No sooner had I finished my last blog and saying (truthfully) that I was unsure when my next literary work would be kicked into action, than I was woken by a multitude of ideas. So specific were they that I was 'forced' out of bed to write them down for fear of waking up in my customary (pretty) vacant state.
Having initially published "Online Music Traps" on Lulu as both an ebook and paperback, I was enthralled not only by the whole process but by the simplicity of it and the added creative scope that it provides.
I've been receiving quite a few emails of late from various music sites, offering this and that; some are at a cost, some are purely advice. The emails have one thing in common. Promotion.
Merchandising seems to be working it's way 'down' from the big name acts to the smaller players with 'pay-on-delivery' making it possible to have custom designed clothing item ready for fans to purchase with no up-front cost to the musician. This sort of promotion has been around for some time but musicians are now being patronised by some companies who are allegedly providing 'innovative' promotional tips, such as designing a different item for a different venue, city or event. (!)
The other factor that I have noticed is that it is now possible to create pay-on-delivery CDs. Admittedly there has been a marginal swing back towards physical CDs in the last 12 months but is just that. Marginal. The concept of re-issuing old albums, possibly with a 'bonus track' or new cover design has been launched at us as if it's some great trade secret. As the late Ian Dury once said, "I'm not too old to mind being patronised."
It never ceases to amaze how many (most) musicians don't dive head-first into these opportunities. Don't worry about the patronising waffle from the assortment of sites and companies. I have no doubt that you have better ideas and more ideas. I guess I should be a little more forgiving on the powers that be. They are, after all, providing opportunities that many of us would otherwise have gone without. Additionally, they have to generalise when talking about changing graphics on t-shirts for particular cities, etc. It is a good idea....but that's all. Not exactly 'nose-bleed' stuff.
As a musician who isn't 'doing the rounds,' I don't place a great deal of emphasis on merchandise. Pretty-well next to none, actually. I created a couple of very basic designs and haven't had anything to to with them since except, "Thank you very much for buying them." If someone emails with a specific request then I'll do it if it's possible.
With regards to CDs, actively touring/performing bands have got the upper hand on the 'stay-at-home' musician. They can sell countless numbers at gigs if they get the price right. One very handy piece of advice on this matter that I would like to share is; irrespective of town/city size, venue size or anticipated crowd size, keep your CD prices consistent. Word does travel, especially when money's involved.
I guess what I'm trying to get across....without sounding patronising myself....is that us small-time independent musicians could do better for ourselves by thinking outside the square.
I didn't sit down to write "Online Music Traps" as a promotional venture. Far from it. I wrote it because I firmly believe that many independent artists are being misled. This is happening to us irrespective of time in the industry or genre' of music. As is the case with my music, I wouldn't have published the book had I not believed in it 100%.
After publishing the book, I noticed that my followers increased by over one hundred in 48 hours....to the dizzying heights of around 650 (!). This backed my advice in "Online Music Traps" that diversity plays a major role with regard to Twitter in particular, even though I'm not a huge fan of it.
As one does with any new 'creation,' I shared the news of my recent entry into the world of 'author-dom' to all the usual sites. I immediately upgraded my Google alerts to include the book in order to see what the reaction was/is. One word. Overwhelming! I currently await with baited breath to see what happens when the search engines really get their teeth into it.
Writing a book is but another way of promoting oneself. It doesn't even have to be a book as such. A how-to guide or a brochure. Anything that is related to what you are doing musically. Perhaps a guide to your town or city. It's related to your music because you record/perform it there. You would be amazed at the amount of people who have more than a passing interest in geography, particularly if there is a 'musical' link to it.
Be it book, articles, blogs, etc. if you keep your content close to where you're at then people are more inclined to stay a little longer and hopefully want to hear more about your thoughts, methods, influences and so forth. You will be amazed at what you can pour out as soon as you rid yourself of the 'search-engine-friendly' side of it. To me that's the biggest killer of emotional freedom & freedom of expression online....hence I totally ignore it. Sure my blogs could rate higher, but you're not going to get the essence of Bob Findlay in there.
Writing is only one idea. I'm sure that there are more. For the time being, I'll be sticking to recording and writing. I'm actually two-thirds through my next album and have three writing projects up and running at the moment, all in various stages of completion and one of which I do know will throw you a curve when I publish it. It defines 'outside the square.' Until next time, happy wondering.
I've been receiving quite a few emails of late from various music sites, offering this and that; some are at a cost, some are purely advice. The emails have one thing in common. Promotion.
Merchandising seems to be working it's way 'down' from the big name acts to the smaller players with 'pay-on-delivery' making it possible to have custom designed clothing item ready for fans to purchase with no up-front cost to the musician. This sort of promotion has been around for some time but musicians are now being patronised by some companies who are allegedly providing 'innovative' promotional tips, such as designing a different item for a different venue, city or event. (!)
The other factor that I have noticed is that it is now possible to create pay-on-delivery CDs. Admittedly there has been a marginal swing back towards physical CDs in the last 12 months but is just that. Marginal. The concept of re-issuing old albums, possibly with a 'bonus track' or new cover design has been launched at us as if it's some great trade secret. As the late Ian Dury once said, "I'm not too old to mind being patronised."
It never ceases to amaze how many (most) musicians don't dive head-first into these opportunities. Don't worry about the patronising waffle from the assortment of sites and companies. I have no doubt that you have better ideas and more ideas. I guess I should be a little more forgiving on the powers that be. They are, after all, providing opportunities that many of us would otherwise have gone without. Additionally, they have to generalise when talking about changing graphics on t-shirts for particular cities, etc. It is a good idea....but that's all. Not exactly 'nose-bleed' stuff.
With regards to CDs, actively touring/performing bands have got the upper hand on the 'stay-at-home' musician. They can sell countless numbers at gigs if they get the price right. One very handy piece of advice on this matter that I would like to share is; irrespective of town/city size, venue size or anticipated crowd size, keep your CD prices consistent. Word does travel, especially when money's involved.
I guess what I'm trying to get across....without sounding patronising myself....is that us small-time independent musicians could do better for ourselves by thinking outside the square.
I didn't sit down to write "Online Music Traps" as a promotional venture. Far from it. I wrote it because I firmly believe that many independent artists are being misled. This is happening to us irrespective of time in the industry or genre' of music. As is the case with my music, I wouldn't have published the book had I not believed in it 100%.
After publishing the book, I noticed that my followers increased by over one hundred in 48 hours....to the dizzying heights of around 650 (!). This backed my advice in "Online Music Traps" that diversity plays a major role with regard to Twitter in particular, even though I'm not a huge fan of it.
Writing a book is but another way of promoting oneself. It doesn't even have to be a book as such. A how-to guide or a brochure. Anything that is related to what you are doing musically. Perhaps a guide to your town or city. It's related to your music because you record/perform it there. You would be amazed at the amount of people who have more than a passing interest in geography, particularly if there is a 'musical' link to it.
Be it book, articles, blogs, etc. if you keep your content close to where you're at then people are more inclined to stay a little longer and hopefully want to hear more about your thoughts, methods, influences and so forth. You will be amazed at what you can pour out as soon as you rid yourself of the 'search-engine-friendly' side of it. To me that's the biggest killer of emotional freedom & freedom of expression online....hence I totally ignore it. Sure my blogs could rate higher, but you're not going to get the essence of Bob Findlay in there.
Writing is only one idea. I'm sure that there are more. For the time being, I'll be sticking to recording and writing. I'm actually two-thirds through my next album and have three writing projects up and running at the moment, all in various stages of completion and one of which I do know will throw you a curve when I publish it. It defines 'outside the square.' Until next time, happy wondering.
