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Increasing Exposure Without a Label?
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| cryophonik |
So, I've had one song signed and I've attracted some interest in several other songs by a few labels, but to be honest, I've found that I'm not all that keen on signing away the rights to my songs for little/no money. It's just not worth it to me and I'm one of the few who can honestly say that I'm not in this for the money because I'm an old dude with a "real" career that I love and affords me the tools for my hobby. But, I would like to find avenues for increasing my exposure that don't require me to sign over the rights to individual songs. Also, one of my biggest goals with my project is to increase exposure for two of the singers/songwriters that I work with (Aliciya and Avonlea), because they're both younger, have a lot of potential, and have dreams of working in the music industry. Anything I can do to help them get more recognition and take that next step will only help all of the people that I work with.
As far as promotion goes, we've got my/our songs posted at several websites (personal website [www.cryophonik.com], myspace, soundclick). I've also got a local DJ (in the SF/Bay area) who is a big supporter of me and my collaborators. And, finally, I've got a self-produced CD in the works, but I'm still wrestling with how I plan on distributing it, which will ultimately affect how many copies I will need, etc.
So, I'm hoping that some of you younger, but more experienced guys with more wide-ranging exposure, connections, etc. could provide some insight and advice. How did you get where you are? What would you do differently? etc.?
Also, keep in mind that I don't consider myself a "trance producer" - I write and produce a wide range of music, including some trance, but I consider this project (i.e., cryophonik) to be a blend of IDM/EDM that is heavily rooted in melody, blends electronic and organic sounds, and usually features female vocals. So, I don't really want to be pigeon-holed as a "trance guy", one of the other reasons that I favor a holistic approach (i.e., CD featuring a variety of tracks) over the typical approach of signing individual songs to small genre-specific labels.
Hopefully all that makes sense. Sorry for the wordiness and any good advice is much appreciated. |
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| alanzo |
| I find that labels just do a better job somehow, unfortunately. I haven't been able to get anyone significant to play my (purposely) unsigned tracks. I think labels help because they just put a familiar name on something the DJ hasn't heard of. |
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| Zombie0729 |
you could do a few things depending on the amount of time you're willing to pursue. A few examples:
blogs -- blogs are still the number one way people find out about new talent, your best bet is to find some blogs that support your musical tastes (a lot of them really like finding new talent and sticking with them). for my kind of music hypem.com is great, it is a giant compilation of blogs that support the kind of music i make. i'm not too sure what trance might have similar.
P.R. -- a publicist will cost you a monthly retainer but can be a cataylst into SO many kinds of markets that are beyond even a labels reach (unless the label is big enough). a publicist will basically get you free media opportunities (interviews, sectionals, editorals, etc). The biggest example i can give of this is Steve Aoki. Here's a guy who doesn't write records but is in more music review magazines than anyone on the planet. His P.R. team is amazing even though he doesn't have a lot to show for it. I have a great recommendation for you on this if you're interested.
newsletter -- this is something i finally just got together myself. it is a great way to get new music heard, shared and exposed. it will take a lot of time to compile and organize but i know quite a few DJs/Producers who have successfully made a name for themselves using this.
hope that was some help -- Anthony |
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| Subtle |
People classify free music as lower quality, so you are definitely better off having a label releasing the music.
You will get more exposure that way no matter what u do.
Of course, the bigger label the more exposure.. for the most part.
And if you work with singers and make good music you have a much greater chance of getting more exposure, as generally vocal tracks are more appealing to the masses. |
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| cryophonik |
I definitely agree with alanzo and Subtle that a label is my best bet, so maybe I need to think more about a label signing me as an artist and/or attempting to get an album signed, but that's probably a much larger hurdle with as many or more issues than signing individual songs would have. Subtle also raises a very good point about people perceiving free music as inferior/amateur.
| quote: | Originally posted by Zombie0729
blogs --
P.R. --
newsletter --
hope that was some help -- Anthony |
Definitely some good considerations there, Anthony! I've given some thought to hiring a PR guy/agent - I've used them in my former band days to book shows, but never to help distribute my own recorded music.
BTW - where can we check out your newsletter? Also, how do you get exposure to your newsletter and blog? Are you linked into some sort of network? I'll admit that this is new territory for me. |
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| Ry Thomas |
| There is a sad fact in music, IT IS WHO YOU KNOW |
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| mfitterer1 |
What are some good publicists or places to look for that info? Same thing for booking agents? I have nowhere near enough time to continue and try to do it myself, produce, hold down my regular career, podcast, etc.
Thanks for any info you can provide:) |
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| Kismet7 |
| Start a weekly blog. If you have a fanbase that is into your type of music, they might digest what you mention on your blog. Say you mention you have a new release coming out in a month, well if your fans know that then there is a good chance they will relay that info into the different avenues of communication they use to talk about music or culture. You have to network with your fans once you have some, besides it would be fun to network with people that enjoy or respect what your doing. |
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| -FSP- |
I was reading up on how to get youtube views, and one way this guy successfully got viewers was making "how to" videos on various topics.
I plan on making tutorials to see how this goes.
unfortunately, i feel that on the internet there are more people who make music than those who listen to it. I see you post on KVR, and I think you know what i mean by this just by looking at the music cafe. They won't go in if you make a quality song.
People who make music are also fans of music, so tutorials might bring people in, and people might be even more curious about you to see if you have more tutorials, but while they're looking for that they might want to listen to your music.
don't know if my advice will work, but i'm just throwing out ideas. good luck.
My sister has gotten a few comments and views by posting up covers + original music on her youtube channel. She just posts them up, sends it to a few friends and leaves it there. Youtube's a fairly decent way to get views with little effort. |
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| cryophonik |
Lots of good stuff here. Here's a question: do any of you guys just send your tracks to some of the better known DJs in your area and ask them to be played? Any success with it? Are they getting played? Are people starting to know your name as a result?
Come to think of it, some of you guys probably ARE the better known DJs in your area, so do you guys ever receive unsolicited tracks from producers? What do you do with them? |
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| Raphie |
Social networking
build your networks on MySpace and Facebook with people who you would like to make sure they are aware of you.
Send regular updates which they (or their agents) read in their news sections. And if you think you've got something really really special send the odd DJ a PM on top, as he might not want to miss out.
2 major gripes:
1. Nowadays EVERYBODY is making Trance Music, so the big names are flooded with wannabees spamming their tunes. So competition is a lot more dense and steep.
2. It also seems that everybody is in social networking for themselves. So small guys only want to piggybag ride on big names and big names are only interested in their customers/fanbase for their own exposure.
If you're VERY good, stand out from competition and bring something to the table, people want to invest as they see a potential money maker.
If you're one of many, you're just waisting their time as there are many to chose from.
So benchmark yourself against competition, here, on Beatport, JUNO iTunes, Radioshows. Does your final product stand out from competition? both on arrangement and sound? No one cares for the blood sweat and tears put into a production, it's the result that gets compared.
there is no altruism in commercial music....
If you really believe in yourself, start your own electronic label and just buy capacity from storebrokers, costs 2x nothing and you get your slots on all major stores. Again if you're good of DIFFERENT people will find you. |
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| Timothy |
| Try also get exposure on Youtube, Facebook and Itunes besides myspace. They are pretty good places for singers to get discovered. |
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