The Buzz Factor (Use This Tip Now) Bob Baker's "The Buzz Factor" Delivering music marketing tips, self-promotion ideas and more since 1995 - http://TheBuzzFactor.com/ September 18, 2003 - Vol. 9, Issue 27 In This Issue: 1. Use This Timely PR Tactic Now 2. Nashville Memories, Music and Mischief 3. What They're Saying About ... __________________________________________________ See the end of this message for details on how to get on and off the Buzz Factor mailing list. __________________________________________________ Welcome! => 1. Use This Timely PR Tactic Now Here's an idea that practically any musician anywhere with a CD available should be able to use to get media exposure in their local market. Read this and get busy with it now ... You've no doubt heard that major labels are starting to sue individuals over copyright violations related to music downloads. It's been all over the news lately. That makes it a prime opportunity for you to piggyback on this coverage with an angle of your own. How? By providing the media with a little controversy and a different perspective. The problem with these lawsuit stories in the news is that many uneducated consumers believe that all free digital music available online is illegal. That simply isn't true, of course. Sure, much of the music available through peer- to-peer file sharing networks is being copied illegally. But there are thousands of songs available from artists like you who freely give away digital versions of some of their music to as many fans as possible. So here's your angle: Send a news release with a headline that appears to be controversial, such as: "Toledo Band Tells Music Fans It's Alright to Download Free Music" Replace "Toledo" with your hometown. The rest of the release spells out how you're on a mission to set the record straight about free downloads. Explain that the legal issues involve people who take CDs, convert them and share the files willy nilly with whomever, or people who download and store these illegal files. Explain the importance of artists being able to own, control and profit from their material. Then detail how there are thousands of artists the world over who are eager to share their music for fr-ee with anyone who wants to download it. Explain why: Because radio airplay is so hard to get and the Internet provides a great promotional tool for independent artists. Then list places where people can find free, legal music online. Also mention that your web site is one of those places. Media outlets should be interested in this approach, especially if you position it as an overlooked perspective of a current hot topic, provide a list of legal sites and suggest the attention-getting lead-in. I can just hear a disc jockey or TV anchor saying, "Record companies are starting to sue average people for downloading free music on the Internet. Right after the break, we'll talk to one local musician who is encouraging music fans to download all the free music they want. Stay tuned." I like this idea and think it holds a lot of potential for getting you media exposure. So get to it ... before someone else in your area takes the idea and uses it first. __________________________________________________ => SPREAD IT AROUND Forward this issue to your friends and fellow musicians. Encourage them to subscribe. It's easy ... and it's fr-ee! __________________________________________________ => 2. Nashville Memories, Music and Mischief I can't begin to tell you how much fun I had at the Nashville New Music Conference (2NMC) last week. So many cool people, great music, stimulating conversations, lots of laughs ... you name it. Favorite memories: Derek Sivers (cdbaby.com) and his solo workshop. Lively, funny and informative. I loved his advice for musicians who make mistakes describing what kind of music they play. For a taste of what he said, check out http://www.marketingyourmusic.com/show.php?idea=36 Peter Spellman (mbsolutions.com) explaining that your ideal music biz niche lies at the crossroads where your desires and resources intersect with the opportunities you have to meet real-life needs around you. Attorney Duff Berschback saying that the current recording contract climate rewards artists who demonstrate DIY (do it yourself) prowess, which includes the amount of live performances and touring, the number of CDs sold, having a sizable database of fans and previous buyers, and media exposure through multiple mediums (radio, TV, Internet, print, etc.) Gilli Moon (gillimoon.com) performing solo with piano and voice. Powerful, sensuous, arty ... it reminded me a little of when I saw Tori Amos solo several years ago. Gilli's CD also made me think of her as a female David Bowie for the new millennium. Cool stuff. Amy Speace (amyspeace.com) and her instantly appealing voice. I first saw her two years ago at 2NMC and was impressed. Two years later, she sounds even better. Last Friday night, Amy did a photo shoot in front of the Radio Cafe in Nashville for the 2004 Epiphone Calendar (she just inked an endorsement deal), in which she'll be featured along with artists such as Patty Griffin and Bonnie Raitt. Hanging out with Ravi (heyravi.com), an accomplished guitarist/singer/songwriter who spent most of 1997 touring with Hanson. I enjoyed hearing stories about him playing live on Letterman, Leno, Saturday Night Live, the Today Show and more. What a year that was for him. I'll share more insights from 2NMC in an upcoming issue. Until next week ... get out there and promote yourself! -Bob __________________________________________________ => 3. Feel the Love: What They're Saying About ... "I recently read the 'Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook' with great enthusiasm. Thanks to you, my to-do list has quadrupled! The nature of your ideas is amazing -- from one idea comes ten!" -Jenn Lindsay, www.jennlindsay.com More info: http://bob-baker.com/buzz/music_marketing.htm __________________________________________________ "I absolutely love 'Unleash the Artist Within.' I've printed out all the Commitment Statements and am planning to frame and hang them over my desk." -Ingrid Heldt, singer/songwriter, www.iheldt.net More info: http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/unleash.html __________________________________________________ "I just finished reading 'Branding Yourself Online.' You did a marvelous job of really spelling it out for the marketing- challenged, and the year-long list of marketing activities at the end is nothing less than inspired! I'm so charged up to go out and put many of your tips to use. So big thanks!" Suzanne Falter-Barns, author of "How Much Joy Can You Stand?" www.howmuchjoy.com More info: http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/byo.html =========== 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 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 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 __________________________________________________ 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 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) 963-5296 - E-mail: bob@thebuzzfactor.com http://www.TheBuzzFactor.com/ (c) 2003 by Bob Baker - All Rights Reserved |