Bob Baker's Indie Music Promotion Blog

News, notes and ideas on music marketing, self-promotion, artist empowerment and more

March 25, 2009

Criticism & Bad Reviews: How to Deal With Rejection

I got an email from a musician who was torn up over a bad media review he got because of a recent show that was plagued with technical difficulties beyond his control.

He was obviously upset about what this critic had written, but it was also clear that he is often tortured anytime someone is critical of his work.


Luckily, I got over the "what people think of me" curse many years ago. But this email served to remind me that many creative people are operating with ultra sensitive natures and fragile egos.

I am writing an article on how to deal with rejection and overcome this unproductive reaction to other people's opinions. I plan to post it here next week ...

But I want your help!

Give me your thoughts on criticism, bad reviews, and how you deal with personal and creative rejection.

How have you overcome this stinging sensitivity? What have you done to break free?

Post your comments below, or click the Contact tab above and shoot me an email. I'll use some of the best comments and attribute whoever I quote.

Check this page next week for the final article. Thanks for your help!

-Bob




Have you seen the new, improved Music Marketing Insiders Club? Get exclusive, members-only resources delivered every week. And, depending on your membership level, you can get access to the incredible "Indie Music Success Vault," 4 free bonuses, and a 30-minute coaching session with me. It's probably a LOT more affordable than you think! Visit www.MusicMarketingInsiders.com for the entire scoop.

posted by Bob Baker @ 10:24 AM   47 comments

March 19, 2009

New Survey Reveals Most Working Musicians Not Adversely Affected by the Economy

Last month I ran an online survey to find out how the weak global economy has affected working independent musicians. The results may surprise you.

I wanted to know how musicians were faring, compared to one year ago, in four areas:
  • Online music sales
  • Live show music and merchandise sales
  • The number of live bookings and performances
  • Sideline music income (giving lessons, running sound, etc.)
Respondants had six choices for answers:
  • Much lower
  • A little lower
  • About the same
  • Up a little
  • Much higher
  • Doesn't apply to me
342 people responded. What were the results?

Well, contrary to what most people probably assume, half or more of the working musicians who took the survey have NOT been hurt by the economy.

Online music sales got the most positive results, with 55% of respondants reporting about the same or higher numbers compared to last year.

Live performances seem to have suffered the most, with 38% saying they are worse off than last year. But even in this category, 50% reported about the same or higher.

You can see a more complete overview of the responses in this two-page 2009 Music and the Economy Survey PDF file.

But here are some of the music survey highlights:

Online music sales:
41% about the same
14% higher
25% lower
55% have not been hurt by the economy (*report about the same or higher)

Live show music and merchandise sales:
34% about the same
16% higher
32% lower
50% have not been hurt by the economy *

Number of live shows booked and played:
25% about the same
25% higher
38% lower
50% have not been hurt by the economy *

Sideline music income:
34% about the same
17% higher
23% lower
51% have not been hurt by the economy *

Again, you can download this two-page 2009 Music and the Economy Survey PDF file to see a more detailed listing of results.

-Bob

Guerrilla Music Marketing HandbookCheck out Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook, the classic guide to indie music promotion. Now revised and updated, with four new chapters on Internet and Web 2.0 music marketing.

posted by Bob Baker @ 9:05 AM   11 comments

March 13, 2009

9 Fan-Funding & Donation Sites to Raise Money for Your Next Music Project

Are you ready to record a new album, produce a video, or take on an ambitious new music project? But you don't have the cash on hand to make it happen now?

Do what a growing number of smart artists have done in recent years: ask your fans to contribute!

The band Marillion reportedly raised $725,000 by pre-selling its Anoraknophobia double-CD album before it was ever recorded. Jill Sobule raised more than $80,000 from about 500 fans to record her California Years album, due out in 2009.

But even lesser known artists have had success with this fan-funded business model. Take a look at what these indie acts have done to involve their fans in music fundraising:

Mia Kim
http://www.sukeyrose.com/

Christine Kane
http://www.bemyrecordlabel.com/

Scott Andrew
http://saveyoufromyourself.com/

Kristin Hersh
http://kristinhersh.cashmusic.org/

Great, your sold on the concept. Now how do you set up a system to collect funds from your fans?

Well, a number of new sites have sprung up to provide this service to musicians. The most prominent ones are:

SellaBand
http://www.sellaband.com/

Slicethepie
http://www.slicethepie.com/

ArtistShare
http://www.artistshare.com/

CASH Music
http://www.cashmusic.org/

Bandstocks
http://www.bandstocks.com/

Each of the sites above have different structures and fees, so look over the details closely before committing to using any of them.

But you don't have to use a music-specific site to do this. Here are four more easy ways to ask your fans to support you financially:

Chipin

PayPal Buttons for donations

Amazon Simple Pay Donations

Justgiving

You don't have to wait until you have a big music project to ask your fans for help. Just put a donation or "tip jar" button or widget on a page where you offer free downloads.

For instance, here's the request on Kristin Hersh's download page:

"The music here is yours to download. Please consider making a one-time contribution using the form below (not tax deductable)."

Bottom line: Don't become a "I don't have the money now" victim. Ask the people who can really help you the most: your fans!

-Bob


Get your FREE copy of my Music Marketing Secrets special report. It shows you how to get more exposure, attract more fans, and sell more music! Go here to grab your copy now ...

posted by Bob Baker @ 11:41 AM   8 comments

March 04, 2009

Now Live: Twitter Music Promotion & Marketing Guide

Check out this brand new resource page that features links to everything you always wanted to know about using Twitter to market your music, connect with fans, promote your live shows, and sell more music.
Twitter Music Promotion & Marketing Guide

It's an ever-expanding page of incredibly useful Twitter music resources.

Let me know what you think of it, and feel free to share the page link with anyone you want.

Also, please send suggestions for links I should add to the guide.

-Bob

Guerrilla Music Marketing HandbookCheck out Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook, the classic guide to indie music promotion. Now revised and updated, with four new chapters on Internet and Web 2.0 music marketing.

posted by Bob Baker @ 1:18 PM   2 comments

March 03, 2009

Free Music Promotion Resource Launches March 4 at Noon Eastern

For the last several days I've been working on a new FREE online music marketing resource that will rock -- once I unveil it.

So here's a tease: I will launch this new web page on Wednesday, March 4, at 12 Noon Eastern Time (which is 11 AM Central and 9 AM Pacific).

Follow me on Twitter at Twitter.com/MrBuzzFactor and be the first to get the link to this new online music marketing resource. Did I mention it will be completely free?

Talk with you tomorrow!

UPDATE: The page was just launched at this link: Twitter Music Promotion and Marketing Guide. Enjoy!

-Bob


Have you seen the new, improved Music Marketing Insiders Club? Get exclusive, members-only resources delivered every week. And, depending on your membership level, you can get access to the incredible "Indie Music Success Vault," 4 free bonuses, and a 30-minute coaching session with me. It's probably a LOT more affordable than you think! Visit www.MusicMarketingInsiders.com for the entire scoop.

posted by Bob Baker @ 6:10 PM   0 comments