Mobile Marketing Can Level the Playing Field in the Music Industry

Some people who dare to dream or aspire to be great balk when I present the idea of Mobile Marketing to them. My question is why? Why wouldn't someone want a more rounded approach to marketing themselves? The idea is to get your name out there to as many people as possible. I like to use the term, covering all your bases. In this case it would be utilizing all the media tools available for you to use. If you are not using all of them to some degree, you are missing out on building a larger and more adoring fan base.

One question that I often get asked is, Why would I want to pay for a service like Text Marketing when Facebook and Twitter are free? You can't beat free advertising right? Well, Mobile Marketing is not designed to compete with Facebook and Twitter. It is a tool to be used in addition to them. It's a tool to be integrated into a complete marketing program designed to maximize your exposure to the greatest amount of people possible. That's how you become a star. That's how you make sure people are talking about you. Once they're talking about you and thinking about you, your goal is to make sure they never stop!

Let me add that contrary to what many believe, not everyone is crazy, active, or savvy about Facebook or Twitter. You have to literally reach out to the others. Market and build your empire and they will come.

Text Message marketing is not just for the big record labels, or the big time artist management teams. Text marketing is not expensive to the aspiring artist either. All major superstars incorporate Mobile Marketing, Twitter, and Facebook. Some additional examples of marketing tools are Radio advertising, Print ads like in Newspapers, or magazines, even Flyers and I'm telling you, all the superstars are using each of these marketing and advertising tools more or less in an overall approach to keep their names fresh on the minds of their fans. I'm telling you, it is wise to incorporate some form of each tool into an overall marketing campaign.

Personalities like Rihanna, and Beyonce use it. Many rock bands use text marketing with great success too. The main point I want to make here are that each of these artists use an overall marketing approach and you can do it to. Of course they do it on another level but remember, a snowball doesn't automatically start out large when it begins to roll. It becomes bigger and bigger as it's moving along and as you grow in popularity, you will also be advancing to another level as you're moving along. Got it?

For some eye popping statistics on Mobile Marketing and ideas on how Mobile Marketing can be integrated into a complete Marketing campaign visit my blog http://www.mobile4boom.blogspot.com/

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Marketing Yourself As an Artist

The music industry is not what it used to be. There are so many artists out there now that it can get a little frustrating trying to stand out as an individual. But all hope is not lost because today there are many different ways to market yourself as an independent artist. Making yourself stand out is important if you want to reach a certain level of success in the music industry. Here are a few tips on how to get out there on your own.

The internet is probably one of the best platforms to start marketing yourself. You can literally reach out to millions of people around the world. Online promotion is one of many great ways to make your presence known worldwide. Your goal as an independent artist is to find different ways to build relationships with people and other artists on a large scale without the help of a major record label. You can do this by joining several social media websites such as YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. Use these websites to promote your music, stay in contact with your supporters, build relationships, and much more. The opportunities are endless. Remember to stay patient when first joining these type of sites because things will most likely start off slow. But as long as you stay active, you will eventually start to see changes.

Rap forums and communities such as Soundclick, Reverb Nation, and Real Rap Talk are great for networking and establishing relationships with other artists and even producers. You can also use these forums to generate feedback from other people. Although constructive criticism is not needed for some artists, it can still be helpful in some cases.

Another important thing to remember is DO NOT spam other peoples' pages. Even though it may seem like an easy and quick way to get yourself out there, spamming will get you nowhere. It will actually do more damage to your reputation because a lot people find spam to be very annoying and unprofessional.

Even though the internet is a great tool for marketing yourself, don't use it as the only way to promote your music. If you live in a city that has a good local scene, then you should try to get involved with it much as you can. Attend concerts/performances, album release parties, and other social gatherings as often as possible so that you can network with others. While attending these events always have professional looking CDs, fliers, and/or business cards in hand. You never know who you will run into at these types of events. Getting involved in community service is another great way to build up your reputation. But don't just do it for the sole purpose of getting your music out. Do it because you actually care. Giving back should be a very important part of any artists' career.

I hope that I was able to help you see a few ways to get things going on your own. These are just some of the ways that you can market your own music. Always take the time out to find more ways and new strategies to promote yourself. You should never get too comfortable. I wish you the best of luck in your music career and all your future endeavors.

For quality rap beats, visit http://www.c4beatz.com/.

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DIY Music Marketing Tools - The Must-Haves

When it comes to DIY Music Marketing, the name of the game is hustle. What you don't have in dollars, you will have to make up in effort. Leave no stone unturned in your quest to let the world know about your new CD. But, before you leave home, make sure that you have the following tools for any opportunities that come your way:

Business card

Business cards are inexpensive, and can even be printed at home. If the information on your card has changed, for goodness sake, replace them. Nothing spells amateur like handwritten cards! When you receive cards from other people, make notes of what the person talked about, and follow up on your conversation at a later date.

Music Flyer

As soon as you book your next show, make a batch of flyers and give them to everyone that you encounter before the show. Make the flyer colorful and interesting, and include a description of your music. Make larger versions of your flyer to serve as posters and hang them everywhere that is appropriate and legal.

CDs/Demo/MixTape

As soon as you are ready, create a recording. With so many home studio producers available, this does not have to be expensive. It just has to be something you're proud to share with others. Have at least two CDs with you at all times. You never know who you'll meet. But don't force it on anyone who's iffy on receiving it - it'll end up being wasted money.

Web Site

Having a web site makes it easier on a global level for people to find you and listen to your music. If you do leave home empty handed, you can direct people to your site. Make it easy on yourself and pay for your domain name. Free web sites are nice, but the addresses can be long and hard to remember.

Email list: You'll need a place to store the email addresses of people that you meet at shows and in your travels. Create a system to capture email addresses when you meet people offline. Put a "fan collector" widget on your site that gives new fans a free MP3 in exchange for their email address.

Electronic Promo Kit (EPK): If you somehow don't have your own website yet, set up a free EPK where people can see your photos and videos, and hear your music. Okay, this item is optional to carry around 24/7, but you do have one, right? It should have your photo, bio, CD/tape, and press clippings.

Carla Lynne Hall is a musician and music marketing consultant based in New York City. Her mission is to make music and share her knowledge with other musicians. As a musician, she has released three CDs on her own label, and has toured the world as a singer/songwriter, and professional vocalist. In addition, she also has spent a number of years behind the scenes in the music industry, in publishing, management, publicity, and radio promotion.

Carla has given indie music lectures at many venues, including ASCAP, Songwriter's Hall of Fame, The Indie Music Forum, and Philadelphia Music Conference. As well as being the former music business columnist for Vibe Magazine, Carla has written articles for http://www.musicdish.com/ and other publications around the world, and is the author of The DIY Guide to the Music Biz and Twitter for Musicians. Carla blogs about the life of the indie musician at http://rockstarlifelessons.com/

Promote your band, build your fanbase, and sell your music!

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Seven Tips That Indie Musicians Need To Know To Improve Their E-Mail Marketing

Most indie musicians know they must do some sort of e-mail marketing. Although, many do not understand the proper way of using e-mail to market their music. If used incorrectly you could have adverse effects. However, if used correctly e-mail marketing is a great way to communicate with your fans, make sales and make money.

There are many things you can do to improve your e-mail marketing efforts. I would like to briefly discuss a few of them.

Use a double opt-in procedure for your e-mail list.

Using a double opt-in method will force the subscriber to open your e-mail in order to confirm their e-mail address. This extra step ensures that the subscriber is serious about being added to your list. They are interested in what you offer and this makes them very valuable.

Use auto responders to build a relationship with each subscriber.

You should be using auto responders in your e-mail marketing efforts to build a relationship with each subscriber. You want to earn their trust so they will want to buy whatever you have to offer. Each message you send needs to contain valuable content so the recipient enjoys your message and looks forward to the next.

Give away your best songs.

In order to have a person give you their e-mail address you usually need to offer them something of value. In the case of indie musicians you offer a song. However, it needs to be your best song. You want the person to like your music so they need to hear your best work. In addition, while you are in the process of building a relationship with each subscriber, you will need to give away more music and you need to give away your best material. Giving away less than your best will not help you at all..

Understand the difference between your web site and landing pages.

Do not send traffic that you are intending on subscribing to your list to your main web site. This traffic needs to be sent to your landing pages. Landing pages are meant to collect e-mail addresses or to sell a product. Your main web site is used to dispense information to promoters, venues, and existing fans. Know the difference between landing pages and your main web site and use both of them correctly.

Use Segmentation.

Segmenting your list will allow you to send out messages only to a portion of your list based on criteria you choose. You could segment your list based on location to send show announcements only to people in the area of your performance. Another thing you could do is segment your list based on people who have purchased from you, or people who haven't purchased from you. This allows you to send appropriate offers to either group. Use segmentation properly and you will improve your relationship with your fans and increase your sales.

Track and test to improve your results.

For any marketing campaign to be successful you need to track and test your results so you know what works and what doesn't. Tracking and testing will provide you with valuable information you need to know to make decisions to improve your results.

Create a profit funnel.

One of the keys to being successful as an indie musician is to use your creativity to create a profit funnel. Once you sell your album for $15.00 to someone you then want to sell them a product that is higher in price, say a T-shirt for $25.00. Then once they purchase your T-shirt you want to sell them something else that is even higher in price. This time perhaps it could be a DVD box set for $50.00. Then you need to continue selling this person products one at a time, each time higher in price. Creating high end products and getting many people through your funnel is a key to success.

For over 23 years Terry Tschaekofske has been a successful musician. In that time Terry has learned many things. He has valuable information and tips to share with other musicians, to help them succeed in the music business. For valuable e-mail marketing tips that every indie musician should know click or copy the link below.

http://tltmusicmarketing.com/lp/indie_email_guide/indieguidelp_5.html

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Marketing Your Music Is Key To Your Success In The Music Business

What's So Different About the Music Business?

The music business isn't very different from the retail stores you buy your gear from. The minute you open your mind to this reality... the easier it's going to be for you to market your music more effectively.

So why is that? What is it that keeps your local music store operational for 20 years or more? What are they doing to succeed that you're not? More importantly... how can you start applying some of their success techniques to your music business?

Let's face it. The music business is probably one of the most difficult industry's to find any kind of success in. I mean, you've got to gig and travel and then there's your online presence with social networking and updating your website regularly. So when do you have time to think about marketing?

Therein lies the problem.

Most musicians that I consult with, simply aren't thinking about marketing their music at all. Can you believe it? Do you think the music store in town would survive without some type of marketing system in place? I think not... and if you're thinking that all those packages you sent out to everyone on that list or that bible book you just bought is going to score you some new business... guess again.

The reality is that in order for you to succeed in this business you need to be out in the "real world" building a loyal following of new fans. At the same time, you need to be in touch with your existing fan base on a regular basis to ensure they're happy with you. Yes... happy with you.

The Build It and They Will Come Approach Doesn't Work

If you're like most bands and musicians nowadays, you're assuming that the fans who came out to your gig last week are naturally going to show up to your next gig just because you email blast them. You did get their email address the last time they came out to your show right?

It's unfortunate, but this is the mentality that a lot of bands are walking around with and it's this same apathetic approach to dealing with your fans (customers) that's losing you a ton of money. So why do I say that?

Be a Giver. Your Music Fans Love It When You Share

Well let's look at it like this... let's say that rockin' band you went out to see last week offered you a freebie just because you showed up to see them play. Maybe they gave you a digital card for a few free song downloads or heck, maybe they splurged a little and handed you a free CD when you gave them your email address.

And let's say that a few days after their show, they sent you an email telling you how great they thought you were for showing up to their gig and that as a thank you, they were offering you insiders access to the VIP section of their band website where you could log in and see some of their cool videos they shot as they recorded their last album.

Now if that isn't cool enough... what if they offered you a signed poster and their latest album free, if you came out to their next gig... but this time you brought a friend with you?

Wow! That's customer service. And that's follow up at it's best!

Sure you might lose a little money by giving away some of your music, and the cost of CD's isn't something to scoff at nowadays, but what if that fan thought you were so cool, they brought 3 new fans instead of just the one. What would that mean to your FUTURE sales?

This is how the retail music stores do it. They entice you back to their store with seminars, music clinics, coupons and cool stuff that you're into. They build a long-term relationship with you. This is what you need to start thinking about when you communicate with your fans. This is where the real money comes from. The relationship.

Loyalty Pays The Bills

Loyal fans who love you so much they rave about all the cool stuff you do for them and bring their friends out with them to see you. And when they do... don't drop the ball. Start the process all over again with your new fan and watch your music business grow in some big ways.

When you get these techniques down into a system, you'll be on your way to being a music marketing machine but if this isn't enough for you and you want even more ideas on how you can outshine most of today's indie musicians, head on over to Mass Music Marketing and hear it from over 8 music business experts as they tell it like it is and leave no marketing stones unturned. It's like being a fly on the wall as they reveal their closely guarded secrets on what they, as music industry insiders, think it takes to succeed in today's new music business.

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