Welcome all to the final blog of the first season of Mellow Marketing. It's been a really amazing year with wild experiences and I hope I've helped propel many of you to the next steps you need to take along the way. In previous blogs, I've given all of the genuine information you truly need to move into the next phase of your career successfully. Now, it's October, and it's time to stop looking into what you can do for this season and look into building a business plan for next year. And if someone is trying to get you to do distribution and solicitations for right NOW, then they honestly just want your money. (Why would you agree to CMJ[College Radio] during Christmas time, when kids are getting out of school? THINK!)
So, as many of you know, the music industry has a habit of slowing down and taking chill time in America once November is halfway in. All of the labels and reps wait until January to begin work again and everyone takes this time off to either enjoy or collect themselves to make the next year even bigger.
Which one do you think I'm doing?
In this blog, I want to show you all how to put this free time in your music careers to good use. I'm a heavy competitor, but I'm also known for being 3-4 steps ahead. This is an asset we all need and here are some tips for many of you out there who plan to make their first MAJOR push in 2010 or to improve the one you started in the current season:
1. Research(!!!): I Can't Stress This Enough! Research of all types is what every artist needs to do with their work. From researching marketing to see what regions in the world their style would fit best(I have a previous blog about this) to looking into classic, obscure music to gain inspiration to improve their craft. It's so crucial to increase your knowledge as this is the greatest weapon you'll hold in this industry, because you'll discover it'll be the one that'll most often be used against you(usually after it's too late).
Look into my past blogs and see how these ideals for strategies can change the way you perform your entire season. Start looking into what movies you want to drop a solicitation into (Iron Man 2, anyone?). What places are booming with Independent love(*cough*Canada*cough*London*cough)? What conferences would be the best to attend next year(Check out my list in the blog previous to this one) and what are the best ways to market yourself there? If you plan to do live tours, how do you plan to make residuals back and do you have an active Sound Scan working for LIVE performances(which is not easy to get)? Plan it out now and start making friends with people over the holidays. They'll become colleagues next year. Take the time to think outside the box and you will be rewarded handsomely. That's what I do best and why I love this industry.
But, I would like to take a moment to say it's imperative to take the opportunity to look into taking your work international. On an executive end, we see where music is going here in America and that slope doesn't go up. But, the beauty of opportunity and flourishment has continued to become an international phenom even more than it was before. If you're looking for me in the off-season, this is a major hint as to where I'll be. For example, take a look at this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsSJAUpMBDE&feature=player_embedded
2. Careers: Before anything, let me state what I have to say about every blog I've posted and the reason for this site that you're reading on right now: The Labels Do Not Matter Anymore. Soon enough, they will not exist, at all. The real labels now are corporations and the A & R departments have been replaced with sponsors. THAT is how the music industry works now and we all need to adapt. My entire company has been designed around this theory and achieved success from taking the time to educate and cooperate with how this industry has remolded.
SO, with a new industry comes new business strategy to get what you all still consider "signed". Really, it's just a matter of you finding a sponsor or investor towards your craft and then you handle the rest. The resources are available to EVERYONE. So, you should focus on promoting yourself and networking to FIND these investors. Sometimes, that includes careers in the right places.
What I suggest is to start working in areas related to music or in places you can prove that you are a viable asset. That includes jobs/internships with marketing agencies, talent groups, movie studios or some of the current majors, such as UMG, BMI and The Orchard. The best way to get what you want is to have leverage over something else valuable. What better time to achieve that than the off-season? You may even become an agent like me, which is how I started.
Why don't I mind the competition, you ask? You'll see in 2010..
3. Social Media Marketing: I know mostly indie artists read this, so this is aimed directly at you. Many of you focus solely on these things: Your music, education, trying to book a gig, Twitter/Facebook and making enough to eat next week. I'm here to help put the last two together into something profitable.
You see, Social Media Marketing is a form of marketing that most industries haven't quite grown a strong grasp on, but they ALL want it. What they want is for someone to take social media websites (i.e. Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, LinkedIN, etc.) and to advertise their company through creative means on each. They also want banners on more popular sites while you keep track of CPAs(Click Per Advertisements) and they also pay for that.
This job doesn't require much time, tons of effort and the pay is very, VERY nice. I've even found my services outsourced to several major companies throughout the year and it's always a fun, rewarding experience. Most companies are looking for educated, young individuals who can handle the rapid pace technology takes pop culture. Coincidentally, that makes up most of the music industry.
So, take the time to research this field and you could quite possibly FUND YOURSELF for this new season. Google, ask pros about it, ask me about, etc. Whatever you have to do, look into gaining new career opportunities and options.
Once again, I want to thank you all for an amazing season and I hope to get to know even more of you in 2010. The first year has been a hell of a ride for this company and it's only looking up. It would be my honor and a pleasure to take you on that road with us.
