Madalyn's Blog

We talk about it all the time, how do we get from Point A to Point B? How do I get from here to there? There are lots of ways. I firmly believe in writing down where you would like to be 3, 6, 12, 36 months from now. Take your time, think about it, write it down. Now look it over. Are you excited? Good! You should be. If you are not excited about what you wrote, you may want to re-think what it is you want.

Excitement motivates us. It jumpstarts us and makes us feel good.

Now that you are motivated, take your list of where you'd like to be. Think about what steps you need to make to achieve each item. This is where the work begins. It may not be pleasant but jot it all down and be realistic. If you want to sell 2,500 CDs in the next 12 months what do you have to do? You'll have to work! I know, not fun but if you are excited about your CD it should not be terribly difficult. Things will NOT happen by sitting on your ass unless you sit on your ass working your Myspace page. Make time to get out and network. Yes, outside the comforts of your home! Go to music conferences. Go to music events. Even go to open mics. Get out there and meet people.

So how do you get from here to there?
Patience. Persistence. Perseverance.

Need additional help? As a music business coach and consultant I work daily with indie artists, helping them achieve their goals and elevate their music careers. Here is what some of my clients say:

"Madalyn is full of knowledge and creative ideas about how to excel in the indie music world. I am most impressed by the care she gives to her clients and their careers. She has an up-beat and positive way about her and I very much enjoy working with her for that reason."
Jennifer Richman - New York, NY

"Madalyn has helped me put my musical goals into perspective so that I can actually begin to move forward instead of standing still. Her consulting calls are serious, fun and always upbeat. Madalyn is full of knowledge and will guide you in the direction you wish to take."
Ronnda Cadle - Atlanta, GA

Madalyn Sklar
IndieMusicCoach.com
~providing one-on-one indie music consulting & coaching~
http://www.indiemusiccoach.com

Indie-Music.com has put together a useful page with info/links to musician magazines. Click here to check it out! Be advised the two "women in music" magazines are no longer available. Why is that?

Madalyn Sklar
IndieMusicCoach.com
~providing one-on-one indie music consulting & coaching~
www.indiemusiccoach.com

If not, you may be missing out on some timely, great feedback!

Let's face it- we all have extraordinarily busy days if we are working hard to succeed with whatever it is we enjoy doing. Seconds count! Budgets matter!

As a music reviewer, it means a great deal to me to save as much time as I can by not having to worry about what I refer to as 'second wasters'. Most Indie-music reviewers are volunteers, and most of us have guidelines on how to submit in place on the websites we publish our material on. Do you look for and follow those guidelines? Do you treat us as individually as you want us to treat you? If not, here are some things you can consider when sending us your projects for review. It really may matter on whether we get to you when we actually grab your CD, or later when we have time to rifle through the tons of mailing materials, useless tape and cellophane to hear your music.

The CD's I like getting the best are the ones that are in a simple envelope with a tearable material. Your CD's are not impact explosives. All you need is a simple mailing envelope, and some bubble wrap to protect the case if it's plastic. Some of the envelopes come already padded and those are fine. As long as you don't resurface them with postal tape like you are afraid someone is going to peek inside before it arrives on the reviewer’s desk.

I cannot stand the plastic mailers that fuse together like brick and mortar. They are IMPOSSIBLE to open without pain....and if Edward Scissorhands isn't nearby...you are getting tossed to the side, for now - because I can't always locate my razor blades. Please, think about the poor reviewers with arthritis and make your delivery pouch joint-friendly.

You know those really thick mailers with loose insulation in them that explodes everywhere if you tear them in the wrong place? DON'T DO IT! Please!

Don’t use staples! They are annoying, painful and if we miss one flying off it can end up in our foot. Budget friendly and simple 'manila envelopes' or plain padded mailers with reinforced tape along the opening edge are sufficient. I've never received a cracked CD case or a bent CD in my life because the CD wasn't mailed with a quilt. Remember...it's your money you are wasting. The mailers get thrown away here. If you are still having your CD's wrapped at the factory - PLEASE remove the wrappers before sending them out. It is your non-biodegradable garbage. You throw it away.

No need to send a transcript for a press kit either. We are interested in the music and enough info to fit on one or two pages about your act. So a 1-2 page bio and a CD is all we need. Again, check with a reviewer you are sending your CD to if they don't provide you with submission guidelines anywhere. I asked 10 reviewers and 9.5 feel the same way I do. But, some may want your life story.

Address the outside of the envelope properly. Let us know who you intend for this CD to go to, publication wise. And keep track of who you are sending CD's to. There are reviewers out there that write and review for multiple places. Unless you enjoy throwing money in a bonfire...don't send one CD for each zine in which you want a review published, to the same person.

Remember, we get busy and have so many CD's coming in...sometimes it can be overwhelming. And we forget who we've reviewed sometimes and where....but CD covers nag at our memory....

Peace, and Purpose!
Annette Warner
Editor - GoGirlsMusic.com
Visit http://www.coffeehousetour.com/