The Guitar Player's Resource
One of the major problems you face in the download culture is the theory that music artists like yourself only have one or two good songs. Well it's time to change that!
One way is by "re-educating" the various media you are trying to attract. Before you send out your next email, research the people you are sending to and learn what is interesting or important to them from past articles. Highlight specific songs of yours that will be of interest and reflect part of the overall theme of your current release. Encourage them to explore the other songs based upon what you have learned about them and what you feel the value would be to their readers.
By doing this, the media will have a greater interest and respect for you and your music because you have spent the time to learn about them individually and what they need.
As an interesting side note, the music artists that I have personally taught to do this are far more successful in getting the media's attention than any publicist they have hired in the past! They have been able to get featured articles in newspapers, magazines and online and they saved thousands of dollars. Plus, they now have personal relationships with each press person instead of relying on someone else!
Our music is something that comes from a special place inside of us. Even though it is often scary, even frightening to share it with others, we still do based upon our passion and our belief in its importance. We will spend hours or even days writing a song to then record it and play it until we are sick of hearing it. But what keeps us going more than a CD sale or checks from I Tunes are the little notes of thanks from our fans. While the sales are nice, they don't have the lasting affect that a kind email, note or a conversation with a fan that loves your songs has.
Too often we are guilty of not saying Thank You to the people who enjoy our music and help support us in different ways. It's a little thing but all so powerful. Your words of thanks can mean a lot to someone who takes the time and effort to come to your shows or listen to your songs.
With that in mind, this is my note of Thanks to you for reading my past articles over the years. I sincerely hope that they have helped move you and your music to a new and better place.
I have learned once again that even a few minutes in a conversation can be the motivation or support another person needs to help them accomplish what they need or to get started again. Below is a recent example. It's an email that I received from a very talented music artist, Will Lindow, who is kind enough to let me share it with you.
It has been a while since we spoke, but I wanted to drop you a line of thanks and to give you an update since we talked. I didn't realize how much impact the conversation would have, when we talked about 8 months ago or more. I was living in Dallas and you called me interested in basically helping me get my musical shit together. Just the two short conversations that we had then set off a chain of events that has lead me directly to my eventual goal and dream. I am now recording music full time as a composer and producer. I'll never forget what you said. You said "First thing we have to do is get some good recordings and a website up for you...everyone has a myspace but when you have your own website it sets you apart." It was very shortly after that I actually built my own website (www.willmakesmusic.com). I also focused on becoming a better engineer and producer, and recorded some higher quality music. Well things just blew up from there. I got a call from the local Dallas News station to do a story on me. Then I got a call from Forbes Magazine. Then a call from CBS. The CBS news story is airing nationally and the emails I am getting are fantastic. So many great connections and relationships there. And then two days ago I interviewed with CNN.
Let me put the brakes on here and go back a little. Right after I finished my site and the recordings, I emailed the site to everyone I knew. It spread like wildfire and only a week later I got a job composing for an entire film. I then promptly moved back to Austin where I have alot of creative circles and opened my studio. Immediately I got jobs recording other musicians and more composing work. So now I am recording, producing, composing full time. Although I will admit I am in love with composing right now. It is so rewarding. Anyways I wanted to say thank you. Things happen for a reason and I feel like you came around at the right time with the right reasons. And it was what I needed to wake up. It set a fire under me that has turned in to so many great things. Thanks so much and would love to talk again.
Will Lindow
Take a few minutes to thank your fans and the people in your life that are helping you.
Author Tim Sweeney is head of Tim Sweeney & Associates, who are entering their 18th year of being, "the only true artist development company in the world."
Tim is one of the music industry's most sought after experts and consultants, and has written several influential books including "Tim Sweeney's Guide To Releasing Independent Records".
