Bob Baker's The Buzz Factor

Music marketing tips and self-promotion ideas for independent songwriters, musicians and bands.
Bob Baker's Indie Music Promotion Blog
Music marketing ideas for DIY artists, managers, promoters and music biz pros
March 29, 2005
Mark Cuban on RIAA Sales Figures
"The RIAA claims that sales of the top 100 CDs sold 195mm units in 1999, materially above the 154mm units sold in 2004. Which leads to a question. Are sales down due to filesharing, or have RIAA members just lost market share?
"I contend RIAA sales are down because they lost market share. There are more CDs being self-published or released by non-RIAA members than ever before. Sales from web sites, concerts and car trunks are taking away sales from traditional labels. Access and awareness of that music has exploded through web radio, web sites, p2p, satellite radio and tours."
Here, here! There's a lot of activity brewing below the surface of SoundScan.

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posted by Bob Baker @ 1:08 PM
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March 25, 2005
Promote Your Music with a Blog
Journalist and musician Grant Shellen has written a nice primer on how to use blogs to promote your music. If you can look past the cheesy song title spoof subheads, there's some good advice on blogging to build a fan base.
Highlights include:
"You might want to have a place to write about your experiences touring, recording or simply living. Fans can see what it's like to be you, hearing about your experience at a post-show party in Atlanta, a plush studio in Manhattan or the sofa in your living room. Each band member can have his or her own journal page or at least alternate contributing to a centralized one ..."
"If you're on tour, or just take interesting pictures, photography can be a nice element to include. Whether you include shots of yourself on stage or photos of things you see when out and about, readers will surely wish they were wherever you are."
Smart stuff you should consider doing to promote yourself online.

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posted by Bob Baker @ 1:37 PM
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March 23, 2005
The Musician's Profit & Loss Friend
David Hooper offers two nifty online number crunchers: The Gig Calculator and the Album Release Calculator. Just fill in the blanks and hit Submit to find out if you're in the black or in the hole.

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posted by Bob Baker @ 1:20 PM
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March 17, 2005
What Is Podcasting?
But, just perhaps, you're still trying to wrap your mind around this whole podcasting thing. If so, don't feel bad. After all, it didn't really hit the mainstream Internet until August of last year. That was sooooo seven months ago. What are you waiting for? :-)
For a nice overview of what podcasting is, its history and more, take a look at Wikipedia's definition.
Also, Engadget.com has a cool tutorial on how to listen to and create podcasts.
In fact, I'm planning to put an alternate version of my Artist Empowerment radio show into a podcast format soon.
So get educated and get up to speed. Just in time for the next technological trend to come racing around the bend.

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posted by Bob Baker @ 10:34 AM
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March 15, 2005
Nationwide Exposure Without a Record Label
I'm happy to consider him an e-mail pal and fellow warrior in the independent music movement. But unlike many musicians who are working toward a worthy vision of success, Byrd is actually doing it and reaching unheard of levels ... without official industry backing.
This week the San Diego Union-Tribune ran an article that serves as a good overview of his career and rising status. Read the printer friendly page here. If that doesn't work, try this link.
There's also a six-page article on him in the March issue of Unsigned Music Magazine and a piece on the Always On web site.
Read about Geoff Byrd and know that he is paving the way for many more indie success stories to come.

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posted by Bob Baker @ 8:24 PM
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March 11, 2005
Self-Help Music Promotion Tips
Take control: Don't wait for success to happen to you. Build an audience. Whether that's a substantial mailing list, email list or gig audience, it doesn't matter. As long as it's people who have asked to hear from you and are likely to buy your album, it's a valuable asset.
Keep it simple: music marketing has a lot to do with image, but some web sites put this before the music. Don't forget people are there to read about you, listen to your work, see your photos and interact with you. They're not usually there to watch a five-minute animation before they can do any of that. The easier your site is to use, the more likely it is you'll sell CDs. Simplicity pays.
Also take a look at McManus' Promoting Your Music Online page for a nice list of resource links and interviews he's done with successful indie artists.

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posted by Bob Baker @ 10:52 PM
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March 08, 2005
Free E-zine Audio Class from the Queen
If you've been hesitant to start your own e-mail list for fans, set aside a little time right now and listen to this 45-minute audio class from Alexandria K. Brown. She's known as the "E-zine Queen." Not only does she have a nice-looking photo of herself on her site, but she has an equally appealing voice that takes you through the basics of publishing your own promotional e-mail newsletter.
All you have to do is sign up for her free e-zine to gain access to this audio program, which you can stream or download. I've listened to it and thought it was wonderful. I wish it had been available years ago when I first dipped my toes into the e-zine world.

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posted by Bob Baker @ 10:25 PM
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March 04, 2005
Two Tips for Commercial Radio Airplay
1. Secondary commercial markets. Even though you may think the major labels have all commercial radio stations wrapped around their dollar-laden pinkies, that's not quite true. Remember, big labels are struggling to be profitable. They've got smaller staffs and thinner marketing budgets these days.Visit this page to order a back issue of the magazine.
When it comes to commercial radio promotion, the big boys focus on the major markets -- New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and other big cities. That leaves a small crack in the door for acts that focus on commercial stations in smaller cities (called secondary markets).
2. A high-quality, radio-ready recording. While airplay opportunities may exist for indies in secondary markets, the quality of the recording submitted still needs to be top-notch before a commercial station will consider it.
One radio promoter quoted in the article recommends that indie artists pursuing a radio marketing strategy should spend their money recording, producing and mastering just one or two songs. With radio, you don't need a full album. You just need at least one killer radio single.

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posted by Bob Baker @ 1:22 PM
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March 01, 2005
14 Qualities of Successful Musicians
David just announced an awesome offer to get his new audio program, called "The 14 Qualities of Successful Musicians, Songwriters, and Music Business Professionals." He's basically giving it away for free to anyone who reads this blog (except for a modest $3.95 shipping fee).
This same audio program is listed on Amazon for $39.95, so this is one heck of a deal. And he'll not only send you the CD, he'll also let you download the entire transcript of the recording. Way cool!
Click here to get your copy now.

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posted by Bob Baker @ 12:59 PM
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What About Bob?
Bob Baker is an author, speaker, teacher, indie musician and former music magazine editor dedicated to showing musicians of all kinds how to get exposure, connect with fans, sell more music, and increase their incomes.
Bob's Books
Guerrilla Music Marketing Online
129 Free & Low-Cost Ways to Promote & Sell Your Music on the Internet
Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook:
201 Self-Promotion Ideas for Song-
writers, Musicians and Bands on a Budget
- Killer Music Press Kits
- Guerrilla Music Marketing, Encore Edition
- Killer Music Web Sites
- DIY Music Marketing for the Serious Musician
- How to Tap Into NACA and the Lucrative College Music Market
- Online Music PR Hot List
- How to Use Video to Promote Your Music Online
- 55 Ways to Promote & Sell Your Book on the Internet
- How to Publish Your Own Indie Book
- Unleash the Artist Within
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- Best Music Marketing Blog Posts of 2012
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