Comments on: How to Create a Release Strategy for the New Music Marketplace

By: refe

refe — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 03:13:39 +0000

Ever since reading this in June, we have been wanting to go this direction (and we soon even if it kills me.) That's great to hear. I really do believe that taking this approach could have a big impact on a band's fan base, in terms of size, commitment and satisfaction in general. If you'd like to spend some time putting a game plan together please don't hesitate to reach out. You can get at me through the form on the Contact page. I would be more than happy to offer my thoughts and ideas, or simply to act as a sounding board for a while. Regardless, make sure you let me know how it all goes!

By: Will Blumentritt

Will Blumentritt — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 14:14:41 +0000

I have more insight on “why more people aren’t doing it”.
In the past 6 or 8 months, Houston has been trying a Band Camp – which is a once a month forum where bands come together and a topic associated with running a band are discussed. While attendance was initially high, it fell off quickly. Those that stayed claim to continue to get a lot out of it. From our experiences with that, we have learned – in my opinion – that most musicians fall into one of three categories.
1) They think they know everything already.
2) They focus way to heavily on one single aspect – i.e., it’s all about the music – or the show, or the tone of the guitar, or whatever.
3) They don’t see anything other than playing music as important to their success.
SO: Most people aren’t even reading this, because they’re focusing elsewhere.
For those who are reading this and agree with this approach; it still takes discipline, commitment, involves a fair amount on initiative, and a fair amount of work.

Ever since reading this in June, we have been wanting to go this direction (and we soon even if it kills me.)

We are not a full time band (I work at a high stress job and have a family, our drummer works full time and goes to college, etc) and we have to prioritize. We have been working on a lot of new music, but have yet turn adequate attention on polishing and recording one at a time (as opposed to slowly working on them all).

As I write this, I’m thinking we just need to set a deadline and make it a high enough priority to make it happen.

By: Multimedia Design

Multimedia Design — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 08:04:53 +0000

Of course its not new – but why arent more people doing it? We might see more original music if artists took control of their own careers.

By: Joe

Joe — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:07:13 +0000

This is by no means a new idea.

By: refe

refe — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:16:43 +0000

The follow up has been now been posted - How a Subscription Model Can Enhance Your Release Strategy. Let me know what you think.

By: Plugola Inc. » Blog Archive » Trent is Only Part Right

Plugola Inc. » Blog Archive » Trent is Only Part Right — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 23:13:31 +0000

[...] Marketing Principles for Artists Getting the Most from Tags & Descriptions How to Create a Release Strategy for the New Music Marketplace 20 Must Read Articles for Musicians Marketing Their [...]

By: refe

refe — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:24:20 +0000

Glad you enjoyed it. I’m actually preparing to write something of a follow up to talk about creative ways of distributing music released this way, so stay tuned.

By: Andrew McMillen

Andrew McMillen — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:47:10 +0000

Fascinating read Refe, and I’m loving the discussion here too. Thanks a lot!

By: refe

refe — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 03:13:05 +0000

Glad to hear it – I’d feel bad if you came and said that because of my article you realized that everything you had done over the past year was a complete waste!

Make sure to keep us up to date on how all this works out for you. I’m very interested in some real-life examples of artists who are taking this approach – whether positive or negative.

By: refe

refe — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 03:10:12 +0000

You’re right, and if artists aren’t able or willing to make fan interaction a priority they don’t stand much chance in today’s culture.

I want to quickly comment on one thing you said:

“Interaction is the key… but I have never done it for business purposes.”

As an artist every interaction is about business. You’re a songwriter, but you’re also a salesman. In fact, you’re probably the only one selling your music if you are an independent.

These interactions that you have with fans and other artists not only serve to build relationships that are personally fulfilling, but also strengthen and promote your brand, and by extension, your music.

Turning these conversations and exchanges into business opportunities is as simple as having a clear way to direct whoever you’re talking to at the moment to your work. You did that at the end of your comment, so it seems like you are probably doing this naturally already.

Anyway, keep up the good work. I am not a big fan of MySpace pages (although I reluctantly acknowledge their place in the music world … for now) but yours was one of the most interesting and fun I’ve come across in a while.