Make it Happen - 3rd Sept 2008 - Practical Advice on Engaging Fans and Making Money from your Music
Wednesday 3rd of Sept saw the PRS boardroom taken over for Make it Happen - an interactive seminar that focused on practical advice for songwriters, managers, artists and labels. Below are some of the things discussed at the event and some useful links and ideas.
The audience found the evening very useful, and went away with at least a few ideas they could try to promote themselves and their music more effectively. For those who came along, this is a reminder of some of the things we learnt; for those who couldn't make it, there are some useful ideas below.
Have a look at our websites, connect with us, and see what PRS can do for you.
http://www.myspace.com/mcpsprs
http://www.myspace.com/prsliveroyalties
http://www.facebook.com/pages/MCPS-PRS-Alliance/8534129699
http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=4106933608
Panellists:
Paul MacInnes - www.guardian.co.uk/music
Dougie Souness - www.nohalfmeasures.com
Craig Hamilton - www.cominrecords.com
Andrew Dubber - http://newmusicstrategies.com/ www.musicthinktank.com http://newmusicstrategies.com/ebook
Gary McClarnan - http://www.sparklestreet.net/
James Perkins - http://www.concertlive.co.uk
Other useful sites your should see: http://sivers.org/pdf www.knowthemusicbiz.com/ www.hypebot.com
Topic List:
Ideas on how to grow and use your fanbase
Have separate Mailing List / Facebook and Myspace campaigns
http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp
Have an achievable goal - get to 1000 fans on your mailing list + use them to propagate your message
Use analytics to determine who opens the mails + where they come from
Keep messages simple
http://www.aweber.com/
You want people to click through to your website - use mail-outs as a way to drive people to your site. E.g. - Say: we're coming to your town - click here for tour dates
Include 3 bits of Info and 1 call to action in your mail-outs.
http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/
Give away free tracks but make sure you get something in return - an e-mail address or registered website user
Give fans a reason to pay for music - make them good quality, exclusives, demo's, videos of bands teaching you how to play /record a certain piece of music
How you can best use the Net to promote and sell - what useful resources are there already available?
Not everything works for everyone - understand your audience and customise a user experience for your fans
Make sure your music is great
Generate good content about you + the act
http://wordpress.org/ - use plug-ins available - shop/audio player
http://www.rentacoder.com/RentACoder/DotNet/default.aspx
http://www.guru.com/index.aspx
http://www.elance.com/p/landing/buyer.html
Make sure you have your own site + presence - not just myspace
Could try commenting/joining discussions on other relevant sites to drive traffic to your website
Mention/promote your website as much as you can
Promotion/Touring/Live - Ideas how to do this cheaply + for most gain
3% of gross after VAT of box office receipts gets paid out by the PRS to the songwriters of any gig
PRS Gigs and Clubs Scheme allows you to get some money back for the smaller gigs you do (e.g, Barfly/Borderline/Any licensed pub) - You need to be a PRS member to be part of this http://www.mcps-prs-alliance.co.uk/MEMBERSHIP/JOIN_US/Pages/joinus.aspx
Merchandise - create your own t-shirts - google 'custom T-shirts' - http://www.zazzle.com/ . Let fans choose where they want their logo. Make it unique
See I Am Kloot's site as an example
Don't let venue sell Merch for you - they'll take 30%
Personalise the Merch if possible - make it exclusive
www.couchsurfing.com
http://www.concertsinyourhome.com/
http://www.houseconcertsyork.co.uk/
Commit to a tour - book shows with 2 local bands
Brands/Syncs/Merch - Ideas on alternative ways of making money
Do some detective work. Find small and hungry sync companies/music supervisors.
Music mostly chosen by Ad creatives and Directors - get a CD to them.
Be aware of the rights you sign away - many ad companies want to hold on to your publishing
Get in touch with Film-makers
Consider Library music - create CD's with a range of music. 1 minute/30 second sections of different moods and tempos. If music is used - great for PRS royalties
The constantly changing Music Industry
There are now opportunities to have success at any level.