How Can ArtistData Suck Less for Indie Musicians?

Posted on January 7, 2012 by

ArtistData “help artists publish information to a variety of destinations with a single point of entry. Social networks, official websites, and much more”.  I signed up for it a couple years ago with that same blind hope that they would share my gigs and information around the net better than I could.  I stopped using them a year ago because they couldn’t.  But with the new year, and a new desire to promote myself better, I logged on to try again… to see if I missed something.  Again, I am disappointed.

One of the main areas I hoped ArtistData would be a valuable service is with gig submission.  You submit a gig on their website once and they send your gig announcement to Eventful, JamBase, BandsInTown and many more.  Cool right?  If only, it was that easy.

I wanted ArtistData to submit to Reverbnation because that is my main mailing list.  They don’t.  However, there are other ways to get the information there.  ArtistData do submit to Eventful, which I can import to Reverbnation.  Unfortunately, they only send standard venue gigs to Eventful.

I perform at a lot of non-standard venues.  When you’re an indie musician, you need to.  You’ll see me at Renaissance festivals, house concerts, science fiction conventions, and more.  I can submit all of those gigs directly to Eventful.  ArtistData, on the other hand, will not submit that same information to Eventful.  They only send standard gigs.

Basically, ArtistData does not submit gig information from non-standard venues.  They are biased towards your basic popular gigs.  I guess I should’ve expected that.  But when they market towards those same indie musicians, you would think they would make some concessions.  Apparently not.

So I guess the point of this is that if you are an indie musician who plays a bunch of non-standard venues, don’t bother with ArtistData.  It is useless.

That said, if you’ve figured a way to circumvent that system, please let me know.

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Music Barcode for Your CD

Posted on November 29, 2011 by

Several years ago, I took the hit and decided to buy a lifetime supply of barcodes.  It was the best $750 I ever spent.  Since then, I’ve been helping my fellow musicians by offering them barcodes as well.  I decided to open this up to all musicians interest.

For just $15 per album or $5 per single, I will create and email a unique barcode that you can use for your album.  Just place your order below.  Then include “Band Name” in the special instructions section.  Add the barcode to your album and start selling it online.

Oh! If you buy three, you’ll get one free.

Please allow 3-5 days to receive your barcode.

Type of Barcode

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CD Baby Now Sells CDs on Amazon.com

Posted on August 9, 2011 by

I’ve waited for this day for a long time.  CD Baby is finally offering it’s physical album distribution on Amazon.  That means you don’t have to get $29.95 annual distribution account with Amazon where they take a whopping 55%!

That has long bothered me–55%.  Typically, I wholesale my CDs for $7.50.  So selling CDs for $16.98, I pull in a little less than $7.50  But I was also forced to stop selling jewel case CDs because Amazon (or their customers) kept breaking them and sending them back.

Meanwhile, my CD, Whiskers in the Jar, sold at Amazon via CD Baby.  I earned $8.00 from that sale.  My album was discounted at the time.  It’s more money than I would earn as an Amazon Advantage customer.  Should I stop selling CDs directly through Amazon?

You see, the main reason I signed back up with Amazon Advantage is to get my music on Pandora.  They require that your CDs sell on Amazon.  However, Pandora has yet to add any of my award-winning music.  By having an Advantage account, I’m making less money without reaping any benefits through Pandora.

The biggest question is, “Will Pandora accept CD Baby sales in place of an Amazon Advantage account?”

If you know the answer to that, please let me know.  In the meantime, I will continue to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of selling directly through Amazon.

Marc Gunn is an acoustic Celtic folk musician, called “The Celtfather” for his steadfast support of indie Celtic music and his award-winning Irish and Celtic Music Podcast. He has helped 1000s of musicians save and make money with their musical groups through The Bards Crier Music Marketing Ezine. Now you can get FREE “how-to” music marketing and promotion advice, plus tips on how to sell more CDs when you subscribe today. Subscribe at www.bardscrier.com!

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Tom Jackson Backstage Pass Review: Annoyed By Music Promotion Greed

Posted on June 24, 2011 by

I just unsubscribed from Tom Jackson’s newsletter.  He was getting to greedy

I have a few good things to say about Tom Jackson Productions.  I believe in his “Create Moments” approach to live performances.  I bought four DVDs.  The lessons I learned, work.  That is the reason I first subscribed to his weekly newsletter.

I wasn’t a huge fan of the newsletter.  It’s packed too full of advertising for his products.  The zine only includes a short paragraph of each new article.  After that, you have to click over to the website to read it.  Half the time, the article is mediocre and filled with self-indulgent hype in any case.

About a month ago, Tom Jackson started a “Backstage Pass”.  Usually, I’m a fan of special sections set aside with more information for musicians.  However, I’ve read the newsletter.  Now, seeing a price of $18 per month, I just got annoyed.

As it is, Tom Jackson’s DVDs already cost $60+ for one.  His seminars are about $400 (respectable).  Private tutoring with Jackson starts is well over $3000 (as I recall, can’t find it on the website, but probably worth it).  He’s making a good product and a bunch of money, why does he have to charge for everything?

The answer, of course, is that people are probably willing to pay for it.  Personally, my suggestion is to buy the Singer’s Package.  If you have the money and will spend the time, then get all the DVDs.  Maybe even attend one of his workshops.  But after that, stop.  Don’t waste your money on the Backstage Pass.

UPDATE

As upset as I am with Tom Jackson’s newsletter, I decided that it’s not fair for me to totally blast his Backstage Pass without trying it out.  So I signed up to try out the Backstage Pass.  I’ll be back with a proper review soon.

Marc Gunn is an acoustic Celtic folk musician, called “The Celtfather” for his steadfast support of indie Celtic music and his award-winning Irish and Celtic Music Podcast. He has helped 1000s of musicians save and make money with their musical groups through The Bards Crier Music Marketing Ezine. Now you can get FREE “how-to” music marketing and promotion advice, plus tips on how to sell more CDs when you subscribe today. Subscribe at www.bardscrier.com!

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Music Marketing Manifesto 2.0 – Advertising and Promotion

Posted on May 13, 2011 by

Music Marketing Manifesto – John Oszajca

Starting a band is difficult.  Yet, promoting yourself, getting your music out there, and making a living at it can be even more difficult.  If you find that you are having some problems accomplishing this, John Oszajca believes he has what it takes to make your job simpler and infinitely more successful.  His marketing program, Music Marketing Manifesto 2.0, claims to have trade secrets and hard found wisdom to help you become a successful artist.

Initially, after reviewing the product, I like what I see.  John really is trying to be as diverse as possible with his product and cover all areas of internet marketing, while getting his information across through several different mediums.  His marketing package includes ebooks, videos, website templates, and audio interviews.  Also, he covers basic website design strategies, the best way to use Facebook, and using other mediums like articles and Twitter feeds.

However, the information appears to still be mainly geared towards novices.  Therefore, if you are already up to-date on a lot of the new technology that’s available out there, you read music blogs, and you are familiar with concepts like squeeze pages and email marketing then there might not be a whole lot of new stuff you’ll get from it.  For instance, in regards to Facebook, he discusses some of the advantages of paid advertising, and, really, the ultimate use of Facebook for an artist: the ability to create a personal connection with the fans. Also, he explains that it is this relationship that then pushes up sales; that it’s not just about accumulating ‘likes’.

So, overall, this may not be the right tool for everyone.The other main sticking point for me was the price.  The price tag of the whole Music Marketing Manifesto 2.0 package is $77.00.  While the website says the package includes 9 modules, 23 videos, 2 PDF Manuals, 3 website templates, audio Interviews, email swipe files, an interactive members area, and a music marketing toolbox, remember it is $77.00; which in my mind is a fair amount of money.  For that reason, if you are relatively new to the idea of internet marketing, you can give the product a shot because it does have some solid information in there.  However, if you are not new, I would hold off.

Nevertheless, check out the website, to get more of an idea of what the product has to offer.

Buy: Music Marketing Manifesto

Stephen Mc Sweeney is a High School English/Drama teacher.  Besides writing for the Celtic MP3s Music Magazine, he enjoys acting, writing and playing Celtic music.  He can be seen as one of the members of the band Terrible Musicians, where he plays percussion and mandolin.

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An Exciting New Look at Gigging

Posted on April 27, 2011 by

I have a new baby girl in my family. Her name is Kenzie, and she is beautiful. Since my daughter was born I’ve had more than one person ask, “Are you planning on getting a real job now?” To which, I reply, “I have a real job. It’s music.

“You see, I quit my day job in 2005 to do music full-time. But I must admit hearing Kenzie’s ‘coos’ definitely make me reconsider some of my goals. For one, I love gigging, but I don’t want to spend all of my time on the road.

That thought has my head twisted around brainstorming how to supplement my income with fewer gigs. Then it occurred to me–maybe I’m looking at gigging all wrong? Maybe there’s another type of gigging that will allow me to stay home more and make my fewer road trip gigs?

When I first started my old group, the Brobdingnagian Bards, I was unstoppable at promotion. I wrote article after article, blog after blog. I sent out newsletters. I promoted free MP3s incessantly. I emailed fans as soon as they wrote me. I was every band’s dream promoter.

As a result, we quickly became one of the foremost Celtic bands online. On the Renaissance festival circuit, I once heard our group described as “legendary”. No kidding! I was shocked to hear that description.In 2005, I not only quit my day job, I also started to burn out. My promotion of the band floundered. Our popularity waned.The point of telling you all this is now I realize that my grueling gigging schedule at the beginning of the millennium was not just on the road, it was countless hours of online promotion. That’s when I remembered Enya.

Enya rarely plays any live performances. Her success was initially based on having her producer get her music featured in TV and films. For Enya, there is no touring. So why can’t you or I do that?

Okay. Getting featured in TV or film is no easy task. But perhaps there are other musicians who have done the same… like Jonathan Coulton. Coulton is most famous for his Thing-A-Week project. Basically, he recorded one new song every week for a year. Then he podcasted each of those songs and released them for free to the world.What is so special about this is not the podcasting or giving away free music. I was doing that for years. It was his ability to unite his Geek niche together and get them involved in his online community. It was his constant blogging, his struggle to stand out that made him special.

While Coulton is now “legend” in his own right among the geek community. I haven’t heard a peep about him since he started touring. Has his popularity likewise waned due to fewer “gigs” online? Or has he indeed been able to leverage his internet popularity with his touring schedule. (Incidentally, he’s recording his first new album since Thing-A-Week, right now)It turns out there is indeed another way to “gig”.  I started this article back in January.  The past few months I spent promoting Irish music non-stop for St. Patrick’s Day. I wrote article after article, blog after blog. I hired writers for my Celtic MP3s Music Magazine, and I posted new podcasts nearly every week. I also had fewer gigs this year, but my income was higher than last year. My online “gigging” made the difference… and then some!

Now I’m not gonna tell you that blogging or podcast is the “way” to “gig” online. Nope. It’s not for everybody. You need to find your preferred medium. It could be videos. It could be message boards. Is Facebook is your favorite tool. Perhaps it is Twitter, Flickr, SoundClick, Reverbnation, Pandora. Perhaps it’s responding to comments on the Comedy Central website, The New York Times, or Amazon.com. Perhaps your medium is a new website that I don’t like at all.

It doesn’t matter what your tool is. You can enter and dominate a market. You can build a fan base if you find your niche. You can “gig” online and become a superstar in your own right.Now start gigging!

Marc Gunn is an acoustic Celtic folk musician, called “The Godfather of Celtic music online” for his overwhelming support of indie Celtic music, free Celtic music downloads, and his award-winning Irish and Celtic Music Podcast. He has helped 1000s of musicians save and make money with their musical groups through The Bards Crier Music Marketing Ezine. Now you can get FREE “how-to” music marketing and promotion advice, plus tips on how to sell more CDs when you subscribe today. Subscribe at www.bardscrier.com!Please feel free to share this article on your blog. Just keep the links in tact.

 

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Music Business Resources

Posted on April 7, 2010 by

Independent Music Promotions
Independent Music Promotions is a popular music marketing blog maintained by “Your Band Is A Virus” author James Moore. Musicians can access the latest music industry advice and tips as well as submit their music for feature, review, interview or promotion and publicist services.

Music Licensing 101
Free resources about the music licensing business from Berklee Alumnus Aaron Davison. Articles, videos and more.

Power Gig
PowerGig is an online booking agency that will get you the paying gigs. Paid service that will save you time and phone calls.

ABC Pictures
Quality/Quantity publicity picture reproduction, posters, 8×10 photos, headshots & composites for the entertainment industry, actors, models, celebrities and manufacturers. Low prices.

Abon Records & Studio
ABÒN RECORDS is a newly founded record label with access to our own studio ABÒN STUDIO. In the whole Scandinavia region, we represent as one of the few companies that mainly focuses on electronic-based music & hip-hop music productions. We cooperate with world-renowed artists, producers & professionals in their respective fields covering the full spectrum of electronic-based music worldwide.

Artistopia – The Ultimate Artist Resource
Artistopia is the first company that delivers a clear, potent, and qualified strategy for artists and music industry professionals to come together under one roof and speak one language – potential success! We are seeking music artists of all genres- join today!

Audio Recording Center
Your resource for analog, digital, home demo, sound software, studios and other recording information.

Austin Music Download – the best little download site in Texas
Austin Music Download is an mp3 music download site featuring the music and artists from Austin and Texas. Artists manage their own accounts – uploading tracks and text descriptions. Each track can have a separate genre description so fans can find their favorite kinds of music. 60% of retail price goes to the artist or band. Fans can choose to share their email and comments directly with the artists. Great privacy policy. This is music for the music’s sake.

Austin Music Foundation
AMF is a non-profit organization that supports local musicians by providing programs and services that assist artists to better manage their careers.

Bags Unlimited – CD Display Cases
Low-cost CD displays to promote your CDs in stores.

Bandname.com
The World Wide Band Name Registry is the definitive Music Industry Directory for band name verification. Use the classifieds section to find band members, buy/sell equipment, adverts are free and reach over 56,000 users.

Beatified Music Marketing & Promotion
Beatified agency is dedicated to music marketing and promotional services for entertainment industries, labels, DJs, and artists. Beatified represents music promotional marketing and provides services for djs, artists and entertainment industry.

Boost Independent Music Store
MP3 music downloads store for independent & unsigned artists & bands to sell, promote, host & download all music. A MP3 music store to buy & sell independent & unsigned music online

Boycott-RIAA.com
The RIAA and the major labels have attempted to lock up our culture through extensive lobbying, outrageous campaign donations, misleading our political leaders, and lying to the public, misrepresenting the facts. It is our intention to make the public, and our leaders aware of the implications and long term consequences to our culture of bowing to every demand the recording industry presents to our congress and to represent the consumer and independent artists positions on copyright issues.

Cafepress
Turn your: Artwork into T-shirts and Merchandise, Music into Audio CDs, Data and Software into Data CDs, Writings and Content into Books and Publications. Simply upload, design and start selling. CafePress.com manufactures and ships your products as they are ordered. No setup fees or inventory!

Click4musicians.com
Independent MP3 Artist Showcase of all Music Styles

Copper Island Records
We are a record label with a difference, we are a membership Label, check out our website and start putting your career first!

Creativity in Music
Radio promotion and publicity for musical artists. Focus heavily on the internet and media. All genres and all locations.

Degy Management Services
New band information, music industry happenings, exciting trivia contests, and helpful hints for musicians across the world.

DONT GIVE A F*** RECORDS
DGAF stands for Don’t Give A Fuck, and we’ll show you what it means if you really want. DGAF is a lifestyle, if your down with the crown come to the underground.

East Coast Bands and Concerts
A free space for musicians to promote their concerts and introduce their bands. Get noticed! Publish in our website for free.

Fins Music
Fins Music markets and promotes independent musicians, primarily through the internet.

FirstLight Artist Services
FirstLight is an independent media company that assists unsigned musicians and bands with necessities to get your music heard, published and purchased. We provide real access to real people in the music business who have the power to sign deals.

Fundraiser Help
Fundraiser Help provides fundraising event ideas and tips on organizing your product fundraiser. Browse our articles for techniques guaranteed to improve your results. Why not stay informed via our free weekly newsletter?

Future of Music Coalition
Non-profit collaboration between members of the music, technology, public policy and intellectual property law communities. The FMC seeks to educate the media, policymakers, and the public about music / technology issues, while also bringing together diverse voices in an effort to come up with creative solutions to some of the challenges in this space. The FMC also aims to identify and promote innovative business models that will help musicians and citizens to benefit from new technologies.

Gestalt Digital
You don’t need to press thousands of CDs to get your music on iTunes, eMusic, and other popular digital music sites. Gestalt Digital is the only guaranteed digital distribution site available, and is specifically geared towards small indie artists who just want to get their music out.

GetPlayed.com
A new online music community dedicated to providing amateur musicians with the thing they need most (aside from gear), a listening audience. Visitors submit their songs into the category of their choice where they receive ratings and comments from visitors, as well as an individual Play Counter. Winners receive long-term spots on the site, and the grand prize winners win a GetPlayed.com homepage for their band.

gigzter.com – Indie Music Promotion
Your source for quality independent music, undiscovered bands, and independent artist profiles. Fans may listen to streaming audio, browse artist profiles, create playlists, vote for artists, write reviews, browse the charts and more.

Global Music Project
Global Music Project (GMP) is a new non-profit organization. Here, you can upload your original songs. Help make a better world by contributing your music and be heard by GMP’s global audience. Benefits of contributing your music include worldwide exposure. Be heard, increase traffic to your website, and build a worldwide following. In addition, your music will help raise money for world causes.

Guerrilla Marketing Online
Creator of the guerrilla marketing phenomena

I Love Imprint.com
11×17 posters printed at a reasonable price.

Indie Artist 411
Original Music offered by Independent Artist! Promotion & Resources offered to Independent Artist!

IndieBandSites.com
Affordable, easy to update websites for Indie Bands. Get started with your own dynamic website for as little as $50 setup.

IntellectualMusician.com
Full length music lessons and articles updated daily! Active forum, diverse community, cool features, Berklee College of Music authors.

INTIMATE AUDIO
Web site devoted to intimate musical recordings and self-produced artists. Includes Real Audio streaming broadcast of indie artists, exclusive interviews, free online guitar lessons (w/TAB & MP3) & loads of DIY info! Hosted by Dale Turner (West Coast Editor of Guitar One magazine).

Jason Greenberg
Toronto film score music composer / producer

JP TRANSLATOR
Now JP Translator – online translation service for artists & promoters – can assist you to translate your promotion materials or website from English, Norwegian, Swedish & Danish to Japanese language. Fast, easy & extremely low cost.

Just Plain Folks
We are an ever growing group of Songwriters, Recording Artists, Music Publishers, Record Labels, Performing Arts Societies, Educational Institutions, Recording Studios and Engineers, Producers, Legal Professionals, Publicists and Journalists, Publications, Music Manufacturers and Retailers and about every other type of member of the Music Industry.

JustStrings.com
JustStrings.com has the world’s largest selection of instrument strings. They carry the full line of strings from dozens of different string manufacturers.

KING J MUSIC,RECORDS
CHICAGO MUSIC PRODUCER SITE

Koala Bear Studios
The artist frienly label. You can listen to mp3′s and buy the CD’s if you like them. Our’s are select ‘hand-picked’ artists, so if you’re tired of the usual fare, come give us a try!

Law Girl
Interactive legal resource of entertainment business

Liger Music
Liger Music works with musicians and bands to distribute music digitally in the indie music business through online music retailers such as iTunes, Musicmatch and CD retailers such as Amazon and traditional retail outlets.

Local Band Network
Free listing of info, shows, pictures and more for bands from around the US and around the world. #1 site for local bands on google.

MARK WILKINSON SONGWRITER /PRODUCER
FOR HIRE SPECIALIZING IN POP/ROCK/CROSS-OVER ARTISTS. A HUGE LIBRARY OF MATERIAL AVAILABLE.

Massive Music America
Massive Music offers customized, affordable promtion services to independent bands and labels. We specialize in College, Public and Non Comm Radio, as well as Print/Media, Internet and Tour support. OUr rates are clearly posted on our site- or you can call us for a custom quote.

Mayhem Productions Music Studio
Looking for a Music Production Studio in the Southern California area? Well look no further. We have the tightest beats in all of Orange County. All genres welcome. Including, but not limited to Rap, Hip-Hop, R & B, Country, Alternative, Rock & Roll, and many more!!

Music Contracts 101.com
GET IT IN WRITING! Protect yourself and future royalties in the music industry. Use our set of template music business contracts and make sure your getting your fair share! Visit www.MusicContracts101.com for music business contracts, eBooks, music industry contact directories and more. The Music Business is 1/3 Music and 2/3 Business!

Music Forte
Are you an independent band or unsigned artist looking to gather more exposure through internet music promotion companies? Music Forte will help you with Press-Kits, Radio Promotion, CD Replication, Band|Artist Promotion in Japan, and much more! We’re proud of our personal approach, and always happy to contact our customers by phone to ensure services are fulfilled to 100% satisfaction. Showcase your music on Music Forte today!

Music Promotion with musicSUBMIT.com
Promote your music! A website and press release submission service for musicians.

MusicGorilla.com – Play It For The Labels
MusicGorilla.com places your music directly onto pages we’ve built for Major Labels, Indie Labels and Film Studios. We get your music heard. Our artists get access to FREE submissions for film, tv , video games, and songwriter submissions, they are eligible for FREE live label showcases, and more. We don’t take a piece of any deals made on our site, and have had many successes including placement in film, as well as, songwriting, publishing and distribution deals. Membership is 100% guaranteed!

MusiciansMerch.com
Wholesale T-Shirts, Caps, Koozies and Stickers. Affordable Merchandise for the professional Musician.

Musicollaboration
Songwriters and musicians exchange projects and arrange free music collaboration contracts.

Muzikvoice Limited
We cater for full management and Promotions of all genres. Have a look at the website for our free promotions service. Mass of Industry links with News and Reviews galore! Want to be seen by the management, come here!

North American Music Festival Directory! Book Music Festivals!
Providing Entertainers with the most comprehensive searchable database of music festivals. Extensive show details on all listings! Search by music genre, zip radius, and more.

Padded Balcony
Padded Balcony exists to release the revolutionary music of the group Conway Hall

Phantom Power Promotions
Affordable, honest, knowledgeable DIY promotions for independent musicians – we know what works, what you need, and what’s just a waste of your money. The big labels don’t have a monopoly on good music promotions!

Phat Phuck Records
Phoenix based label with heavy Cleveland ties. Promotional work as well as unsigned band assistance

PittRadio
Showcasing indie/underground music artists from alternative and hip hop/rap to pop/rock and classical, with music playlists, on-demand streaming audio, press releases, reviews, song lyrics, CD/albums, and gig/live music performance info.

Pod Music 411
We are a weekly podcast that promotes indie artists as well as covers music information.

Project for Life Promotion/Artist Management
We record pool radio station promotion music magazine. Call for a quote 217-443-3579

Quanta Webdesign & Promotion for Musicians
Hip, affordable webdesign & internet promotion for musicians & bands. We’ll design a new site for you & get it noticed, or redesign or promote the one you’ve got. We specialize in sites for the arts & know how to do it right. Advice & quotes are always free.

Radio-Electronica
Radio-Electronica is a commercial free radio station filled with selected unsigned and indie label electronica artists from around the world.

Rap Cointel Pro
Indie Rap Label “Bible” and Toolkit for People Serious about Starting and Promoting a Successful Urban Music Label.

Raven Entertainment Promotions
REP is a entertainment promotions company that offers many great services to our entertainers and fans alike.

Record and Publishing Deals
Music licensing and television/film music placement service.

REEL SOUND of MUSIC
Award Winning Music, CD Boutique, Custom Design Web Pages & Music CD Artwork, Movie & Music Memorabilia, Free MP3s

Ride Studio
Ride Studio based in Buckinghamshire provide professional audio recording & production services to bands & artists across the UK.

RuthiesMusic.com
Sheet music, music instruments & accessories, music equipment, videos. Articles. Product Reviews. Digital Downloads.

Songwriter Umbrella
Venue for music industry and entertainers

Songwriting Message Board
Features a popular songwriting message board for those looking for lyrics, collaborators or reviews.

SonicAwareness
Promotion for Indpendent musicians. Free downloads for Listeners. We help musicians increase their exposure, sell their CDs, and create and sell their own merchandise.

Talent agents & Music Promotion
Talent Agents at T & K production can promote your band, act or venue with their music, concert and talent promotion services. (Added: 19-Mar-2004 Hits: 461 Rating: 0 Votes: 0) Rate It

Temporary tattoos for bands and muscians for promotions
We create temporary tattoos for bands and musicians for promoting and marketing themselves. They are great for handing out to fans, selling at concerts and much more

Texas Music Office
The Texas Music Office serves as the information clearinghouse and promotion office for the Texas music industry.

The Audio Mill
The Audio Mill is a unique scene site of musicians and artists that come together to form an amazing global community that bridges the world into one big rehearsal studio. A place where everyone is welcome to come in and enjoy the jams and the vibes of the cultures and beliefs throughout the planet. Come be apart of the Parade!

The Button Owl
Custom One Inch Buttons for Musicians and Organizations. Lowest Prices on the Internet.

The Country Startpage
Country Music Resource

The Eternal Wall
Promote your music on the first web wonder. Check out the online streaming jukebox and join other original musicians in getting your music out.

The MP3 Music Awards
Is open to artists and bands who want to gain exposure but most importantly have what it takes to become the next big sensation. The MP3 Awards will provide a potential “gateway” to a career in the entertainment industry while setting new standards by providing every participant with a real experience of a live awards event whilst retaining the fun and excitement in today’s new music.

The Muse’s Muse
Songwriters tips & tricks. Announcements, lyric critiques, creativity, business & promotion, looking for collaborators, artists looking for songs, home recording tips, recording studios, performance tips, and favorite venues

The-Muzic
With The-Muzic.com unsigned bands can upload their music, promote gigs, post blogs, sell merchandise and keep 100% of the sales, compete in our weekly chart and get promotion to record labels and other promotions companies through us. Music fans can also sign up for free and review music, post blogs, upload photos and listen to the best in new music.

Undiscovered Sounds
if your a fan of unsigned bands you have to checkout this blog. it s list of unsigned bands from around the world.

Unsigned Band Network
unsigned band network local Bands local Music Indie Music downloads selling unsigned music world wide on the internet

Upper Room with Joe Kelley radio show
24/7 internet radio show is co-hosted by Joe Kelley and Gi Dussault. Been on the air since 1982. Also, show airs live Mondays 4-8pm EST on WVOF 88.5 FM in Fairfield, Connecticut. Interviews, In-Studio Concerts and creative music.

Urban Independent Radio
Urban Independent Radio is a commercial free radio station filled with selected unsigned and indie music in the urban genres from around the world. We’re always looking for new artists to promote.

Vision Music USA
We provide cost effective booking, management and promotions consulting services for independent musicians.

West Coast Rockers
WCR is a band promotions site and much more. We have also added a radio station and a store http://cafepress.com/wcrockers. Check us out and while you are there sign up for our newsletter!

With-The-Band.Com
Free support for all musicians including MP3 uploads and individual storefront (no middleman). We never charge to support the music.

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CD Duplication Services

Posted on March 31, 2010 by

DiskFaktory
DiskFaktory provides cd duplication, dvd duplication, cd replication, dvd replication, cd packaging, dvd packaging, cd manufacturing, dvd manufacturing, mini cd replication, cd-rom, audio mastering, upc codes, custom designed t shirts. USED AND RECOMMENDED BY THE BARDS CRIER.

Kunaki
Publish your CD / DVD at no cost to you. Digital CD / DVD manufacturing for smart people. No minimums or setup fees. 24/7. One-offs for as little as $1, plus S&H. Recommended by The Bards Crier for any musician starting out.

Audio CD Masters
Pro audio mastering services. Priced per song, or entire album. We also do short run ‘fully packaged’ duplication with barcodes.

Discmakers
Disc Makers is the nation’s Low Price leader of CD Duplication, DVD Duplication, CD Manufacturing, DVD Manufacturing, CD Replication, DVD Replication, CD Duplicators, DVD Duplicators, Blu-ray, USB, and Merch.

CD Broker
CD Broker offers affordable, high-quality CD & DVD duplication with the best customer service in the industry. We pride ourselves in being the “fine dining” experience of the CD duplication industry.

Disc Dupers
CD duplication / replication maker of audio and software CDs. Short run duplication service. High quality with low price. Let discdupers.com do your CD copies. TOLL FREE: 1-866-271-DISC

Megalodon Multimedia Manufacturing
Multimedia manufacturing, CD duplication, CD replication, CD manufacturing, DVD duplication, DVD replication, DVD manufacturing.

MMS Direct
MMSdirect offers the most complete range of CD duplication, CD-ROM, DVD duplication, Business Card CD, VHS, cassette duplication and vinyl pressing to clients across the globe. Great prices!

CD Poster Shop
CD Poster Shop offers quality CD Duplication at very affordable prices. 50 Retail style CDs, shrinkwrapped for only $100.00

Triple Disc CD & DVD Manufacturing
Triple Disc is a full service CD Duplcation house and DVD manufacturer that provides CD Replication and DVD replication and CD duplication and DVD Duplication is committed to superior customer service and support. We are dedicated to making your CD or DVD project a headache free on time success.

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Magazines and Ezines

Posted on March 31, 2010 by

Unsigned Bands Promotion
A collection of music promotion articles and tips geared specifically for unsigned bands and all free!

The Renegade Report Music Business Newsletter
Includes articles, resources, videos and blog posts tailored to your independent music studio, production, distribution, marketing and business interests.

Alternative Addiction
Internet source for the best new Alternative/Modern rock. Everything you need to feed your Alternative Addiction is here!

Celtophilia
Celtophilia is a Celtic music blog featuring CD reviews, interviews, and opinions.

Galaris Independent Musicians
The Ultimate Resource For Independent Musicians. Free classifieds, gig calendar, boards, chat rooms, sell your music, articles, and feature the The Galaris Musicians Directory.

Goodnight Kiss Music
Songwriter and Music Publisher sponsored newsletter with Projects, Pitch tips, Contests, Q&A, Articles by working Industry Professionals, “musicians seeking musicians” section, etc.

Indie Ezine
Indie Ezine is a online news magazine featuring independent music artists

Infernal Scream Magazine – Home Of Metal
Home Of Metal, Infernal Scream Magazine, contains interviews, reviews, band listings, user forums and much more

Jake Sibley’s Musicians Exchange
Jake Sibley’s incredible guide to the music industry. A great guide for musicians.

Jeffrey P. Fisher’s Money Making Tips
Get valuable information, tips, advice, and more about exactly how to start, build, and sustain your music industry career at the level of success you want, need, and deserve. This Moneymaking Music Web site can help you discover how to make real money from your music.

Music Biz Insight
Subscribe for FREE to Peter Spellman’s MUSIC BIZ INSIGHT: Power Reading for Busy Music Professionals. Insights to juice your music business and career. Get the details and 23 back issues at http://www.mbsolutions.com/biz

MusicDish
Roadmap to the digital Revolution. Huge directory of articles on how to promote your music. Plus music reviews and more.

Musician’s Cyber Cooler
An online community of Musicians swapping ideas about Music, Marketing, and Mentoring. The site has links for musician classifieds, web site tools, marketing promotions, t-shits- stage clothes, sell your CD,. We publish a biweekly newsletter, host a battle bands competition.

Musician’s News
Latest music headlines

No Cover Magazine
The new music authority; CD reviews, music articles

Texas Musicians’ Texas Music Biz Tips
Enormous directory of Texas music websites and artists

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Music Marketing with Reciprococity

Posted on March 10, 2010 by

Recently, I was talking to a communications professor at the University of Texas at Austin. He had a fascinating story that raises startling thoughts about music marketing and reciprocity. The story you are about to read is 100% True. Only the names have been changed to protect the suspects. *smirk*

Two students were at a bar. One was an engineer named John. The other was a communications major named Sam. John was bragging about how cool it was to be an engineer. Sam looked mildly impressed before he walked over to the bar, ordered a beer and started talking with four other guys at the bar. Then he called over the bartender and said, “drinks for all my new friends here!” He coughed up $15 and walked back to the table. Over the next two hours, four pitchers were delivered to his table.

John asked, “how on earth did you do that?” To which Sam replied, “To answer that, you would have to become a communications major.

Well, I already told you why. In the communications world, it’s called “reciprocity”. It means when you give something, you will be given something back in return. What Sam realized was that not only would people give him something back, but they would give him MORE than he actually gave them.It’s sorta like presents. If you give a present to someone who doesn’t expect it, they feel obligated to return the favor. And more frequently than not, they will give an even bigger, more expensive present than the one you originally gave.

So how does this affect you, my fine musician?

Earlier in the week, I was chatting with Austin Chronicle writer Margaret Moser. She told me about Cornell Hurd who plays every week at Jovita’s. The band draws a huge crowd, but they are also unpaid. So to keep folks coming back for me, they give free knick knacks to their audience to everyone who donates. Ye know, the junk you can buy in bulk for pennies. The greater the donation, the bigger the knick knack. As a result of this wee bit o’marketing, their tips for the seven-man band, are amazingly good and allow him to keep that talented band in tact.

You’ll hear the same from most internet marketers. The key to their success is giving away stuff freely. If you are generous and give frequently, you will recoup your givings ten fold.

So give something away. It may be your time. It may be a CD. It may be an article, a t-shirt, or even a useless knick knack. Whatever it is give it away. Then prepare yourself for the gift you are about to receive.

Marc Gunn is an acoustic Celtic folk musician, called “The Godfather of Celtic music online” for his overwhelming support of indie Celtic music, free Celtic music downloads, and his award-winning Irish and Celtic Music Podcast. He has helped 1000s of musicians save and make money with their musical groups through The Bards Crier Music Marketing Ezine. Now you can get FREE “how-to” music marketing and promotion advice, plus tips on how to sell more CDs when you subscribe today. Subscribe at www.bardscrier.com!

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