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by
Bob Baker
So you've put a lot of time and effort into writing good original songs,
committing them to tape in the studio, crafting the artwork and packaging
and arranging for your record, tape and/or CD to finally be manufactured.
Many musicians
describe the feeling of seeing their slickly packaged final creation for
the first time: It's a wonderful sensation of basking in the glow of accomplishment.
And they feel like shouting at the top of their lungs to let the world
know about this great thing they've got to offer.
That's why it's
difficult to figure out why so many music creators drop the ball at this
point. Sure, they want to get recognition and acceptance from hordes of
people who have been touched by their music. And, let's face it, they
wouldn't mind making some good money at selling their product, too. So
why do bands and record labels continue to print up 1,000 CDs, only to
have 850 of them sit in a closet and gather dust?
The answer is
simple: These bands and record labels haven't learned effective methods
for marketing their releases. Are you one of these people? If so, don't
worry. There's still plenty of hope for you.
What follows
is a brief excerpt from a book I hope to have out sometime in 1994 covering
over 125 ideas on how to make more money from your recorded products.
Until then, use these 10 random ideas to expand your thinking and help
you sell more of your independent releases.
- Commit to becoming an independent music marketer, instead of just
a record producer. Unless you're simply making music for your immediate
friends and family (which is worthy in itself), you're going to have
to expand your skills to include more than songwriting and recording
techniques.
Far too many
musically creative people feel that if they just come up with great
music, the world will beat a path to their door. While this approach
actually seems to work for a select few, most bands and songwriters
have to work a little harder to get their music not only noticed...
but bought in bulk by enthusiastic music fans.
Therefore,
the first step in your efforts to sell more of your records, tapes
and CDs is to decide right now that you will spend as much time and
energy in marketing your musical pride and joy as you do creating
it. This means you'll be eager to indulge in the art of researching
your market, networking with people who can help you accomplish your
sales goals and, ultimately, becoming as inspired by exposing your
music as you are by playing it.
- Know who your fans are and why they buy from you. How would you
describe the ideal consumer of your music? And what inspires them
to buy your records? If you can't answer these questions, you may
have a tough battle (not to mention a closet full of CDs) ahead of
you.
Acts that
develop huge and loyal followings usually have a specific musical
focus and image their fans identify with so strongly that they pack
the group's shows and buy tons of their releases. The magnet that
draws these fans is the attitude of the band, combined with a sound,
look and image that supports it.
Get a handle
on what attitude, sound and image you portray. Knowing this will help
you position your act for maximum exposure... and sales! Important
note: But make sure it's a sincere attitude that is really a part
of you. Copping an image because you think it will sell will cause
your career to fall apart quicker than you can say, "Milli Vanilli."
- At live shows, perform songs off your release and say so from the
stage. Live shows are one of your best ways to promote the availability
of your release, so don't be shy about announcing it. Many musicians
who front bands think it's uncool to repeatedly plug their "product"
at gigs. Hogwash!
You want
people to come to your shows because they like your band, right? If
they've taken the time to set aside an evening to experience your
band, wouldn't many of them also want to take your recorded music
home? Of course. Don't deny them that experience. And don't deny yourself
the monetary rewards of selling more of your music.
- Print up and distribute a band newsletter. Most bands will pass
out fliers or calendars at their live shows, but fliers get tossed
in the trash pretty quickly and usually don't help a band's efforts
in selling more records. So why don't you come up with a newsletter
that's filled with tidbits of information on your band?
The most
effective band newsletters I've seen use plenty of humor. By having
fun items of interest in your newsletter, people will hang onto it
longer, plus you can fill it with a convenient order form to get your
recorded goodies by mail and to announce where they are available
in stores.
- When doing print, radio and TV interviews, offer to give something
away free if readers/listeners/viewers contact you. As you know, a
great way to build up a following is to build up and use a mailing
list. (You do have one, don't you?) But live gigs aren't the only
places to collect names and addresses.
When you
do media interviews, you're reaching perhaps thousands of potential
fans. Make the best use of that opportunity by giving something away
to readers, listeners or viewers—your newsletter, catalog, sticker,
band comic book, novelty condom... anything to inspire music fans
to connect with you. Preferably, have people call a band hotline number
and leave their mailing information.
- In paid ads, always offer a free catalog or newsletter. Likewise,
when you are paying for advertising, either in print or on radio,
don't waste the chance to connect with more fans. Offer that same
free item in all of your ads!
- Offer appropriate radio stations free copies of your release to
use as giveaways during on-air promotions. Media folks love to give
stuff away to entice their audiences. So don't be too shy about asking
the local college or non-commercial stations if they'd give away your
new CD on the air. Of course, your band would also love to come in
and do an interview to tie in with the giveaway.
- Arrange for a live record store appearance, autograph session or
unplugged performance. I know what you're thinking: "Record store
appearance? That would be awfully pompous of me!" Not so fast. The
national touring acts aren't the only musicians worthy of such gimmicks.
Setting up
an in-store appearance gives you weeks of exposure in the store in
the form of fliers promoting the date, it gets people talking and,
in the case of an unplugged performance, gets your music to the ears
of record-buying consumers who might never have heard you otherwise.
- Give away free copies to record store managers for in-store play.
This may seem obvious, but a lot of "record producers" overlook this
important marketing technique. The record store is the perfect place
to capture the attention of music fans. They come in only to buy music!
Ask any record
store clerk how many times a customer has come up and asked, "Who
is this playing over the speakers right now?" Get smart and start
meeting the store managers and giving away those free promotional
copies.
- Seek out overlooked retail sales opportunities. Can you find a way
to take your band name, album title or image and market it in an unusual
way? Many new age artists have marketed their CDs through nature stores
and crystal "rock" shops. Some labels have thematic releases that
are packaged with books on the same subject, which opens up bookstore
sales—a whole new method of distribution. Can you think of one that
would work for you?
To sum up: Open your mind to the music sales possibilities around you
and you may soon find yourself with a lot of extra closet space.
Bob Baker is the author of "Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook," "Unleash the Artist Within" and "Branding Yourself Online." He also publishes TheBuzzFactor.com, a web site and e-zine that deliver marketing tips, self-promotion ideas and other empowering messages to music people of all kinds. Get your FREE subscription to Bob's e-zine by visiting http://TheBuzzFactor.com today.
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