CD Update

 Diary of a New CD  No Responses »
Jan 232012
 

I’ve been remiss in updating this blog – MY blog – the blog that is supposed to connect me with YOU. I last posted about my Christmas song and then I got distracted with recording and mixing my upcoming CD project, “Big Texas Sky”. Well this is just a little tid-bit that I wrote on my Facebook page the other day and after I wrote it I said to myself: Self (I said), you should write this on your BLOG! SO here’s what I wrote – If you’d like to, you can *LIKE* me on Facebook too so you can get a double dose!!!

Anyway… I’ve been working hard on getting these mixes done for the new CD. I just finished round 3 of mixing and listening. If you’ve ever seen the movie “Once” then you’ll recall the scene where they all pile in the car to listen to the results of the sessions. Well that’s where I am right now: listening to mixes in the car, on my iPhone, on my living room stereo, and anywhere else I can. I take notes and then go back to the studio. I am hoping that this is the last round (3 is usually the magic number for me…).

Stay tuned for more updates on “Big Texas Sky” due out in February (I’m stickin’ to it!!!)

 Posted by Darryl at 5:51 PM  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , ,

Tour Advice from Mike Grutka

 Articles  No Responses »
Jan 082011
 

Mike Grutka on tour

This blog post has two lessons, so please pay attention as there will be a quiz at the end.

First is this: The best resources are our peers/colleagues/fellow-musicians. All you have to do is ask a question. Most of us who are swimming in this pond would be flattered to be asked for an opinion or what our advice would be on a certain subject. It always helps to get as many POV’s as possible. I am planning to do another tour this summer and noticed a musician on Twitter that has a similar vibe and was doing a solo tour. We even played the same club in Pittsburgh (not the same night) last summer! While my tour was fun, I want to do more this summer. So as a preparation I decided to ask Mike Grutka for some touring advice. After you read it check out Mike’s music and follow Mike on Twitter @mike_grutka and Facebook

Which brings us up to the second part of the lesson: Mike’s response. I will reprint it as I got it since I feel that would make it more effective to see exactly what I got from him after I asked. Feel free to take notes!

From Me:
Hey Mike -
Happy New Year -
So let me hear how you go about setting up your tours. It sounds like it is just you (solo).
Do you book it yourself?
Do you use something like Tourbinder.com or IndieOnThe Move.com?
What’s your goal when you tour?
Do you make any money – break even – lose?
My issues in setting up a little tour last summer was finding appropriate spaces that are in a logical route and communication with venues – bookers are slow to respond and then when they do I’ve already booked something else. I did not break even, but I was traveling with my wife and son so we stayed in a nice motel or two. I guess if I was ‘hard-core’ I could’ve saved money by sleeping in the car or a cheaper place.
Interested in your take on this -
Thanks
Darryl
From Mike:
Ah- as if I know what I’m doing…. haha!

Well, here’s what I did:
I thought about where I wanted to go/get to and how long I wanted to go out for.  I figured since I was driving, I’d get to NC.  Then I figured I could swing back up or go into SC or Georgia based on where I could get a show.
Then all I had was the Indie Venue Bible.  This is a great and awful thing.  It takes a lot of research to see what the place is even like.  They list a ton of stuff, but some of it is pizza places with open mics so you have to weed them out.
As far as contacting venues,  I found that once I had a date, it got easier.  Once you have someplace to get to/from you can work off that.  It gives a little urgency to your request.  I was a ble to start requesting a show between date A and B cause I’d be in their area.  I also looked at their calendar as much as I could to see if they had an opening in that date range.  If you can say you need Jan 10-14 cause you’ll be in Philly area and you see they have Jan 11 open that gives them less to think about.
Some only like e-mails some like phone calls.  Never hurts to call  the venue either way and get the scoop from someone other than the booking person.  And once you get any response, try to get them on the phone.  Of course, save ALL e-mails so they cant’ argue details with you later if that occurs.
My goal in touring is to play for as many people as I can.  Meet people.  Other bands/musicians and see what they’re doing.  EMAIL LIST!!  EMAIL LIST!!
Selling merch is great too.  I think if you do a good show then at least 1 person will get something.  And that’s like 2 meals at subway!!!
I tried to eat cheap.  Subway is obviously great and they’re everywhere.  Grocery stores RULE!  Most have the ‘pre made meal’ section and have salads/subs etc so you can eat healthy.
Hotels– I tented most of it.  Cause it was nice out, and cheaper, and i called it ‘Tent Tour 2010′ to use some cool alliteration.  When I had to stay due to weather, i can tell you that Travelocity has a ‘secret hotel deal’ option.  I got into a beautiful place in Pittsburgh for like $70 which was a 4 star $225/night room.  Hotwire is good too.   Sleep is important and I learned that you get what you pay for….When I was In NC, I had to get out of the tent cause it rained like 4 inches in 2 days.  I found the cheapest room I could find that was close by–$45/night:  SCORE!!  Well, the room smelled like smoke and mold and some kind of bad cheese and the bed felt like plastic was stretched over some wood.  And I didn’t trust the lock on the door so everytime I left I had to lug my equipment in and out of my car (didn’t want to leave it in the car overnight either)  so…..it costs to stay.   Always ideal when you know someone where you’re going to crash with them.
If you have enough dates, and enough lead time you can pick a chain and tell them you need rooms in such and such a city for x amount of nights you’ll be touring and sometimes you can get a deal.
Making money——–
It’s hard.  As you know.  Most places don’t want to pay you.  especially the first time you are there.  I was lucky enough to get a small fee plus….the plus could be tips, door fee, meal etc.  Always try to get food!!!   For the whole tour I probably came out a tiny bit behind or even.  I was lucky to have my Florida Shows.  It cost me a plane ticket, but i have family there to stay with and I sold out a show at $10/person.  and I sold the most CD’s there ( could be cause it was a big festival)  so that whole leg paid for itself.
Once you go, i think just play your show.  You can’t worry about the crowd whether big or small.  I ‘ve played to 150 people and got not applause or email sign ups cause the venue had a sports game on, and I’ve played to 2 and sold each one all my CD’s and a T-shirt and emails and asked if i need a place to stay.
Be on time, don’t over play your time slot, play your best songs, talk, tell stories like it’s Madison Square Garden.
Get your posters etc out to the venue on time if you promise that.  Do as much press as you can.
SAY THANK YOU no matter how you think it went.  Ask about coming back in 4-6 months right then if you can.  Assume they want you back.
some of this is stuff you already know.  Not sure it helps!?!??
As far as slow booker responses, see above, but if they DID get back to you, and you had another show in the area, you should have set up a future date.  Same as what I said before, assume you’re coming back, and now that you’ll have the other show under your belt, you have a bit more ‘ammo’ with the second venue–you played the area, now have fans, and they need to give you $17,000 cause you’re in demand!!
I gotta check out that tourbinder thing.  what is it? never heard of it.
Anyway, this is getting a little long.  Hope it’s what you were after.
Let me know if there’s anything you want more detail on.
peace
Mike
Great advice from a guy who is dealing with all of the same issues we’re ALL dealing with. It NEVER hurts to ask! Do you have a question? Ask…
 Posted by Darryl at 11:05 AM  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

MSi9W – Epilogue ~ Summing It All Up

 Music Success in 9 Weeks  5 Responses »
Sep 132010
 

Music Success in Nine Weeks – Another Self-Help Book? Why Darryl, Why?

What is Music Success in Nine Weeks? The title of a book? A mindset? A road map for a golden path to marketing enlightenment for musicians? Or is it just a marketing gimmick to get musicians to blog and talk about Ariel Publicity and CyberPR? I feel the answer is yes to all of the above in varying percentages. But most certainly I do think it is a great tool box for the entrepreneurial musician. And, as with any self-help book, it all depends on the point of view of the reader and whether or not the reader has the fortitude to apply the teaching the book offers.

I first picked up Music Success in Nine Weeks (MSi9W) in the Fall of 2009 because I was searching for answers to my questions about how to focus my songwriting and performance efforts. I wanted to create a sustaining cash flow from performing and from my songwriting. I just needed guidance. When I got the book I was also starting one-on-one coaching sessions with Debra Russell, so I put the MSi9W book aside and concentrated on the actions my coach was giving me for my performing as well as for my studio business (Blue Cave Studios).

Fast forward to June 2010. I had just finished 6 months of coaching with Debra Russell, learned a ton of stuff about business/marketing/personal-focus and felt I was ready to apply my nascent skills in the real world. That’s when I saw a Twitter post from Carla Lynn Hall about the new MSi9W challenge and figured since I already owned the book, why not jump in? I thought that perhaps in doing the challenge I could focus what I had already learned from my coach to an even tighter beam. Plus I was getting out of school (I’m a public school teacher) and would have the whole summer to devote to applying what I learned from Debra and what I was about to learn from MSi9W and Ariel Hyatt.

What I Learned

The material in MSi9W held no real surprises for me and I was already aware of much of the information that was covered. That said, I still found a treasure trove of info-bits that I added to what I did know. One thing I found to be helpful was to go over the material as a way of check-listing myself and shoring up some of the loose ends that I had in my marketing plans, web presence and social media strategies.

I really liked Ariel’s approach to presenting the material. It was methodical and step-by-step which made it easy to follow and check-off progress. My web presence and marketing ideas were reinforced from going through this challenge and I added to what I had in place by applying concepts that Ariel suggested. I gained a new appreciation of social media’s subtle power and how it can enhance an artist’s ability to get the word out.

Results and What I Gained from the MSi9W Challenge

So what results did I have from spending 9 weeks of my summer vacation blogging about MSi9W? Let’s go chapter by chapter.

Week 1 – Goals
I set 2 month goals, 12 month goals, music-career goals, 12 month money goals and Lifetime intentions and goals. That in and of itself is an accomplishment, but lets focus on the 2 month goals. I put the results in BOLD under the stated goal:

  • 25 new people on my email list by 9/5/10
    • signed up 40 new fans
  • 1 print or radio interview by 9/5/10
    • got a print story in a local paper in Cleveland when I was on tour
  • 3 new songs written by 9/5/10
    • finished 2 and have one just about finished
  • 5 songs demo-ed by 9/5/10
    • 4 songs in the can (finishing the last one this week)
  • Book 4 gigs in 4 states by 9/5/10
    • booked 2 and I’m still talking to another, but only 1 state
  • purchase a new PA by 9/5/10
    • decided to wait due to financial considerations, but I did research

Week 2 – Pitch
I did have a pitch, but this chapter made me think about adding to it and then putting it all on a business card. I did not have a “Darryl The Performer” card until now. I had one for my studio, but not as a performer.
Result = new pitch + new business card.

Week 3 – Optimizing the website and web presence
This chapter made me look at all of the places I had a web presence and making them look consistent.
Result = Twitter, Facebook, Website all have the same or similar colors and photos plus the pitch.

Weeks 4 & 5 – Social Media, Blogging and Podcasting
In this week I gathered a working list of bloggers and podcasters that I can build a relationship with and comment on.
Result = in less than a week I had my music played on two podcasts and I have been reading and commenting on a few blogs.
I amped up my use of Twitter and Tumblr.
Result = new fans in Pittsburgh and Cleveland and a referral for my studio ($$).

Week 6 – Newseltter and Fan Communication
In this week I added more calls to action in my newsletter by asking readers to get involved in my next CD. I also recommend music of other artists to my list and give them an insight into what I’m doing beyond my music.
Result = fans have been telling me of their anticipation to hear new tracks – I’m creating a buzz!

Week 7 – Building the List
I used strategies from the this chapter to get more names onto the list.
Result = new 40 people during the 9-weeks.

Week 8 – Networking
These are the strategies I took away from this chapter:

  • Be a Listener
  • Know What to Ask For
  • Be a Gatherer
  • Have a Plan ~ Be Prepared
  • Follow Up

Result = new sign-ups for my list, a gig that paid $200 for playing 2 songs, another new venue to play in Cleveland, a new way of approaching events with a strategy and a goal.

Week 9 – Creating a Sales Funnel
I write music and perform songs. Not enough! This chapter got me to start thinking outside of the standard box.
Result = 8 new ideas of how to repackage my music.

What was the BIG TAKEAWAY?

For me the big takeaway was the holy trinity of Product, List and Relationship. First of all you need good songs/stage-show/musicianship. Then you need a list of people who want that product. Then you need to develop relationships with the people on your list so that it grows and consequently grows your business.

The other big takeaway from Music Success in Nine Weeks and from Debra Russell is that this takes time and consistent work. Goals take time and scheduling. Building a list and developing relationships through a newsletter and social media takes time and consistent work. None of this happens overnight even though fans may think so. It’s a business. It’s a process.

How Will I Use This Book In The Future?

I feel that Ariel wrote this book so that it functions on different levels. First it is a basic guide for those artists just starting in the world of marketing, social media and fan relationship building. I can see this as a primer for her new PR clients: “Here, read this and then I can help you…”. It’s also a jumping off point for those indie artists that need that extra push to find the niche that they belong in. I feel that this is where I am, and I will definitely keep referring to this book and checking in on the message boards in Ariel’s mastermind site to keep on the right track.

I will recommend this book to my artist friends but it definitely needs to be supplemented with other business books and music marketing books. This is a basic beginning to a world that is constantly changing. Between the time I had purchased my copy of MSi9W and when I started the MSi9W challenge, Ariel had put out a 2nd Edition due in part to the changing landscape that the book was addressing.

I just want to say thanks to Ariel, Carla and the rest of the artists who took part in the challenge. I was inspired by the blog posts and the messages on the mastermind site. For those of you about to take the challenge, if you make it through to week 9 you’ve definitely won more than a PR campaign. I plan to put my blog posts into an eBook format so that those who plan to read the book can benefit from the insights I gained from doing the challenge. I hope it helps.

Peace -

Darryl

 Posted by Darryl at 7:00 PM  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

MSi9W – Week 7.2 & 8.2~ Building the List & Networking – addendum

 Music Success in 9 Weeks  No Responses »
Aug 272010
 

I want to add an update to these two post topics and it comes from an experience that I had last night at an outdoor gig.

When I was up on stage playing I could clearly see that people were digging my music. People were smiling, laughing at my banter between songs and bobbing their heads to the groove. Yes! They like my stuff. They will definitely come up and talk to me afterward, I know it! I made a point of inviting people to talk and to sign up on the list.

My set ended and another performer was up. Out of respect to the performer I did not work the crowd when she was up. I was preparing myself for the networking that was coming up after she was done. I was going over things in my head that I wanted from this crowd and it was mainly email addresses. I didn’t expect to sell CDs since the crowd was being asked to donate money for a charity, but I had them out anyway. I created a goal for myself of getting at least 5 email addresses. That was reasonable and it was a large crowd of about 40 people and their kids and dogs.

Dickenson Park, Newtown CT

This is what happened that makes me take a different look at collecting emails at gigs. I was on stage for a last song with all of the performers and prior to getting on stage I happened to ask my lovely wife to pass the email list around until I got off the stage. That was the key: asking my wife (or someone other than doing it myself) to work the crowd. As the song finished I saw people stand up and start to leave! I had to put away my guitar, unplug, get off the stage, talk to a few officials who were thanking us, etc. I was stuck on or near the stage and people were leaving. WAIT! I want your email addresses… I finally got off the stage and started to network in the crowd, but then I got caught up in single conversations that took time; people were leaving!

At some point, as the sun was disappearing beyond the trees, I bumped into my wife and she handed me my clipboard. It had 10 email addresses! I had gotten 2 using my iPhone to automatically sign them up to my Constant Contact service. So, wait let me do the math… 12 emails! 200% of my goal!

Here’s the takeaway: I will get more from an audience in terms of email addresses, tips, CD sales, etc, if I have a team member there to help out.

To have someone whose task is to simply ask for an email address is a huge asset. I, as the performer, am at a disadvantage. I just got done with a performance, I have to pack up. If I do talk to people, they want to have a conversation which keeps me from mingling. But having a person work the room with just 2 questions to ask: Did you enjoy the show? Can you sign p for Darryl’s list? That’s creating a system that works.

Now I just have to get my wife to come to ALL of my gigs with her clipboard!

 Posted by Darryl at 10:40 AM  Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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