Band Business Money Tips

Anvil is a Canadian heavy metal band comprising Steve "Lips" Kudlow (lead vocals, lead guitar), Robb Reiner (drums), and Glenn Five (bass, backing vocals). To date, the band has released thirteen studio albums, and has been cited as having influenced many notable heavy metal groups, including Slayer, Anthrax, and Metallica.

This Band has persisted diligently for 30+ years to live what they are, a great rock band! Learn about them. Pay tribute to them. Watch the documentary about them:
http://www.anvilthemovie.com/

BUY ANVIL'S CD & PRODUCTS
http://www.anvilmetal.com/

LEARN MORE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anvil_(band)
http://www.anvilmetal.com/

In previous postings, I discussed the value of using video broadcasting sites like YouTube to promote your Band. Well, today I just want to keep it simple and add one additional point:

Use that same video to promote your sales.

Insert mini commercials that let people know about how they can find your website, order products you have for sale, or book you for a show. Increase your profit potential by directly selling to the people that are already looking at your videos. They like you, so why not let them know how they can enjoy you more?

Are you using tools like YouTube to promote your music and songs? If not, why not?

Included below is another of the wonderful examples showing you how powerful YouTube and other Broadcast websites can be for you.

Chris Cendana posted a basic home computer recorded music video of his song "Velvet Fingertips" on February 11th of this year (2008). That is he posted it just under 19 days ago. During that short time, he has had 126,938 Views, 1,454 Comments on it, and had it marked by people as one of their Favorite Videos 1,396 times.

So, here is the summary:
Results for Days: Under 19
Views: 126,938
Comments: 1,454
Favorited: 1,396

Are you getting that kind of exposure for your music? Why not get it?

Okay... How are you selling your songs now? Do you sell them digitally to your fans? If not, why not?

There are many ways to sell your music now. If you stick to the old fashioned way of doing things, then you are not looking at the new opportunities that are available (Unless you are doing the old fasion way plus a new way).

I want to include this Broadcast by Bob Baker from his MrBuzzFactor YouTube center. It shows some really incredible data on how Trent Reznor is making some good money selling digitally, and I know that even some local bands can capture this kind of money and more. Keep in mind that some bands and musicians were able to accomplish making some very large profits before they ever got signed by anyone, and... Some actually remain unsigned because they make so much money as an indie artist.

Watch, learn, and think about it.

I believe that every person who starts a Band or becomes a performing musician is an Entrepreneur - someone who creates a business venture in order to succeed. The fact that you are reading this right now means that you are one of the few people who actually are driven by the Entrepreneur's spirit. I believe that you can succeed if you persist, keep learning from all of the leaders you can, and Keep Taking Action.

Donald Trump shares some of his thoughts on Entrepreneurs below. When and if you look at this, consider what he is saying and how it applies to you.

Are you an Indie Musician trying to get heard? What are you doing to get heard? Are you out on the streets and getting your music in front of your audience? Are you communicating with them the way they want to be communicated to?

Getting heard by the correct audience is critical to your success. You can hear that in the audio commentary posted below, however you need to know who your audience is first.

If you don't understand who your audience is, pay attention to who gets excited at your next live performances. What kind of clothes do they wear? Where do they get those clothes, can you play your music at those stores? I know a lot of stores that would love to have free music to play for their shoppers (especially if the music matches their shoppers personality and desires). What other things can you find out about your audience just by looking at them, listening to them and talking to them? Where do they work? What kind of hobbies do they like? Where do they live specifically?

The answers to these questions and more will help you get your music in front of them and in their ears. Take action. Don't just complain about how come you can't get your music out there on a particular radio station. Get it played continually wherever you can.

It's all about the 'Hook'.

Songs can be intricate and they can be simple. When writing your music, keep in mind... What is 'The Hook' of the song?

If you don't have one, what will people remember about the song? What will they sing to themselves after they have heard it? If you think of Beatles' songs, or of any of the older classics, you will be able to sing or hum something about them that you remembered about it. That is the Hook of the song, usually. The thing that stuck in you mind.

So, when you write your songs or create the music (because the music itself can have the Hook, it might not be the words), keep in mind the question: "What is the Hook?"

Below is a recent song that is very simple. It has easy words, music, and concepts, however, it has a powerful 'Hook'. You may not like this style of music, yet you may have a hard time trying to forget you saw and heard the video below.

What is the Hook in your song?

What do you want to be known as?

Do you want to be a best selling Artist?
Do you want to be the most skilled Artist?

There is a BIG Difference between the two.

A person can focus on becoming incredibly skilled and educated on their craft all their life and still not make any money doing what they love (or at least nothing that will help them pay basic living cost bills). Than, there are people who will focus on learning how to sell themselves and their art properly so it is exciting to their desired audience. This can make them more money than they ever dreamed.

Make sure YOU KNOW which person you want to be.

Remember... It is like the person who writes a Novel and says, "I want to be a Best Selling Author." However, if their writing is focused only on their self interests and they are trying to write incredibly well for their craft, while abandoning the interests and desires of their reading audience... They will never be a best selling author. You must create your work to be exciting and desirable to what YOUR AUDIENCE wants if you want to make money as a BEST SELLING Artist. Or.......... You need to find a new audience because the one you are trying to force your art upon, will reject you and leave you.

What do you Want To Be?

Terry Prince is a Musician in California who plays Piano and Sings. By taking a simple technique most people in the world know about, he sold a ton of CDs gained a lot of exposure and made real money. And... This is only a small part of his success so far as a Musician.

Take a look at the video below to learn, very simply, how you can follow this simple method of increasing your CD sales, having fun making money while you play music, and increasing your exposure.

The video is an interview buy the ever helpful Bob Baker with Terry Prince. In it Terry Prince explains how he sold 15,000 music CDs in 18 Months by playing 30 hours a month on the Santa Monica Pier. An inspiring interview!

Twitter can be a powerful way for you to increase the amount of communication you can share with your Fans. Keep them engaged with what you are doing.

The video below shows you excellent detail on how to quickly start from ground zero and use twitter like an expert in minutes. However, it also shares some incredible insights into something else that can increase your success in your relationship with your Fans... Simple everyday communication.

As a Band, your Fans want to know more about you. They enjoy finding out things like when you are going to rehearsal, what you ate for lunch, when your next gig is, if you took some new Band photos to share, are you working on some new songs, and much more. All of these things increase the bond with your Fans. It helps your Fans know more about you so they can appreciate what makes you into the Band they like, support, go to watch play, and have fun listening to your music to get through their day.

If you have Fans of your Band, than you are part of their life, world, and identity. The more you can share with them, helps them understand and appreciate themselves even more.

Look at the following video if you want to hear about Three Simple yet Powerful things you can do to increase your Band's Success. Many times I have mentioned these things and even share some great detailed insights on these elements in my book, How To Make BIG Money with Your BAND.

Keep improving your skills to help you have more fun doing what you love.

As a Band, Band Member, or a Musician with the Dream of being Great, you are an Entrepreneur.

To accomplish your goal, you need to think like an Entrepreneur - A Top Businessman. If you don't... You won't succeed. You will only be a person who enjoys playing music for fun (which is okay), however if you have the dream driving you now, You know you want more. So, go get it! Don't let yourself be second best. Be the Winner!

If you take it easy and avoid learning good business skills Marketing and Selling your Band, Music, and Identity, then others will and you will watch and listen to them, saying to yourself, "Wow! I wish I could be like them." The only challenge here... You need to realize you can be like them.

If you feel the passion of the dream inside you... Build it and go all the way to the Top! Find your style and the identity that you want to represent. Let others know that you are the best in the world for that particular style and identity. Win!

Below is a video showing some very successful Businessmen talking with you about Winning (You might recognize some of them). They are dressed in suits and look like Businessmen, so recognize that identity as their choice for their work. You will have your style of dress for your work. However... Listen to what they share with you. They tell you everything you need to know about Winning your dream your way.

Enjoy and Become Great!

Bob Baker has dedicated is life and career to helping musicians succeed and develop their careers. He has some wonderful books out there and some great 'Help Videos' on YouTube.com under his label "MrBuzzFactor". He can offer you some incredible advice and insights. I highly recommend him as an excellent resource for you.

Below is Part One of a series of Interview Videos he posted on his YouTube.com MrBuzzFactor Page. Enjoy and check out some of his other resources.

"New Arrivals" is a compilation project aimed at increasing exposure for exceptional self-released material. Artists will receive free marketing to MPress contacts (i.e. Radio, Press, and Internet), as well as cross-promotion at live events presented by MPress Records, including 6000+ pieces distributed at various label-attended industry conferences throughout 2008. As with Volumes 1 and 2, the third volume will be serviced to press and college/AAA radio formats. Submission deadline: October 31.

http://www.sonicbids.com/newarrivalsvolume3

Know your music capitals in the USA…

If you are into being a professional musician with a Band, than knowing the hot spots in the U.S.A. will help you get to powerful places to find connections, opportunities, and great music to inspire you.

Here are the Top 7:

1. Austin:

BRIEF: Austin, Texas. Austin's official slogan is The Live Music Capital of the World. Austin has a vibrant live music scene boasting more music venues per capita than any other U.S. city. Austin's music revolves around the many nightclubs on 6th Street and an annual film/music/multimedia festival known as South by Southwest. The longest-running concert music program on American television, Austin City Limits, is videotaped on the University of Texas at Austin campus. Austin City Limits and Capital Sports & Entertainment run the Austin City Limits Music Festival, an annual music and art festival held at Zilker Park in Austin. Other annual events include Eeyore's Birthday Party and the Austin Reggae Festival in April and Carnaval in February. Halloween, St Patrick's Day, Mardi Gras, July 4th, and Juneteenth (Emancipation Day) are all celebrated with enthusiasm, as many Austinites seem to be eager for any excuse for a public party.

2. Branson:

BRIEF: Branson, Missouri. Branson, MO is considered "The Live Music Show Capital of the World". With over 40 theaters playing host to over 100 shows, you'll have no problem finding a show in Branson that suits your taste!

3. Chicago:

BRIEF: Chicago, Illinois. After New Orleans and before New York and the West Coast, Chicago was the capital city of Jazz in the thirties after black people's Great Migration to the North. In the forties and fifties it turned Blue Mecca, while it has remained the shrine of Gospel music until this day.

4. Memphis:

BRIEF: Memphis, Tennessee. The mythical city that straddles the Mississippi River with one (small) foot in Arkansas and another in Tennessee Memphis has an aura that most American cities can only dream of.

The 'queen of the cotton kingdom' is best known as the birthplace of recorded Blues from the 50s onwards. Memphis had already been a blues nucleus for Mississippi Delta musicians for two decades by the time Sam Phillips invested in a recording studio and recording company, Sun.

In the second half of the fifties Elvis Presley was in the center of the Rock 'n' Roll storm. He had the 'Negro sound and feel' the producer had been scouting for. He clearly was not the first, nor the best of the budding revolution, but he had the looks, drive and flexible personality.

In the sixties and early seventies Memphis acted as a springboard for southern Soul musicians. The new music was instrumental in articulating the Civil Rights Movement claims for an integrated society. Almost for the first time in the history of the African-Americans pride in their race and identity was expressed in lyrics.

Later on, the local scene further developed into vibrant tradition-infused styles from Funk, to R&B to hip hop. While modern Memphis music is looking to its exceptional heritage for inspiration, it is also looking forward.

Remarkably enough, Gospel is the one musical idiom that has traveled down the ages with unflagging popularity in the black community. It may have evolved formally over the decades, sometimes absorbing pop, funk and even rap ingredients, the overall inspiration, musical and thematic, has lived on virtually unchanged.

Memphis boosts some iconic musicians in a lot of genres. Though not necessarily natives, they broke through in Memphis, mostly via Sam Phillips's Sun studios and recording company and later, Stax and Hi. Among those soon-to-be legends were, for instance, Bessie Smith, Howlin' Wolf, Koko Taylor, Albert and BB King (Blues), Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Booker T, Al Green and Rufus Thomas (Soul and R&B), or Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash (Rock 'n' Roll and Rockabilly).

5. Nashville:

BRIEF: Nashville, Tennessee. Music City USA owns its flattering nickname to Country Music even if Nashville's mythical recording studios have produced gospel music, rock 'n' roll and Elvis Presley in particular, and even black rhythm 'n' / blues musicians.

It all started with the Grand Ole Opry radio show in 1925. It has been broadcasting recorded music and live shows held in its theater ever since, and the longest-running radio program has firmly put country music on the world's map.

Critics claim that music now plays second fiddle to business. This massive record-making industries indeed rakes billions every year. As the Nashville Sound bordered on mellow commercial music, other traditional or cutting edge styles grew in popularity like Bluegrass, or Alternative Country movements.

Austin, Texas looked as if it could have some claim to the crown in the 70s with the Outlaws movement, but although it has a pulsating country-blues rock scene today, it cannot compete as a recording capital city.

Branson, Missouri has been a family-oriented country music resort since the 1960s. Country stars own their own theaters, live and perform there from May through October. That popular town provides a welcome alternative to Nashville's grander schemes.

Yet, at the end of the day, and for all the criticism, Nashville, Tennessee still remains the hub for recording, performing and broadcasting Country Music. Today's musical spectrum ranges wide from Honky-tonk music to jazz-influenced instrumental Newgrass and from earnest acoustic songwriters to arena acts with an attitude.

6. New Orleans:

BRIEF: New Orleans, Louisiana. There is so much history it would be futile and ridiculous to attempt to put this musical gumbo in a nutshell.

That the city that delivered jazz and nurtured it through the first two decades of the 20th century is still pulsating to its bouncing rhythms is refreshing news.

That New Orleans has always opened up to various styles and made them its own is hardly news to those who have been listening.

Experience speaks louder than words. Music is everywhere: on the street and on steamboats; at school and at church; in concert halls, and out-of-the-way clubs, at jazz funerals and in festivals.

7. New York:

BRIEF: New York, New York. New York city, now considered by many to be the capital of the world, hosts phenomenal culture, culture, culture – and with that comes music from all around the world with incredible diversity.

The subways that roar below the sidewalk, converge at Times Square, where music, theater (many of it musicals), and nightlife meld into a new kind of pop culture that is broadcast across the country. In midtown, the publishing, radio, and advertising businesses present products, ideas, celebrities, and ways of life to audiences of immense size across America.

New York City is home to the Broadway Musical. Jazz became famous in New York, found a world-size home there, and made ”The Jazz Age” possible because of its life there.

New York city is still a great place to connect and get connected to global opportunities.

Link: http://funkyp.lu

Funky P will open for American Pop Star (PINK) and German Pop Idol 2007(Mark Medlock) 2 September 2007 at Terres Rouges Festival...www.cynart.lu

Funky P is the first Luxembourg band showcased at Popkomm in its 18 years of existence.

“Funky P understand the importance of good old-fashioned song writing”

Brainchild of Marc Reichling, the original incarnation of Funky P formed in 2004 while Marc was touring and recording with several German, French and Luxembourg bands. Inspired by many bands and producers that he met he began nurturing a desire to get into the studio himself.
A chance meeting with American Roosevelt Isaac gave him the opportunity to start the pursuit of his dream. Isaac and Marc hit it off immediately and he set about forming musicians for the band. There was simply no looking back..
From their inception there has always been an emphasis on the live aspect of Funky P, with the Funky P band going through various incarnations, but since the completion of the first single from the album “Move the World” the band has really taken shape and their appearance at "Popkomm 2006" demonstrated this.
The Funky P band has become a dynamic nine piece, a mixture of those involved in the album alongside some serious new talent.
You may know the single, you may think you know the band, but honestly, if you ain’t seen them live you don’t know shit. They completely out play any expectations you may have of them. Funky P is well on the path to becoming a rare feature, a popular contemporary “International Soul Band”..

“Real music made by Funky P is the dawn of a new era of music.”

FUNK MUSIC WITH A POP SENSIBILITY – When you listen to Funky P you feel and hear something a little bit different. “They are very special. Funky P play music that fit their vibe.”
Funky P is fast developing their own identity after searching for it in other people’s music. “You can only imitate other bands so long before you look in the mirror and say, O.K. it’s all right to play your own songs.”

Funky P are a bunch of Jazz and Funk guys who decided to write pop music. Funky P is completely happy to go out and blaze a path for others to follow. If people follow them down it that’s cool – otherwise, it will be fun for them to go out and hang by themselves.

Funky P are "self managed artists" and have released an EP containing 3 songs in May 2006. The first track "Smile Baby" went straight to the top of the RTL Luxembourg (largest radio sender in Luxembourg) hit charts and stayed in the top 10 the entire summer and received place 8 summer hit 2006. “Smile Baby” was voted 2nd best “Song of the Year 2006” on RTL Luxembourg on Dec 30, 2006. It still places in the top 20 of DNR Radio (second largest radio sender Luxembourg) hearer charts today.

In Dec 2006, Funky P released the second single “Real Love” and this places 2nd on the RTL Luxembourg Hit parade the first week of February 2007.

All three songs have placed in the Top 10 of iTunes Luxembourg and mobile phone users can download the ringtones from VOX mobile in Luxembourg making them one of the most popular original bands in Luxembourg. The EP "Smile Baby" and the single "Real Love" are currently for sale on CD Baby and it is digitally distributed by 34 distributors on the internet (iTunes, Rhapsody and Emusic to name a few)

Major accomplishment for Funky P would be playing Planet Hollywood Paris(2005), the Grand Dome Paris(2006), being chosen to be the opening act for Maceo Parker(Luxembourg-2006), one of the opening acts for Uriah Heep (Belgium-2006 Rock Roots) and showcased at Popkomm 2006(European Soundclash).

http://www.funkyp.lu

http://cdbaby.com/cd/funkyp

http://www.sonicbids.com/FunkyP

http://www.myspace.com/funkyp2

http://www.koba-s.co.jp/GBJArtists/F.html#FunkyP

http://www.garageband.com/artist/funkyp

http://www.indie-music.com/bands/bands/1861/

For Videos:

http://www.myvideo.de/watch/1022613

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCrv74FykmI

Link to: Funky P

What personal proven skills do you have that you can use to enhance your Band’s success? Do you work in any particular style of job where you get to use those skills over and over, and that you find you are good at doing?

These natural talents or abilities can be used to increase your rate of success.

• If you are good at customer service, then you could go to parties or social gatherings and talk with people easier to network and find out where new gigs might be.
• If you are good at sales, you could go out and sell the Band to Clubs and other venues for new gigs or you could sell your CDs more rapidly in person.
• If you are good at detail management, you could organize the details of a tour and the load in and out of gigs or recording sessions.
• If you are a good numbers person, you could help manage the Band dollar expenses and profits better to increase your bottom line.

You could be talented in your own way, and since you have a passion to be part of a Band, you can find out how your talent can best increase the success of your Band. Offer your talent to the Band and present it to your Band members, let them know how you can help the Band more, and together see if you can find out how that can help the Band best.

Templedom from the UK

Recently, I got an email from Tim of the Band Templedom. The Band hails from Leicester UK. So all that are in Britain look them up if you like the cool smooth music and songs Templedom creates. If you live anywhere else in the world, you can connect with them easily through their MySpace page online.

Templedom is still developing their Fan Base and their regular performance schedule. They have a good ability at recording and have proven to be effective at producing good results. After listening to their songs, I could see that they are fully capable at getting some positive results shopping their music around for licensing deals to produce more income for their Band.

Even without a strong show circuit already in place or a large Fan Base, you can make good money off of circulating your music for licensing work. Just stay within strong time parameters when you finally submit to opportunities. Learn more by reading the article: Record Company CEO Shares BIG Moneymaking Secrets for TV Music, dated: Wednesday, December 13, 2006

If you have a song recorded, you can sell the short-term use rights to others for income.

There are many good companies out there to help you make money with licensing. Two companies are:

• http://www.taxi.com
• http://www.rumblefish.com

Learn more about Templedom and listen to some of their sample tracks at:

http://www.indiestore.com/templedom

http://www.myspace.com/templedom

The following was found in The Columbus Dispatch

Monday, February 26, 2007
Tracy Turner
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Meijer Idol?

Budding local singers and musicians hoping to sell more CDs now may do so, with the help of a grocery chain.

Meijer, a Michigan-based chain of 176 superstores, is conducting its own version of American Idol.

The company is promoting a new program to sell homegrown music in its stores. Called Outside the Mainstream, the program allows an unsigned singer, group or musician to have their previously recorded CD sold in Meijer stores chainwide.

A new performer will be chosen each month, said Stacie Behler, a Meijer spokeswoman. The CDs will cost $7.49 each and will be featured in the grocer’s ad circulars, which are sent weekly to 7 million households in Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky, Behler said.

Meijer has 14 central Ohio stores.

By supporting local talent, Meijer hopes in turn to create regional loyalty to its stores.

"The goal is to bring some of the talent we find in our own backyards to a wider audience than they can normally reach by themselves," Behler said. "We’re fresh thinkers, and we like to be first to the market with new products."

Meijer, which is a private company, has the ability to "take a chance and do something different," Behler said.

"There’s a huge market of fledgling singers and musicians that we’d like to tap into."

While competitions or promotions like this are a bit unusual for a grocery, they’re in line with a trend that has grocers increasing their ties with local communities, said Tom Jackson, president of the Ohio Grocers Association.

Most grocers already donate money to schools or civic organizations. In many cases, they also put more emphasis on locally produced products.

"Any time you can be considered ‘local,’ you will be perceived better and considered to be paying attention to the community" in your marketplace, Jackson said.

The first artist chosen was Joshua Davis, a singer from Lansing, Mich. His CD, Fool Rooster, went on sale at Meijer this month. Meijer will purchase 1,000 of the selected artists’ CDs and sell them in its stores.

To see the original article or to see more stories from The Columbus Dispatch go to:

http://www.columbusdispatch.com/emailme/emailme.php?story=dispatch/2007/02/26/20070226-B6-01.html

How to Apply

Dear Bands,

Of all of the things that are in the world, there are certain things that each one of us find critical. I believe, one of the most important things are our dreams.

When you set out to create a Band, what did you visualize, feel, and hear inside? What was it that drove you to follow the path that helped you create your Band and get in front of people to perform? Well, whatever it was… I hope you still know it and keep it at the top of your mind. This is what is important to you.

As a Band, you are bound to your Bandmates.

If you are signed, make it big, or however it works out for you to be a success as a Band; you will be working with your Bandmates. Keep this in mind.

Your Band is your Team for the duration of the existence of your Band… if you want to succeed. You will have to get through arguments. You will have to learn business skills and help each other out by filling in for each other’s weaknesses. You will have to work together for longer hours than you ever thought you would have to. Enjoy this. It is all part of that reason you chose to start and become a Band.

Imagine yourself as the successful Band you want to be. See that ten years from now you are still working with the same people. Some Bandmates are working together still thirty years later, or more. Are you thinking about that now as you commit your energy to the Band? Are you making choices and taking action now that will make that journey fun?

You are in control of your future and your dream. You make the choices that make your future – right now. Put your time in now the way you want to in the future.

Happy Banding.
Sincerely,

Eric Christian Smith

You could sell a small PDF document that shares insights on how you created one of your popular songs.

The questions many like to ask are:
How did you think of the idea? Did you start with the music or the lyrics first? Or did you write them at the same time? What’s it about, ‘to you’? When did you write it? Where were you when you wrote it?

You can also add copies of any of your early notes, original sketches or doodles from when you created the song.

THE BASIC RULE AND RESPECT GUIDLINE:

Make it a simple downloadable e-Product like a downloadable PDF or an exclusive audio recording in MP3 format. You send an email out to your Fans and let them know that you have this available for them to purchase for only $3 and they get ‘Instant Delivery’ because it is a downloadable product once the pay. The payment system could easily be PayPal or if you have another payment system.

You can also offer a product like this in printed out formats at your shows. Print it yourself or make copies.

Offering a product like this can be fun and builds a stronger connection with you as an artist to your Fans. They are your Fans. They want to know more about you. And, they want to know more about how you do what you do.

KEEP THIS IN MIND: People can easily get the music, however are fascinated by the creation process. If they like you as a musician, then they are curious to know more about you and your process. Offer it to them.

I hope this gives you more ideas. Keep in touch with your Fans, they want to hear fun and interesting things about you. Send an email out to your Fan Email List and offer something to them they might want that they can’t buy anywhere else.

I’m down in Vail, Colorado right now, and they just had their Mardi Gras parade. Within the parade I saw the usual floats, however at the end of the parade (the last float), there was a float that stood out better than the rest.

The float was simply a truck pulling a flat trailer. The trailer was like the ones you can use to put a single car or a tractor on. On the trailer was a Rock Band with all of its gear and playing live as the truck moved along. They were running their amplifiers and PA system off a fairly quiet generator (or at least one that we couldn’t hear because the music was rockin’ over the sound of it).

Not only did the Band do a full live set of music on the float trailer, yet they also were advertising themselves with large banners on the side of the float. They wanted to wish you a Wild Mardi Gras.

Well done.

They got themselves out in front of a large amount of people that would probably not have heard of them otherwise, and they did a good job exciting the celebrating crowds. Whoever wanted to enjoy the Band more knew where to go also… The name of the Club they were playing at that evening was on the banners also.

This made me think of the creative ways that Bands can get out in front of new large audiences. Bands can get a lot of good exposure and other benefits by playing at events that are not the usual locations.

Can you think of any events, benefits, public celebrations, or charity drives that you can ask to play at. The benefit to them is entertainment for their audience, and you can benefit by getting in front of a new audience that might love your music. Not everyone goes out to music clubs to listen to Bands. You, however, can go out to new and unique places to play where audiences can discover and enjoy you.

You can sell a quick mix of your in-work studio recordings to your fans.

These recordings offer an exclusive secret peek into your working process and personality.

The recording mix might show funny mistakes that you made while recording. Bizarre – but – cool results sometimes come from a mistake or random jam you did while recording, or even some random conversations caught while you were working.

Some people would love to just be a “fly on the wall” while you are doing your creation work. It even seems magical to some people because they don’t possess music talent skills – You do.

Having an MP3 mix down they can pay $3 for and download instantly could be really exciting to them.

THE BASIC RULE AND RESPECT GUIDLINE:

Make it a simple downloadable e-Product like a downloadable PDF or an exclusive audio recording in MP3 format. You send an email out to your Fans and let them know that you have this available for them to purchase for only $3 and they get ‘Instant Delivery’ because it is a downloadable product once the pay. The payment system could easily be PayPal or if you have another payment system.

You can also offer a product like this in printed out formats at your shows. Print it yourself or make copies.

Offering a product like this can be fun and builds a stronger connection with you as an artist to your Fans. They are your Fans. They want to know more about you. And, they want to know more about how you do what you do.

KEEP THIS IN MIND: People can easily get the music, however are fascinated by the creation process. If they like you as a musician, then they are curious to know more about you and your process. Offer it to them.

I hope this gives you more ideas. Keep in touch with your Fans, they want to hear fun and interesting things about you. Send an email out to your Fan Email List and offer something to them they might want that they can’t buy anywhere else.

Do you play piano, or some other instrument in a Band that is key to a song? Do you have the skills to (or do you know someone who could) just jot down your music score onto some musical staff paper?

Create a small PDF document showing the Music Score of one of your popular songs. You could offer this for any of your songs, however one of your popular songs would be more appealing because your Fans already like it and want to know more about it. Take the time to create the music score of your song, add the words to the song along with the score, and make it into a PDF document. It’s ready for sale.

THE BASIC RULE AND RESPECT GUIDLINE:

Make it a simple downloadable e-Product like a downloadable PDF or an exclusive audio recording in MP3 format. You send an email out to your Fans and let them know that you have this available for them to purchase for only $3 and they get ‘Instant Delivery’ because it is a downloadable product once the pay. The payment system could easily be PayPal or if you have another payment system.

You can also offer a product like this in printed out formats at your shows. Print it yourself or make copies.

Offering a product like this can be fun and builds a stronger connection with you as an artist to your Fans. They are your Fans. They want to know more about you. And, they want to know more about how you do what you do.

KEEP THIS IN MIND: People can easily get the music, however are fascinated by the creation process. If they like you as a musician, then they are curious to know more about you and your process. Offer it to them.

I hope this gives you more ideas. Keep in touch with your Fans, they want to hear fun and interesting things about you. Send an email out to your Fan Email List and offer something to them they might want that they can’t buy anywhere else.

It is great to learn from others and see what they are doing. Today, I am going to share a Snapshot of one of HowToBand.com’s Readers. It is of Indie Musician, Cary Judd.

During a recent consultation with him, he shared some good insights into the current position of his career. Read and see what he is working on and has accomplished. Within the stories of other musicians and Bands are ‘example model paths’ for you to follow.

Indie Musician, Cary Judd:

Indie Musician - Cary Judd

Cary Judd has been touring as a solo artist for the last few years. Recently, he has started bringing a keyboard player with him and is hoping to bring a bass player along soon, as well.

He hails from Moose, Wyoming, and works hard and smart toward building his growing Indie Music career.

In 2003 he started touring. He left town with $100 in his pocket and a lineup of about 30 shows. It took about the same amount of days to do the shows and carried him from L.A. to Washington D.C.

About a year and a half ago Cary convinced an agency that specializes in booking events on college campuses to book him. Now he is doing 50-60 dates a year that they book. On the college circuit he has pulled in between $500-1500 per show. He is on tour a lot driving back and forth across the country, and keeps it usually routed reasonably well so that it's profitable. He is pulling in $50K before expenses, probably $25-30k after that, not getting rich yet, but it's enough to make a living by.

Cary Judd sold almost 2000 copies, more including iTunes’ downloads and such, of his last year’s CD and just shy of 3000 copies of the one released 3 years ago when he began touring.

Now, he has in place an intern from a local college that works with him. The intern works at setting up radio & press at the colleges that he is playing at. Also, they’ve been writing emails to bands that are touring big clubs and small theaters in attempt to network and explore new opportunities. Their goal is to hopefully get on tour with them as an opening act.

Two of Cary’s songs were licensed. Once in a show called "men in trees" (it's on right after Grey's Anatomy) and the same freelance placement company contacted him about another possible placement in a movie.

Cary Judd feels he is able to put on a show that he’s very proud of just as a soloist, but recently brought in a keyboardist that fills out the show even more. He would like to add a bassist. Right now, Cary is only able to have the keyboard player on the road with him though. He feels lucky that it works out. It works because the keyboardist, at this time, requires just basic living expenses on the road with a few minor bills covered.

Cary’s current goal: To be able to increase the pay to his keyboardist and give the same pay to a bass player as soon as he can add him/her.

Cary Judd feels ready to share his writing and performing with any major label artist.

Learn more about Cary Judd by visiting:

www.CaryJudd.com