SONG CONTEST BLOG

from: Mark Towne
to: Lior Shamir
date: Thu, Feb 3, 2011 at 12:35 PM
subject: BAD GIRLS CLUB (Season 6) / Songs Used / Vices I Admire

Lior,

After winning We Are Listening’s Breaking the Band contest our music was exposed to a diverse, large audience of independent radio lovers. Our web traffic skyrocketed and we made our first appearance on the CMJ radio charts. Months later we landed a placement on the Oxygen Network’s The Bad Girls Club through the contacts we made from We Are Listening. As an independent artist in today’s market every little bit helps and We Are Listening has given us a big push!

Mark Towne
Booking / Drums
Vices I Admire

I received this email this morning:

Just learned that my song was not selected in the Round 6 Singer/Songwriter contest.  I don’t mind not being selected, but had hoped to get some more specific feedback beyond the boilerplate communication.  I hunted around and saw a reply from you to a previous complaint about this regarding your service for the purpose of evaluation.  It’s great that you provide this service; however, the entrants to this contest have already paid $30, and it looks like you’re asking for an additional $30 to get feedback.  This seems excessive.  Maybe you could give a break to the non-selected entrants and charge them only, say, $10 for feedback.

Just a thought.

Leave a comment >>

Yesterday, my friend and colleague, Tobin Watkinson, accepted my invitation to join We Are Listening’s Panel of Judges.  His participation in our songwriting competition review schedule will kick-in immediately.

Tobin Watkinson was most recently a consultant to the A&R Department at Atlantic Records while simultaneously holding the title of co-founder/partner at boutique LA based management company, Roxwell Management.  Prior to co-founding Roxwell, Tobin was the Director of Artist & Repertoire at MySpace Records, a joint venture with Interscope Records.

He has been awarded gold and platinum records for his early involvement in the discovery of recording artist OneRepublic.  Their debut single “Apologize” has sold over 10 million singles worldwide and is one of the most legally downloaded songs in U.S. digital history.  In 2008 “Apologize” broke the all-time record for the most “spins” in the history of U.S. Top 40 Radio and OneRepublic went on to sell nearly 2 million copies of their debut album “Dreaming Out Loud” which has been certified gold or platinum in 12 countries.   In addition, Tobin has also helped launch the careers of successful touring acts Scary Kids Scaring Kids (RCA) and Madina Lake (Roadrunner/Atlantic).

Prior to being recruited to help launch MySpace Records, Tobin was partnered in a joint venture with Warner Music Group and was part of the team that led business development efforts at internet music startup Purevolume.com.  In addition, Tobin has worked with Velvet Hammer Music and Management Group, as well as joint ventures through Columbia Records and Sony/ATV Music Publishing, LLC.

I am confident that the addition of Tobin’s expert knowledge of the marketplace, sound ear,  and network of contacts will lead to greater accomplishments for our songwriting competition participants.

There are two reasons why songwriters participate in a songwriting competition:

The Judges
These are the people you want to get in front of.  For better or for worse, they are the insiders who pull the strings.  Their reputation and expertise open doors.  In a songwriting competition, that could result in a handful of songwriters taking the fast track to music success.  I’ve seen it happen again and again.

The Prizes
The bigger the prize, the more likely the outcome of a true commercial success for the songwriting competition winner.  If the prize is big enough, it may change the winner’s life forever.  I’ve seen that happen too.

In 2011, We Are Listening has a tough decision to make.  We have limited resources to expand our network and, therefore, must be selective about where we invest.  So, I’m paying forward this decision to you…

…Should we invest in recruiting more judges or developing bigger prizes?

Click here to leave a response >>

Those of you that have entered the Free International Songwriting Competition know that the total cash prize is $6000.

The cash prize, as published on this website, is broken down into three categories for Winner, Finalist and Runner Up, like this:

Singer/Songwriter Category:
$1000 Winner
$400 Finalist
$100 Runner-Up

Songwriter Category:
$1000 Winner
$400 Finalist
$100 Runner-Up

Lyricist Category:
$1000 Winner
$400 Finalist
$100 Runner-Up

That’s a total of $6000

Or is it?

Thanks to an email from a member [who can do basic arithmetic], it was brought to my attention that we’re $1500 short.

I still want to give away $6000 and I need your help to spread an additional $1500 across the three categories.

How would you do it?

We currently have three song contests open.  To compare and contrast, and select the right song contest for you, click here.

If you have any questions or comments about any of these song contests, please leave a comment below this post by clicking here and I will respond on the thread.

Or you can contact us via email here.

On the 1st January 2010, exactly 364 days ago, I pledged to make this blog outstanding.

It was a new year’s resolution for me and my promise to you.  I wrote it down here.

Today, just a few hours from the turn of the year, did I achieved what I had set out to do?

If you believe that this blog is outstanding, let me know.  If I have fallen short [or flat on my ass], let me know.  And most importantly, let me know what you would like to see on this blog in 2011.

This is your blog.  In the past, I have tried to make it my own and failed.  You see, when I make it about me, nobody reads it.  When I make it about YOU, a conversation begins.

Whether you’re a regular reader or just drop in from time to time, I invite you to share your thoughts and help me create a blog that will help you succeed in music and beyond.

Leave your thoughts here >>

May the force be with you in 2011!

Lior Shamir
Founder, We Are Listening & Song Contest Blog

Two weeks ago, I wrote a post about my idea for a one million dollar song contest.  The premise of the idea is to give away a million dollars cash to one artist from a million who enter.  It’s a winner-takes-all concept where submissions are free and the prize is the largest in the industry’s history.  If you didn’t read the post, here it is.

I want to take this idea and develop it.  And I need your help:

I’ve been searching for names for this song contest.  For example, Million Dollar Song Contest or One Million Voices.  I’m not thrilled with either.

Please think of names that you believe are suitable and leave them in the comments below this post.

But there’s a catch!  The domain must be available.  Don’t suggest a name like “One Million” because buying this domain would cost about fifty grand.

If you think of a good name, check that the domain is available on www.godaddy.com before suggesting it.

Thanks for your creative input friends.

Leave your suggestions here >>

Yesterday, I published a post titled “Help, I’m a Struggling Musician”, highlighting a poor promotional strategy employed by many artists that approach me.

Today, I listened to Robert Kiyosaki’s “Before You Quit Your Job” audiobook in its entirety to reinforce my commitment to become a better communicator and effectively promote my business interests.

I am frustrated that many artists do not make it their business to become effective communicators.  I often hear, “my music speaks for itself.”  Unfortunately, poor communications skills – a poorly composed email, a half-baked presentation, or unprofessional phone call – will get your music shelved or deleted, not heard.

Being a great musician is not enough.  To quote Robert Kiyosaki, “The world is full of talented poor people.”

Next time you compose an email, place a phone call, or reach out on Facebook, consider whether the manner in which you write, speak, listen, present and promote is as awesome as your music.

And in 2011, I suggest that you make it your mission to become a great spokesperson as well as a great musician.  It’s a winning combination.

Comment on this post >>

On a daily basis, I receive email to the effect of, “I’m a struggling musician, really talented… please listen to my songs and tell me what you can do, okay?”

It’s not okay.

Folks, the word “struggling” does not inspire much confidence and describing yourself as “talented”, “awesome” or “star quality” doesn’t fly either.

Instead, show me the benefits of listening to your music and maybe even working with or investing in you.  Also, don’t tell me what YOU think of yourself.  Tell me what other people think of you: Show me what the press is writing about you and how many fans are spreading the word.

If you’re good, validate your claim.  Don’t assume that if you tell me that you’re the next big cheese I’ll believe you.  I won’t.

Comment on this post >>