soul." Talk about being tuned into his mission! As I've preached many times before, every artist should use a prominently placed slogan that describes his or her music and the benefits that fans get from it. Never assume anyone knows who you are and what you play. Unless you're already a household name, remind the public and the media repeatedly by describing yourself up front and center. Also, read my free article on this topic here: http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/firstquestion.html => JOIN THE GUERRILLA REVOLUTION More praise for "Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook": "Your music marketing book has changed my life for the better. The benefits you've given me have improved my music career one hundred percent. Thanks to you, many musicians will have the power to enjoy a career instead of old age and the wish that they would-of, should-of." -Jimmy Peace, Audio id Find out what all the buzz is about at http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/music_marketing.htm __________________________________________________ SPREAD IT AROUND Forward this issue to your friends and music associates. Encourage them to subscribe. It's easy ... and it's free! =========== Cool Music Stuff You Need =========== Killer Press Kits: The 29 Most Important Elements in Creating Sizzling Music Publicity Materials http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/presskits.html Guerrilla Music Marketing Power Course http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/gpc.html For the go-getter who wants it all -- more than 600 pages of marketing ideas and self-promotion tips. Three powerful resources, one awesome discount! E-zine Music Marketing: Powerful Ways to Promote Your Music with a Fan E-mail Newsletter http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/quiz.html How to Attract Thousands of Fans Like Magnets Online http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/byo.html Earn Cash as a Buzz Factor Affiliate Make 40% on every copy sold through your affiliate link! http://www.bob-baker.com/af/BuzzAfil.html Sell More CDs and Merchandise Online http://www.cdstreet.com/signup/thebuzzfactor/ Take fan orders right from your web site ... and at gigs, too. It's fast, easy and reliable with CD Street. Check Out http://PromoteYourCreativity.com Bob's other web site for writers, artists, performers and anyone pursuing a creative passion. Get Your Own Domain Name for Only $15 a Year http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/url.html __________________________________________________ Current number of subscribers: 8,253 To START getting The Buzz Factor, send an e-mail to subscribe@thebuzzfactor.com with the words "Subscribe Buzz" in the Subject line. Or visit http://TheBuzzFactor.com/ __________________________________________________ REPRINT PERMISSION Would you like to run some of the content from this issue on your web site or in your e-zine? You may do so for free as long as you add the following credit: "Reprinted from Bob Baker's The Buzz Factor, featuring free marketing and self-promotion ideas for songwriters, musicians and bands on a budget. Visit www.TheBuzzFactor.com for details." __________________________________________________ The Buzz Factor is published by Bob Baker PO Box 43058 - St. Louis, MO 63143 Phone: (314) 758-7578 - E-mail: bob@thebuzzfactor.com http://www.TheBuzzFactor.com/ (c) 2003 by Bob Baker - All Rights Reserved |