If you've got great web presence, you've got too much time on your hands...

OR you've got someone helping you, OR your a great writer, OR posting, tweeting, and blogging comes second nature to you.

This blog is supposed to be about balancing a music career, marriage and family.  Although we haven't had enough time to bring the blog full circle to touch on all the points.  But this is the problem, it seems that since we've started this blog, we've been everything but balanced.  I would say we're extremely unbalanced.  If we're not able to do what we're writing, then we shouldn't be writing about it.

I (Misty) have been spending countless hours trying to come up with blog posts.  My mind does not stop.  Everything that happens or has happened during Chubby's career, I put on my list of posts (that's longer than my leg).  Chubby and I haven't been talking about regular day-to-day stuff like usual.  We've been discussing blog posts!  He tells me his ideas, I tell him mine.  Instead of "Hi, honey! How was your day?"  its "Hi, honey!  I've got a great idea for a blog post."  Come on now....Maya is ready to throw my computer out the window.   I've also been searching the web looking for informative ideas for musicians.  That could take the rest of my life!

I wanted to give musicians a one-stop shop to get all the help they needed in the music business.  I wanted to create an organized, simplified method for obtaining the information.  I find that the amount of information on the web is completely overwhelming.  You can start by researching one item and end up having 20 extra items on your to-do list.  The links alone overwhelm me, and I lose my focus.  Usually I can't remember what I started looking for because I've covered 101 topics.  One of my goals (out of too many to count) was to organize the information by topic with an action plan.

That brings me to my next point, MY goals.  What are my goals?  What was I put on this earth to do?  What is my calling and purpose?  Is it to be a blogger?  Is it to be a social media superstar?  I think not.

We've been blessed that Chubby has an awesome following every where he goes.  He's been at this a long time and people already know him.  Not to say that it isn't important to connect on social networks, but Chubby is great at face-to-face.  He's also great on the phone. He's a great friend.
 
So I've had to re-evaluate my goals.  I know in my "knower" that I'm supposed to be a wife and mother.  That's what God put me on this earth for.  So I have to go back to the original plan.  The goal that will mean the most when I come to the end of this life.  That I served God, my husband, and my daughter well.  If I continue at this pace, I will fail miserably.

If you are a blogging, gig-booking, managing, publicity getting, social media superstar traveling musician (or wife of) that still has time for your home, spouse, kids, friends AND you get sleep, I want to read your blog.  NO! I want to meet you and shake your hand.   My hat's off to you.

Not to say that we won't post anything ever again, perhaps we'll take a different approach.  You know a blog is a work in progress, it evolves.  But right now I'm not planning on anything.

I hope you've enjoyed the previous posts and gained some knowledge.  Hope to see you at a gig!

Press Kits Pt 2: Benefits vs. Features

In this post we mentioned "benefits vs. features" in press kits. The information below can be adapted to fit in a  hard copy kit or an  electronic press kit.  Whether you're targeting a newspaper, client, promoter, or radio station, this should give you a starting point.

When we send out an email to a potential client, our email, in a sense, is a cover letter for the electronic press kit (EPK).  Here’s an example:

Dear ________,

When was the last time you participated in a conga line, played a washboard on stage, and danced the night away? That's the kind of party you'll get when you hire Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band.  It's a swamp-funky zydeco good time because "there ain't no party like a Chubby party".  

We received an email from _______________stating that you were looking for entertainment for (date) (event)(trip).  For an unforgettable experience, please click here to be redirected to my press kit/website for an in depth look at what you'll get with a "Chubby Party".

Sincerely,

Name/Phone

(you custom signature)

P.S. I know your attendees will make lasting memories at your event.  Please call me at the number above for more details.

As you see in the above example, we want to get their attention right from the start.  We tell them what they'll get, and what kind of music we play.  If we can keep them interested, they will follow the link to find out more, and that's where the benefits await.  

But how is this achieved, you ask?  By taking the focus off of you and placing your attention on the client’s needs/wants.  How can you help this event be successful? 

Don’t spend all your time talking about your accomplishments, your time in the business, where you’ve played, and who you’ve played for or with.  For example:

"Joe Blow Band is a powerhouse rock band that will "blow" your audience away!  If you've never experience our show, you're in for a real treat.  We've been playing together for six years and have toured the Midwest and East Coast.  We've shared the stage with John Doe and Jane Doe...blah, blah, blah.  We've received awards from "here" and "there", etc.  Call us today!"

Okay, so that's a cheesy example, but you get my drift.  How does that help the client?  Not to say that there’s no need for self-promotion in an introduction, just don’t let that be the main focus.  Yes, tell them about your “features”, but also add in the “benefits”. (i.e. our opening line in the first example is not only an attention grabber, it's a benefit) You might have a fantastic show, but how do you conduct business? Will you benefit them in any way?  Will you help or hinder the function?  What will the attendees get from your performance? These are questions that potential clients ask. 

Try to think from the client’s point of view.  They might have a large event, say a corporate party or wedding, and they want to know that you’re reliable, honest, professional, and trustworthy.  They want to know that you’re going to show up on time, be prepared, have a professional appearance and demeanor, and that you can fulfill the agreements of your contract. 

Our press kit has a “benefits” section that states “Why you should hire Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band”.  A few of the benefits include:

• What the audience will do at our show (clap, dance, play washboard, sing along, participate in a conga line, etc.)
• How our lengthy career benefits them (past experiences have equipped us with the knowledge necessary to provide attendees a memorable experience no matter what is thrown our way)
• We are punctual and efficient
• We are a family oriented show with no offensive material
• We arrive ready to give a great performance

Be helpful and take care of your duties, so the client can focus on other areas of the function.  Make their job easier and they will become a repeat customer.

Will you put these tips into practice?  Any feedback?  Does this help? Let me know.

How to create a great Press Kit / Promo Pack

Press kits have changed throughout the years.  I used to have stacks of papers, cassettes (yes cassettes) and VHS (yes, I know).  Then came the condensed versions with a bio, photos, CD’s and such in a nice folder.  Now you can send a hard copy all on a disc or better yet send an electronic press kit (EPK).  It just depends on the promoter’s preference.

I’m sure there are many resources available for creating your electronic press kit, but two that I’m aware of are: http://www.Reverbnation.com and http://www.Sonicbids.com.  I use Reverbnation and I’m very satisfied with the results.

Items for your press kit, whether a hard copy or EPK include:

·         Biography

·         Music

·         Video

·         Photos

·         Recent Press

·         Discography

·         Upcoming Events

·         Accomplishments

·         Memorable events you have played in the past, artists you have collaborated with, etc…

·         Provide benefits of hiring you rather than features 

What does "provide benefits rather than features" mean?  Stay tuned....It will be covered in an upcoming post.  It's quite lengthy.

When sending a hard copy, how do you package it to draw attention?  What tricks are you willing to share regarding press kits?

Freedom Friday: Good tips for making more and spending less

Today is Chubby's birthday! 

He's playing in Portland, OR. this weekend so he caught a plane early this morning.  Maya and I sang 'Happy Birthday" when he arrived at his connecting city.  We celebrated last night at Mulate's, so it's okay that we're not together today, we're used to this.  We've had to do this for anniversaries, Father's Day, and Mother's Day, too!   Such is the life of a musician and his family.  It's all good....

(And so was his food!  Duck, rice dressing, sweet potatoes, and coleslaw.  Yum!)

Today I want to share a report from Bob Baker's Buzz Factor, for Indie Music Marketing.  It's entitled 

"How to Recession-Proof Your Music Career".  

It was written a couple of years ago, but I think there are helpful tips to put into practice regardless of the state of the economy.  Whether you're a musician or not, there's useful information for day-to-day-living.

Considering that Chubby has flown out the last two weekends and will fly again next weekend, I personally, disagree with tip #4 in the first section.  Perhaps when the article was written airfare was more affordable, but not right now. 

I also question the last section of the report.  I know there was a lot of buzz about "The Secret", I think around the time this report was written, but I prefer to refer to God's Word to change my life.

 

I hope you enjoy this report and take away some useful nuggets of information.  Let me know if you do!