Madalyn's Blog

When seeking reviews in local or even online publications, be sure to take this on with an organized approach. Send a nice package including Bio, an unwrapped CD, and Photo. A Music Writer needs interesting subject matter, as well as thoroughly gathered details about their potential subject to pique further interest. Include your contact information in case they want to know more, and always list the names of your songs and corresponding tracks.

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful." -- Albert Schweitzer

Rock on,
Madalyn Sklar
IndieMusicCoach.com
~providing one-on-one indie music consulting & coaching~

So you have a show this weekend. Are you prepared? Sure, you've practiced. You emailed your list to come out. When was the last time you thought out ideas for the merch table?

Do you even have a merch display? I've seen it all from the fancy, free-standing, lighted display to a performer using a little box with her CD prices scrawled on it! Your best bet is to stand out. Most bands I meet don't really give it much thought and pretty much wing it at their shows. I would take the time to come up with something unique. Since most venues are dark, something with lights could be very cool. I've seen rope lights used very effectively. Get creative and have fun with it. Get a friend or your biggest fan to help sell your CDs while you are performing. Most people want to buy your CD either while you are playing or right afterwards. As soon as your set is over, you need to get to the merch table as quickly as possible. People want to meet you! They want you to sign their CD! It's good PR and a way to earn fans for life.

Be sure to have plenty of CDs to sell at your shows. It's really easy to not bring enough and then run out. That would suck! The best money maker at your show is merchandise, especially your CD. Also make sure you have it available for purchase online through your web site and other outlets such as CDBaby.com and Amazon.com.

Also have a mailing list available. So many times I see bands scramble at the last minute to find a piece of paper and pen to put out. Instead, get a cheap clipboard and attach a pen to it.

Hope this bit of information helps you in your music career!

Rock on,
Madalyn Sklar
IndieMusicCoach.com
~providing one-on-one indie music consulting & coaching~

Hey all,

Annette Warner and I will be hosting our monthly GoGirls Elite Conference Call on Friday, May 6 at 2pm eastern. All IndieMusicCoach clients are invited to attend too! The call will be a free-for-all Q&A and will last for about 45 minutes. There is no cost to join us, just a long distance phone number to call. The entire 45 minutes will be devoted to your questions. So call and ask away!

Instructions on how to call will be emailed to our customers.

If you are not a member of GoGirls Elite or an IndieMusicCoach customer, what are you waiting for? Info at www.gogirlselite.com and www.indiemusiccoach.com.

Rock on,
Madalyn Sklar
IndieMusicCoach.com
~providing one-on-one indie music consulting & coaching~