Artists work and dream for the opportunity to get signed

Artists work and dream for the opportunity to get signed to a major label and now Colby Bright of Texas and Fly Guy Ent of Pennsylvania are getting closer to making this dream a reality. Topmics would like to congratulate their managers Diane Givens and Tigi Alfonso 

Be open

Keep Moving Forward

You’re going to hear “no” a lot. Deals will fall through, people are going to tell you “you’re not good enough”, family may doubt you…. Heck, you may even doubt yourself. Push all that nonsense aside, and just keep moving forward. Good things happen to those who are consistent and persistent with their goals.

TOPMICS & STREETS D RADIO PRESENTS:

TOPMICS & STREETS D RADIO PRESENTS:
TOPMICS TOUR COMPETITION 
in NEW JERSEY 

SEPTEMBER 27TH 8PM-2AM

Top Feature: "B"ez

@ "West Side Community Center "
115 Dewitt Ave, Asbury Park, NJ 07712

VOTE FOR TOPMICS & Our Top APPROVED ARTISTS

VOTE FOR TOPMICS & Our Top APPROVED ARTISTS at 

www.undergroundmusicawards.com

Categories are:
TOPMICS (BEST SHOWCASE/ TOUR SERIES)

TP aka TRUTH AND POWER (MOST ORIGINAL MALE ARTIST)

T. PARRIS (ESSENCE OF HIP HOP)

MIKE M.O.E.T (BEST LIVE PERFORMANCE)

VOTE FOR TOPMICS and FRIENDS 

-- 

Topmics Office 310.433.4812

topmics@gmail.com

www.topmics.comt 

www.undergroundmusicawards.com

Categories are:
TOPMICS (BEST SHOWCASE/ TOUR SERIES)

TP aka TRUTH AND POWER (MOST ORIGINAL MALE ARTIST)

T. PARRIS (ESSENCE OF HIP HOP)

MIKE M.O.E.T (BEST LIVE PERFORMANCE)

VOTE FOR TOPMICS and FRIENDS 

-- 

Topmics Office 310.433.4812

topmics@gmail.com
www.topmics.com

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PERFORMING OR COMPETING

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PERFORMING OR COMPETING AT THE TOPMICS TOUR COMPETITION, Send your music for review totopmics@gmail.com. Indicate which Topmics show you wish to feature or compete in, along with your contact, Facebook and twitter info. 

In September TOPMICS will be partnering with UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP/ BURDSKOOL RECORDS,  INGROOVES, PROBE MAGAZINE, GMAN ENT, T.H.C. PRODUCTIONS & STREETS D RADIO,  to bring TOPMICS TOUR COMPETITION to the following states:

VA Sep 13th @ "Berkley Park" 701 Berkley Ave, Ext Norfolk, VA 23523 

MA SEP 14th @ "Upscale Ballroom • Suitland" 3900 Bexley Pl, Suitland, MD 20746

NJ SEP 27th @ "West Side Community Center" 115 Dewitt Ave, Asbury Park, NJ 07712

NY SEP 28th @ "TOBACCO ROAD" 355 W 41ST NY, NY

PERFORM OR COMPETE
$50 ARTIST PERFORM OR COMPETE, 2 SONGS 1 STATE (7 MINUTES ON STAGE)
ARTIST NAME ON E-FLIER

PERFORM OR COMPETE
$100 ARTIST PERFORM 2 SONGS 1 STATE (7 MINUTES ON STAGE)
ARTIST IMAGE ON OWN E-FLIER
ARTIST MUSIC ON TOPMICS ONLINE MIXTAPE
ARTIST MUSIC VIDEO PEOMO
ARTIST PROMOTED ONLINE

TOPMICS CONTACT;
TOPMICS OFFICE 310.433.4812
topmics.com
topmics@gmail.com 
facebook/topmics tour
Instagram/topmics
twitter/topmics
YouTube/Topmics 

Trife Boss

TOPMICS SHOW in NEW YORK

SEPTEMBER 28TH, 2014, 9PM-2AM 

FEATURING: "BRUCK UP" 

HOST: "NERVZEEN"

@ "TOBACCO ROAD" 

355 W 41ST, 

NY, NY

10 Rules To Follow If Stopped By The Police

BRUCK UP is Back

TOPMICS SHOW in NEW YORK

SEPTEMBER 28TH, 2014, 9PM-2AM 

FEATURING: "BRUCK UP" 

HOST: "NERVZEEN"

@ "TOBACCO ROAD" 

355 W 41ST, 

NY, NY

DEEROC DA DOB is performing on TOPMICS TOUR

TOPMICS TOUR COMPETITION SHOW in NEW YORK

SEPTEMBER 28TH, 2014, 9PM-2AM 

Competitor: "DEEROC DA SOB" 

HOST: "NERVZEEN"

@ "TOBACCO ROAD" 

355 W 41ST, 

NY, NY

Top Nominee "TP" Performing Live at Topmics Tour Competition Sep 28TH in NY

TOPMICS TOP APPROVED NEW ENGLAND ARTIST "TP" aka Truth And Power,
has been nominated for The UNDERGROUND MUSIC AWARDS, Performing Live at TOPMICS TOUR COMPETITION, SUNDAY SEP 28TH in Manhattan, NY.

@ "TOBACCO ROAD"
355 W 41ST, 
NY, NY

SPONSORED BY: 
UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP, PROBE MAGAZINE, BURDSKOOL RECORDS, INGROOVES, &  T.H.C. PRODUCTIONS

Cuzzin Bop is back

TOPMICS TOUR COMPETITION SHOW in NEW YORK

SEPTEMBER 28TH, 2014, 9PM-2AM 

Competitor: "CUZZIN BOP" 

HOST: "NERVZEEN"

@ "TOBACCO ROAD" 

355 W 41ST, 

NY, NY

1 Year Global Distribution

Universal Music Group Distribution is rewarding each Topmics Tour Competition Winners a 1 Year Global Distribution. 

WINNERS from each State also receives a PROBE MAGAZINE Cover placement and article within the magazine. 

Winners perform in 2 of Topmics State Shows along a full month of promotions. 

In September TOPMICS will be partnering with UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP/ BURDSKOOL RECORDS,  INGROOVES, PROBE MAGAZINE, GMAN ENT, T.H.C. PRODUCTIONS & STREETS D RADIO,  to bring TOPMICS TOUR COMPETITION to these following states, VA Sep 13th, MA SEP 14th, NJ SEP 28th and NY SEP 28th. 

THE PLAYING FIELD IS NOW LEVELED:

In order to compete or to perform artist must first register by sending music for review to TOPMICS@GMAIL.COM along with your artist name, contact, twitter and Facebook. 

PERFORMANCE & COMPETITION PACKAGES:

$50 ARTIST PERFORM OR COMPETE, 2 SONGS 1 STATE (7 MINUTES ON STAGE)

ARTIST NAME ON E-FLIER

$100 PERFORMANCE OR COMPETE PROMOTIONAL PACKAGE;

ARTIST PERFORM 2 SONGS 1 STATE (7 MINUTES ON STAGE)

ARTIST IMAGE ON OWN E-FLIER

ARTIST MUSIC ON TOPMICS ONLINE MIXTAPE

ARTIST MUSIC VIDEO PEOMO

ARTIST PROMOTED ONLINE

TOPMICS CONTACT;

TOPMICS OFFICE 310.433.4812

topmics.com

topmics@gmail.com 

facebook/topmics tour

Instagram/topmics

twitter/topmics

YouTube/topmics

How it is

Cali Macc is Back

TOPMICS SHOW in NEW YORK

SEPTEMBER 28TH, 2014, 9PM-2AM 

TOP FEATURE: "CALI MACC" 

HOST: "NERVZEEN"

@ "TOBACCO ROAD" 

355 W 41ST, 

NY, NY

10 Step Marketing Plan for Artists

Promotion seems to be what every indie artist struggles with the most, but it’s also one of the most important aspects of any artist’s career. Even if you are paying for PR or some type of promotion, there are things that you can be doing that will put a strong push behind your campaign.  In order to help you out, I’ve put together a list of 10 steps you must take in order to make the best out of promoting yourself.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN PROMOTION:

A big part of your promo campaign will be spent on PREPARATION. There are a few things that you need to do before you even begin to promote that will really help give your promo a better chance at getting results. A lot of artists don’t plan and prepare, they just jump right on in without having the tools to get the job done. Here are a few things that really help give your promotion the push it needs in order to see that return of investment:

1. MAKE SURE YOUR PRODUCT IS GREAT! You are competing with a ton of others, including the major artists; which means that your music must be mixed and mastered. Think about it – potential fans (that aren’t in the music industry),  are used to hearing music on the radio, at clubs, festivals, stores etc. – which means they are used to hearing top quality records, so you must deliver! Plus it gives your records a better chance at getting played by DJs. Also, not every record that you record should be released. It’s good to be able to test out your records by playing them to associates behind the scenes and getting as much honest feedback as possible BEFORE you decide to release them.

2. Find your NICHE and narrow down your TARGET AUDIENCE - Know your brand. What makes you special? What do you want to be known for? Who could you be compared to? Who does your music appeal to most? Then cover your grounds. Where do potential fans go to find new music? Where do they hang out? Think of all of your options – indie record stores, the mall, corner stores and small businesses in your neighborhood, restaurants, etc. Think outside the box. By answering all of these questions you will have a much better idea at who you are, which allows you to understand who you should be promoting to. It’s not about getting your music in front of just any audience, you have to get your music in front of an audience that would be interested.

3. MAKE SURE YOU’RE BRANDING IS ON POINT! This means, you must look the part! You should have an official website in place and updated with professional photos, bio, current shows, social media info, mailing list, and blog. You need this for a few reasons: for one it makes you look like the professional artist that you are. There are way too many “artists” out there with no website (only a Facebook page and/or Twitter or YouTube account) and it doesn’t make their brand look very good. Those that are successful all have official websites, so should you! Plus, you’re fans need a place to filter the traffic back to. You don’t want to get in XXL mag, the Source and a bunch of other sites if you don’t have an official website. Your results will be mediocre at best.

4. Make sure that you have the materials to promote: This means promo graphics that appear on all of your social networks (Facebook covers, Twitter Header, you get the point). Your brand must be recognized across all platforms and whatever you’re promoting should stand out. This is called brand recognition. You also should have a video for your single (or at least a professional graphic for your single if you haven’t shot the video) that you can promote with the link to the song. I’ve always noticed that artists that promote videos get a better response out of promo than an artist without a video. Also, if you have online flyers and/or promo graphics, be sure to have them handy. If you’re going to run a contest, be sure you know exactly how it will be run. You must have all of these things organized and easily accessible so that you can promote properly.

5. Create GOALS | Map Out Your BUDGET. Do you want to reach a certain amount of views or downloads in a certain amount of time? Do you want to bring 50 fans to your next gig? Do you want to sell a certain amount of merch? The better idea you have at what you want to accomplish the better your plan will be. Also, how much will your promo materials cost? How much do you have to spend on a publicist and other promo services? Do some research and put together a budget sheet. This is a great article on how to do just that: CLICK HERE.

6. PRESS RELEASE - Whatever you’re promoting must have a press release with all the intriguing details to make people interested. You have to make it easy for press to write about you. If you hire someone like myself, I’ll handle this for you, however you should do some research on how to write your own press releases as well. Hiring a PR team to handle things for you can be a very helpful tool, however there are things that you need to be doing yourself to help the campaign grow.

ONCE YOU HAVE THE PRODUCT:

7. NETWORKING | Street Team | Blog Outreach – Some of the best promotion happens behind the scenes. The more you get people talking, the easier it is for your music and brand to spread. Ways to promote behind the scenes: conversations with friends, colleagues, family – encourage them to share whatever it is that you’re promoting. STREET TEAM – gather a group of friends, family members and people in your network to not only help with promotion, but utilize them for feedback on almost everything you do (music releases, performances, etc). They can wear t-shirts with your name on it, they can spread flyers at their jobs, where they live, and they can post your music on their social media. BLOG OUTREACH – are you in contact with any blogs or publications? Make note of those who have supported your music in the past as well as others you may have come across along the way and be sure to build relationships and utilize them as sources for promotion.

8. Digital Campaign | Digital Distribution - Most people go online to find new music. You need to map out what and where you will be posting in order to promote your product. Make it interesting! Content is king when trying to reel people in and location is also important. Not only do you have to map out how your music will be promoted but you need to map out where people will have access to it. It is best to filter the traffic directly to your website and have your music available for download there. Also, you can use CDBaby or TuneCore to make your music available for sale on the major digital outlets such as iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, etc.You must also do your job to help the others that are posting your music – this means re-posting all tweets, press, etc – you must help promote those who promote you! That’s how you continue getting support.

9. MAILING LIST – A mailing list of your own is an amazing tool – And I don’t mean finding random email addresses and spamming them with your music, I mean collecting emails of those who are interested in hearing from you combined with utilizing the emails of those who you have already been in contact with. You should treat your list as VIP, send them special offers, let them be the first to preview your new releases, give them cheaper concert tickets etc. This list is GOLD!

10. PERFORMANCES – This is one of the most important factors in promotion. Your fans plus potential fans need to see you put on a memorable show. The more you impress people with your performances, the more people will want to see you again and again. Perform everywhere possible (except for them pay to play showcases, you really have to use your judgement when it comes to those). Perform at open mics, get to know promoters and event planners, perform at as many local events as you can.

The key to marketing is to be able to grab and keep people’s attention. You need more than just a listen or a view, you need people to share. The key to this is getting people to feel some sort of emotion because that’s when they take action. When you can make people FEEL something with your music and the way you present yourself, that’s when you’ll really start gaining some traction.

-- 

Topmics Office 310.433.4812

topmics@gmail.com
www.topmics.com
www.facebook/topmics tour
www.twitter.com/topmics

www.instagram.com/topmics 
www.YouTube.com/topmics

Where our heroes?

The only time these mainstream MCs even mention racism is when they think they are going to have go without some endorsement deal or money making opportunity. Jay Z and the Barneys embarrassment comes to mind and even people like Nicki Minaj are quick to call racism when they feel their paycheck is threatened.

Vote for Topmics & Friends

VOTE TOPMICS & FRIENDS 

at www.undergroundmusicawards.com   

(BEST SHOWCASE/ TOUR SERIES)

VOTE TOPMICS

TRYING TO BUILD YOUR BUZZ & FANBASE?

Topmics is the perfect platform for independent artists looking to build their fan base. Topmics offers valuable industry exposure and networking opportunities through state to state live performances and online promotions,

TOPMICS TOUR TOP HEADLINER: "SOUFBOI"

TOPMICS, UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP/ PROBE MAGAZINE / BURDSKOOL RECORDS,  INGROOVES, GMAN ENT, T.H.C. PRODUCTIONS & STREETS D RADIO PRESENTS: 

TOPMICS TOUR TOP HEADLINER:

"SOUFBOI"

VA Sep 13TH, "Berkley Park" 701 Berkley Ave, Ext Norfolk, VA 23523 

NJ Sep 27TH "West Side Community Center" 115 Dewitt Ave, Asbury Park, NJ 07712

NY Sep 28TH, "TOBACCO ROAD" 355 W 41ST, NY, NY

Booking Info: BIG CED (404) 953-8143

TOPMICS OFFICE 310.433.4812

topmics.com

topmics@gmail.com 

facebook/topmics tour

Instagram/topmics

twitter/topmics

YouTube/topmics

It's Almost winter, and Topmics Show is heading South to Miami. Details coming soon,

TOPMICS UNIVERSAL MUSIC PROBE MAGAZINE

In September TOPMICS will be partnering with PROBE MAGAZINE, UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP/ BURDSKOOL RECORDS,  INGROOVES, GMAN ENT, T.H.C. PRODUCTIONS & STREETS D RADIO,  to bring TOPMICS TOUR COMPETITION to theses following states, VA Sep 13th, NJ SEP 28th and NY SEP 28th. 
PRIZES INCLUDES: 
A. 1 Year Global "UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP" Distribution (2nd Round Grand Prize)
B. Topmics Top State Winners "PROBE" Magazine Cover Placement
C. Winner perform in 2 TOPMICS State Shows 
D. Winner promoted online for a full month by TOPMICS 

THE PLAYING FIELD IS NOW LEVELED:
In order to compete or to perform artist must first register by sending music for review to TOPMICS@GMAIL.COM along with your artist name, contact, twitter and Facebook. 

PERFORMANCE & COMPETITION PACKAGES:
$50 ARTIST PERFORM OR COMPETE, 2 SONGS 1 STATE (7 MINUTES ON STAGE)
ARTIST NAME ON E-FLIER

$100 PERFORMANCE OR COMPETE PROMOTIONAL PACKAGE;
ARTIST PERFORM 2 SONGS 1 STATE (7 MINUTES ON STAGE)
ARTIST IMAGE ON OWN E-FLIER
ARTIST MUSIC ON TOPMICS ONLINE MIXTAPE
ARTIST MUSIC VIDEO PEOMO
ARTIST PROMOTED ONLINE

TOPMICS CONTACT;
TOPMICS OFFICE 310.433.4812
topmics.com
topmics@gmail.com 
facebook/topmics tour
Instagram/topmics
twitter/topmics
YouTube/topmics

Don't ever give up!

P SMOOVE live last night at The Dhow in Cali

LAST NIGHT THE TOPMICS SHOW in CALIFORNIA was Awesome. P-SMOOVE had this to say "Man I had to give a big s/o to everybody that came thru & blessed da stage 2nite!!!! Everyone LOVED EVERYTHING!!!!! It was an amazing night!!!! GOD IS GOOD YALL!!! & if u know da situation u kno why i say that lol!!!!! Flatline Ttu Demi Daygo Rudeboi Dsmaack Willie Christian Brandon Killian Lisa Gue Guerrero Caresa Smith Wilnisha Almond Sutton Blak Fog Zalango Sham Roccus Markee Money Ken Savage Rick North Kara DjKb Ballew nu Nu-Nu Rodriguez Much Love & Respect my peoplez!!!!!"

Tonight in Cali

!!!! TONIGHT TONIGHT TONIGHT !!!!
TOPMICS & D-BLOCK PRESENTS:
TOPMICS SHOW in CALIFORNIA AUGUST 13TH, 9PM-2AM

Featuring: The Top Independent Artists on The West Coast 

@ "THE KAVA LOUNGE"
2812 Kettner Blvd, San Diego
CA 92101

-- 

Topmics Office 310.433.4812

topmics@gmail.com

Gospel music is needed

TOPMICS "GOSPEL" SHOW in MARYLANDSEPTEMBER 14TH, 4PM-8PM
PERFORMING LIVE: "MANNY"
@ "Upscale Ballroom"
3900 Bexley Pl,
Suitland, MD 20746 

TO BE APART OF THIS SHOW PLEASE CONTACT: 
TM DMV DIRECTOR LaToya Gordon or call301.514.6115
TOPMICS OFFICE 310.433.4812
TOPMICS.COM

FLY GUY ENT is to Watched, Musically.

TOPMICS PRESENTS: 

"Artists To Watch Out For"

ARTIST: "Fly Guy Ent"

STATE: Pittsburgh, PA

MUSIC: http://m.soundcloud.com/fly-guy-ent

BOOKING: TiGi -flyguyent412@gmail.com

WEBSITE: www.flyguyent412.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/FLYGUYENT412

IG/ Twitter : FLYGUYENT412

Video: "High Life" http://t.co/eWRDzfl1Bs

Vote for change

Jamel wrote: "Have you placed your vote today? Everyday counts. TopMics will be represented well in this year's #UMAs. Please take a moment to place your vote. All links are below. #ThanksInAdvance 

TopMics
http://www.yoraps.com/uma2014/best_showcase.html

TP (Truth & Power)
http://www.yoraps.com/uma2014/most_original_male.html

T. Parris
http://www.yoraps.com/uma2014/essence_hip_hop_award.html

Mike M.O.E.T
http://www.yoraps.com/uma2014/best_live_performance.html

And a special shout to another Topmics Tour alumni nominated for Best Male Rapper 

True Sun Ali
http://www.yoraps.com/uma2014/best_male_rapper.html"

Artist Colby Bright is the talk of the town

TOPMICS PRESENTS: "ARTIST TO WATCH OUT FOR"

Colby Bright is a 28 year old unsigned hip hop artist out of Montgomery, Tx.

Inspired by music at a young age has developed a very lryrical, reality based flo over the

years portraying life as he knows it. You can read more on "Colby Bright" at www.1krownentertainment.com 

COLBY BRIGHT Online Links:

Twitter & Instagram @colbybright 

Itunes: https://itun.es/i6x45Xx

Google Play: http://bit.ly/1mzswAs

Livemixtapes: http://bit.ly/1pes4el

Datpiff: http://bit.ly/1d4tN24

Soundcloud: http://bit.ly/XNwUXL

MTV: http://on.mtv.com/1ozmt

Management & Booking: 1krownbooking@gmail.com

Diane Givens CEO of 1Krown Entertainment 

Phone: (434) 882-4994

Fax: (877) 379-8541

Online Store: the1krownshop.com

VOTING STARTS TODAY!!!! 

At www.undergroundmusicawards.com   

(BEST SHOWCASE/ TOUR SERIES)

/////////////// VOTE TOPMICS \\\\\\\\\\\\\\

Really

You don’t have a website and therefore no web store – Since you’re an indie artist and you will doing all the work to drive traffic, why not drive fans to your OWN STORE where you get 100% of the money

Then what?

An artist really is not going to gain serious momentum until they can objectively sit down and pragmatically determine where the strengths and weaknesses are in their live show, recordings, images, lyrics, melodies, market approach, business plan; their art essentially

Topmics has been nominated by the UMA's

TOPMICS is proud to announce our "UNDER GROUND MUSIC AWARDS" nomination 

(BEST SHOWCASE/ TOUR SERIES), voting starts on 8/10/14 and ends 9/1/14 

at www.undergroundmusicawards.com 

Special thanks in advance to all of Topmics state to state supporters and fellow nominees. 

Topmics Office 310.433.4812

topmics@gmail.com
www.topmics.com
www.facebook/topmics tour
www.twitter.com/topmics

www.instagram.com/topmics 
www.YouTube.com/topmics

Topmics first Gospel Show is in Sept 14th

TOPMICS 1ST "GOSPEL" SHOW in MARYLAND 

SEPTEMBER 14TH, 4PM-8PM

FEATURING: DMV TOP GOSPEL ACTS: 

"TERRELL"

"CLARICE P BYNUM"

"D. YOUNG"

"HEVN' LI ANGEL"

@ "Upscale Ballroom Suitland"

3900 Bexley Pl,

Suitland, MD 20746 

TO BE APART OF THIS SHOW PLEASE CONTACT: 

TM DMV DIRECTOR LaToya Gordon or call301.514.6115/ Or

TOPMICS OFFICE 310.433.4812- TOPMICS.COM

This Saturday the world will stand still

Come See Some of Topmics Special Top Independent Entertainers on Stage  in UNITED KINGDOM, AUG 9TH 9PM-2AM @ "SAKS" 23/25 Clifftown Road (Opposite Southend Central)  Southend-on-Sea, United Kingdom

Some Artist really believe.

I think artists feel like if they make their music available on iTunes, Spotify, Rhapsody, etc. and give a shout out on Facebook and Twitter like “Hey buy my new CD!” that will be sufficient; said artists are subsequently disenfranchised when they sell zero copies.

Share, and Share alike

So You Finished Your Recording Project…Now What?

Ahh, that’s the rub.  How do you avoid the typical 950-CD-in-the-closet syndrome?  You know what I’m talking about; you get all excited that you are finished, because you want to share your music with the world.  You print up 1000 CD’s and give away 50 or so to your friends and family and the remaining 950 end up in storage somewhere…never to be heard.  Bah!  This all-to-factual-dynamic is the very problem that Kelly and I are so passionate about solving.  We are sick of watching GREAT projects from artists who DESERVE to be heard, no wait, who NEED to be heard, leave our studio and die in the marketplace from lack of exposure and marketing.

EXPOSURE!!

That’s the key.  You’ve heard the old adage, if a tree falls in the forest and no one hears it, did it happen?  You see my point?

The bigwig suits at the major labels already (unfortunately) proved to the world that exposure and marketing are more important than the music.  I know, I know, calm down!!  That’s the way THEY think; but, they were also right.  They sold copious amounts of crap for years and consumers bought it because the labels force fed it to them through terrestrial radio and MTV and they were told it was awesome; consumers didn’t have choices.  Listen, WE don’t have to think like that.  I mean they marketed all the best records the same way they marketed all the crap, right?  We are capable of marrying GREAT music with great marketing; just look at “Back in Black”, “Rumors”, “Thriller, “Hotel California”, etc.!!  So what’s the lesson??

If you’re a true artist and you write hit songs, or make amazing, inspiring music that will touch the masses and you have 950 units of your last project sitting in your closet, then you are clearly doing something wrong; you aren’t marketing.  So either you need to learn the business side or hook up with someone who does; know your strengths and weaknesses and then adjust your business models accordingly.  If you only make music (or any art) for your own private pleasure, you need not read the rest of this blog entry.  However, if you’re goals are to make a living in the music industry, then you better admit that you MUST have a business side; a sales side.  If you’re goal is to become a mega superstar, than you REALLY need to either learn everything you can about marketing and selling your product in today’s marketplace OR partner up with someone who gets it.

Solutions

First of all, you need to change the way you’re looking at the issue.  A little positivity wouldn’t hurt either.  Remember, all the greats FORGED NEW FRONTIERS!!!  They didn’t have a tried & true roadmap because nobody had ever done it before.  This outlook alone requires a certain set of stones to endure.  You gotta be willing to go all the way.  Remember, 2 guys sat on the banks of the Hudson River in New York City, and said, ”We should build a bridge from here to Brooklyn, it would make life easier”.  They did just that and the Brooklyn bridge was so long, for the first time in history, the engineers had to ACCOUNT FOR THE CURVATURE OF THE EARTH to make the ends meet the ground; talk about forging a new frontier.

You can do the same if you want to.

Are you basing your business model on what everyone else has done?

The first error most artists will make is they mistakenly identify the internet as a sales funnel.  It’s not; the internet is your tool for exposure.  Social media is your tool for exposure; NOT SALES.  Think of it like this, back in my day, I would walk into a huge music store like Musicland, Tower Records, or even a local mom & pop record store to buy a CD.  I KNEW WHAT I WANTED already!!  I went straight to the “A” section and picked up the new AC/DC record.  Boom.

How did I know??

I was already exposed to it!  I was exposed to the new music in 1 of 3 ways; either a friend turned me on to it, I heard it on the radio, or I saw it on Mtv.  I think artists feel like if they make their music available on iTunes, Spotify, Rhapsody, etc. and give a shout out on Facebook and Twitter like “Hey buy my new CD!” that will be sufficient; said artists are subsequently disenfranchised when they sell zero copies.  The reality is it’s quite the opposite.  While in today’s music market, it’s a blessing that you have instant distribution (meaning your product is available to whoever wants to purchase it, when they want to purchase it), you still need to expose consumers to the music in such a way that you influence their true buying decision.

So there is a couple ways to accomplish this.  #1 is to use a method called “branding”.  Branding is expensive and the results are “hit or miss” unfortunately.  This is radio.  Essentially you spend $500,000-$1,000,000 for a shot at heavy rotation.  Remember, mathematically there are only a few slots available at any radio station for you to get your shot.  If you succeed in a 35-week campaign to get your single into heavy rotation on the P1 stations (major markets/top 40) then the song is on the air so much that people can’t help but be influenced by it; thus creating the urge to purchase…the song.  You see, consumers are so savvy these days.  They know the labels will pad a record with filler songs around 2 singles.  Consequently, now that consumers have OPTIONS, they will opt to buy the download, not the CD.

Solution #2 is to expose people online to the music.  This is where YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and the others come into play.  My opinion these days is that online sales techniques will bring the sale of a “bundle” of some sort back and eventually phase out single downloads; whether it’s a bundle of songs in the form of a CD or a bundle consisting of music, merch, artist access, etc.  I’ll tell you why I believe this.  Online music marketing is based on a solid foundation of CREATING RELATIONSHIPS.  Think about it, when you hear a single on the radio, your relationship is essentially with the song and maybe the artist if you are able to catch them on a TV awards show or a radio interview; but more about the song, less about the artist.  When an online marketing campaign exposes you to new music that you like, they will, by design, follow up with creating a relationship between the artist and the consumer.  They will do this with bios, content (like acoustic vocal videos, videos, pictures, tweets, Facebook quips, etc) and more music.  Once you have emotionally “bought in” to the artist, whatever marketing effort that requires, you are more likely to purchase something for your own pleasure but ALSO to support an artist that you now believe in and are aware of on several different levels.

For the REAL talented musicians/singer/songwriters, this kind of content can go viral.  Look at the raw footage from any Karmin or Noah video on YouTube where they were artistically putting their personal mark on a well known covers song.  They were just SO GOOD that one of their videos went mega viral…then all their videos went mega viral…and I’m talking 10s of millions of views…now they are in.  Boom.  Just like that they are DRIVING TRAFFIC; they are exposed, but they still have to monetize this momentum.  For Macklemore and PSY, the songs were just so damn hooky and put to some compelling video footage…and Boom.  They are driving traffic.  FYI, both Karmin and Noah, who chose the revamping-popular covers-route they put up TONS of content.  I think (don’t quote me on this) that Noah put up 1 video a week for 77 weeks before the LMFAO song broke and he ended up with 16 million hits.  Can you last that long?  I promise this kid was able to hang for 77 weeks because he simply loved what he was doing.  Every video was an artistic challenge for him as well as a marketing opportunity.

So how does one MONETIZE the traffic after you get the music exposed??  This is where the sales funnel comes into play.  Here is where you have to be smarter than the average bear and be a “student of the game”.  Know the differences between radio and social media and their respective roles.  Once you landed in heavy rotation on the radio back in the day, you were in because WHERE ELSE COULD CONSUMERS GO?  Consumers had no choice but to be influenced by your music if they were listening to the radio constantly; they only had so many CD’s in the car, so the radio was a necessary option in the interest of variety.  Thus, it was SO EASY to influence their buying decisions once you got heavy rotation.  Now, consumers have choices, they can listen to their local radio stations, or XM/Sirius Satellite Radio, or stream music from Pandora or Spotify or the like, they can Tweet, they can listen to their mp3 collection on their smart phone, they can, they can, they can, they can, etc…  So if you expose the music to them once, and the masses respond, you need to get them into a sales funnel.

You are constantly exposed to sales funnels without ever realizing it.  Take a grocery store for example.  They market the “loss leaders” (as they are called) like 30 cent apples, or killer deals on chicken etc.  This gets you into the store, where they know you will do the rest of your shopping.  Or how about, your grocery store “frequent flyer” card??  With this card you hold the promise of a DEAL.  The sales are scarce, thus creating urgency because the deal will run out soon.  You get it?  Even the way the store is set up…have you EVER been to a grocery store where the common items like Milk, Butter, Cheese, etc are conveniently placed in the front so you can quickly run in and run out?  HELL NO!!!  These items are ALWAYS in the back so you have to pass through tons of other items that will likely remind you of other things you need to purchase on your way to get the milk; all by design.  How about an infomercial??  Yeah, we all hate them, but why are they still on all the time on so many channels??  BECAUSE THEY ARE EFFECTIVE.  Take an hour or two one evening and watch all the different infomercials…they all have the same structure with different widgets.  Buy now!  Deal is expiring!  Get 2 for the price of 1!! Compelling video / social proof, etc.  These are great examples of sales funnels.

To get an effective sales funnel for your music, you need to have access to these people somewhere different than FB or Twitter.  Both of these amazing tools are fleeting.  Your tweet is literally gone in 10 seconds, same at FB.  So you need their email addresses to market to them.

So how do you get people to give you their email addresses?

Several ways are effective.  A few of our artists are quite good at getting email addresses during their live shows.  We set up “squeeze” pages for them and they direct traffic to the squeeze pages with a free exchange of some sort; tit for tat, quid pro quo, etc.  Go to my squeeze page and get a free download of my new single.  Couple the download with a chance to win a $25 bar tab, or a chance to get in the music video and voila!!  You have mass amounts of people giving their email addresses

A guest post by Johnny Dwinell of Daredevil Production

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You can do it

Artists should draw a circle around their town–a five or six hour driving radius.  Then they go onto every city and town in that circle and spread their music–to DJs, potential fans, high school students, college students, guys at the barber shop and flea markets, women at the Mall, potential fans at Showcases, etc.  

P-SMOOVE Topmics Top West Coast APPROVED ARTIST

P-SMOOVE Topmics Top West Coast APPROVED ARTIST has scored big time/ He will be joining the great JUVENILE on stage today in California. Salute to greatness.