Bob Baker's The Buzz Factor

I don't know about you, but it's been a fast-paced, eventful year for me.

Before we launch into 2013, it seems like a good idea to look back at the past 12 months and highlight 10 of the best posts from this music promotion blog.

I came up with this list by combining page view statistics with my own personal favorites. So here's what I and others consider to be my best music marketing and career advice for 2012:

My Best Music Career Advice EVER!

11 Ways to Create Unforgettable Music Video Content
Bob Baker: The CD Baby Interview [VIDEO]

Music and Money: How to Get Paid What You're Worth as a Musician

How to Get Your Emails Opened and Read

Six Steps to Making Money with Music in 2012

3 Ways to Crush It With Your Music Marketing!
How to Get Comfortable with Music Marketing

Octopus Marketing Formula Explained

A Secret I've Been Keeping for 40 Years
Thanks for your time, attention and support in 2012 and throughout these many years! I so appreciate you!

-Bob 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.


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Do you practice what you preach?

Hopefully you do. I certainly strive to put the marketing principles I teach into action. (Perhaps you've noticed :)


One thing I've recommended that musicians should test is a "pick your own price" offer, where you let fans choose what they want to pay for your music. Radiohead brought this idea to widespread attention a few years ago, even though other independent artists had done it before.

I've heard from many musicians over the years who report they can actually earn more money at live shows when they let fans choose what they can afford (depending on the venue and audience). Some people spend more, some less, but it all adds up in the end.

The thing is, I've never made an offer like this to my own fans - meaning you! It's about time. So here's your chance to help me test a "Choose Your Own Price" offer of my own.

Last spring I sold about 30 copies of something called the "DIY Music Marketing Power Pack." It was a data CD loaded with 10 hours of audio interviews, three hours of live workshop audio, some great PDF reports, and two video tutorials.

It hasn't been available ever since. But for the next couple of weeks I will re-release it on a "Choose Your Own Price" basis.

If money is tight, choose the lowest cost option. If you've got a little extra, there's a middle ground. And if you feel you've benefited from my teachings over the years and are able to, there's a regular price as well.

Watch the video and read more about it on this page ...

-Bob


P.S. In a few weeks I'll even report back to you on the percentage breakdown of which pricing choices my fans made.

Do you have any personal experience with making pick-your-price offers to your fans? If so, let me know how it worked for you. 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.


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There's something I want to share with you today that I've rarely talked about publicly. It involves something I've been engaged in off and on for four decades now but have always kept off the radar.

While this message may focus on me and what I want to share here, there's an important message about you and how you can apply this to your life too.

So please read on and hang in there with me ...

Since you're reading this blog post, you probably know me as the author and writer guy who teaches and speaks about music marketing, book promotion, and artist empowerment.

Perhaps you know that I'm also an active musician, a part-time actor, or that I used to publish a music magazine in St. Louis, MO. These are all very public activities and skills that I've chosen to share with the world.

But there's something else I've been keeping under wraps for many years.

When I was about 12 years old, I got interested in a new creative hobby. At the time I was already writing a lot outside of school and was just beginning to play the guitar (passions that would play huge roles the rest of my life).

That new hobby way back then was doing art - especially painting with acrylic. Like my other creative interests, I was drawn to it and felt compelled to create something cool. So I immersed myself into doing art.

Over the many years since I continued to play with paint here and there. I'd crank out a dozen pieces in a few months, then I might let years go by before picking up a brush again.

There was always a long list of things to keep me busy over the years (playing music, writing books, doing workshops, acting in plays and indie films, etc). So my artwork took a back seat.

This past summer, on my birthday in late June, my VSO (very significant other) Pooki had an idea. She encouraged me to get out my painting supplies for the first time in a few years and create something. So I did.

For grins I posted the first painting on Facebook. The response was immediate - positive feedback all around! The last time I seriously painted, Facebook and social media weren't what they are today. So I painted more and started sharing more images of my art as I created them.

And I didn't limit myself to the online realm. I attended a few artist events and gallery openings. I started meeting people and learning about opportunities in St. Louis. I submitted to local art exhibits and have been part of three shows in recent months.

Last week I sold my first two paintings. The first was purchased by someone I went to high school with who saw the piece on Facebook. Then a guy I went to college with bought another. It's great to know that my first two art customers and supporters were people that I've known a long time. This progress has inspired me to create even more.

So ... why am I sharing this with you? Two reasons ...

1) I have obviously decided to go much more public with my artwork. So I am creating awareness (the first step in the marketing process, for those of you who are hip to my teachings :)

I seem to have a knack for creating images that appeal to some people. So why horde that gift and keep it to myself? I've made a commitment to finally share this area of my creative life with others!

I started a simple website at www.PopRockArtStudio.com to showcase my work and blog about this aspect of my artistic journey.

2) I want you to apply this example to YOUR creative life!

What creative activities and interests have you buried or put on the perpetual back burner? What talent or skill do you possess that you have been reluctant to share with people?

I don't have to tell you. You know the answers. You're thinking of them right now. So ...

What can you do to breathe life into that dormant passion of yours? Or what can you do to go more public with an artistic gift that you have? In what ways can you share this thing with people who need to hear it or see it?

Stop making excuses. Stop waiting for the perfect time. Carve out some time on the calendar and create something cool! Then take the next step and share it with people - on Facebook or Twitter, by email, in a blog post or podcast, in a video clip, or at a live event.

Don't horde your talent. Get it out there!

That's what I'm doing. And I'm loving it!

I hope you experience that same joy with your creativity!

-Bob

P.S. Please check out www.PopRockArtStudio.com to see my latest artwork. There you'll also find info on how to purchase available original pieces, buy prints, or commission a personalized painting of yourself, a loved one, or a favorite celebrity.

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 First Name
Your Primary Email

Your email address will not be shared. Unsubscribe at any time.

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