Music Marketing @ Music Conferences - Atlantis Music Conference 2007

During the 2007 Atlantis Music Conference (AMC) in Atlanta, GA, my good friend and Music Business Consultant JaWar conducted his Seminar/Panel titled Music Therapy 101 (MT101) - Make Money Online. Mr. Willie Hunter and B. Brown served as Panelists and introduced the attendees to JaWar as his presentation began. The way MT101 is done is unconventional and very personal and interactive. Our frequent Seminars at the West-End Library in Atlanta, GA are testaments to what we do, how effective we are, and most importantly, how many people we help! It's amazing how many compliments we receive. I believe we are headed in the right direction!

There were several great display booths set-up during the AMC and there were a lot of individual Artists and Music Industry people promoting and networking. When we attend Music Conferences, we must learn as much information as possible and meet, network, and connect with as many people at the music conference as possible. Then, we must follow-up with our new contacts within a relatively short amount of time. This is key to building a relationship and maximizing your marketing efforts.

Once you have started your follow-up efforts, you will be able to assess who will be beneficial to you and what marketing techniques worked for you at the music conference.

So when we all prepare for our upcoming music events and music conferences, let's make sure that we prepare ourselves to take full advantage of the opportunity. That means having our promotional items ready, presentation techniques down, and our mind & spirits in the right place. Oh yeah, a pleasant personality goes a long way too!

See you at the next Music Conference and/or Music Event!!!

One Love from BREG!!!

http://www.breg1994.com

http://www.myspace.com/breg1994

Using Music Showcases, Music Open Mics, and Promotional Shows to Brand Yourself & Your Music!

There are a lot of Artists out there that believe that they are too good to pay to perform or they believe that they have been doing their thing for so long and that justifies them not paying a fee to perform. Artists, don't get ahead of yourself!

Most Artists that are signed to Major Labels even do Music Showcases, Open Mics and Promotional Shows. The Labels pay the expenses involved with the Promotional Tour and most of the time these expenses are recoupable meaning that you as the artist are still paying to perform. Only leverage keeps you from having these expenses recouped. You will need to have a tremendous buzz and/or track record to have any kind of leverage!

As discussed in a past blog, don't be afraid to invest in yourself. When people see you grinding, they usually respect your hustle and want to be a part of your success.

Use Music Showcases, Open Mics, and Promotional Shows as your Radio Air-Play. It is usually the only time Independent Artists can have their music heard at one-time by a large group of people. Radio Air-Play is very expensive in most cases, so performances are your most inexpensive ways of being heard. Find out who produces the hottest Music Showcases, Open Mics, and Promotional Events in your area and secure your performance slot. You will be amazed at the networking you can do and the exposure you will receive especially if your music is good, your image is hot, and you have a good personality! Yung Joc received his big break at a Weekly Open Mic in Atlanta, GA.

Identify the music events that fit you and do them consistently enough to build a following where the crowd is singing your song and guess what? You don't even have Radio Air-Play. Believe me, it can and will happen if you have a song that has the potential to blow!

The best book out on how to take advantage of everything mentioned in this blog is by JaWar and the book is titled THE TRUTH ABOUT: Record Pools, Music Conferences, Talent Shows, and Open Mics

One Love from BREG!!!


http://www.breg1994.com/

http://www.myspace.com/breg1994

50 Cent vs. Kanye West - Great Music Marketing Scheme!

It has been all over the Music Industry News, Regular News, Sporting Events, etc. They even presented an award together at the MTV Video Awards this past Sunday Night (9-9-07). Who am I talking about? It's no other than your man "Fitty" and "Ye" better known as 50 Cent and Kanye West! Both of these men know how to make hit songs and both are actually marketing dreams. Here's the issue for me though, they are actually two different kind of Hip-Hop/Rap Artists. If you look at their styles and subject matter in the majority of their music, they appeal to two (2) different music markets.

50 has the well documented street past and his music is more gritty, but he also makes Radio Friendly songs with "Thug" appeal. That is a major music skill that he possesses. The ladies love it!

Kanye is "Hip-Hop Consciousness!" He says things that a lot of artists won't or can't say. He says a lot things everyday people wish they could say. He seems to appeal to the educated, pop, and international audiences.

Next week we will find out which one of these outstanding artists sales the most music in one (1) week. Who do you think will win?

I believe that 50 & Kanye got together and planned this duel. 50 is the king of controversey and Kanye is not bad at getting attention either. Remember his remarks about President Bush? May God Bless both of these brothers and may they continue to create good music and contribute to society in a positive way.

With 50's new windfall from his business interest in Vitamin Water, his rapping may never be the same, if he raps at all. He has just moved into Russell Simmons, Jay-Z, & P. Diddy territory!

One Love from BREG!


http://www.breg1994.com/

http://www.myspace.com/breg1994

Music Marketing for the "Vick Generation"

When you start thinking about how you are going to reach the young people that would like your music, you are probably thinking about your High School and College Students. These current young people are between the ages of 14 - 22. They are commonly known as Generation X, but I'm going to rename them the "Vick Generation"! I know you are asking why the Vick Generation? Well, it's simple. Your music needs to relate to and reach an entire generation of Music Content Buying Customers that have a different set of values. Yes Sir and Yes Ma'am are out of the window. Opening doors for ladies, what is that? Valuing Education, why? Violence, give me more! Sex, all we can get with or without protection! Respect, we want it, but we don't want to give it! Tell a lie, why not? Yes, the Vick Generation lives by a different code and as Music is created and marketed, we must keep these things in mind.

IPods and MP3 Players are their Music Listening Devices. Is your music digital? It must be! The Vick Generation downloads a ton of Music and they share it freely. The fastest way to spread your music is digitally! Research and Investigate all the Online Music Sites available to you to market and promote your music. You will be surprised!

At a recent Music Conference, a panelist that is a DJ clearly said that he will check out almost every MP3 sent to him via email, however, it is very difficult for him to listen to each physical CD he receives.

God Bless Michael Vick & his crew! They will pay their debt to society. Prayfully the Vick Generation will learn from this tragedy and prayfully, we as music industry professionals will help create better and more positive music content that will uplift and empower a confused generation of Music Buying Content Customers.

Let's be creative with our Music Marketing & Music Promotion skills!!!

One Love from BREG!

http://www.breg1994.com/

http://www.myspace.com/breg1994

Are you afraid to invest in your own Music Career or Project?

The question appears to be an easy one to answer, what's your answer? Are you afraid to invest in your own Music Career or Project? Yes or No?

There are a lot of talented Artists out there, but there are not a lot of Artists that truly are willing to put everything on the line for a significant amount of time to achieve their goals. The average artist from my experience actually believes they are better than the majority of Artists that they see on MTV and BET. The amazing thing is, they may be better, but do they have the work ethic and the ability to learn and grow! And, are they willing to put their own money and resources behind their career? Also, can they invest in themselves enough to attract bigger investors or a larger Record Company?

A lot of Artists believe their talent is the end all, but it is not! The most talented Artist is not the one that sells the most music. The Artist with the best team, marketing plan, execution and being Blessed has the most success. Talent allows you to stay in the business longer!

As an Artists, you want to become as popular as possible to create BRAND recognition and to have your music heard as much as possible so that it can be sold and exploited around the world. Marketing is the key to achieving these goals!

The bottom line is that an Artist has to work very hard to establish themselves and they can not believe that someone else is going to invest in them if they are not already investing in themselves.

Do not be afraid to invest in your own Music Career or Project!


http://www.breg1994.com/

http://www.myspace.com/breg1994

How do you take full advantage of your live performances?

There are several things you need to do to take advantage of your live performances, especially when you are not getting paid! You want to get as much exposure as possible and make as much money with your merchandise as you can. Let me stress this, it does not matter if you are performing in front of 3 people or 3,000 people, the concept and philosophy is the same.

Here are some of the items that you may want to consider to have at all of your live performances so that you may maximize the opportunity.

Items to consider: Flyers, Posters, CD's, T-shirts, Key-Chains, Baby Doll Shirts, Water Bottles, Condoms, Key-Chains, etc.

You should always try to have at least two (2) other people with you to manage the booth or table where your items are being passed out and/or sold. Your pricing should be pre-set and your people should be energetic about selling your merchandise. However, your sales are usually better when the Artist is present at the table where the merchandise is being sold. The Artist is able to interact with potential fans and merchandise buyers and allow the Artist's personality to confirm the sale. Personal contact at this level of an Artist's career is extremely important!

Pop Artists, Rock Bands, Country Bands and Solo Artists have taken advantage of Merchandising for decades!

Preparation is the key to selling your merchandise at live performances! Order your items in a timely fashion and re-order your top selling items at a pre-set time so that you never run out of these popular items. Make these same items available on your Website, MySpace Page, etc.

A few of my business associates that do a good job of maximizing lives performances and speaking engagements are JaWar, Lady X, Jawz of Life, Cool Water, Malachi, Kahryn, and Ruin!

Happy Merchandising!!!

One Love from BREG!

http://www.breg1994.com/

http://www.myspace.com/breg1994

Is it better to start marketing in your "Home" City or State?

Here's the question, is it better to start marketing your product in your HOME city or state, or is it better to start outside of your home market? As Arsenio Hall would say, that's a question that will make you say "Hmmmm!"

There are various reasons to consider when choosing where to start marketing your product. Here are a few things to consider. How much time do you have to commit? How much money (Do you have a BUDGET in place?) do you have to market (PUSH) the product? Answering these questions are very important! Why? Because those answers lead you to your ultimate answer where you can and should start marketing your product. Your time and a budget are needed for whichever way you decide to start marketing your product.

If you start marketing your product outside of your immediate area, then you will incur certain expenses off the rip. Gas (high as H@#$) and/or Airplane, Bus, Train, Boat Tickets, food, lodging (Hotel or Motel), etc. You have to account for every person that is on the road with you, safety included. An additional expense could be a Security Person or Team.

The Best thing about going into an area outside of your home turf is that you are more likely to be received as a bigger star because the people do not know you and they are happy that someone took the time to visit their city/area. The Smaller Markets where the P2 Radio Stations are located traditionally are more receptive to New Artists and New Music, however, you still have to be professional, present your material well, and have quality music. You can have a lot of success!

Starting at home is what most Artists/Independent Labels do because it appears to be the easiest thing to do. You will still use a lot of gas if you are really busting things out, but food, lodging, etc. is basically cut down to the bare minimums. When you start at home, a lot of people know you, but will they help you? A lot of people may promise to do something for the project, but they don't for whatever reason. If you live in a Major City/Market, your competition is steep. You are going to have to do something extrordinary to standout. You can breakout in your Home Area, but it will take an unyielding commitment and work ethic to push your product in a crowded marketplace.

Home or Away, it is an important question to answer as you create your plan/strategy to market, promote, and sell your product and/or services.

One Love from BREG!

http://www.breg1994.com/
http://www.myspace.com/breg1994
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