Your website can be your best tool, if you make it communicate with your fans and potential fans, TWO-WAY. Your website should get people involved, make them want to introduce … Continue reading
Derek’s Archive
Musicians and Bands : Promo Box on your Desktop
The self-promoting musician of the past needed to always have a presskit (with CD and photo) nearby and ready to send. The modern self-promoting musician needs to keep a “PROMO … Continue reading
Musicians and Bands : Know the Important Skills
Like proper manners, or knowing how to drive, here are some things in the online world you just need to know: 1. EMAIL – Have a good signature file that … Continue reading
Musicians and Bands : Or You Can Not Talk At All
Words got you down? Nothing new to say? Spend some money on a great photographer. Calvin Klein showed you don’t have to talk and talk and talk.
Think Like a Person or Poet, Not a Musician
When describing your music, PLEASE don’t be a musician. Don’t say, “Wonderful harmonies and intricate arrangements. A tight rhythm section and introspective lyrics!” Real people don’t even understand what that … Continue reading
Blah blah blah…What NOT to Say
At CD Baby we ask musicians to give a one-sentence description of their style. You’d be surprised how many artists say, “A sound like no other. A hot new artist … Continue reading
Tell People Why They Should Care
When asked, most musicians say, “We don’t sound like anyone.” Or when asked what kind of music they play, say, “You can’t describe it. Just check it out.” That’s a lazy, … Continue reading
Hillbilly Flamenco
Two words, to describe your music, can change your career. David Feder and his band Salagua-Azul always wanted to get into big music festivals. They had been performing for years, … Continue reading
Make These Habits, and They Won’t Seem Hard
All of these suggestions may sound exhausting to you. But keep that database at your fingertips. Get used to taking 1 minute after a conversation to take some notes about … Continue reading
Derek Sivers : Small Gifts Go a Long Way
Years ago, I worked at Warner/Chappell Music Publishing. Being the largest music publisher in the world, I dealt with thousands of songwriters. Most of them I can’t remember their names. … Continue reading