The Buzz Factor (How to Ask Your Fans for Help) Bob Baker's "The Buzz Factor" Delivering music marketing tips, self-promotion ideas and more since 1995 - http://TheBuzzFactor.com/ May 15, 2003 - Vol. 9, Issue 14 In This Issue: - How One Smart Artist Asked Her Fans for Help - How You Can Help Bob Meet You in Chicago - Another Round of Bashing the RIAA __________________________________________________ See the end of this message for details on how to get on and off the Buzz Factor mailing list. __________________________________________________ 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! __________________________________________________ WELCOME! Kimberly is gone. Rueben and Clay are still standing. Ryan Seacrest won't go away. Have no fear, another Buzz Factor issue is here ... Lots of good stuff to share with you this time around. Be sure to read the tips below about how one artist asked her fans for help ... and how you should too. Also below, I'd like to meet you in Chicago, but only if Buzz Factor subscribers can help me ... After you've read all the items in this issue, here are some online features worth soaking up: RIAA: An Undemocratic, Unelected, Overpowerful Regime http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=9380 You can tell where this one's going. Worth reading. RIAA Statistics Don't Add Up to Piracy http://www.azoz.com/music/features/0008.html George Ziemann's take on music industry math. Piracy Has Its Hooks In http://usatoday.com/life/music/news/2003-05-05-piracy-cover_x.htm http://makeashorterlink.com/?D10B12294 Interesting article about the proliferation of file sharing. Instant Albums Here Soon http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index.cfm?section=10&screen=news&news_id=22867 http://makeashorterlink.com/?A11B23294 Imagine seeing a local musical artist on stage who just blew your socks off. As you leave the concert, you can buy a CD of the live performance you just heard. It's not a pipe dream, but a real product that may be coming one day soon to Nashville. There you have it and there you are. Have a great week! -Bob P.S. Remember, as an e-zine subscriber, you get access to the Buzz Factor Premium Content section, featuring special articles, e-zine back issues and other goodies. Find it at http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/zine/pc.html __________________________________________________ SPREAD IT AROUND Forward this issue to your friends and music associates. Encourage them to subscribe. It's easy ... and it's free! __________________________________________________ => HAVE YOU ASKED YOUR FANS FOR HELP LATELY? Asking for the things you need. It seems like such a simple concept. But you'd be surprised by the number of people who don't use it. And even if you do ask for things, you probably limit your asking to a small range of requests: You ask club owners for gigs, ask radio jocks to play your songs, ask writers to review your band, etc. What about your fans? Do you ask them for things? Of course, you should be asking them to sign up on your mailing and subscribe to your free fan e-zine. You should also ask them to attend you shows and buy your CDs and merchandise -- in a way that's enticing to them and spells out the benefits they get when they respond to your requests. Nashville singer-songwriter Christene LeDoux (www.christeneledoux.com) obviously understands the power of asking. In an e-mail newsletter she sent out last year, she made the following request when planning a multi-state tour: "I am seeking help with appropriate venues for my music and places to stay, as well as radio shows, etc., from Nashville to California." Instead of leaving it there, she further spelled out exactly the kinds of venues and situations she could use help with: - Sharing a bill with like artist - Opening for like artist - House concert - Clubs - Cafes - Public/college radio shows - College venues/cafes - High schools - Bookstores - Record stores But she didn't stop there: "Do you know of a place you think would be a good fit for my music? An artist in town that I'd fit well with? A radio show that would feature my music? Anything and everything helps! And if you are an artist, I am happy to exchange your help for help with booking your shows, places to stay, etc. "I'm a singer-songwriter in the contemporary but 'storytelling' vein. People always ask who I sound like ... well, I say me, but others have said Dar Williams, Susan Vega, Patty Griffin, Nanci Griffith and Judy Collins." With this call for help, Christene did more than just say, "Hey, if you can help me with my upcoming tour, let me know." She explained in detail what she was looking for, what she could do in return (for musicians) and even what she sounds like (for those subscribers who were new or just needed a reference) to make sure fan suggestions were right for her. What do you need help with? Your fans may very well be able to help you. All you have to do is ask. __________________________________________________ => MEET ME IN CHICAGO? Okay, now I'm going to practice what I preach. I'm going to ask for your suggestions and help regarding an upcoming trip to Chicago. I'll be in the Windy City for a two-day writing workshop on June 2 and 3. I'll be driving up from St. Louis. While I'm in the area, it would cool to present a workshop or two of my own. Sunday afternoon or evening on June 1 is open, and possibly the night of Monday, June 2. If there was a really cool opportunity on the road between St. Louis and Chicago, I might consider appearing somewhere on Saturday, May 31 -- but I'm mainly leaning toward the Sunday and Monday slots. So, do you know of a music store, recording studio, school or other venue that would be able to attract at least 25 to 50 people for a presentation on music marketing? Perhaps a local songwriters group or association? I could also speak to a more general arts group on success and self-promotion for creative people. Let me know. Perhaps you can meet me in Chicago (instead of St. Louis ... sorry, that's the closest I'll get to singing a show tune :) Send your Chicago ideas to feedback@bob-baker.com __________________________________________________ => WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT ... "Some professionals hide their secrets. Not Bob. He's generously given independent music people the keys to the Publicity Kingdom. His 'Online Music PR Hot List' supplies the *exact* web site and e-mail addresses for submitting your news. Start here when you're ready to launch your online media promotion wave." -Jeffrey P. Fisher, author of "Ruthless Self-Promotion in the Music Industry" More info: http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/music_pr.htm "Bob Baker's 'Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook' has been his best seller since it was originally released in 1996. It's been updated many times since and is filled with some absolutely invaluable advice for any unsigned musician. This book is well worth the obscenely low price he sells it for. I'm still learning new tips every time I read it. -Marc Gunn, The Bards Crier, www.marcgunn.com More info: http://bob-baker.com/buzz/music_marketing.htm "In the 21st century, people won't beat a path to your door if you don't tell them where you live -- especially on the Internet. 'Branding Yourself Online' gives you the smart steps you need to take to promote yourself and increase awareness of who you are and what you do. Don't get lost in cyberspace. Let Bob Baker show you the way." -Raleigh Pinskey, author of "101 Ways to Promote Yourself" More info: http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/byo.html __________________________________________________ => GROW YOUR BAND'S AUDIENCE If you've been reading my writings for long, you should know that I'm big on fans. Musicians are too preoccupied with trying to attract record labels, retail outlets and other cogs in the music industry machine. The focus should be on fans -- the only factor that truly determines your level of success. Author Joe Taylor Jr. gets this, and he spells it all out in his fine book, "Grow Your Band's Audience." Throughout the early chapters, in particular, Joe challenges you to examine your goals and define who you are as an artist and who your fans are. He then spells out creative ways to gain a following and fill your gigs with bodies so you're booked back again and again. You can read a lot more about Joe's book here: http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/grow.html =========== Cool Music Stuff You Need =========== UNLEASH THE ARTIST WITHIN Four Weeks to Transforming Your Creative Talents Into More Recognition, More Profit and More Fun http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/unleash.html Killer Press Kits: The 29 Most Important Elements in Creating Sizzling Music Publicity Materials http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/presskits.html E-zine Music Marketing: Powerful Ways to Promote Your Music with a Fan E-mail Newsletter http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/quiz.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 __________________________________________________ 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." __________________________________________________ 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/ __________________________________________________ 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 |