Band Business Money Tips

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.

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!

"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

For its Super Bowl ad in February, Frito-Lay is putting a musical spin on this year's successful Doritos promotion using consumers' homemade videos for its commercials. The chipmaker will devote 60 seconds of Super Bowl advertising time - worth more than $5 million - to a consumer's original song that is the winner in an online contest. Unlike like last season's competition, where the video had to be a do-it-yourself Doritos commercial, the tunes don't have to be about any Frito-Lay (PEP) brand. Contest goes live online in the "Crash" area of the website October 25.

http://snackstrongproductions.com/

AirPlay Direct currently has a film / TV placement opportunity for all AirPlay Direct members.

They are looking for Christmas music of all styles, but they must be famous Public Domain songs. We have several projects and they all need some Christmas cheer. The deadline is November 1st.

If interested, please submit your AirPlay Direct artist DPK to office@airplaydirect.com no later than November 1st. Please make sure to indicate that you are submitting music for the Christmas opportunity.

AirPlay Direct... go straight to the source!

For more information on AirPlay Direct, please visit www.AirPlayDirect.com

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

iFanz members now have the exclusive opportunity to submit their materials for the 17th annual L.A. Music Awards.

If you are not an iFanz member, it is free to sign up. Just click here to sign up, then come back here and to apply to the 17th Annual L.A. Music Awards.

Click here to go to the special iFanz member registration page.

17th Annual Los Angeles Music Awards

Here's some more information about the L.A. Music Awards.

Los Angeles Music Awards is now accepting online submissions for the new 2007 Showcase Season. Artists are encouraged to submit early in the year so as to increase their chances of a nomination and/or Award. No matter where you are in the world, the Los Angeles Music Awards wants to know about you and discover your great music! With their new formats, you can connect with Hollywood without even having to walk away from your computer! Of course, if you are in the area or can arrange to be in L.A., there are more amazing live opportunities this year than ever before!

The Los Angeles Music Awards is the largest and longest running Hollywood red carpet event for Independent Artists.

This year features more categories than ever to recognize almost any style of music today including the newly added categories for various styles of electronic music and remix/production categories. This year's main event will be held in November at the world famous Kodak Theatre in the heart of Hollywood, home of the Grammy's. The show will be televised as well with tons of Hollywood publicity. There is simply no better opportunity for independent artists to garner an award based solely on the merit of their work. There are also more than 15 showcases during the year in which artists can strut their stuff live and be presented live with a nomination on stage!

Some of the Awards Alumni include Gwen Stefani, Black Eyed Peas, System of a Down and Alien Ant Farm. It's only a matter of time for new award recipients to become huge commercial success stories. Early entries have higher success by less competition. As they progress into the second, third & fourth rounds of submissions, there are considerably more entries.

Click here to go to the Official entry form for the 17th Annual Los Angeles Music Awards! All submissions are online only.

If you do not have your music posted anywhere online yet, it is suggested that you post your music online now. If you don't have any of that set up yet, you can create a free MySpace Music account (http://www.myspace.com) and use your MySpace Music website address as the URL link, it's fast, and free.

The fee for the L.A. Music Awards is $30 per entry, indy Artists and Labels can submit up to 10 songs at once with the form (Click here to go to the form), All entries are subject to the Official Rules – see them through the entry form page.

Music Nation is a video music competition for Independent Artists and they are offering you a chance to win a global recording contract with Epic Records and expose your music to Fans all over the country right now.

Good opportunities are important to act on. You want to find them and make decisions quick to get ahead. When you see opportunities like this… Check the details and just make a decision. Is it right or wrong for you? And… trust your gut.

If you want to look into this - Go To:
http://www.musicnation.com

The Los Angeles Music Awards is the largest and longest running Hollywood red carpet event for Independent Artists in the world! They want to hear your independent, underground music from anywhere you are in the world!

Join them in the heart of Hollywood for the biggest show ever in their 17-year history. So, submit your music now!

Al Bowman, founder of Los Angeles Music Awards writes to All Music Artists:

“As founder of the largest and longest running awards show and showcase series in the world for independent artists, allow me to personally invite you to participate in our nomination process for 2007. Being a part of the Los Angeles Music Awards gives you and your band a legitimate shot at being publicly recognized in a series of high profile events that will lead up to our main event currently scheduled for November 29th, 2007 at one of Hollywood's most recognizable entertainment venues! There is no better way to achieve your goals as a music artist than to utilize our massive publicity machine to market yourself into a popular, celebrated public icon.”

To Learn About the THREE Ways to Participate Now, Go To:
http://www.lamusicawards.com/submit.html

Deadline: March 15, 2007

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.

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.

Create a small PDF document showing the Guitar TABS 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. You just take the time to create the TABS. You might even find the TAB-style notebooks at music stores near you or free online. Then you simply fill in your TABS for the song, add the words along with them, and make it into a PDF document.

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.

If you or your Band gig in the College Circuit, here are three easy things you can do to increase your Fan base leading to increased success in your profession of choice:

1.
Make sure you visit two popular near-campus CD stores. Give a free CD to them so they can play it in the store (stores are looking for music they can play for free). When people go in they hear your music. If they like it, they will ask who it is and where they can get it.

Make sure the CD shop knows where they can get it (usually they will just grab the CD Case to find out more – consider having a small sticker put on the CD cases you give to the shops that says where they can buy the CD Music from).

2.
At the colleges you do shows at… Line up guest spots on the local college radio stations. Radio Stations need good content just like any newspaper or magazine, except Airtime is more powerful for you because you are a musician. You work in a sound related industry. Written articles will reach some music fans, however articles reach more readers rather than music listeners. People that are bigger Fans of listening to music will listen to shows on the Air.

On-Air Interviews make for good content and gives you some good airplay. When you set up your On-Air Interviews, send ahead some prepared questions for the Host to ask you on the air. This helps the radio station have an idea of what their listeners can enjoy when you are on. The questions can be about you, your music, your career so far, why you are in town, your CDs and where they can learn more about you, hear your music, and get your CDs.

A BIG KEY TO HELP YOU LEVERAGE THIS RADIO SPOT THE BEST is to also have about three copies of your CD for the Host to give away as prizes. They can give the CDs away to listeners that call in to ask you questions on-air (or however they want to arrange for callers to call in to win them). This helps the radio station build more happy and excited listeners and increases your chance to build your name, sales, and AIRPLAY.

3.
Do you take someone along on your tours to help you with business functions such as collecting Fan emails for your list and selling merchandise during your shows?

I helped someone about a week ago with two performances (a Friday and Saturday show). I pulled together some merchandise and arranged for a merchandising table. The merchandising for the two shows alone brought in an extra $1,300.

This is a great way to increase your profits. And, keep in mind… the people excited enough to buy the items you are selling are new passionate Fans – people that want to have a memento of the experience you bring them and want to have a connection with your world. Why turn these people away by not having items for them to buy?

You and your Fans help each other. You give them an experience or present them with something they find exciting through your music and/or show, and they provide you with the financial means to increase your ability to give them more of what they like and want. Each one of your Fans is a mini-investor in your business. You and your Fans share an exchange of positive benefits.

American Songwriter Magazine sponsors a bi-monthly amateur lyric contest. No music - only lyrics needed, and all genres of musicare accepted. The winning lyrics, along with the four runners-up, will be published in an issue of the magazine. The contest is open to any amateur songwriter - AS defines an amateur as a songwriter who has not earned more than $5,000 from songwriting related royalties, advances, or works for hire. Submission deadline: March 21.

For over 20 years, the American Songwriter Amateur Lyric Contest has helped thousands of songwriters become involved in our community. Established in 1984, America Songwriter magazine sponsors six contests per year that run in conjunction with each issue published. Entrants should send lyric sheet only, no cassettes or musical direction. The winning lyric, along with four runners-up and ten honorable mentions from each contest, will be published in the issue of American Songwriter that follows the deadline of each contest. The writer(s) of the winning lyric for each contest receives a DX1 Martin GuitarTM (valued at $669). One guitar per contest will be awarded. The bi-monthly winner will also receive a package of D'Addario and Planet Wave products, including a year's supply of acoustic guitar strings and accessories.
Don't miss the opportunity to see your work in print! The annual winner, chosen from the six contest winners, will receive round trip airfare for two to Nashville on American Airlines and a master production demo from Music City Music Productions, Inc., valued at over $1500.

To Learn More or Enter, Goto:

http://www.americansongwriter.com/?content=lyriccontest

This contest is being held as part of the ROCKRGRL Women of Valor
Award Evening honoring the band FANNY - the first all-female band
ever to release a full-length album on a major label. All bands
must be exclusively female and include at least one Berklee
alumna or current student. Must be available to play in Boston on
March 9 and 10, April 7, and April 20. Deadline for submissions:
February 16.

Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader:
http://www.berklee.net/ea/media/documents/battle_application.pdf

The Planetary Group & China West have presented shows and tours in China for the past seven years, and they are now offering the next opportunity for artists to perform in the region at the Midi Festival, in Beijing, China. One artist will be selected to perform at the festival on one of the days - and the act will be selected by Midi Festival staff. The 2007 Midi Festival will take place on May 1-4, 2007. This event is exclusive to Sonicbids
members. Planetary takes care of all logistics: visas, airfare, ground transportation, equipment rentals, permits, food and housing. Submission deadline: March 9.

http://www.sonicbids.com/planetarygroup

Headed into its sixth year, the 2007 North American Rock Guitar Competition is accepting a wide variety of Rock-based genres. In May, five finalists will be selected from CD, tape, and online entries through blind judging by a panel of musicians, music educators, and industry representatives. On June 18, the finalists will perform live in Buffalo, NY, before a national musician/industry panel and a live audience. Guitarists from around the world are encouraged to enter. Your travel expenses (of up to $500 US funds) and housing expenses for 3 nights will be paid for. Submission deadline: April 20.

http://www.guitarcompetition.org/

I went to the Mall this weekend and saw a DJ working his mix tables inside a Metropark Clothing store. This is part of the way they build atmosphere in their retail clothing stores. The store owners like, want, and benefit from having a musician playing music in their stores as a show piece that doesn’t interfere with people shopping, however brings people in to enjoy the experience of live music. You can do this to increase your money making opportunities for yourself or your band.

WHAT YOU NEED:
Business card, samples of music (either on CD or a web site address on your Business Card showing where they can listen to you music)

HOW YOU DO IT:
Approach stores you think could benefit from having your music at some point. Some store types you could approach are clothing retailers, boutiques, grocery stores, bookstores, or small private shops.

Think of how they might use you and your music. Can they use you any time as part of their shopper’s experience? At a special sale or a store event? At an employee shopping day or party? Can you be the center of an in-store event to increase their sales?

Tell them how you can come in, setup easily with your own equipment or theirs, and breakdown easily and quickly. Help the storeowner visualize the whole experience as something easy for them to do and good for increasing sales or positive attention to their business. If it is an employee party or event, help them see, feel, and hear the how they will be the center of the thankful applause they will get for making it all possible.

HOW MUCH YOU COULD MAKE:
Depending on the type of gig you arrange, you could have a flat performance fee, a per-hour fee (if you play for a long time), or you might play for Free and ask instead to be able to sell your band products. Of course this is up to you and how you want to structure the deal, however make sure your deal is in writing and signed and dated by both you and the person that will write you the check.

Have your agreement contract detail the time you setup and breakdown, how much you are paid, where you set up, if they want you to say anything on the microphone during your event, the correct name and contact information for you or your band, any information they need for the marketing or publicity of the event (if there is any), or any other details that you can think of.

Remember that every opportunity you have to play is a way to increase your cashflow, increase your popularity, market yourself, and sell more of your product.

New company, SellaBand, helps bands make money by letting fans fund them like they are purchasing shares of stock on the stock exchange.

You, the Band, share a bio/info page about your band, and others choose to help fund you to make more money. If you raise enough money, SellaBand will even provide you with a producer, an A&R rep and covers the cost of making 5,000 CDs. Revenue from CD sales and ads on SellaBand.com are split among the company, the artists, and the investors (your fans).

This is a win-win situation for you to make money, build fame, help your fans make money (as well as make them bigger fans of you) and improve your band’s success with Music Production, can be yours with the help of SellaBand.

SellaBand is worth your time to investigate. Check them out at:
http://www.sellaband.com

For those looking to make money with Big Music Industry Executives in addition to earning extra fast money as Band small business, check out the continually updated list on TAXI.com seen at: http://www.taxi.com/industry.php?Listings-column-ad

TAXI keeps an updated list of postings from record companies, publishers, and film & TV music supervisors at the above listed link. And if you are a TAXI member, you can submit responses directly to the listings.

Powerful promotion and money, money, money. As an unsigned band or musician, you have the freedom and mobility to earn extra fast money. Signed bands have too much legal paperwork and big corporation choices to go through before they can make some quick cash.

Check out Rumblefish. See: www.rumblefish.com

Screen shot of Rumblefish.com web site.

In a past startup company I was working with, we shared the same investor between the two companies. Rumblefish grew very well since it began and is giving great money making opportunities for indie bands and musicians of all kinds if you have what they are looking for.

You might have a song or even just a cool musical riff or hook that is just what they want for a client. Your music might get licensed on a commercial, video game, software, movie, internet web site, or somewhere else. That can give you money in your pocket.

Imagine the potential for International music marketing exposure.

Add them to your list of connections to check out for music money making opportunities and your music strategy marketing plan.

www.Rumblefish.com

Have you ever thought of offering your song’s Guitar Tabs for Sale?

Giving your Song Lyric away for free by showing it on your web site is common and even offering the lyric for free on your CD or elsewhere is common. This helps your fans learn more about your music and what you are saying. However, The Guitar Tabs to your song music is more rare and some of your fans that play guitar would be interested in buying these from you.

You can offer them for sale at your shows, simply as black and white photocopies of the Tabs. Wrap them in a cover so people can’t see the tabs and put the song title on the cover along with the price for the tabs. Sell each one separate. Consider selling each one for about $3. You can also offer these for sale on your web site as a PDF download for the same price. It’s the information that they want so the price isn’t different - $3 each. You can have a PayPal account to process the orders.

This is another way for you to make money.

For many other good ways to make money, get your copy of “How To Make BIG MONEY with Your BAND - Any Style: Rock, Rap, Alternative, Punk, Jazz, Classical, or Country”. It is packed full of good information that will get you started right now. You can choose either the Print Version or the eVersion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Eric Smith is a recognized authority on business and the entertainment industry. His web site, www.HowToBand.com, provides a wealth of informative articles and resources on everything you'll ever need to know about making money as an unsigned band or musician. His book, “How To Make BIG MONEY with Your BAND” is a great resource for increasing your cash flow.

Cingular offers you an easy way to make money with their - Ringtone Opportunity.

On MySpace.com Cingular has a Mobile Music Studio with an “Unsigned Artist Alert”…

See:
http://www.myspace.com/cingularstudio

You can go there, Create a ringtone from your original music, Sell the ringtone to your fans, and Earn money for the ringtone you sell!

They help promote you on their site and you can increase your in-pocket money and your fame.

Have fun and make money.

- Eric