Do your Music Business employers and/or fans remember you? Or are you just another hypnotized by Music Industry fantasies… a fan, another web site, another resume, another know it all?

In other words, are you forgettable?

Unfortunately, most are very forgettable.

What is doubly unfortunate is that it’s really not hard to stand out from the crowd. It isn’t that hard to get noticed.

You just have to do a LITTLE bit more than the next.

There are a few different ways to do this… but one of the most proven is to do good research and actually know what to expect, know where to be and where not to be.

For example, the Music Career Guide is based on research and networking! Consider this: When I first endeavored on my journey to be successful in music I quickly got sent home with my tail between my legs.

Why? Because I thought what I saw on music video channels was all I had to do to be successful. I thought that all I had to do was duplicate the fame and glamour I was so compelled by. But that’s just it. That is all that needs to be done… but in its entirety!

No matter what music career you’re interested in, all you need to do is duplicate the fun and glamour… AND the smart and hard work. I didn’t know that! I thought the end result in music was the only result.

Why? Because I was a know it all and thought research and networking were what those that don’t possess natural talent do. Nowadays, this one little change makes me completely different from 95% of competitors who will end up stepped on and forgotten by the Music Business.

Another example… By doing research I realized a couple of things:

1st I realized I knew more about the career direction I was interested in BUT… then I realized maybe there was something else in music that I may be just as interested in if not even more interested in. Without knowing that and to just assume is basically being the same old know it all I was before and would probably end up throwing my time & effort in the trash and failing… again!

2nd If I was to gain the advantage over my competitors by researching my destiny and not researching the pieces of the puzzle, i.e. the adjoining careers in music I would have to collaborate with, how & who am I going to network with?!

So here I am, now educated and on the hunt for more knowledge, connections and money.

So how did I prepare? I created a platform to insure my foundation of success stays strong and fed. I wrote an over 450 page book on researching and networking all the careers in music. This was kind of a tribute to my trials & tribulations.

In addition, I’ve built a website, a Music Career advice blog, I’ve written Newsletters, I’ve shared and will continue to share music industry resources from experts in the business, and have blueprinted future plans to help others out in avoiding the sure to come failure of the inexperienced.

This is important stuff! It’s how you build a base of rabid employers, affiliates and fans. It’s how you build success.

So… after 16 months of writing and publishing the “Music Careers Guide”, I am finally about to release it. The only complete source of research on 98% of all the careers that exist in the music business… this is your ground zero!

The book is done and will OFFICIALLY LAUNCH on 10-27-08 @ 12:00 pm EST!

Also, if you haven’t peeped the “sneak preview” yet, check it out: http://www.music-career-guide.com/sneakpreview.html

Oh, yeah… if you haven’t heard the Music Career Q & A tele-seminar yet, check it out: http://www.music-career-guide.com/teleseminar.html

Best regards,

Dave
Ground Zero To The Music Biz!
www.Music-Career-Guide.com

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10. Confirm the date with the venue two weeks in advance.

Call the or management group; tell them you are confirming the show and double-checking arrival times. Find out if there are any last minute changes that you should be aware of. This highlights your professionalism and it gives reassurance that you and your band will be there. There are many times when a club double books by accident or a band doesn’t show up. Confirming the date will ease your mind as well as the venue’s.

Add a column in your show spreadsheet for confirmation, and check it off as you call each venue.

9. Tip the soundman

Tip the sound guy or girl. This is the person handling your sound and they have the ears at the front of the house. Take care of them and they will remember you. When I was on the road, we often gave a ten or twenty to the soundman and any time we came back, they took extra special care of us.

8. Be early, Be prepared

Know the room and know where you are playing. Know the potential traffic problems of the area. Get there early and make sure to double check that you have all your equipment, your merchandise, and your contracts (if required). Print out the direction and contact information so you can call the venue if there are problems. Know when load in time is, and make sure you are there ready to go. These small details will make all the difference.

7. Do a last minute poster run of the area

Grab some posters during the down time and hit the vicinity of the club. Do some last minute promotion, hand out some leaflets and see if you can book a radio interview between the load in and the performance. There is so much wasted time between sound check and the actual show that can be filled up with effective marketing.

6. Be nice and be aware

Show respect to the venue, the staff and the other artists. Some nights may not be the nicest rooms, the best stage, or the best shows. Still, showing respect is paramount. Don’t talk trash about the room, other bands, or anyone for that matter. If someone is talking trash about you, take the higher road and keep your mouth shut. Venues, managers, agents and staff will see it and, in turn, will want to work more with acts like you.

If you have problems with your monitors, your agreement, or with anything that’s wrong, address it in a respectful manner. There is no need to go “diva,” and it doesn’t make anyone want to help you. When you come at someone with respect, most of the time you will get it in return.

5. Organize yourself and your gear.

Make sure all the gear is top notch. As you unload, get your cases out of the way. Find out where the green room is or where you are suppose to store things and try to consolidate and pack your stuff tightly. If it’s a shady place, bring the cases back to the cars. Count up your merch, make sure to track everything you need to go over. Talk to the soundman about issues or important things that they might not be aware of. If you are bringing certain sound equipment, make sure it is well marked and not easily mistaken for the venue’s gear. Same goes with cords and power supplies. It will make your life a lot easier.

4. Get on and off the stage quickly.

If you are doing a load on during the set, organize your gear to the side of the stage. Figure out an order for the gear and find the fastest way to get it up on the stage and ready to go. Ask if the band before you needs help loading off. Too often people waste time standing around, which backs up the sets and ends up either cutting bands sets or making delays that don’t need to be there.

Load off quickly as well. If there is a band coming up, move pieces off the stage right after you are done. Don’t take a cymbal off its stand on stage; take the stand, with the cymbal on it, off the stage. Unplug, and move. Show the respect to the venue and the next band. People remember things like that. Don’t go have a conversation, a drink or hang out. Clear the stage first, and then be social.

3. Market on Stage

Have a great show and have a good time with your audience, but don’t forget to market while you’re on stage. Mention the band name numerous times. Get it into the audience’s head. Bring up the website, the myspace, tell them the name of the album or merchandise that you have. Tell the audience where you are from. Brand your sound and your name to your crowd and then they will know how to find you.

2. Market the show well in advance

Promote and market your shows well in advance. Promotion brings people out, and even if you do not have a budget to market, you can still go grassroots and make things effective. Using press releases, craigslist, myspace, local radio and local websites where the venue is based can help. Start promotion 6 weeks out with releases. This will allow the time to get stories done about the show and the band. (A follow up blog on marketing steps will be appearing later this week.)

1. Have fun, or at least look like it.

Whether there are 5, 50, or 500 people, play the same show. Showcase what you are about by showing that, regardless of how many people are there, you are having fun, having a great performance and making the most out of whatever situation you are in. Connect with the audience no matter how large or small, and you will continue to build a fan base. Every show is as important as the next one. Treat all shows that way and you will see results.

Lastly, work the eye contact. I can’t stress that enough. Look at the audience and connect with them. This is where you are going to build the reputation, and it is where the buzz about your shows and your performances gets started. If you make them all walk away wanting more, they will come back, and then some, the next time you return.

Loren Weisman
Producer
www.protectomatic.com
www.myspace.com/protectomatic
www.protectomatic.yuku.com
www.lorenweisman.com

Article Source: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.
view&friendID=96021065&blogID=392116949

For more education on careers in the music industry, check out: www.Music-Career-Guide.com

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The Prep:

Talent know your style, be solid in your performance abilities before you take on too big a gig

All band mates know their responsibilities

Calendar create your timeline

Internet – online presence, class ads, forums, press, make friends with other bands

Networking go to shows of other bands and meet them, create critical allies, rub elbows

Press kit with contact info, web address

Demo tape/CD with your 3 best songs

Rehearsed extensively

Decent equipment with backups and spares

Reliable transportation for band and ALL equipment

Funds who handles your band finances, food, gas, places to stay

Booking agency or manager to get bookings when affordable and research thoroughly

Sound Technician

Playlist well shaped, great flow, more than enough for the time allowed, minimal pause between songs

The Places:

Fundraisers, charities, benefits

Festivals, fairs, city free concert venues, trade shows

Music competitions, songwriting contests

Battle of the bands

Clubs, bars, pubs karaoke, open mic night

Weddings, special occasions, private functions, parties

Country clubs, cruise ships

Restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, bookstores

Schools, churches, colleges

House concert

Jam sessions

Online video

Gig trading with other bands of similar style one band opens the show, the other closes

Getting the Gig:

Attitude should be how we can help each other

Understand what is expected of you dont assume anything, including food and drinks

Make sure the venue has a good rep for being fair

Be ready if you need to do a live audition during a clubs less busy hours.

Venue specifications, space, sound

Keep your word, build respect, do what you say you will do

Get it in writing, contract

You know its up to you to promote your gig, right?

The Promotion:

Word of mouth with enthusiasm!

Flyers, posters get permission as needed (e.g. parking lots)

Street teams, fan clubs

Internet marketing events, email, ezines, newsletters, class ads, Blogs, concert calendars, mailing list (online/offline)

Call ALL your friends, family, co-workers, school mates

Press releases to any media available

Newspaper, radio, local gig guides

Bulletin boards, music stores, record shops

Go where your particular style of fan would hang out or work do your market research

Swap promo with local stores, restaurants, come up with some cool idea

The number of heads through the door is the most important factor for a re-booking

At Work:

A gig is a job so the same rules apply: be on time, dont take too many set breaks, be prepared to do your best and be professional at all times. The reputation you create will proceed you.

Sound check, balance, volume levels

Make sure the audience knows the name of your band

A good catchy opening line

Be adaptive to your environment have a sense of humor

A musician under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a recipe for disaster

Merchandise for sale CDs, t-shirts, stickers, door prizes

Have someone take good photos (video) for adding to your photo albums later and schmooze with your fans! Get fan names to add to the photo narrative.

Collect emails, hand out biz cards, promote the next upcoming gig, get references

Something will probably go wrong, think through typical disasters and try to be prepared

Have a great time because you are doing what you love to do!

The Follow-up:

Let everyone know you had a great time and appreciate that they came to see you and thank the venue operators and staff

If you have a band following you, be polite and move your equipment as quickly as possible

Have your pre-appointed money collector do their job

Drop the rock star attitude dont get a big head

Respect the people around you and don’t burn any bridges

Learn from every experience

Add any upcoming gig or follow-up press release to your music profile. Show the world what you are about!

Artistopia – The Ultimate Artist Development Resource http://www.artistopia.com is an artist development and community on the web providing music artists, songwriters and bands all the tools needed for displaying their talent, music business collaboration, marketing and networking. Online since 2003, Artistopia develops advanced technology solutions that leverage the Internet to both the music artist and music companies respective advantage.

For more education on careers in the music industry, check out: www.Music-Career-Guide.com

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Players are worried about being shown-up by other musicians. What I usually suggest is that you get out there into what I call the insecurity zone and play something you know first – just to get in front of a crowd, then playing something you’re not so familiar with, and with another player – and if you do make a mistake play right through it and move on to the next riff.

The reason I say this is because so many players make mistakes and don’t attempt to play past it, and “fret” over the mistake and virtually stop playing. Your playing doesn’t have to be perfect, just practice on your tone and note playing.

Becoming accomplished Players:

Your mistakes if done right when you move on to the next chord can become an element of the song. One of the main reasons bands or individual musicians never get on stage and make that next move into club work is stage fright, and being seen as a band that has terrible chops or ability to just play in time.

Stage fright shouldn’t be a consideration in your ascent to being a bar or a touring band. As far as a band’s chops go, that’s more important than being afraid of being on-stage in public. A healthy dose of stage fright can propel you and your band into playing their best. Part of getting your music out there is to get it critiqued by a well known musician who plays your style of music. Don’t get a recording engineer to listen to it. Have that invidual go out to listen and watch you on-stage – and submit a CD as well so they can give you a good idea of what to work on in your shows and on your recordings. Now back to the trembling mounds of flesh that you are.

Getting Started On-Stage:

Start by going to local jams with your whole band and by yourself as well. When you go with your band-mates, bring your guitars and a good practice amp which you can pick up at a pawn shop for approximately $100.00. This way you have an amp and guitar set-up to your specs, not some one else’s, and can play it well. This way you don’t have to lug around your SWR, Crate, or Ampeg which you should use in your shows anyway. Next, you should ask the musician running the jam if it’s all right if your band plays a tune or two.

Jams get your band’s name out there, even in a very small way. Get your band members to go on-stage during the jam by themselves with other players to get a reference on their feel, playing ability, chops and how to transfer that to your live and studio work. Keep on working your band’s repetoire, and write songs as much as you can, and practice other artist’s material, if that’s your bag.

Write – and rehearse enough material for at least one set at a local club. At this point, approach a number of clubs that book your style of music, and see about opening for a known band.

Opening for a band can sometimes get you more work than just booking your band early in the week by themselves. And act like professional Musicians, no matter what stage in your career you’re at – because you don’t know who’s watching you.

Even if you’re opening up for a headliner, or playing an early in the week show at a club for nothing – it’s still a fantastic way to get your band out there and work to become solid musicians. This way you’re learning how to promote your act and eventually get paid as working musicians. Next, you have to write up a band – bio and start developing a press kit. One way is to go on-line and look for articles from the best in the music Biz (Taxi) which is an A&R Specialist – Artist and Repetoire business for musicians.

These people have some of the most knowledgeable music industry veterans on staff, and can show you how to come up with a solid Bio and Press Kit – Just go to Taxi.com.

Start getting interviews with local college radio and print writers. Start your own web-page as well and write articles on the band yourself. It sounds rather ludicrous, but it’s a good way to do it yourself, and you can even interview your band members on their music careers, interests and goals.

One other way to get a following is to interview other musicians and write articles on different areas of the music business and get local music writers to help with content on your band website. This sounds like a lot of work, but if you love music enough you will do what’s needed.

At Canadian Guitar Player we specialize in interviewing musicians and writing articles on various topics of interests to musicians, which can be set-up as part of a band’s press kit.

DIY promotion and Making it work:

Getting a 3 song CD out there to promote and sell is also important… Like I said at the beginning of the article, your best 3 tracks with your strongest one first. As far as the recording goes you can do it on a 4 track or 8 track mixed on to CD. Also make sure to rehearse before going into the studio because no one likes to do 100 takes just to get it down right. Having all your instruments set up right so you don’t have to do any overdubs or editing is important.

Doing a soundcheck so no signal bleed happens between your singer and the rest of the band doesn’t give off feedback, or horrible sounding final mixes is also imperative. So make sure your mic’s are set up properly and if you have the money buy some solid Shure 57’s or 8’s to help in that process. By experimenting with mic distance from the amps can help in figuring out the best sound for the recording. So some pre-recording is in order just so you don’t have to keep on going back and getting frustrated by it all. If you know a musician locally who has done his own recordings and can help you, use their knowledge to help you along the path. It’s not always the top producers who will know what you need. Also, keep reading tips from Taxi.com and magazines like Guitar Player and Canadian Musician to help your recording, and becoming the great musician and band you know you can be.

Canadian Guitar Player Magazine has always been diligent in DIY promotion and can set up bios and press kits for a nominal fee. You’ll want to learn all you can in this business we love so much. So never settle for the status quo and always keep on asking for the best from your band mates as well. First of all, get all you can out of the local scene before starting to get bookings out of town, because media promotion is essential before you hit the big cities like Toronto, Montreal or New York. In the next article on getting the band out of the basement, we’ll delve into the services of booking agents, coming out with a CD release, and learning the nuts and bolts of being a working musician.

Written by – Mark Grove – CGP
www.taxi.com Your A&R specialist’s

For more education on careers in the music industry, check out: www.Music-Career-Guide.com

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Written by Heather McDonald

For more education on careers in the music industry, check out: www.Music-Career-Guide.com

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