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
October 08, 2009
Made-To-Stick Music Marketing
Everybody these days wants to create buzz. They want to grab people's attention on a large scale. And they want to do it sooner rather than later.
Therefore, everyone wants to know the secret steps they can take to ensure their marketing idea sticks -- that it gains traction and reaches the people who need to hear it the most.
A good lesson on this topic comes from musician Paul Hipp. Check out his YouTube music video called "We're Number 37" -- which, as of this writing, has nearly a half million views.
It's a rockin' original song that tackles the current health care reform debate in the US with a decidedly liberal slant. And it's been seen by a LOT of people.
You may think you know where I'm going with this, but I guarantee there's an unexpected twist coming. So stay with me here ...
If I were to ask you why this song has been watched by so many people, you'd probably say because it's a decent tune about a timely issue. Plus, it features some clever editing and funny moments throughout -- which makes it more likely to be enjoyed and passed on by those who watch it.
Correct! You can't go wrong with songs about current events, especially when they are done in a creative way that elicits a reaction from people who are exposed to it.
But here's the thing ...
This is not the only music video Paul Hipp has posted. He has several others, most of which also deal with current events from a liberal perspective. And those have respectable numbers -- from 1,000 to 18,000 views each. But they pale in comparison to the half million views that "We're Number 37" has earned.
Here are three lessons we can learn from this:
Another quick example comes from Maria Andros, who has posted 47 YouTube videos on social media marketing and other topics. Most of her videos have between 50 and 25,000 views each. Not bad.
But one stands out at 151,000-plus views. The title? "How to Get Rid of a MIGRAINE Headache."
Who knew? I'm sure she didn't.
So ... Throw a lot of stuff out there, hone your craft as you go, and don't be afraid to be bold and specific!
-Bob
Featured Resource

How to Use Video to Promote Your Music Online
Join the YouTube revolution. Video is huge on the Internet. Use this report to create, promote and profit from your own online music videos.
Learn More or Order Now
Get more tips like these when you subscribe to my free Buzz Factor ezine — the longest running music career tips email newsletter on the planet. Since 1995. Learn more about the free subscription here.
Or just sign up using this quick and easy form:
Your email address will not be shared. Unsubscribe at any time.
Connect with Bob on Google+
Therefore, everyone wants to know the secret steps they can take to ensure their marketing idea sticks -- that it gains traction and reaches the people who need to hear it the most.
A good lesson on this topic comes from musician Paul Hipp. Check out his YouTube music video called "We're Number 37" -- which, as of this writing, has nearly a half million views.
It's a rockin' original song that tackles the current health care reform debate in the US with a decidedly liberal slant. And it's been seen by a LOT of people.
You may think you know where I'm going with this, but I guarantee there's an unexpected twist coming. So stay with me here ...
If I were to ask you why this song has been watched by so many people, you'd probably say because it's a decent tune about a timely issue. Plus, it features some clever editing and funny moments throughout -- which makes it more likely to be enjoyed and passed on by those who watch it.
Correct! You can't go wrong with songs about current events, especially when they are done in a creative way that elicits a reaction from people who are exposed to it.
But here's the thing ...
This is not the only music video Paul Hipp has posted. He has several others, most of which also deal with current events from a liberal perspective. And those have respectable numbers -- from 1,000 to 18,000 views each. But they pale in comparison to the half million views that "We're Number 37" has earned.
Here are three lessons we can learn from this:
1) You have to throw a LOT of stuff out there to find something that sticks. Sure, some people hit on something big right out of the starting gate, but that's rare. The usual pattern with artists who create popular viral videos (or songs, blog posts, ideas, etc) is a history of trial and error.
The more active you are in creating a volume of content to share with your audience, the greater your odds of producing something that will spread on a larger scale. So stay busy creating new stuff!
2) Regular output hones your craft. "We're Number 37" is Paul Hipp's 18th and newest video. Look through his previous clips and you can see an evolution. His most popular video is his best one, because he learned by creating all the ones that came before it.
Learn as you promote yourself. Consider it a living, breathing classroom.
3) Being bold and specific helps. "We're Number 37" is not a generic rockabilly song. It's about health care reform -- a polarizing topic being hotly debated these days -- and Paul makes it clear where he stands on the issue.
Don't be afraid to take a stand or directly appeal to a specific slice of the population with your art.
Another quick example comes from Maria Andros, who has posted 47 YouTube videos on social media marketing and other topics. Most of her videos have between 50 and 25,000 views each. Not bad.
But one stands out at 151,000-plus views. The title? "How to Get Rid of a MIGRAINE Headache."
Who knew? I'm sure she didn't.
So ... Throw a lot of stuff out there, hone your craft as you go, and don't be afraid to be bold and specific!
-Bob
Featured Resource

How to Use Video to Promote Your Music Online
Join the YouTube revolution. Video is huge on the Internet. Use this report to create, promote and profit from your own online music videos.
Learn More or Order Now

Your email address will not be shared. Unsubscribe at any time.
Connect with Bob on Google+
posted by Bob Baker @ 11:45 AM
0 comments
FREE Music Tips Ezine
- Get Bob's Free Music Marketing Tips by Email. Find out more.
Feed Me
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
Connect with Bob on
Previous Posts
- 12 Most Popular Musicians on Twitter & What You Ca...
- Is Your Music 'Findable' Online?
- Get an Earful of Ideas & Inspiration
- 5 Ways Google Can Help Promote Your Music
- The Best Online Music Marketing Plan Ever
- Reader Q&A: Does an Artist Really Need to Be on EV...
- The Beatles: A Historic Day
- The Smoothie King Guide to Music Marketing
- Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook Sampler
- Fringe Fans Fallout and Followup
Favorite Music Blogs
- Hypebot
- DIY Musician
- Music Think Tank
- David Hooper
- Ariel Hyatt
- Derek Sivers
- Brian Thompson
- Michael Brandvold
- Artists House Music
- Bob Lefsetz
Copyright 2004-2013 Bob Baker