The Buzz Factor (Who Are You?) Bob Baker's "The Buzz Factor" Delivering music marketing tips, self-promotion ideas and more since 1995 - http://TheBuzzFactor.com/ June 17, 2003 - Vol. 9, Issue 18 In This Issue: 1. Who You Are vs. How You Make a Living 2. More Part-Time Music Perspectives 3. Final Buzz Factor Poll Results 4. Help Me Help You and Others __________________________________________________ See the end of this message for details on how to get on and off the Buzz Factor mailing list. __________________________________________________ Welcome! => 1. Who You Are vs. How You Make a Living I received several great responses on the topic of part-time vs. full-time music careers. One from Guy-Michael Grande was so great, I'm running it here as a guest column of sorts. Read his words. They may force you to think in new ways about your own career. Take it away, Guy-Michael: As a so-called "part-time" musician, I prefer to avoid that term altogether. When someone invariably asks, "What do you do?" I always respond, "I'm a singer-songwriter." To which they almost always reply, "You make a living doing that?" And I say, "Not yet, but you asked what I DO, not how I make my living." A fine distinction maybe, but it works for me. To me, my day-job is the part-time part: I'm always an artist, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That doesn't stop because I currently earn my rent somewhere else. So I try to give as much to my music as possible, which means getting at least one thing done every day or night (contacts, rehearsals, songwriting and/or revision, performances, you name it). Most millionaires didn't become instant lottery winners, and most successful artists didn't "luck out," either. Some people might be amazed how much they could get done during one lunch hour or evening if they'd only skip watching TV! I think it's also key to be aware of our definition(s) of success, because there are so many little successes along the way that we might otherwise miss or ignore if we're so focused on those major goals (like becoming a household name who sells millions of records on his/her own indie label). Since every step can have its drawbacks and victories, my approach is to try and appreciate the latter while taking the former with a lot of humility and renewed determination. We should always have goals -- dream them, define them, write them down and pursue them -- and temper them within the framework of our day jobs or "Clark Kent" existences until we find ways to achieve that full-time status. But it's like a producer once told me: Once the record is done and about to be released, then the REAL work begins. Especially for all of us indie artists with indie labels. Making it to full-time status alone won't ensure success ... it just means we'll have to keep pursuing our goals minus the day-job drawbacks and distractions. Then again, some of my best songs have been inspired by people I've met on the job -- and I've grown a wonderful audience thanks in part to men and women I work with every day -- so as much as I can't wait to make music full-time, I do appreciate my current circumstances for all that they provide. By Guy-Michael Grande, Route Five Records, www.guy-michael.com __________________________________________________ => 2. More Part-Time Music Perspectives Two more Buzz Factor subscribers offered their views on this topic: "I am a Toronto jazz singer fortunate enough to be performing regularly about town. In addition to performing live as a duo, trio and up (depending on what the gig requires), I have also tapped into the weddings, special events and corporate gigs market. "Sounds great, right? Well it is, because I don't do it full time. I have my own project management company that pays the bills and allows me to freelance and take the odd day off when required. "I think musicians put too much pressure on themselves to do music full time, which can make you feel under the gun for dough, and unable to do some of the free/showcase gigs that come up. It can also make you crabby." -Karen Manion, www.karenmanion.com "Part-time suits me fine. I'm able to have a 'real' job that I also enjoy, which pays the bills. Part-time music work helps me also enjoy my family because I'm not traveling all over the country, missing my kids' school concerts, etc. "I love to perform, but I also love to write songs. I don't have to wait to be signed by a record label to feel successful -- just being able to get onstage and know by the applause that people appreciate my efforts, feels wonderful. And, should a well-known national performer ever want to do any of my songs, I can stay home enjoying my family while the royalty checks come in. "Success can be defined in many ways. I already feel as if I've accomplished my musical goals. Anything else is just more instrumental flavoring in the final mix." -Diana Tyler, www.dianatyler.com __________________________________________________ => 3. Final Buzz Factor Poll Results Based on the voting, here's how your career modes stack up: 25% Full Time 61% Part Time (with a goal of going full time) 14% Part Time (and satisfied where you're at) If we apply these percentages to the current number of Buzz subscribers, that adds up to: 2,150 full-timers 5,246 part-timers wanting to go full time 1,204 part-timers happy where they are __________________________________________________ => 4. Help Me Help You and Others Do you know of an organization, store, studio, school, etc., within 50 miles of St. Louis that might be interested in hosting a Guerrilla Music Marketing workshop? Forward this message to anyone you might know in the area. Send your venue suggestions to workshop@thebuzzfactor.com Have a great week! -Bob Correction: Last week I gave the wrong web address for Chicago Harmony and Truth, the organization for which I spoke at its recent meeting. The correct address is http://www.chatmusic.com/ - Sorry for any confusion :) __________________________________________________ => What They're Saying About ... "Bob Baker's advice on harnessing and expressing your creativity comes from someone who's pursued his dreams, made mistakes and shares wise lessons. If you have been putting off a creative project, buy his motivating 'Unleash the Artist Within' book and you'll soon get cracking!" -Marcia Yudkin, author, "Six Steps to Free Publicity" and 10 other books More info: http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/unleash.html __________________________________________________ "I've been creating and sending out press kits for years. I never knew if I was sending too much or too little information. I didn't know how to optimize my kits. Finally, I found your 'Killer Press Kits' report. Now I have a roadmap and the exact helpful detaiIs I need, all in one place. And at a great low price, too." -Dan Johnson, guitarist for Soulpajamas and co-editor of the Songwriter's Tip Jar, www.songwriterstipjar.com More info: http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/presskits.html __________________________________________________ "'Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook' is a straightforward, user-friendly guide to promoting one's music and increasing sales. A must-read resource for all aspiring musicians and songwriters." -Midwest Book Review More info: http://bob-baker.com/buzz/music_marketing.htm =========== Cool Music Stuff You Need =========== Online Music PR Hot List: The 101 Top Places to Submit Press Releases and Get Reviewed on the Internet http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/music_pr.htm 197 Promotion Tips, Tricks and Resources for Indie Musicians - http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/197.html Grow Your Band's Audience: Six Steps to Success for Independent Musicians http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/grow.html How to Promote Your Music Successfully on the Internet http://www.rainmusic.com/htpma/buzz.htm Earn Cash as a Buzz Factor Affiliate Make 40% on every title sold through your affiliate link! http://www.bob-baker.com/af/BuzzAfil.html Screaming Fingers Guitar http://hop.clickbank.net/?bobbaker/screaming Guitarists, learn how to systematically increase your picking speed without practicing and performing your mistakes. DVD Squeeze http://hop.clickbank.net/?bobbaker/dvdsqueeze Compress DVD movies to a single CD without any loss of quality. __________________________________________________ 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." __________________________________________________ Current circulation: 8,603 subscribers To START getting The Buzz Factor, send an e-mail to addme@thebuzzfactor.com with the words "Send Me the 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 |