MUSIC INDUSTRY BLOG

The Internet has made it possible for us to test everything.  We can put our songs online, gather feedback from music fans in an instant, and use that valuable insight to improve the quality of our songwriting.

Before you spend thousands of dollars recording your album, wouldn’t you like to know how music fans think you can improve each song?  Wouldn’t you like to know which of your songs has the greatest chance at climbing the charts?

Every label, publisher and promoter would love to have this information.

SoundOut offers musicians the immediate insight they need to write better songs and promote them effectively.  Click here to review a sample report.

Go To SoundOut >>

As an artist growing your business, you’ll often reach out to publishers, labels and prospective fans who may be interested – but not necessarily expecting – to hear from you.

I’m talking about a cold email (or unsolicited email) composed and sent in a personal, professional and transparent manner.  Don’t confuse this with bulk email sent to recipients who did not directly opt-in to your list.  That’s spam.

From my experience, a cold email will get answered when your message addresses the recipient’s urgent need.  Easier said than done, right?

Over the years, I developed a simple check-list to ensure that my cold emails rise to the top, get opened, read and responded to.

11 questions I ask myself before I click the ’send’ button:

1. Is my email subject line personal, compelling and distinctive?

2. Does the message in the email body list and persist the benefits of communicating with me?

3. Have I included all the facts (not the fluff) about me for the recipient’s reference?

4. Have I demonstrated that I sincerely care about the recipient?

5. Have I clearly expressed what action I would like the recipient to take after reading my email?

6. Can my message be shorter, clearer and more persuasive?

7. Have I strategically timed and conceived my follow-up emails in advance?

8. Is my persistence justified in my follow-up emails or am I coming off as pushy?

9. Do I have a response email ready (at least in my head) if and when the recipient replies?

10. Am I primed for resistance and emotionally prepared for rejection?

11. If the recipient doesn’t reciprocate after several attempts, do I have a plan B?

The next time you reach out to a music manager, music supervisor or venue owner, try running through these questions before you click the ‘send’ button.  This small extra step may help you rise above the noise and get you and your music heard.

Please share your own tips >>

Can your current music sales really support you?

Probably not, but you’re definitely not alone.  The days of artists earning their income through the strength of song sales alone are growing dimmer by the day.

Music fans don’t want to pay for music anymore, and they’re getting less willing to do so all the time.  Teenagers today have grown up in a world where they can download, stream and share anything they want, and all for free.

And they’ve never known anything different.

If even the most recognized artists in the world are having their songs downloaded for free, how are you supposed to make any money?

Believe it or not, you already have everything you need to make money.  But even though your recordings are the least likely commodity to generate a strong income, there are plenty of other things you can sell.

We’ve teamed up with our good friends at MusicCareerMasters.com to show you exactly what you can to do to drive your income outside of music sales.

MusicCareerMasters is a website created to help independent artists make a living from the music business.  It is run by Mark Smith, a veteran band manager of over 13 years.  He teaches musicians time tested and highly effective strategies to truly make it in today’s rapidly changing music ecosystem.

For We Are Listening members only, Mark has created an exclusive 6 minute video that walks you through exactly what you need to know to make the maximum money for your products.

Let Mark Show You His Instant Money Making Ideas >>

It is with deep sadness that I inform you that Henry Gaffney passed away on May 23, 2010 after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

Henry was one of my songwriting professors at Berklee College of Music, and a We Are Listening panelist.  Above all, he was a friend and mentor.

In tribute, I intend to keep his profile and image on our website.

He will be missed.

Scott Ginsberg, author and motivational speaker, writes:

Because of our instant gratification culture, we’re impatient.

Because of our privileged upbringing, we developed a mediocre work ethic.

Because of our self-reliant, entrepreneurial bent, we don’t offer loyalty easily.

Because of our abundance of choices, we’re quick to quit and pursue something better.

No wonder we can’t stick with anything for very long.

Now let me ask you this:

Are you sticking to your plan to achieve a successful career in music?

And what do you do when your plan doesn’t go according to plan?

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“Lior, I couldn’t be more grateful for the connections you made for me with Beth and Jon.  I signed a contract with Imaginary Friends this week, and also talked to Jon.  I was nervous to work with both of them at the same time, but Jon called Beth yesterday.. and everything will be working out fine.  Jon will be pitching my music to MTV and ETV! and Beth will be licensing for other TV networks.  Jon says there are new shows opening for June, and placements will happen really quickly.  I will let you know if I have more good news!  Thank you so so much.”

- Hee Young

Seth Godin, best selling author and popular blogger, writes:

Sometimes (and too often) marketers work to manipulate people.  I define manipulation as working to spread an idea or generate an action that is not in a person’s long-term best interest.

How should We Are Listening ensure the long-term best interests of our song contest participants?

Share your thoughts with me >>

Exactly a year ago, I contacted a successful and influential music business professional (I won’t reveal his name) and invited him to join our panel of song contest judges.

In the spirit of full transparency, I wanted to share his response with you:

Sorry if this offends, but I’m afraid I’m not a big fan of song contests.  While I know they provide a platform for a few; they provide disappointment and false hope to many.  So I’m not sure that I’d be an appropriate judge or partner.

Feel free to add your comments >>

MusikPitch offers free song contests for songwriters.  Simply select a free song contest and submit your songs.  There’s no cost to take part, it’s a great way to get your music heard, and there’s a cash prize for the winner.

Browse Contests >>

Over the weekend, I was thinking about the many artists out there that don’t have the means to write with others, learn from others, and finance a demo or live showcase.

You see, at We Are Listening, we look at an artist’s musical merit.  But we also realize that in order for an artist to demonstrate his full potential, he has to have support and encouragement from family and friends, access to venues and recording facilities, and a little money to travel, record and self-promote.

Many artists simply don’t have the opportunity to be heard, let alone get signed or published.  Some come from broken homes, dead-end jobs, and unmanageable debt.

I was thinking that creating a scholarship program where we finance a talented artist based on his or her financial circumstances – not just musical merit – would be an excellent initiative for We Are Listening.

A We Are Listening scholarship program would provide a handful of struggling artists with an opportunity to rise above the noise and ease the harsh realities of their day to day lives.

I’d like to think that it would make a difference.

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