The Buzz Factor (School of Rock) Bob Baker's "The Buzz Factor" Delivering music marketing tips, self-promotion ideas and more since 1995 - http://TheBuzzFactor.com/ October 7, 2003 - Vol. 9, Issue 29 In This Issue: 1. Guerrilla Music on the Big Screen 2. Judy's E-zine Gets Its Groove On 3. What's My Line? 4. See Bob's Workshop Live __________________________________________________ See the end of this message for details on how to get on and off the Buzz Factor mailing list. __________________________________________________ Welcome! => 1. Guerrilla Music on the Big Screen I saw something this past weekend that made my jaw drop, my eyes bulge and my brain do somersaults. But first, let's start at the beginning of the story ... About a year ago I was contacted by a company that secures props for motion pictures. They wanted a copy of my "Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook" for possible use as a prop in a movie starring Jack Black. I signed the release form and mailed off a copy. I had pretty much forgotten about it until I started hearing promo for the Paramount film "The School of Rock" over the summer. But I didn't get too excited. I figured my book was one of many props gathered for the movie, and that I'd be lucky if it ended up on a shelf in the background. So I went to see the movie Saturday night and really enjoyed the flick. Dewey Finn (Jack Black) is a rocker who poses as a substitute teacher at a conservative private school. He teaches his fifth grade class the wonders of rock & roll and forms a band with the kids to enter a battle of the bands. Imagine my surprise when, about halfway through the movie, I saw my book prominently displayed on the big screen. It's only visible for about three seconds, but the title and author name are clearly legible. Summer (portrayed by 10-year-old Miranda Cosgrove), who has been appointed to be the band's manager, holds the Guerrilla book in a classroom scene. You can tell the director wanted people to be able to read the title to make it obvious the character is studying the music biz. I was psyched! Exposure in a major motion picture. And ... "The School of Rock" was #1 at the box office nationwide this past weekend. Way cool! If you grew up listening to classic rock bands such as Zeppelin, Sabbath and AC/DC, you'll love this movie. It's made for kids and adults alike, with lots of laughs and an uplifting ending (and one of the coolest final credit rolls I've ever seen). The only other book shown in the film is M. William Krasilovsky's "This Business of Music" (Watson-Guptill), an industry textbook from a major publisher that's been repeatedly revised and updated since 1964. And then there's my book, self-published since 1996 and promoted using the same guerrilla techniques I advocate in the book. At the risk of sounding grandiose, I like to think of this exposure as another example of the power of going the indie way. If you do see the movie, the Guerrilla book makes its appearance immediately following the scene in which Dewey is invited to have lunch with the other teachers. They ask him what he thinks of a certain teaching method. Not knowing what to say, he starts quoting Whitney Houston: "I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way ..." Keep your eyes peeled. Right after that scene, you'll catch a solid glimpse of my book. Needless to say, I'm very excited about this. And I plan to use this gift to exercise one of my marketing philosophies: media exposure begets more media exposure. I'm hoping to strike while the iron is hot and turn this news into some local media exposure, as well as get the word out through my network of friends (like you) on the Internet and via some national music press. I'll keep you posted on my progress and share whatever lessons I learn along the way. __________________________________________________ => 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. Judy's E-zine Gets Its Groove On Want to see a great example of a free fan e-zine? Check out The Groove News from the Groovy Judy Band (www.groovyjudy.com). What Judy does right: - She knows how to talk about her music in terms of what's in it for her fans, as in this text from her latest e-zine: "Welcome to October ... The Groovy Judy Band is looking forward to making a difference and touching people's lives with our fun and funky music once again this month ..." - She writes personal notes about recent shows and shows her appreciation to fans. For instance, about a recent gig at the Redwood City Farmers' Market, she writes, "It was another hot September day, but we stayed cool and kept the music groovin'! We always have a blast at this place and we were once again fortunate to make some new friends and fans too." - She includes a note from a happy fan: "Judy, You rock! I was getting ready to leave ... school night, daughter at home, that sort of thing, but I loved your playing and your unusually positive energy. I stayed as long as I could. Keep it up! I'll come to more of your shows." - She publishes excerpts from CD reviews. - She uses an effective Brand Identity Statement: "Positive funk, rock and pop with wild-n-wacky hats inspired by Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles and Sly & The Family Stone." All of the above content reminds Judy's fans of what she has to offer. The people who attend her shows get to relive positive memories. The people who don't attend are given good reasons to make the time to go to a show in the near future. For more advice on publishing a low-cost, high-impact e-zine, check out "E-zine Music Marketing: Powerful Ways to Promote Your Music with a Fan E-mail Newsletter" at http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/quiz.html __________________________________________________ => 3. What's My Line? "I'd rather be a failure at something I enjoy than a success at something I hate." -George Burns "Let your hook be always cast. In the pool where you least expect it, will be fish." -Ovid "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the goal." -Hannah More __________________________________________________ => 4. See Bob's Workshop Live Wanna catch Bob's highly acclaimed Guerrilla Music Marketing Workshop in person? Here's where and when you can: Saturday, November 1 Musicians Expo 2003 Thunderbird Hotel & Convention Center Bloomington, Minnesota http://www.musiciansexpo.com/home_page_001.htm Monday, November 3 Part of the Music Business Keys to Success Series, sponsored by the St. Louis Volunteer Lawyers & Accountants for the Arts St. Louis, MO More details to come soon Here's a description of the workshop: Bob Baker, author of "Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook," walks you through 9 steps to widespread exposure, sales and success as an independent artist. Learn how to stay motivated, get clear about your identity and pinpoint the best ways to build a following and boost your music career to a higher level. I hope to see you at one of them! Until next time ... Get out there and promote yourself! -Bob P.S. Check out the cool article on the history and behind the scenes story of Derek Sivers and CD Baby at http://makeashorterlink.com/?X32516026 __________________________________________________ => Most Popular Books and Reports at TheBuzzFactor.com Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook: 201 Self-Promotion Ideas for Songwriters, Musicians & Bands http://bob-baker.com/buzz/music_marketing.htm Unleash the Artist Within: Four Weeks to Transforming Your Creative Talents into More Recognition, More Profit & More Fun - http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/unleash.html Branding Yourself Online: How to Use the Internet to Become a Celebrity or Expert in Your Field http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/byo.html Online Music PR Hot List http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/music_pr.htm Killer Press Kits: The 29 Most Important Elements in Creating Sizzling Music Publicity Materials http://www.bob-baker.com/buzz/presskits.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 |