Indie Artists Must Consistently Promote Themselves to Get on a Major Label’s Radar
Much has changed in the music industry in the last few
years, and the element that is missing the most is artist
development. Labels would sign an artist on
the strength of their material, whether they had previously
released anything or not, but now this has changed.
No longer have the labels time and money to develop the
artist over a period of time, and with the pressure on the
labels, especially the majors, they want to see revenue
coming back to them within their fiscal year.
So, what does all this mean to the musician out there trying
to get a deal? Basically it means releasing your CD is not
enough, and if you are not able to market and promote
yourself, your chances of getting a deal are slim to none.
Labels want to feel something is happening with the band,
and this could be a strong touring base, a local core
audience that have bought the indie release, or the latest
and best way to lock up a deal, or get your music licensed
on TV!
In the upcoming newsletters, we will look at the different
areas, and how to approach them to gain maximum potential
from your efforts.
The good news is that it does not always have to cost a
lot of money, but needs commitment from the artist to do a
lot of leg work.
In 2006, 87000 CDs were released in America. Only 200 sold
more than 100,000 copies. Many of the 200 sold millions, but
we are now dealing with a saturated market.
The music fan is lost on a maze of music, and really has
lost faith with regard to buying product without hearing a
lot of the material or getting to know about it from a
credible source.
The music industry is no longer a information business, it’s
a recommendation business. In other words, people will judge
your music based on who suggested it, or who sponsors or
endorses it.
If I have 100 albums to listen to, I’m going to start
listening to the album that came to me from a
source I trust, and if that is supported by positive stats
involving touring, local sales, online presence, already
they are at the top of the pile.
It’s the same for labels! As soon as they hear about you,
they get online and do the research.
One great example is an artist that recently got a deal with
Universal. She had played the local scene in LA for two
years. Labels noted some interest but not much.
She was asked to play at a charity gig in LA, and the online
and T.V. star Perez Hilton went to the show. He saw the
artist, and the next day, wrote about her in his hugely
successful blog.
Her Myspace daily plays for her music up to that point were
about 40, and after the blog ran, 60,000!
The next day three labels called the manager, and now she
has a deal, as that one blog sparked off all the interest.
To recap, you must be visible, and you must be out in your
market, playing shows, doing street marketing, have a strong
online presence, and of course, try and create opportunity.
Bill Arnoldi is the C.T.O. of DiskFaktory and IDT Media
Group, a company founded for Indie musicians by Indie
musicians to offer a full array of Artist development and
distribution services and disc manufacturing under one roof.
Visit DiskFaktory and see how we can help you with your
project and disc manufacturing needs. DiskFaktory IDT Media
Group 14 Chrysler Irvine, CA 92618 (949) 455-1701
Article Directory: Article Dashboard http://www.articledashboard.com
Categories: Music Promotion
No Comments »
Home | Powerful Viral Marketing Gifts For Your Online Music Promotion »
