Do you have a website for your music?

The problem with most unknown artists is that they don’t want to invest in order to get known. It’s like they never heard the saying “it takes money, to make money.” One of the best ways to do this is to create a website to market their music. It is almost a given that companies and artists have websites that fans and more importantly A&R’s can visit. By having a professional looking website artists gain instant credibility and this credibility will get you one step closer to your goal. Here are a few elements that should be incorporated on your website. All of it can be done for as little as $500:

1) Contact Information: Make yourself easily accessible. If someone likes your music and wants to offer a way for you to make money off your music you better make sure you can be easily contacted.

2) SEO Ready: SEO or Search Engine Optimization is an organic way to make your website appear near or at the top of a search engine like Google when someone types in certain keywords. Cater to your local audience. For example if you are from Honolulu, Hawaii, make sure that you place text all over your site referring to your market. When someone searches for “Singers Honolulu” you want to be at the top.

3) Bio: Create a brief description of your brand and your music. People like to put artists in boxes (he sounds like 2Pac) put yourself in a box so others don’t have too.

4) Music: People need to hear your product.

5) Video: is very important as many people spend hours of their time watching videos online. If you have a show, create a video and display it on your site or add a pictures show your songs.

6) Links: You should link your website to your other social networking sites like twitter, Facebook and Myspace. You should also trade links with other popular websites that your target market frequents. This should increase traffic on your website and also increase your SEO.

7) Blog: A blog is a great way to keep people engaged. If you do interesting this and are always active people will follow. Once you have a “following” you will be more attractive to record labels.

www.yourprosound.com
1 Artist 1 Beat

K'Naan on the state of Hip Hop in Canada

K'Naan speaks out on the state of hip hop music in Canada. I have to admit I agree with most of what he is saying, but it is hard for Canadian artists to compete with U.S. artists. U.S. artists have bigger budgets and more opportunities. Not to mention the fact that the Canadian population is only 11% of the U.S. population.

Here are a few quotes:

“I do think there’s a little bit of an inconsistency with just how the music industry in general works with regards to urban music, especially urban music from Canada."

“We have a lot of artists in Canada who are hip-hop artists and so on, but not a lot of the young people out there who are making music are actually putting out consistent work, you know what I mean?”

Do you agree?

Read the full article here - Toronto Sun

www.yourprosound.com
1 Artist 1 Beat

How to get into Canadian Music Week Free

In order to get your music to the right people you have to be where the right people are. In Canada that place is CMW or Canadian Music Week. Usually, this conference takes place the first or second weekend every March in Toronto. Everyone who is anyone in the business is there "making moves" why shouldn't you?

Well maybe because you don't have any money. According to their website if you wanted to register and attend the conference, you need to pay:

TuneUp MUSIC Badge:
includes access to 3 days of TuneUp seminars, exhibits and festival showcases.
Register on or before March 5, 2010...........................................$250.00
Walk-Up Rate..........................................................................$300.00

This is the best value for your money but do you have $250.00 to throw around? Didn't think so. Well I've gone to the conference 4 times and I didn't pay a cent. It was FREE! How did I do it?

1) Create 3-4 high quality songs.
2) Go to www.cmw.net and apply in September to be a showcase performer.
3) Best case scenario you make it in and have to perform in front of important people who will help your career. Worst case scenario they send you complementary tune-up passes for you and your crew. That easy.

or

If you've missed the deadline you could always contact them and ask to volunteer. If you want to make it you've got to do whatever it takes to network with the right people and in Canada those people are at CMW.

www.yourprosound.com
1 Artist 1 Beat

Essential items every artist should have: (Part 5 of 5) Where is your dedication?

Now that you have your demo, business cards, a team and an online brand it’s time to use these tools to network. You must make an effort to use them every day. This is your job! A lot of people use the same tools, so how do you use them to your advantage and get a step on the competition? Dedication & Persistence.

You have to keep your brand updated. Come out with new songs or projects and release them strategically. Timing is everything. Use the launch of a new album to pursue radio and print interviews. Launch your album with a show. Just remember that every opportunity you take to market and promote yourself gets you one step closer to your dream. Make sure you set achievable goals and stick to them. Without a short term goal like “release my album by June 2010,” nothing will ever get done. You don't want to be 80 years old and have nothing to show for it.

EPKFY8RMVYFR

www.yourprosound.com
1 Artist 1 Beat

Essential items every artist should have: (Part 4 of 5) How is your online brand?

Ok, so now you have professional sounding music and a team to help you out. Now you need to increase your online brand. Increase your brand by creating your own website and become active on bulletin boards and social networking sites. There are a number of websites you can use to post your music. You must create a community of fans that will eventually buy your music one day. What happens when people Google you? Does your name so up at the top of the search with relevant contact information? Remember that the best statement you can say to a record label is, “I’ve sold 5,000 songs on iTunes, imagine how much I could accomplish if I had you backing me.” Here are 20 music social networking sites you can use to create your online brand:

1) www.myspace.com
2) www.facebook.com
3) www.garageband.com
4) www.soundclick.com
5) www.mp3.com
6) www.youtube.com
7) www.aimestreet.com
8) www.vimeo.com
9) www.bebo.com
10) www.buzznet.com
11) www.gogoyoko.com
12) www.imeem.com
13) www.last.fm.com
14) www.mog.com
15) www.quarterlife.com
16) www.reverbnation.com
17) www.supernova.com
18) www.flotones.com
19) www.musocity.com
20) www.midomi.com

www.yourprosound.com
1 Artist 1 Beat

Essential items every artist should have: (Part 3 of 5) Where is your team?

Behind every artist that has every “made it,” there is a team of people in the background supporting that artist. It is impossible to do everything it takes to promote yourself and still make good music in a decent amount of time. If you disagree with this statement and think you can do it on your own. Good luck and I hope you send me an “I told ya so…” message some day but I doubt it. Although many of these jobs can be handled by one or two people in beginning, it is important to recognize that everybody needs help. Do not be too proud to search for it. Here is a list of some essential people you need to enlist in order to move forward in your career.

1) Manager – Handles everything from your schedule to tying your shoes.
2) Producer – If you have no music you have nothing
3) Booking Agent – You have to perform in shows.
4) Publicist - Promotes your music and tries to get you interviews in print and radio.
5) Street Team – People who hand out flyers, promote your music, website, and shows.

www.yourprosound.com
1 Artist 1 Beat

Essential items every artist should have: (Part 2 of 5) Where is your business card?

Traditionally in business when two people meet for the first time they exchange business cards. Although this is changing, it is still professional to engage in this practice. This is important to note because not everyone has their demo (music business card) on them at all times. It is bulky and hard to carry around, but business cards are easier. You can keep them in your wallet and by having a business card ready shows that you are not just an artist but that you are responsible and professional. So what is in a business card?

1) Your card must look professional. Make sure that all the information is on the card free of mistakes and easily readable.

2) All relevant contact information should be clearly marked. (Full Name, phone number, email address, website address) Also, you might consider adding other sites where you or your music can be found. Twitter, Facebook, Myspace and Linkedin are a few good choices.

3) Always ask for the other person’s card or information. You do this so that you can follow up with a quick email note a few days later. This will remind them of who you are, where you met, and

By investing a little money, as little as $20 can get you a professional looking business card which might just cause a few doors to crack open just enough for you to bust them down later. Here is a link to purchase business cards for very cheap.

Vista Print

www.yourprosound.com
1 Artist 1 Beat