Madalyn's Blog

Rainmaker Public Relations & Artists Management is celebrating its’ 12th anniversary this month. Rainmaker PR, one of the longest-running PR companies for independent artists, has worked with over 1,500 clients since it opened it’s doors in 1995. Being an indie public relations firm, Rainmaker does something that is much more specific and intricate than other PR firms. Aside from sending out discs and getting reviews & interviews for her bands and labels, Rainmaker also offers artist development consultations on a bi-monthly basis. In regards to this cutting-edge service, Kelley says: “It’s important to educate artists on the most cost effective ways to spend their money and give them a solid direction to achieve their specific goals.”

Not one to rest on her laurels, owner Rhonda Kelley along with her partners also launched and created The Virtual Publicist and The Virtual Publisher in May 2007. A downloadable press list with mailing labels and resources to make doing a D.I.Y campaign doable. Always one to help independent bands out, regardless of their budget, Kelley started The Virtual Publicist and The Virtual Publisher to give bands with limited means the ability of promoting their music to a wide array of magazines, newspapers, and other media outlets at a minimal cost. At last count, there are over 450 contacts in The Virtual Publicist, which is a large number considering the bargain-basement price of the service, a one-time only charge of $39.95.

Even before Rainmaker PR was born in 1995, Kelley kept busy in the creation and production process, creating the entertainment show, Edge TV. After publicists quoted her exorbitant fees to assist with the local musical guests on the show, Kelley had no choice but to do it herself. This led to the creation of Rainmaker Public Relations & Artist Development. Kelley explains what she thought when she was starting the agency: “Dedicating myself solely to unsigned musicians because they were the ones who needed my help most, I did something that was very unpopular in 1995 but is now a standard model. The best part of running Rainmaker Public Relations and Artist Management is being able to work every day with great musicians and help them further their careers. It’s exciting to wake up every day and know that my job is listening to great new music and making sure the world is able to hear it, too.”

Check out Rainmaker PR at www.rainmakerpublicrelations.com and The Virtual Publicist / The Virtual Publisher at www.thevirtualpublicist.com

Labels: indie, music, pr, rainmaker public relations, rhonda kelley

Hey Indie Bands & Music Businesses:

Having a Myspace page is great but it takes a lot of precious time to really work it. Time that you can't spare. Wouldn't you rather work on your music or business while we promote you on Myspace? We have spent the last two and a half years working with indie artists and bands, helping them increase their presence on Myspace. In addition we have built an impressive Myspace page for GoGirls and our affiliate business sites. It has worked for us. It's worked for our artists and bands. It can work for you!

Basic Promotion Package:

We will add friends, post your bulletins and blogs, send messages and leave comments on your friends pages. You can expect increased exposure resulting in more profile views, song plays, comments and messages.

Increased Myspace Exposure = Increased Opportunities for You!

Get additional information and pricing at http://www.gogirlsmusic.com/promo

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

Madalyn Recommends:
	Using Myspace to...Promote You & Your Music (newly revised edition!) available in the GoGirls Music Store

Labels: bands, gogirls, indie, marketing, music, myspace, promotion

Okay so I'm out Saturday night for some fun (which included great vodka drinks!), hanging out with friends and listening to live music. A band took the stage and played some cover tunes. Not terribly exciting but what caught my attention towards the end of their set was the singer holding up a lyric sheet.

Huh?

It wasn't off to the side or on a stand. She was holding it up in front of her face while singing Brandi Carlile's, "The Story"! To a packed house no doubt. (Thanks L for letting me use your camera phone to capture this!)

I was horrified. I was let down. Why on earth would anyone do this?!

Okay so I have to rant here. Please bear with me. I'm not going to name names or tell you where this occurred. But it's a lesson I feel compelled to point out so you can learn from this.

Professionalism is so very important in this business. You never know who is in the audience. Would you play a set of your songs if you were not prepared? I hope not! I have seen alarming results when indie artists fail to know their songs inside and out before performing them on stage. And this particular artist was no novice. She plays out regularly.

Be prepared. Be smart. You never know who will be in the audience. It might be me with a camera phone!

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

Madalyn Recommends:
	Using Myspace to...create a buzz @ a music conference (newly revised edition!) available in the GoGirls Music Store

I get lots of information that relates to the music business. From time to time something really cools pops into my inbox. This is one of them...



Friends of ReverbNation,

I'm writing to tell you about our latest innovation a few days ahead of the official announcement. Its called 'TuneWidget', and it is live and available to our users today. Its our belief that this widget will become an indispensable tool in the music promotion and cross-promotion arsenals for artists, labels, and managers. Play around with a working sample here:
http://www.reverbnation.com/main/tunewidget_overview

What's so cool about it?

1. Its the closest thing to having an entire band website in a portable, sharable, trackable widget. It contains music, video, an interactive tour map, join the mailing list function, and more.... with more to come (including selling music).

2. The artist, label, or manager can customize the background image of the widget and change it whenever they want (thus changing the image in real-time on all outstanding widgets). This is an effective way to make real-time announcements about things like a new CD launch, tour, etc using the image as a communication vehicle.

3. The most unique, and arguably most important feature of Tunewidget is that it allows artists to cross-promote other artists to their fan base. Labels and managers understand the value of cross-promotion as a way of introducing new acts to their established fan bases, and for years artists have used the MySpace Top 8 as an effective way of recommending other artists. TuneWidget makes it easy for anyone to cross promote friends, label-mates, touring partners, etc. across the web as a whole. They can have any number of recommended artists in rotation at any time, and can change who they are recommending in real time. Clicking on the "recommended" artist at the bottom of the widget switches the widget to display the complete mini-site of the recommended artist (including songs, schedule, video, mailing list, etc).

Like everything else we build, the TuneWidget is tracked and comprehensive stats are reported back to the user.

Does it work as a promotion and cross-promotion tool?

Beta test results indicate that TuneWidget is extremely effective for both promotion and cross-promotion:

* Fans played the music at double the rate of other music widgets

* Fans stayed engaged longer with TuneWidget than other music widgets

* Fans switched to view recommended artists almost 50% of the time if they had played the primary artist's music

* Fans tended to listen to a significant portion of the song from the recommended artist when they switched to them

Update on ReverbNation.com

TuneWidget joins our other widgets, the My Band application at Facebook (creates a mini artist profile on your facebook page), the integrated music player at Freewebs, the TunePaks that send music via email and IM, the FanReach email system, and our Street Team module to create a complete online "hub" where artists, labels, and managers can base their promotional efforts and track the results.

Every metric on the website is growing at over 30% month over month, with artists adding over 1,500 songs each day. Growth is good and important, but we continue to focus on our "artist first" philosophy, believing that we can create a company that has real lasting value for the customers we serve.

Please feel free to ask me any questions you have about TuneWidget or anything else at ReverbNation.

Best,

Jed

Jed Carlson
Chief Marketing Officer
ReverbNation
jcarlson@reverbnation.com

501 Washington St.
Suite D
Durham, NC 27701
919-321-2268

Labels: bands, CD, indie, music, ReverbNation, share, tunewidget

Here is Philly-based music magazine that I love. Origivation. Check 'em out at http://www.origivation.com/ and http://www.myspace.com/origivation



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

Labels: magazine, music, Origivation, philadelphia, philly

Thanks for visiting the blog today. I wanted to let you know about the special I'm running at IndieMusicCoach. You can take advantage of my "intro consult" call for only $35. It's normally $50 so this is a nice savings!



You can arrange a 30 minute phone call with me to discuss your current needs, help set goals and an action plan to achieve your goals, or just pick my brain. I have over 11 years of experience working with indie artists. What can I do for you?

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

Labels: business, indie, indie music coach, madalyn sklar, motivation, music, success

by Madalyn Sklar

Labels: indie, madalyn, motivation, music, sklar, success

Madalyn's Note: this is a site worth checking out. Here is what their web site says...

A new breed of music company...



Fuzz is a music company providing a one-stop solution that connects artists and fans. Artists can promote, stream, sell music and merch, and efficiently manage every aspect of their careers. The Fuzz community enables fans to discover, share, review, interact, influence, hear and buy music in a user-friendly forum that encourages participation.

Founded on artist-friendly practices developed by a team of veteran recording artists, touring musicians and music & technology industry professionals, Fuzz strives to be the most artist-centric, technologically innovative, and socially responsible music company.

Fuzz can also provide additional services to up and coming artists to help support and propel their careers including distribution arrangements, production, recording, and management services. Our mission is to empower and partner with artists to achieve the financial success needed to keep creating great music and help their fans discover it.

Labels: fuzz music, iindie, music

Attention All Artists!



Check out this GREAT web site where you can sell your CDs in digital format. I'm a fan of earBuzz.com and encourage you to check them out. Don and his staff are awesome.

Sign up now and go live this week while receiving 100% of your digital download sales. Artists receive 100% of the purchase price from digital download and physical CD sales at the new earBuzz.com, supporting indie artists 100%. “no other site comes close” - Indie-Music.com. Artists membership is $2/mo and $25 per CD title. Sell your music to the world within a week and keep all of the purchase price. High-Quality 256-bit AAC and mp3.

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

Madalyn Recommends:
	Learn how to make the most of a music conference! Get the MP3 download! available in the GoGirls Music Store

Labels: business, download, earbuzz, indie, MP3 songs, music

by Madalyn Sklar

Labels: advice, artist, business, development, eugene foley, indie, motivation, music

(Artist Submissions Accepted September 1 Through October 31st)

MPress Records, a nationally distributed label founded a decade ago by 2005 Independent Music Award Winner Rachael Sage, has begun production on "New Arrivals: Volume 3" - the third in a series of rising artist compilations. Vol. 2 was released this past April to retailers nationwide, and raised funds for Artists Against Hunger & Poverty. 100% of proceeds from Vol. 3 will benefit National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), dedicated to "expanding public understanding and prevention of eating disorders and promoting access to quality treatment for those affected...through education, advocacy and research."

"New Arrivals" is a compilation project aimed at increasing exposure for exceptional self-released material. As such, artists will receive free marketing to MPress contacts (i.e. Radio, Press and Internet), as well as cross-promotion at live events presented by MPress Records, including 6000+ pieces distributed at various label-attended industry conferences throughout 2008. As with Volumes 1 and 2, the third volume will be serviced to press and college/AAA radio formats. Says Sage, "The first two volumes were incredibly exciting but also enormously challenging to compile, as we received over 2000 submissions and so many were of high quality. With Volume 2 we were able to organize an eight city national tour involving almost all the artists...the project just keeps growing, and there's a real sense of community."

For the third year, Sonicbids.com will be the exclusive online platform for "New Arrivals: Volume 3" and will be accepting submissions through October 31st. AAA, Singer-Songwriter, Americana, Rock and Pop submissions are highly encouraged, but all styles of music are welcome and will be considered. MPress Records, which has released seven albums of Sage's keyboard-driven art/pop, has produced numerous showcases and festivals highlighting DIY musicians (i.e. "MPressFests") throughout the country, and plans to present several "New Arrivals" benefit concerts in 2008 to promote the compilation and raise additional funds for NEDA.

A to Z Media will be partnering with MPress as the official CD duplication sponsor for "New Arrivals". In addition, Musicians Atlas, Online Gigs, Music Dish, A Taste of Triple A, H Magazine and a wide range of music, media and lifestyle companies will be donating products/services toward prize packages for selected musicians. Vol. 3 will also include one Bonus Track by a more established artist, to be announced shortly; Bonus Tracks on prior volumes were donated by Jill Sobule and Melissa Ferrick.

Visit www.sonicbids.com/newarrivalsvolume3 to submit today!

Labels: compilation cd, indie bands, MPress Records, music label

The Indie Bible

I advise plenty of indie musicians about great resources and this is one of them. I've been using the Indie Bible for many years and it's one of the best publications out there.

I can even offer you a discount if you click here!

Derek Sivers from CD Baby says... "It's SOOOOOO good! I just got it last week, and I'm amazed! A must for anyone wanting to spread their music - everywhere!!"



If you are not familiar with the Indie Bible, here is what their web site says:

The Indie Bible lists THOUSANDS of places where you can get your music REVIEWED and your songs PLAYED on the radio. ALL genres of music are covered! The contacts listed are music reviewers and radio personalities from around the world that will listen to your music, and if they like it, will present it to their readers and listeners. The Indie Bible shows you where to promote your music, regardless of your musical style, and will save you MONTHS of valuable time!

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

Labels: indie, indie bible, music, resources

By Sheena Metal

Hey, nobody said the music business was going to be easy. It truly is a jungle out there filled with: snakes, rats, rabid carnivores, sharks…well, you get the picture. In the course of your musical journey, there will be confrontations, arguments, misunderstandings, and miscommunications. You’ll get jerked around, screwed over, ripped off and disrespected. So, you want to be a rockstar? Welcome to your nightmare.

But this is also a business of good people, who’ll give you opportunities and chances and help you out when you least expect it. That’s why it’s so important that you, as musicians and as a band, act professionally and respectfully regardless of the behavior of those you encounter. You don’t have to be a pushover and of course, you have a right to defend yourself against the questionable actions of others, but the music community can be a very small town and the behavior you exhibit will follow you throughout your musical career.

On the flipside of that, there are musicians out there who, either knowingly or unknowingly bring negativity on themselves through their own actions. Short temperedness, egocentricism, brazen entitlement, compulsive lying and just plain old psychotic behavior can brand your band as troublemakers and deprive you of important opportunities that you need to move forward in this business.

So, how can you make sure that you’re doing onto others as you wish they would do onto you? What can you, as musicians do, to eliminate aspects of your personality that may be causing bad blood between you and the people you run across on your way to superstardom?

The following are a few tips that may help you to make sure you’re exhibiting professional behavior at all times:

1.) Be Timely And Courteous---Whether you’re playing out live or emailing booking inquiries from home, there is never a substitute for courteously or timeliness. At gigs, show up when you’re supposed to, be friendly, treat others with respect, set up quickly, end your set on time, break down quickly, be mindful of other bands on stage, compliment those around you and don’t forget simple things like, “please” and “thank you.” When you leave a positive impression in people’s minds, you’ll be high on their list when it comes time to fill an open booking slot, recommend a band for a review, etc.

2.) Make Sure Your Actions Match Your Words---It’s such a simple thing but you’d be surprised how many musicians seem incapable to doing what they say they’re going to. If you book a gig, show up and play. If you say you’re going to bring twenty friends and fans to your gig, do it. If you reserve an ad in a local music magazine, pay for it. If you write a check, make sure that it doesn’t bounce. If you say you’re going to send out a press package or a CD, mail it. It is true that many people in the music business are distrustful of bands that they don’t know, and with good reason in many instances. Build your good reputation in the industry by proving that you will do what you’ve promised. Start small. Once you’ve gain people’s trust, you’ll see more and more doors opening up for your band.

3.) Take The High Road---It may be tough but there’s nothing to be gained from returning someone’s improper behavior with a heap-load of your own. That doesn’t mean that you need to let every industry slime-bag from New York to LA ride roughshod all over your music project but there are ways to deal with the negative behavior in this business without branding yourself with a label equally as negative. Sending firm yet professional letters, making intelligent and informed phone inquiries and, if need be, taking legal action against those who have acted inappropriately are ways to handle unpleasant situations without drawing negative attention to yourself. Public scenes, yelling and screaming, long-winded and ranting emails, threats and accusations and spiteful actions may make you feel vindicated but it may chase away the good people as well as the bad and that just sets your band back.

4.) You Can’t Undo What You’ve Already Done---It’s much harder to undo past bad behaviors, or reverse negative reputations than it is to foster positive ones. It’s best when starting out to avoid acting rash as a rule. If you have a band member that is incapable of keeping his or her cool, perhaps it’s time to rethink his or her place in your group. The entertainment industry has a long memory and a spiteful tongue. Make sure when people speak of you, they’re speaking well.

This may all seem like such common sense that it isn’t even worth mentioning but you’d be surprised how many shows, interviews, tours, and record deals have never materialized because of burned bridges. You may have talent and great tunes, but if your attitude sucks you’ll get passed over time and again. No one wants to work with rage-aholics, egomaniacs or crazies. Don’t let anyone think that’s what your band is about. Sure it’s important to be creative geniuses but if no one likes you, you’ll be performing your masterpieces in the garage for grandma and her Pomeranian. Get smart and treat people right and you may find yourself rockin’ all the way to the bank.

Sheena Metal is a radio host, producer, promoter, music supervisor, consultant, columnist, journalist and musician. Her syndicated radio program, Music Highway Radio, airs on over 700 affiliates to more than 126 million listeners. Her musicians’ assistance program, Music Highway, boasts over 10,000 members. She currently promotes numerous live shows weekly in the Los Angeles Area, where she resides. For more info: http://www.sheena-metal.com.

Labels: sheena metal indie music business

It's amazing how the Internet and new technologies have invaded our everyday lives. Some people complain about it but I embrace it. Okay I admit it, I'm a techie. I'm always looking for ways to improve my marketing efforts.

Now you can reach your fans via text messages!

I love this. It's a great way to stay connected. Yes, you still want to utilize your web site, mailing list, email list, myspace marketing, etc. But now you can add another great tool to your arsenal and that is FREE mobile text messaging.



I have been using this service for awhile now and love it. The company is called Mozes and what they do is offer a FREE service that allows you to connect with your fans. I encourage you to check out this web site and explore the possibilities!

You can sign up for my FREE motivational text messages by texting MOTIVATE to 66937. It's that easy!

Bands, sign up for your FREE keyword and start texting your fans!

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

Madalyn Recommends:
	Indie Music Success DVD - Getting Motivated! Are you ready to earn more $ in the music business? available in the GoGirls Music Store

Labels: artists, indie, marketing, messages, mobile, mozes, musicians, text

I'm a big fan of Peter Spellman. He is a well respected author and teaches at Berklee College of Music in Boston. I met him years ago at 2NMC in Nashville and had the opportunity to see one of his lectures.

Peter has written some great books and I'm always happy to promote them.

Here's his latest:

PLAN YOUR BAND!
Sample High-Impact Band Business Plan and Music Investor Proposal All-in-One



Are you starting a band?
Are you managing a band?
Are you serious about making it work?

Then put a plan into your passion. PLAN YOUR BAND! is both a Sample Band Business plan and an Investor Agreement all in one. It lays out the key pieces of how to achieve band success today.

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

Labels: berklee, book, business, indie, music, peter spellman