Every day I get spammed with links from bands and musicians I have never communicated with asking me to go watch their video or listen to their music. Yet, every Tuesday I post on Twitter, Facebook and my website that it is new release Tuesday and what new music should I check out… care to guess how many bands take that opportunity to present their new music to me? In the last month… five! Shout out to the five who pitched me their music:
Kids These Days, Shottah Gang Musiq, The Robotix, Big Al and the New Playboys and The Relapse Symphony.
I ask for new music and I get five replies. Every other day of the week I don’t ask and I get countless spam messages.
Know what this tells me? Musicians are not really using networks like Twitter or Facebook properly (big surprise). So many have probably just set up automated responses that are triggered by keywords or a follow. They send me a message in reply to a message I post or because I followed them. They don’t even know who I am or what my message said. So few are actually taking the time to read posts on Facebook or Twitter and reply within context of the conversation.
Every day musicians are crying that they just need the opportunity to showcase their music and some think the best way to do this is just send a link to everyone, literally. Yet when a opportunity is presented to them they completely ignore it. Most likely because they were never even paying attention. I just might like your music and share it within my network, I might write about it. I might talk about it in a podcast.
Stop spamming your music and start looking for real opportunities to start pitching your music.
Oh… and let me plug one more opportunity. The Music Biz Weekly podcast that I do with Brian Thompson showcases a new artist every single week. We play a full track, we talk about the artist, we share web links. We have 1000s of industry people who listen to the podcast. How about that opportunity? Head over to Music Xray and submit your music right now.
Amigo Mio,
I can only assume that my Facebook reading time is considerably different than your posting time. I’ve never seen it there, and I follow you closely.
I haven’t found Twitter to be that valuable yet. I’ll be the first to admit that I haven’t given it a fair shake, but I suspect that I spend too much time reading about The Business, and far too little writing and playing. The idea of adding more to my daily reading list makes my brain itch.
I’ve known about your podcast opportunity for a while, but I’ve recently re-tooled my recording facility, and want to send you something that reflects my current sound, and allow your listeners to find my other stuff once I’ve earned their click.
One of your earlier posts made the analogy of Dating potential listeners, and it made a lot of sense to me; I want a strong introduction (the song I’ll send you soon) to be followed by in-depth conversation (my solo acoustic “Singer/Songwriter” side). If all goes well, we can talk about more of a commitment (my email list, or maybe hit the “buy” button”). If it’s a good match, and we really get to trust one another, we can try out some kinkier stuff (hiring me to come play a House Concert, or help with gigs in their area. The safe word is “Brandvold”).
All kidding aside, I’ve always known that Radio airplay, and National-level attention would require a “bigger” sound, and gambled on the first CD to finance the effort. Mathematically it did, but the timing was off; the recording and manufacturing loan was paid back the day after the CD Release party, leaving me with no promotional budget, and sales that came in one gig at a time. (I also accumulated an actual family in the interim. That turns out to be expensive and time-consuming hobby for a full-time musician. No complaints, just more math…)
As much as I would love to get some new ears on my material right away, I’m certain that I can get better results with the recent re-tooling. You and Lefsetz have both alluded to the fact that people only have time for Great, and that the Very Good gets no second chances. Some of the difference can be put down to personal taste, but it’s critical to reach the right audience with the right material. My guess is that you and your audience would appreciate it if I added a bit more Thump to my Singer/Songwriter roots (something that I’ve been looking forward to for years).
I assume that I have one chance to knock your socks off, and the best recordings I have are from my 2006 solo acoustic CD. I’m very proud of it (and what I have accomplished with it), but the new stuff will sound more like what is happening now, and certainly stand a better chance of achieving my goals.
Until then, my friend, I’ll keep you on my ever-shrinking list of RSS feeds, and look forward to the day when I can join Dream Theater and Bumblefoot on your list of clients.
Tony, great comment. Lots of insight on your part. Great music first, always! Once you have what you feel is great, then reach out with it… as you said you really only have one chance to make that first impression. Hard to get someone to listen again if they didn’t get hooked the first time.
Have a great holiday!