Written by ddoyle | Oct 6, 2009 10:54 PM
Hi all, Darlene here. Last week, I stopped into the Boston Music Conference to check out some panels. I make it sound like it was so breezy (stopping in, that is), but I may have gone to the wrong place at first. And by “may have,” I mean, I most certainly did. Anyway, once there, I did get to listen in on some great sessions, including one featuring one of our own – Kimberly, our VP of Marketing.
Don Gorder, the Chair of the Music Business/Management Department of Berklee, kicked things off on Friday with a keynote speech. He talked about how the internet has empowered today’s DIY artist with lots of tools for building a music career. And, like what we believe here at Sonicbids, he reinforced that we’ll continue to see the emergence of the artistic middle class – people who can make a living and can have a life in music. His parting words – make great music, build intimate relationships with your fans and continue the creativity and passion.
Next up was the panel on marketing, which included Barry O’Connell of Licensing and Entertainment Relations for VerveLife, Elizabeth Healy, Executive Director for The Recording Academy NY Chapter, John Stringer, Partner for Indie HitMakers, Angel Martinez of G-Unit Records and moderator Tim Estiloz.
Here are some of key takeaways.
- Artists need to treat their music careers like a small business.
- Focus on the small wins. Develop a marketing plan and start ticking away at it.
- If you don’t know where to start, seek people out who can help you develop or execute on your plan.
- There are tons and tons of tools available to musicians to help them market themselves – things like YouTube, Facebook, Simpleology, Zazzle, MySpace, Twitter (and Sonicbids!). You don’t need to use all of them. Just try a few and see what works for you.
- Teaming with brands has become a great way to get your name out there.
- When it comes to partnering with brands, understand the demographic that a specific brand reaches and decide if it’s right for you. Find brands that match your image and goals.
- Make good relationship, build your Electronic Press Kit, build your personal brand.
- If your band doesn’t show up on Google – you’re not that hot. Get the word out.
- You are responsible for your own career.
And the overall message – it’s never been a better time to be an independent musician.