Social Media
Creative Digital Marketing For Songwriters
Jan3106:20 PM
Filed in: Indie Advice
Here's a free download of a slideshow presentation I prepared for my speaking engagement at Songposium 2012 in Toronto last week.
The slides are a summary of the main "talking points" I was intending to use for my presentation… but unfortunately I ran out of time since I was having far too much fun going over this: Top 31 Ways to Suck at Social Media Marketing.
Regardless, many of the slides are represented by blogs I've already written and posted here on Thorny Bleeder. So if a certain slide intrigues you just do a quick search for it and you'll find more info.
Click To Read More...
FREE Webinar Announcement: How To Use Facebook To Promote Your Music
Jan2201:13 PM
Filed in: Indie Advice
Oh… did I mention that it's free? Here's the deets:
When:
February 6, 2012
6pm–7:30pm PST
Cost to Attend Live Webinar:
Free
Recorded Video After the Event:
$5.00Click To Read More...
Buy Your Tix Now: Songposium in Toronto, Halifax & Winnipeg
Jan0505:56 PM
Filed in: Music News
January 28 is quickly approaching and that's the day I'll be speaking on Digital Marketing at Songposium 2012 in Toronto. The event is also being live streamed to Halifax and Winnipeg, so if you're a musician in any of these areas I hope you'll take advantage of this amazing day of information.
BUY TICKETS HERE:
Toronto
Halifax
Winnipeg
Click To Read More...
Top 20 Thorny Bleeder Marketing Advice Blog Posts for 2011
Dec2902:56 PM
Filed in: Indie Advice
Here's a year-end roundup of the Top 20 Music Marketing Articles I published this year, all of them original and exclusive content to Thorny Bleeder. These are listed in order of the number of views each blog post had, thanks to my Google Analytics data.
1. Change Your Thoughts. Change Your Mind. Change Your Life.
2. Danger! Do Not Use! Words To Avoid In Your Band Bio
3. 8 Ways To Get 100 Visitors A Day To Your Website
4. Here's Why the Number of Facebook 'Likes' Don't Matter
5. Top 10 Ways How To Feel Miserable As An Artist
Click To Read More...
What's More Important, a Facebook Like Or an Email Address? | Ep. 38: The Music Biz Weekly Podcast
Dec2205:27 PM
Filed in: Podcast
There's lots to consider with your digital strategy when releasing new media to your fans. Hit Play below and get our take on the subject.
What do YOU think?
Click To Read More...
Sharing Causes Sharing
Nov3001:21 PM
Filed in: Opinion
And you know what? That's just a whole bunch of awesome. It's messages like this that make all of the countless hours I pour into my websites, blogs, podcasts and social media profiles worth it.
Here's the message I received:
Click To Read More...
Yeah Yeah, I Know You Can Sing. But Where's Your Other Voice?
Nov2907:58 PM
Filed in: Indie Advice
The word Voice isn't used exclusively to describe the sound your face makes when you open that hole in your head. Voice is also used in a literary sense to describe a writer's style. It's used to convey an author's attitude, personality, and character.
So back to my opening statement. Yes, I know you can sing. But where's your other voice?
The internet's a big place you know. Is your voice only being heard through your music (or the product pictures you have displayed on your website)? The internet is made up of much more than just mp3's you know. So in order to take full advantage of what the online world and its community has to offer, you also have to write. Words.
Scary, huh? I know.
Click To Read More...
Learn Facebook Page Insights: Training Course & Manual
Nov2512:55 PM
Filed in: Indie Advice
But let's be honest, most people click on the Page Insights link on their Fan Page and get freaked out. Arghh! Too many numbers! Too many graphs! What the hell does it all mean?
Don't worry, I'm here to help. Page Insights are meant to help you optimize your Page publishing strategy on Facebook. And to help you make sense of it all, I've discovered a brand new interactive learning course that will show you how to use this valuable data that Facebook is sharing with us.
To launch the training course, make sure any pop-up blockers on your web browser are disabled. When you click the button, the course will open in a new window.
In addition to the interactive course above, there's also a new PDF manual from Facebook for Page Insights as well, download it below.
Facebook Page Insights: Product Guide For Facebook Page Owners
Download the Manual Here
Click To Read More...
New Webinar: How To Use Wordpress For Your Band's Website
Nov2201:01 PM
Filed in: Indie Advice
This next Music Biz Weekly Webinar is titled:
How to Use WordPress for Your Band’s Website
and will happen on December 15, 2011 at 6pm PST.
We’ll be covering the following topics:
Click To Read More...
Conditioning Your Fans And Their Expectations
Nov2110:07 PM
Filed in: Indie Advice
Condition your fans' expectations. Reinforce your brand.
Consider these three things regarding your online behaviour: content regularity, content quality and content frequency.
If you mindfully act upon these three things dependably and reliably, you will condition your fans to return to your website on a regular basis to consume more content (pictures, videos, art, infographics, music, podcasts, advice, blogs, thoughts, poems… you name it).
A fan that consumes more content from you, and has a happy emotional response from it, has a stronger emotional attachment to your product, your art, your brand… you.
A strong emotional attachment is what creates a life long fan… or better yet, a loyal customer and brand evangelist.
It's really not that hard.
So… why aren't you posting and creating regular content?
Click To Read More...
Here's Why the Number of Facebook 'Likes' Don't Matter
Nov1011:51 AM
Filed in: Indie Advice
But the days of mass advertising are long over for small brands. In the worlds of social media, quality trumps quantity. If you aren't engaging with fans on your Page, Facebook will simply filter you out of their status streams.
Did you hear that? If you aren't effectively connecting with your fans, they will no longer see your posts. This is thanks to Facebook's behind-the-scenes algorithm (called Edgerank) which filters and manages your stream from being a complete mess of garbage you don't care to see.So if you ignore your page and don't give your fans content to participate with, these people you worked so hard to acquire will be lost to you.
I've compiled a few examples to showcase why the quality of both your fans is more important than the number of your 'Likes'. To better illustrate this point I've created a simple formula to compare a few Pages with:
'Likes' ÷ 'Talking About This' = Fan Page Comparison Ratio
Click To Read More...
Conversations As Moments Of Conversion
Nov0109:30 AM
Filed in: Indie Advice
The Power of Networking and Engaging in Conversations
Everyone is telling you to step-up your use of social media to connect with fans and to reach them where they congregate, online. Yet many of you don't. You still post nothing but a steady stream of spammy type status updates such as: Listen To This! Buy My CD! Order Now! Like My Page! We're Awesome, Tell Your Friends!
Be honest, when you see postings like this appear in your social stream, how do you react? You don't. You tune them out.
Messages like that are nothing but advertising... and no one likes to be advertised to. Trust me, you won't get anywhere using that type of approach.
Click To Read More...
Will Apple's Ping Get The Push?
Oct3112:37 PM
Filed in: Opinion
I think they need to make it web based and to focus on Twitter/Facebook integration and use it to supplement those networks, rather than compete with them.
Apple also needs to make iTunes a web-based player. With the new iTunes Match, they could very easily make it your new central, one-stop web-based music player, available anywhere and on any device, similar to what Rdio and Spotify are now offering music fans.
Apple needs a better music strategy than what has currently been presented. It just seems so scattered and unfocussed. I've been having a great discussion on this topic over on my Google+ profile, here's a couple of key comments:
"The problem with Ping is that it doesn't do anything new. It's a semi-social network that does nothing new or better (or even prettier)."
- Amy Plachta
"In addition, its a shame artists can't embed little music store widgets on their website, allowing their fans to purchase directly from iTunes without leaving their site. You're right, they need a new, web-based strategy badly."
- MaryLiz Bender
So what do YOU think... Will Apple's Ping Get The Push?
Click To Read More...
Social Media Updates from Klout, Bandcamp and Chime.in - Ep. 30: The Music Biz Weekly Podcast
Oct1901:19 PM
Filed in: Podcast
This week's podcast is a couple of days early since I'm flying up North to Whitehorse, Yukon tomorrow to speak at the BreakOut West Festival, which is a part of the Western Canadian Music Awards.
Today's discussion is a digital media 2.0 update centred around a few different topics. We talk about how co-host Michael Brandvold is featured as a Klout Star this week on Klout's website, and we also chat about a newly discovered feature from Bandcamp, their brand new Facebook music player app for a band's fan page.
For independent bands out there, this is HUGE. Read all about it here. No lie… it took me 90 seconds to install it.
And lastly, we discuss a brand new social media network that was just launched yesterday called Chime.in. I've only spent a day on it, but I'm already a big fan.
Sign up to Chime.in and check it out! And don't forget to follow me, here's my profile: http://chime.in/user/thornybleeder
You can subscribe to The Music Biz Weekly Podcast on iTunes here… or listen to it on Soundcloud here or using the player below.
Ep. 30: The Music Biz Weekly Podcast - Social Media Updates from Klout, Bandcamp and Chime.in by Thorny Bleeder
Click To Read More...
Be Personal. Name Names.
Oct0711:29 AM
Filed in: Indie Advice
Recognize your fans for being the awesome supporters that they are.
Not only will it make someone's week incredibly special, it will deepen the connection they have with you, further enabling the possibility of creating a lifelong fan.
This is a painless and priceless thing to do and it will undoubtedly set you apart from everyone else...
Make a difference. Make your fans smile! Be personal. Name names.
(photo taken from Art Of Dying's fan submitted photos on their Facebook page)Click To Read More...
Staying Relevant and Keeping in the Public Eye
Oct0410:50 AM
Filed in: Indie Advice
Most brands (and bands) find it a constant struggle to remain relevant and current to their customers and fans. But the truth is, it really isn't that difficult. In fact, it's easier than ever before.
What happened yesterday is old news. It's all about real time. It's about right now.
What's happening right now on Twitter? What's happening right now with my friends on Facebook's status ticker? What new music was leaked or just released this morning? What are today's blogs saying about that show last night? What's this week's unexpected viral video sensation?
All of these questions that we seek out in our day to day lives are based in the present. The now. The current and the happening.
Are you playing this game? Are you providing your connected audience with content for them to engage with on a regular basis?
It's not difficult, but it does take a concentrated effort and a focus to create a routine for your online marketing plan.
Let's make it really simple for you. Start with the following two basic concepts and then increase the two key modifiers (frequency and consistency) as you become more comfortable with your new social media marketing efforts.
1. Do something Small (at the very least) once a week.
This can be a blog post, a video blog, sharing a new photo, a gig, an interview...
2. Do something Big once a month.
This can be a live performance video, a free download of an acoustic cover tune or a new song or demo, a contest, a big event, new merch, new cross-promotions with other brands, bands, or charities, a live and interactive streaming video Q&A session. The only limit is your creativity.
You create your own story. Don't let your book remain unwritten.
Create content and engageable actions on a regular basis to give your audience something to chew on and to talk about.Social Media is word of mouth. If you're not giving people something to talk about, you're just simply not in the game.
-- Brian ThompsonClick To Read More...
Marketing via Targeted Connections
Sep2812:02 PM
Filed in: Indie Advice
And by followers, I mean your Facebook Friends, your Twitter Followers, those who have you in a Google+ Circle, and your email subscribers… amongst many others.
Here's a quote I recently heard while listening to the Six Pixels of Separation Podcast with Mitch Joel (sorry, I can't recall which episode it was):
If you don't surround yourself with people who have the potential to care about you and care what you're doing, you're wasting your time, you're wasting your effort and wasting your potential. You have to find these people in a mindful and systematic way.
Truth. Keep this in mind, as this also pertains to who you bring into your inner circle as a part of your team.
So whatever you do, don't just focus your online social media efforts on quantity of connections. Instead, focus your efforts on building a true network of quality fans and influencers.
Don't know how? For starters, put Twitter Search to work for you. I recently did an 84 min. webinar on this exact topic (How to Use Twitter to Promote Your Music). Click here to purchase it for only $5, using the following discount code: mbww050.
What methods do you use to connect with potential fans and industry insiders who matter most to you?
Click To Read More...
Engage Your Audience. But what the hell does that mean?
Sep2712:48 PM
Filed in: Indie Advice
I see and hear those words everywhere. And admittedly, I almost always use those same words myself when consulting with clients.
Engage Your Audience.
Its become one of the most overused phrases in online marketing. Yet despite its overuse it remains the most succinct way to summarize the concept of how to successfully market your brand (or band) using social media.
But how many of you actually understand what this marketing lingo actually means? To help you out I've brainstormed 15 Tips on how you can put the word Engage to use in your everyday social media status updates.
Click the Read More link to see my Top 15 Tips…Click To Read More...
Is Social Media a Silver Bullet to Success?
Sep1611:13 AM
Filed in: Indie Advice
There is no silver bullet, no single solution to success in music, the arts, or entrepreneurial startups. But... there is a very well known and proven path.
In marketing, it's referred to as the Sales Funnel, which is as described as simply as this:
Awareness
Connection
Commerce
Now, if we parlay that into Music Marketing Direct-to-Fan terms, here's a formula for you to consider, made popular by technology blog Techdirt here:
CwF + RtB = $$$
defined as: connect with fans + reason to buy = sales
(read more about this formula here)
While social media won't guarantee your success, if it's used smartly and creatively it will begin to illuminate the path to awareness with your target audience. What you do with that connection is up to you.
And that's where it all begins...
Click To Read More...
A Plan to Focus on Fan Relationships. Ep. 24 - The Music Biz Weekly Podcast
Sep0912:10 PM
Filed in: Podcast
Michael Brandvold and I talk about the importance of having a long term plan and a band philosophy which everyone agrees with and which can be a unifying theme behind everything you do.
The idea for today's discussion popped up after seeing the following article on Hypebot. Check it out:
Rich Holtzman, Manager Of Portugal. The Man On How Social Media Built & Saved The Band
You can subscribe to The Music Biz Weekly Podcast on iTunes here… or listen to it on Soundcloud here or using the player below.
Ep. 24: The Music Biz Weekly Podcast - A Plan to Focus on Fan Relationships by Thorny Bleeder
Just use the following coupon code - mbww050 - and you can receive our 84min. hands-on video tutorial entitled How To Use Twitter to Promote Your Music for only $5.
That's a 50% savings from our regular price. Only 5 bucks to learn how some advanced Twitter techniques to gain new fans and promote your music? Sweet.
Download the 84 minute hands-on video tutorial here.
Click To Read More...
Ep. 21 - The Music Biz Weekly Podcast
Jonny from Art Of Dying Talks About Connecting With Fans And Social Networking
Aug1901:51 PM
Filed in: Podcast
Today's podcast is an exclusive discussion with one of my closest friends, Jonny Hetherington, lead singer for the hard rock band Art Of Dying.
Our discussion centres on how Jonny and Art Of Dying use social media to stay connected with their fans and what drives them to stay so dedicated and passionate to their use of new media. We also get the no-bullshit inside-scoop on what it's really like for a band signed to a major label with digital marketing.
Art Of Dying had a Top 10 song earlier this year with the hard rocking track Die Trying. Their latest single Get Thru This is featured on the Transformers 3 Soundtrack and the band is now touring through America on the Uproar Tour along with Avenged Sevenfold, Three Days Grace, Seether, Bullet For My Valentine, Escape The Fate, Sevendust, Black Tide and Hell Or Highwater.
Ep. 21 - The Music Biz Weekly Podcast: Art Of Dying Talks About Social Networking by Thorny Bleeder
Special Offer To Our Podcast Listeners!
Use "mbwp025" for a 25% discount on our upcoming Music Marketing Webinar on August 31, How To Use Twitter To Promote Your Music.
Click To Read More...
Dream Theater Keyboardist, Guest On Next Podcast
Aug0603:34 PM
Filed in: Music News
Our special guest on the next episode of The Music Biz Weekly Podcastis Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess.
We'll be talking about how he connects with fans using social media,
Tune in to http://www.thornybleeder.com this coming Friday, August 12thand join myself and cohost Michael Brandvold for what's going to be an amazing new episode.
The podcast will be posted immediately after it's recorded and should be online around 12:30-1pm PST.
Click To Read More...
Ep. 20 - The Music Biz Weekly Podcast
Jordan Rudess of Dream Theater Talks Fan Engagement
Aug1201:26 PM
Filed in: Podcast
This is a must listen episode…
The Music Biz Weekly, a weekly podcast co-hosted by Michael Brandvold and Brian Thompson. Each week we discuss the latest events in the music business and music marketing events and techniques.
Tune in every Friday for the latest episode.
Episode 20 - The Music Biz Weekly Podcast: Jordan Rudess of Dream Theater Talks Fan Engagement by Thorny Bleeder
Special Offer To Our Podcast Listeners!
Use "mbwp025" for a 25% discount on our upcoming Music Marketing Webinar, How To Use Twitter To Promote Your Music.
Click To Read More...
Music Marketing Webinar: How To Use Twitter To Promote Your Music
Aug0803:24 PM
Filed in: Indie Advice
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM (Pacific Time)
$49 USD
Michael Brandvold & Brian Thompson, hosts of The Music Biz Weekly Podcast are proud to announce the first of their new Live Webinar Sessions where we'll be teaching music marketing techniques and hands-on instruction for artists to grow their audience and get their music heard.
This Music Biz Weekly Webinar is titled:
"How to Easily use Twitter to Promote Your Music"
We'll be covering the following topics:
- How to setup and customize your Twitter profile
- How to get more followers targeted to your unique musical style
- How to monitor what is being said about you online
- How to talk and engage with your fans
- How to create and find new opportunities in the music industry
Additional topics could be added as time permits.
Our goal is to make sure you leave this webinar with hands-on action items which you can put into use immediately. We'll have also have an open question period at the end of the session.
Click To Read More...
Episode 19 - The Music Biz Weekly Podcast
Email Marketing for Musicians
Aug0502:01 PM
Filed in: Podcast
The title says it all… today's podcast touches on Email Marketing for Musicians.
Click the Soundcloud widget to listen to it right here, or listen directly on Soundcloud itself here.
Follow us on Twitter:
@michaelsb
@thornybleeder
Follow us on Google+:
http://gplus.to/brandvold
http://gplus.to/thornybleeder
This Podcast is Available on iTunes and at:
http://www.thornybleeder.com
http://www.michaelbrandvold.com
Click To Read More...
Facebook: The Musician's Playbook
Aug0502:07 PM
Filed in: Indie Advice
Facebook has recently published an incredibly useful tool for everyone in the music industry, an official handbook for how to market your music on the world's number one social media networking site.
But be prepared, this isn't a short read.
It's an in depth 40 page document detailing the ins and outs of everything you'll need to know. It not only teaches you hot to pimp out your fan page, but it also shares valuable insight on how to maximize fan engagement and interaction… which is what everyone's #1 goal should be.
I've embedded the document below, but if you need to see the direct source you can find the document on Scribd here.
Musician's Playbook
Facebook: The Musician's Playbook
Aug0502:07 PM
Filed in: Indie Advice
Facebook has recently published an incredibly useful tool for everyone in the music industry, an official handbook for how to market your music on the world's number one social media networking site.
But be prepared, this isn't a short read.
It's an in depth 40 page document detailing the ins and outs of everything you'll need to know. It not only teaches you hot to pimp out your fan page, but it also shares valuable insight on how to maximize fan engagement and interaction… which is what everyone's #1 goal should be.
I've embedded the document below, but if you need to see the direct source you can find the document on Scribd here.
Musician's Playbook
8 Ways To Get 100 Visitors A Day To Your Website
Aug0312:24 PM
Filed in: Indie Advice
I received a tweet yesterday from fellow music marketer Chris Rockett from Promote Your Music, asking if I'd like to participate in a mutli-blogger guest post he's putting together for his website.
He had one question to ask and wanted a reply that was around 200 words long. So without skipping a beat I quickly cranked out the following email and fired it off to him.
Stay tuned to Promote Your Music for Chris's complete post with more tips on this topic from other music marketing bloggers.
Question:
What is the fastest way to get 100 targeted fans per day visiting your website on a consistent basis, without using paid traffic?
My Answer:Click To Read More...
Episode 18 - The Music Biz Weekly Podcast
Introduction to Google+ for Musicians
Jul2901:17 PM
Filed in: Podcast
The Music Biz Weekly, a weekly podcast co-hosted by Michael Brandvold and Brian Thompson. Each week Michael and Brian discuss the latest events in the music business and music marketing events and techniques. Tune in every Friday for the latest episode.
This week we take on the hottest piece of tech and social media news there is, Google Plus, the exciting new social network that's only a month old.
- Do you need to be on Google+?
- Why should you be on this ultra-new network?
- Do I need to invest a lot of time in it?
- How can Google+ help me market my music?
Episode 18 - The Music Biz Weekly Podcast: Introduction to Google+ for Musicians by Thorny Bleeder
Follow us on Twitter:
@michaelsb
@thornybleeder
Follow us on Google+:
http://gplus.to/brandvold
http://gplus.to/thornybleeder
This Podcast is Available on iTunes and at:
http://www.thornybleeder.com
http://www.michaelbrandvold.com
What NOT To Do When Marketing Your Band
Jul1611:41 AM
Filed in: Indie Advice
There are many “don’ts” that people are unaware of when marketing to certain audiences. This blog focuses on marketing don’ts for musicians trying to promote their band throughout communities. Some individuals over promote, while others do not advertise enough. Be sure to follow these six steps, because if you don’t you may send current and potential fans away from supporting your music.
Click To Read More...
20,000 Tweets By The Sea
May3102:40 PM
Filed in: Podcast
This is a special broadcast in celebration of my 20,000th tweet!
I'm a nerd, I know.
But seriously though, I've had so much amazing success on Twitter that I felt I just had to do something special for this momentous little occasion.
So this is it. No cake. No presents. Just one big huge Thank-You to all of my amazing friends on Twitter! You guys rule. Seriously.
If you're wondering what the website is that you can vote on, that I mentioned in the video, here it is: http://urbancultureconference.com
And lastly... if you're wondering what that wicked blues tune is that's playing in the background, it's Ross Neilsen & The Sufferin' Bastards, "She Ain't You", featuring none other than the legendary Luther Dickinson on slide! Visit Ross online here: http://www.rossneilsen.com
Thanks for watching... peace!
Brian
Click To Read More...
How Do YOU Fit Into Culture?
May3112:03 PM
Filed in: Indie Advice
Content Marketing: Finding Your Niche
How Do You Fit Into Culture?
Not your band.
Not your music.
YOU.
The individual behind the music.
You are unique. You have individual tastes, interests, passions, and hobbies. Now... think for a moment. If you were to talk about a diverse subject matter on your blog (rather than just your music), and in your videos, in your photos, and in your tweets… you can attract an entirely new audience, which you never thought you could have access to.
People search the web to find answers to their questions. Perhaps YOU have the answer they're looking for! But they'll never find you if you don't blog about it. Or tweet it. Or make a video and post in on YouTube.
Examples:
Well... talk about it and share your knowledge and experiences!
Did you just whip up a batch of a killer homemade BBQ sauce? Share the recipe on your blog.
2. Are you an origami expert?
Blog about it! Create some instructional How-To YouTube videos (with your music playing in the background).
3. Do you have a pet hedgehog?
Cute always wins online.
This is Content Marketing.
This is Inbound Marketing.
This is how you enable potential fans to stumble upon your music... while they're searching for answers and info in Google Search.
Now that you've enabled fans to discover you... now it's time to turn the tables and for you to find them! If you want to enable fan-discovery, you need to search the web and dive into conversations surrounding the topics that interest you in your life. You’ll be amazed at who you meet and what they do!
Better yet, drill down the results even deeper by using: http://search.twitter.com
Use the extended search option to hyper-locate people discussing keywords surrounding your subject goal.
Search relevant Hashtags on Twitter, and then follow the key communicators on the topic… and talk to them! Create conversation and create a new relationship, that's what being Social is all about.
Use Google Blog Search. Use Technocrati Blog Search.
Find the blogs who specialize in these topics and start connecting with them!
Open yourself up to a whole new world. Be yourself, share yourself... and communicate with likeminded people! You'll be blown away at the results.
Trust me.
~ Brian Thompson
Click To Read More...
DIY Tip - Under Sell & Over Deliver
May0410:45 AM
Filed in: Podcast
I get solicited with a ton of new music from independent artists. And on the flipside of that, I've also sent out a slew of cold-call emails and press releases to industry people as well.
One of the main things I've learned from being on the receiving end of these messages, and from getting successful replies to the messages I've sent out, is that you need to NOT "over sell" your music or product.
If you rave and go on and on and on about how great you or your product is, I immediately call BS and delete the message, let alone listen to the music. And I know I'm not alone in this. When you receive hundreds and hundreds of weekly emails, it's just a natural part of the review and editing process.
So... if you want your message to be read, and for your links to be clicked and listened to or looked at, under sell... and over deliver! Intrigue me with a short little description. Be humble. Be honest. Give me an idea of what it is about, but please don't tell me it's the next-best-thing... nothing can ever live up to that hype. Nothing.
But if you create an air of intrigue and pull me in and I end up being blown away by it, you win! Nothing beats the feeling of having discovered something truly amazing... especially if you get the sense that the artist doesn't even realize how killer the music is.
So there you go. A quick little promo tip for you...
Under Sell & Over Deliver!
Thanks for watching :)
Brian Thompson
Click To Read More...
DIY Tip - Change Your Future!
Apr2211:51 AM
Filed in: Podcast
Everything that happens to you today is a result of what you did yesterday, last month... 6 months ago. If you're not happy with where things are at in your world today, then make some changes and do things differently... it will change your future! Otherwise, if you keep doing things exactly as you have been, you'll be in the exact same spot six months or a year from now.
Change your future by making changes in your life Today!
Click To Read More...
Change your future by making changes in your life Today!
Click To Read More...
DIY Tip - Personal Branding
Apr1503:43 PM
Filed in: Podcast
Outside of (and in addition) to what you're already doing with your band, you should also consider your own personal branding and how it can complement and enhance your music's brand.
Do you write? Are you a photographer? A cartoonist? Are you a producer, film directors, music teacher, graphic artist, financial analysts, chef, yoga instructor, train collector, or kite enthusiast?
Diversify. Add these elements to your bio and discuss them in interviews. Blog about them on your band's website. Join niche forums on the internet dedicated to these creative pursuits and start new conversations with those communities.
Publicize and promote what you're doing... and your music will have a better chance of being found and stumbled upon by an entirely new community.
Thanks for watching,
Brian ThompsonClick To Read More...
DIY Tip - Polish Before You Promote
Apr0712:04 PM
Filed in: Podcast
Before you start promoting your music to industry professionals (agents, managers, labels, etc.) there's a few things you need to make sure if you have in order first.
- Have a website.
- Can I listen to your music somewhere other than MySpace? (Bandcamp, Soundcloud, etc.)
- Can I download free samples of your music?
- Make sure you have a Blog and have recent posts.
- Optimize your Facebook Page and have a music player installed on it (and make sure you're actually engaging with fans on FB regularly too).
- Be active on Twitter.
- Do you have video performance clips on YouTube?
You might only have one chance at connecting with an industry insider, make sure all of your ducks are in a row before you reach out to them! If your presentation is anything less than professional, they'll probably just walk away and ignore you.
Polish Before You Promote!
Click To Read More...
- Have a website.
- Can I listen to your music somewhere other than MySpace? (Bandcamp, Soundcloud, etc.)
- Can I download free samples of your music?
- Make sure you have a Blog and have recent posts.
- Optimize your Facebook Page and have a music player installed on it (and make sure you're actually engaging with fans on FB regularly too).
- Be active on Twitter.
- Do you have video performance clips on YouTube?
You might only have one chance at connecting with an industry insider, make sure all of your ducks are in a row before you reach out to them! If your presentation is anything less than professional, they'll probably just walk away and ignore you.
Polish Before You Promote!
Click To Read More...
DIY Tip: Where's The Wow?
Mar3102:16 PM
Filed in: Podcast
Ok. Your album rocks. It's a modern day masterpiece. It's FULL of Wow. The Wow Factor is in full effect!
But… why are you having such a tough time to get people to talk about you? Where's the word of mouth? Where's the press and the blog buzz? Where's the fans freaking out about you on Facebook and Twitter? Where are the people at your gigs? And… where are the sales?
I'm willing to bet that you're lacking the Wow Factor in everything else you're doing. If you want to stand out from the crowd, you have to be different than everyone else, in everything you do. Add some Wow to your marketing and promotion, your graphics, photos, videos, blogs and tweets!
If you want to be the subject of people raving about you behind your back, make sure you're worth talking about… in everything you do. Add some Wow!
Click To Read More...
DIY Tip - Make Do With Less and Be More
Mar2410:19 AM
Filed in: Podcast
Ok, first things first. This video was shot early in the morning after an insomnia-filled night, resulting in less than three hours sleep. So I made do with less. I look tired. My voice sounds a little scratchy. My eyes are watery... but I think I still got my point across in a record 49 seconds.
Today's DIY Tip is a quick little reminder of something we all know but rarely practice. By following this tiny little bit of advice you can learn more, do more... and accomplish more!
So this is it. Make do with less. Less TV, less video games, less pointless web surfing for pointless content, and perhaps for some people... even less sleep.
Instead, take those minutes and hours saved and do more reading, researching, learning, communicating, networking, marketing, promoting, practicing, creating... doing!
Make your life Rock. Get off the couch and just do it!
Thanks for watching!
Click To Read More...
DIY Tip: Passion, Persistance, Perseverance & Tenacity
Mar2303:57 PM
Filed in: Podcast
Today's DIY Tip is a simple reminder of what history has proven to us time and time again:
Success = Passion + Persistance + Perseverance + Tenacity
If you have these ingredients and and personality traits, you are destined to succeed at whatever it is you set out to do in life.
I also talk a little about the new Art Of Dying album that was just released, Vices And Virtues, and the fundraising campaign that Billy the Kid has launched.
Thanks for watching!
Brian Thompson
DIY Tip: Social Media Rewards For Fandom & Loyalty
Mar1511:51 AM
Filed in: Podcast
Today's DIY Tip is about monitoring the mentions of your band (or brand) online and making the most out of your supporters and fans.
If you're tracking what's being said about you online (Twitter, blogs, blog comments, Facebook fan page postings, etc.) you have a huge opportunity to reward your fans and strengthen the relationship.
Do you have a casual, unconnected fan who casually mentioned you in their Twitter feed? Why don't you send them a private thank you message? Why don't you reward their public display of affection for you with a link to a free download? Or a coupon for a discount in your store? Or a meet n' great opportunity at one of your live shows? Or a personalized video thank you message?
The possibilities are endless and the upside benefits are immeasurable. And it only takes a moment of your time!
By giving out random acts of kindness to people who speak about you, you're opening the doors to creating a potential lifelong fan or customer, who in turn will continue to evangelize you to their friends and followers, which in turn creates new fans.
It's just one big happy, continuous circle of social currency paying off... for both you and your fans.
Reward your fans and keep the love coming!
Thanks for watching!
Brian Thompson
Click To Read More...
DIY Tip: Social Media Is A Slow Roast, Not A TV Dinner
Mar1412:53 PM
Filed in: Podcast
Today's DIY Tip video blog is about developing and nurturing new relationships with people of influence (music blogger, magazine editor, agent, manager, label, etc.) through social media, before you hit them up with a sales pitch or a favour.
Don't rush things online, it doesn't work! To quote Chris Brogran in his book Trust Agents, "Social Media Is A Slow Roast, Not A TV Dinner!".
Thanks for watching!
Brian ThompsonClick To Read More...
DIY Tip: Transform Online Chatter into Offline Opportunities
Mar0801:15 PM
Filed in: Podcast
Today's DIY Tip video blog is about transforming online chatter into offline opportunities.
Stuck in a rut online? Take it offline and connect in real life!
Stand out from the crowd, connect with influencers in your industry via the phone or going out for a beer or a coffee. Become more than just a tweet that scrolls across someone's screen... new opportunities await you.
PS - Can you tell that there's some reno's going on in my building?
Thanks for watching!
Brian
Click To Read More...
DIY TIp: Don't Push, Pull Them In!
Mar0711:19 AM
Filed in: Podcast
Today's video blog DIY Tip is about abolishing the idea that "...if you build it they will come."
Regardless of whether it's your latest album or recording, your blog, your book, or whatever it is your'e trying to spread to the world... you need to pull people in with creative use of social media.
Old media is dead.
Get started with social media today and pull people in by creating intrigue and interest... without cramming and pushing stuff down people's throats (ie. "advertising" or "selling" your goods).
Thanks for watching!
PS - Don't forget to sign up to The DIY Daily newsletter... it's free and full of tons of killer tips and information. Information is power!
Click To Read More...
Ask Brian From Thorny Bleeder Anything
...And He'll Reply With A Video!
Jun0603:13 PM
Filed in: Podcast
VYou allows people to broadcast video structured as conversations, offering the most personal form of social interaction on the web. It works like this: you record video responses to messages entered by friends and fans. VYou organizes their messages and your videos into conversations, making the experience feel continuously live even though the content is stored.
VYou lets you get advice from experts, interact with your favourite celebrity or organization, or communicate with friends and family using a social presence that persists even when you're away!
Click To Read More...
Video: Thorny Bleeder Q & Eh? with Nimbus School Of Recording Arts
Feb0610:32 PM
Filed in: Podcast
We had such a great turnout that it went for over two and a half hours long.
Whoa.
So... if you have a spare 2 1/2 hours, and you're really interested in music marketing, watch the recorded version of our video web chat below!
Watch live streaming video from thornybleeder at livestream.com
Click To Read More...
Thorny Bleeder Nominated for Best Canadian Music Website
Feb0312:54 PM
Filed in: Music News
Whoa. I didn't see that one coming!
CBC Radio 3, the world's coolest internet-only radio station, run by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), has just announced the Long List to their search for the Best Canadian Music Website.
And amidst the list, there we are. Thorny Bleeder! So now it goes to a Vote. And this is where we need your help:
You do not need to be logged in to vote.
Each person gets one vote per 24 hour period.
In one week CBC Radio 3 will reveal the Top 50, and then will keep on votin' and whittlin' until the winner is announced on March 10.
VOTE HERE
We couldn't have had this nomination if it wasn't for all of our friends, fans, and followers... so this pat on the back and wink of acknowledgement is for you too.
Thanks a bunch for all your support and it would mean the world to us if you could vote each and every day until this thing is over. And as a thank-you for voting, why don't you go and grab yourself some free music downloads? Go ahead, it's on us.
Click To Read More...
Storify: Making Stories From The Social Web
Feb0309:59 AM
Filed in: Indie Advice
Every time I see a new social media tool, utility, service, app or website I just have to try it out. You never know which one's going to be the next big thing and you can't really trust all of the hype, reviews and press releases that flood the blogs. So whenever I see one that catches my eye I immediately sign up, dive in, and just try things out for myself.
This approach has led to some pretty spectacular tools in my social media arsenal. There are tools I can't live without such as Evernote and Instapaper, and then there's great Twitter management tools like Tweepi, Klout, and Twitter Grader, and of course there's always a plethora of new music sites which offer great potential, with my most recent favourite being Viinyl.
I was on a popular news site not too long ago when I noticed...
Click To Read More...
Brian Thompson Added as Speaker at Social Media Camp
Jan3112:37 PM
Filed in: Music News
Thorny Bleeder is happy to announce that our very own Brian Thompson has just been added as a speaker to the Social Media Camp 2011 conference in beautiful Victoria, BC.
The first Social Media Camp in Victoria had over 450 people in attendance. See how they rated SMCV10.
The second annual Social Media Camp, dubbed #SMCV11 (for your Twitter users), is scheduled for Friday, June 3rd & Saturday, June 4th at the Victoria Conference Centre. Two jam packed days committed to the Social Media exploration, sharing and learning with a double-shot of networking.
Whether you are an avid Facebook user, interested in learning about Twitter, or you’re trying to grow your business by leveraging social media tools – there is something for everyone at this event.
Hope to see you there!
Register Today
Click To Read More...
NEW Q & Eh? Live Video Chat: Sunday, Feb. 6
Jan2704:29 PM
Filed in: Podcast
Join Thorny Bleeder's Brian Thompson and special guest Chris Brandt for an uncensored, live video chat Q & EH? session:
Sunday, February 6
7pm PST / 10pm EST
http://www.livestream.com/thornybleeder
This is a free event and it's a completely open forum for you to ask whatever questions you have for Brian and Chris. Topics for discussion include (but aren't limited to):
- Social Media Marketing
- Artist Development
- Music Marketing
- Thorny Bleeder
- Nimbus School Of Recording Arts
Who the F@#k is Chris Brandt?
With 10 years’ experience at Universal Music, Chris managed the sales, promotion and marketing of over 6,000 releases a year. In 2004 he launched Cazart! Records, an independent label and music publishing company. Most recently, Chris spent 3 years as the President of the Board of Directors for Music BC.
Through his work at Nimbus, Chris is proud to support the efforts of Music Therapists at BC Children’s Hospital and Canuck Place, and partner with The Music Therapy Ride to design mobile recording units for use in hospitals. In his other life, Chris teaches regular yoga classes and workshops.
Lock this date into your calendar now and we'll see you online Sunday, February 6th at 7pm PST!
Click To Read More...
DIY Artist: Let Your Fans Ask You Anything
Jan1209:30 AM
Filed in: Indie Advice
Have you checked out the latest popular social media site, Formspring?
It's a site which simply allows users to ask you anything, even anonymously, with no limits to the length of your reply. Fomspring encourages people to find out more about each other in a simple and fun way. Responses can range from straightforward to surprising and can lead to understanding something more about the people you know or find interesting.
This social website is growing very quickly, especially within the under-20 demographic, and already has over 20 million users.
Last Friday I created a profile for myself, and in just a few days I've answered 41 questions from fans & followers across my networks.
One of my artists, Billy the Kid, created her Formspring page the following day here. And since Saturday, she's answered a whopping 162 questions from fans! And with each and every reply she makes, she strengthens the bond between artist and fan.
If you want to truly embrace the social web, connect with fans and peers, and open yourself up to new potential, don't ignore Formspring. It's a powerful tool for building a lasting relationship with your most ardent supporters. With Formspring you can have fun, share insights, and relate to fans in a completely new way.
Note: Tumblr blogs also have a "Ask Me Anything" feature, although it does have a different demographic.
Click To Read More...
NEW: The DIY Daily Newsletter
Jan0708:54 AM
Filed in: Music News
Today we announce a brand new service which I think you'll find pretty helpful.
The DIY Daily is a free daily newsletter delivering digital music news, social media tips, DIY marketing advice, inspirational thoughts for entrepreneurs, and much more.
Too busy to keep up to date with what matters most to you? Let us search the web so you don't have to.
Do you think your friends might be interested in this? Send them a link to our signup page:
http://www.tinyletter.com/thornybleeder
Click To Read More...
Don't Be Lost in a Crowd, Leave Digital Footprints
Dec0911:37 AM
Filed in: Indie Advice
One of the fundamentals of marketing is to know who your customer is and understand their behaviours. But, do artists and their teams really grasp this concept?
The biggest struggle any developing artist faces is figuring out how to reach new fans. But rarely do they approach this hurdle from the right mindset.
Every artist needs to spend some serious time understanding and decrypting the behaviour of a music fan and how they discover new music. You can learn an awful lot about how to market and promote your own music by simply learning the importance of how to build fans, by being a fan.
So let's take a look in the mirror shall we? As a self-confessed music junkie myself, I need to reflect upon how I stumbled upon my most recent musical passions. Admittedly, the process is different with each and every artist. The more resources an artist has behind them, the easier it is to discover them through traditional media (radio, magazines, TV, film). But time after time I've discovered new independent artists by stumbling upon an online trail of their digital footprints. And these new artists who I've become fans and supporters of are just as cash-strapped as yourself.
Wait a minute. Digital footprints?
Let me explain.
Click To Read More...
LIVE Q&A on Music & Marketing with Brian Thompson
Aug2501:25 PM
Filed in: Indie Advice
Hey folks, I had a random little idea this morning and decided to waste no time and throw it into action immediately. And that's the beauty of the world we live in today, you can make anything happen almost instantly!
So, here it is. Starting this coming Tuesday, August 31 at 7pm PST (10PM EST), I'm going to launch a weekly Live Video Q&A Session on the music industry and marketing. And of course, it's 100% free.
So in order for this test to work, I need you to mark down this date and time in your calendar and show up on time...otherwise I'll just be sitting there staring blankly at an empty chat window, twiddling my thumbs.
It's an open forum, so feel free to ask me anything you like: advice, tips, suggestions, experiences, thoughts, ideas...you name it!
Click To Read More...
Band uses recyclables to finance new recording
May0702:59 PM
Filed in: Music News
It's often been said that people look for hope in the bottom of a bottle.
But if you're assuming that Fredericton's own Ross Neilsen and The Sufferin' Bastards hit the bottle looking for inspiration behind their smokin' new record, Redemption, you ought to think again.
To cover the costs of producing their new record, Neilsen and the Bastards relied upon the generosity of fellow New Brunswickers, who donated their returnable beverage containers so that the band could claim the deposit money to put towards their recording fees.
Click To Read More...
Watch It Grow: An Experiment In Digital Busking
May0702:59 PM
Filed in: Indie Advice
If you're a regular reader of The Bleeder Blog, you'll remember a blog we posted in late April titled: Vancouver Musician Cultivates Earth Day Interest. On Earth Day, April 22, Victoria singer/songwriter Scott Valentine hit the streets of Vancouver and handed out 19,000 digital songs via free download cards.
It's a little grassroots street level marketing campaign which I've decided to call Digital Busking (or if you prefer, Busking 2.0). So if you happen to hear this term pop up anywhere in the next couple of years, remember that you heard it here first!
Continue reading for exclusive photos and feedback from the event...Click To Read More...
How To Break Your Band: Social Media
Apr0210:22 AM
Filed in: Indie Advice
The following video is from social media marketing guru Gary Vaynerchuck from Wine Library TV, who I've mentioned before here. This guy is doing everything right with social media and he's created an amazing brand for not only himself, but his company too.
In only 4 minutes he successfully explains why you must embrace and exploit social media now to grow the profile of your business. While his thoughts are directed towards businesses, we all know that as a DIY artist in an independent band you face the exact same hurdles; reaching a new audience, gaining new fans, and monetizing your new followers to grow your business.
Watch this video, there's some important lessons here for everyone!
Click To Read More...
Top 31 Ways To Suck At Social Media Marketing
Mar2912:46 PM
Filed in: Indie Advice
If you want to truly SUCK at using social media, please follow this list closely and you'll be guaranteed limited exposure and zero online buzz!
Click To Read More...
Need a New Bio, Website, or Social Media Help?
Jan0510:57 AM
Filed in: Opinion
Do you need a new Biography that effectively communicates what you’re all about?
Are you relying on MySpace for your web profile? Don’t. You need your own Website and now’s the time to get one.
Do you need help on figuring out how to use Social Media to spread your music?
Do you need some help brainstorming a unique marketing plan for the next phase in your development?
If so, we can help!
Click To Read More...
10 Ways To Make The Most Out Of Social Media
Nov1707:47 PM
Filed in: Opinion
I've mentioned it before on these pages, but it needs repeating...as an artist, you are an entrepreneur. And as an entrepreneurial business, marketing is one of your biggest hurdles. It's marketing that brings fans to your website, to your concerts, and ultimately end up buying your music and t-shirts.
So what's your marketing plan? What are you doing online to get noticed and to spread your personal brand? And perhaps even more importantly, how are you delivering that message?
Click To Read More...
How To Make Successful YouTube Videos
Sep0411:18 AM
Filed in: Indie Advice
I had a conversation with someone this morning about how to create successful viral vidoes for your band, so I figured I might as well share my thougths with everyone on The Bleeder Blog since it's something that most artists can improve upon.
In a world of expensive marketing and promotion campaigns, creating online video content for your band is a no brainer. It's inexpensive, quick and easy, and more often than not it leads to a source of discovery for new fans.
Click To Read More...
Persistence Leads To Success
Sep2302:00 PM
Filed in: Indie Advice
As an artist you are just like any other entrepreneur, hoping that your passion and talent will lead to a sustaining career. But as with any entrepreneur, simply having a great product isn't enough.
How will people hear of what you have to offer? How will you develop a buzz around your music?
Creating a solid business and marketing plan with a clearly defined goal is the first step. But as you work through your plan and make all of the necessary calls, you'll undoubtedly be confronted with many closed doors and unanswered emails. This is where the majority of bands falter and begin to lose their way. They give up far too early and aren't prepared for the countless hours of working the finished product...your album.
So what sets successful artists and entrepreneurs apart from the rest of the pack? Persistence and perseverance. It may sound like an overused cliche, but it's the truth: Persistence leads to success.
Click To Read More...
Scott Valentine Presents: Choose Your Own Price
Apr0302:52 PM
Filed in: Music News
As with everything Scott Valentine does, he's challenging the status quo and music industry standard, and has come up with an incredibly generous and original offer for his fans to buy the Seasons album. If giving away every track on the four CD album wasn't enough, Valentine is now letting you buy the album by Choosing Your Own Price.
Click To Read More...
How To Get The Most Out Of The Bleeder Blog
Mar2708:18 AM
Filed in: Opinion
You're not getting the most out of The Bleeder Blog if you haven't done these two things yet...
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Concert Junkies Rejoice: Setlist.fm
Feb2609:10 AM
Filed in: Music News
A really cool new social media website has just launched that any serious music fan or collector of live bootlegs needs to check out. Setlist.fm is a free wiki-like service to collect and share setlists.
Click To Read More...
Twitter Meets Music Blog: Blip.fm
Feb2210:45 AM
Filed in: Music News
Are you on the cutting edge of Web 2.0 and like to be part of the latest social networking sites?
Click To Read More...
$99 Music Videos
Feb1909:54 AM
Filed in: Music News
$99 Music Videos is an independent music channel of music videos, all made for $99 or less.
Click To Read More...
