Sezmi takes another step back from the pay-TV market

In case anyone thought competing with cable TV operators would be easier in the broadband era, Sezmi's experience should disabuse them of that notion.

Belmont, Calif.-based Sezmi told subscribers late Friday afternoon that, starting Monday, it would no longer be offering a pay-TV service directly to consumers.

"Sezmi has changed its business focus to providing our product and technology platform to service providers, internationally and in the U.S., who are interested in providing broadband video services to their customers," it said in an explanatory e-mail.

The company's service -- a combination of over-the-air broadcasts and on-demand video through the Internet -- had been available in 36 cities across the U.S., but the signs of trouble had been evident for some time.

Initially, it planned to offer a low-cost package that included local and cable networks delivered over the air, with the cable programming being broadcast on airwaves leased from local broadcasters. The networks' programs would be enhanced with personalized advertising and other content delivered through the Internet, along with on-demand shows and movies. To tune in the programming, the company developed a special indoor antenna and a high-capacity digital video recorder with TiVo-esque capabilities.

The full Sezmi service made its formal debut in Los Angeles in early 2010, priced at $20 a month. But it didn't have some of the most popular (and expensive) cable networks, such as ESPN and HBO. Those deals supposedly were still being worked out. And as Sezmi expanded across the country, it did so without any cable networks -- just local broadcasts and video on demand, which it offered for $5 a month.

Last December, the company notified subscribers in Los Angeles that it would no longer carry the two dozen cable networks that had been in its lineup, and it slashed its price to $5 a month. President Phil Wiser said the company was simply shifting technologies -- instead of delivering cable networks through leased airwaves, it planned to provide that programming on an on-demand basis through the Internet. The shift would help it extend its service across the country, Wiser said, by eliminating the need to lease airwaves in each city from local broadcasters.

Now, Sezmi is changing course again, pulling out of the consumer business in favor of supplying its technology and service to telecommunications companies that want to add pay TV to their product lineup. That's been Sezmi's approach outside the U.S., and it has announced deals with telecom providers in Mexico and Malaysia.

Numerous companies have tried to challenge cable operators over the years, but they've been deterred by the enormous up-front costs of building a network to deliver video. DirecTV and Dish Network succeeded by eliminating the need to run cables from home to home, beaming programming from a few (astronomically costly) satellites -- and persuading their customers to cover all or part of the cost of the equipment in their homes. AT&T and Verizon have also gained a foothold in pay TV, by taking advantage of the networks they had already built to deliver phone and Internet service.

What made Sezmi promising was that, like the satellite operators, it had found a way to eliminate the investment in wires. But it's hard to compete with cable if you can't offer a complete alternative, and Sezmi's channel lineup had a lot of missing pieces. Company executives argued that they weren't trying to appeal to people who were happily paying $80 to $120 a month for 500 channels of programming -- they were aiming mainly for the millions of people across the country who don't have pay TV, or those who'd prefer to watch shows on-demand instead of on a network's schedule. Sezmi will now be trying to win over those customers with the help of other companies' brands and marketing muscle.

RELATED:

Sezmi charts a new path to competing with cable

How Sezmi stacks up

Sezmi presents TV 2.0

-- Jon Healey

Photo credit: Jon Healey

Healey writes editorials for The Times' Opinion Manufacturing Division. Follow him @jcahealey

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Apple closes above $400, stays ahead of Exxon Mobil in market value

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from the L.A. TimesApple closes above $400, stays ahead of Exxon Mobil in market valueSeptember 16, 2011 |  3:35pm

So far, Apple Inc. seems to be doing just fine without Steve Jobs, the man who co-founded the company and later rescued it from bankruptcy to turn it into the world's most valuable technology concern. 

Jobs stepped down as chief executive last month, but Apple stock has been on the rise since then, and on Friday closed above the $400 mark, just $4 shy of its all-time high. The company has also maintained its lead above oil giant Exxon Mobile as the world's most valuable company of any kind.

Apple first passed Exxon early last month, at the height of the summer's market turbulence, but Exxon quickly jumped back in front, and they remained neck-and-neck over several weeks. But now Apple seems to be pulling away. It's market capitalization of $371 billion is now nearly $10 billion ahead of Exxon's $362 billion, and the oil company's stock has seen few gains in the last month.

The gains indicated investor satisfaction with Apple, which has continued to sell large numbers of its iPhone 4 devices, even though it's been more than a year since the handset was released. Generally, handset sales slow dramatically after a year, in part because consumers electing to wait for newer technology. 

Apple is expected to release the next version of its iPhone in early or mid-October.

RELATED:

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WikiLeaks cable details Apple's problems with Chinese knockoffs

Steve Jobs 'one of the greatest leaders,' says Google's Vic Gundotra

-- David Sarno

Photo: Customers stand outside the new Apple Inc. store in the Westfield Stratford City mall in London this week. Credit: Simon Dawson / Bloomberg

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Lost in Translation Services? Make Your Presence Felt in the International Market

English is known as the global and universal language but if you go by stats then it is shocking to know that only 28% of the entire European population can read English. And this percentage falls comprehensively when you come to South America, the Middle East and Asia. Talking of the Middle East, getting through to people to sell or market your product is rather difficult since you have to reach out to them in their own language. It is in these areas where Arabic translation comes into play. Your communication strategy has to be so strong that you are able to capture the target audience with an ease. That's why translation services especially from English to Arabic are catching up these days.

Despite the fact that English to Arabic translation is picking up there is an acute shortage of skilled translators. Translation is the best and trusted way to match the rapidly expanding market. And it is also the most cost effective method so it is wise to take full advantage of translation services so that you can take your business to places and it booms globally. According the latest research conducted by U. S. State Department it was stated that every year U. S. companies lose almost $50 billion mainly due to the less sales incurred due to poor translations.

It has been seen that majority of the companies run into trouble and face various problems with translation services that are incorrect or ethnically inappropriate especially when it comes to Arabic translation. Simultaneously there are highly skilled and professional translators who can convey your message effectively and also portray the high quality image of your products or services. Arabic translation, however, has come a long way and is soon set to boom. English to Arabic translations has influenced marketing messages and has also helped in keeping many a company away from legal difficulties. But the main question that pops up in the mind is from where one can get good translation service? This question stirs the mind and makes you get many sleepless nights.

Nowadays, there are various modes of translation but which one is more reliable. If you think computer-generated translation is best then you are absolutely wrong, since it would not hold water when it comes to translating from English to Arabic. Besides, Computer-generated translation is highly amateurish and less competent to the native speakers.

Now the only option you are left with is finding and hiring a reliable and a trustworthy translator who is versatile in translating from English to Arabic. This option is also very tough as the market is flooded with array of translators claiming to be the best. And your main aim is to single out the best one from the endless lot. But you shouldn't forget that this is the era of electronics communication and finding the best translation service is not the hard nut to crack. It means you just have to hire translator located anywhere in the world and mail him or her translation matter. All the details can be either discussed via mail or even through a chat. And after all the initial conversation the translator is all set to work. But it has a drawback too that is for having an easy payment.

Hence it would be wise to hunt for a translator located either in your locality or in your country who can provide you with Arabic Translation. With the boom in translation services, now various translation service providers offer a free consultation and a free price proposal for the project. Apart from that it is wise to delve into the translator's background and find out whether the translator has a sound knowledge about your business as well as the market trend. Try to go by word of mouth, which means, looking for the referred Arabic translators as this gives more authentic translated copy.

Try to choose a translator who can perform English to Arabic translation from the native country itself as this will only help you in return. Native translators are generally updated with the changes and development in the language. This helps them to maintain a certain quality of your project so that you reap maximum profits. Once everything is finalized, then, provide the translator enough time to work upon the project so that you are provided with a translation that is absolutely outstanding.

The author is budding web content writer and also experienced in writing quality content for various websites. You can view his blog for more information.

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100 Tips to Market Your Music - Part 2

Even if an artist has an outstanding talent, record deals do not fall out of the sky and land in your lap without music marketing. In this Internet age, A&R at most record labels is not what it once was, so those reps are looking for artists that already have CD sales, a great fan base, and already have the look and feel of being made even more marketable.

We started a list of marketing tips in 100 Tips To Market Your Music and continue more great ideas here, so tweak any of them as you will!

Promo Tip #55 Tag your MP3s with your name or band name, not just the song name. They need to know WHO did this material when they happen across it months later.

Promo Tip #56 Know who you are! Get into an appropriate category so that you can be found. People have to be able to identify your sound into a category that they can identify with. You may want to portray a new edgy sound, which is fine, but there are still general categories that people search on in record stores or online and you have to be found in one of them.

Promo Tip #57 Throw a listen-in. Contact record stores, coffee shops, book stores, malls, recreational areas, galleries, cool clothing stores or nightclubs that are willing to support local music. The free listen-in could have talk session and discounted CDs with coupons.

Promo Tip #58 Keep it simple silly, web sites that take a long time to load, are not easy to navigate, and are not interesting will not keep the viewer's attention long enough for them to get to know you. So don't make your personal website or any site that can be customized, so frilly that it turns a potential opportunity away.

Promo Tip #59 Join local communities and organizations and go to meetings periodically and pay attention. Listen for opportunities in what they are saying and perhaps volunteer. Help them and they will help you. Nonprofit organizations are likely to have access to media outlets that may give your some exposure.

Promo Tip #60 Check your public and local radio stations that play your type of music and try to get some air time.

Promo Tip #61 You will hear a lot of no's and negativity. That is to be expected as everyone's taste is different. Hopefully someone will give you some constructive criticism. Learn from it what you can but keep moving forward.

Promo Tip #62 Develop yourself as a complete package. Record labels do not spend the money on A&R as in the day. Educate yourself as a well-rounded music artist and present yourself as such.

Promo Tip #63 Elevator Pitch - If you only have one shot to make an impression in 30 seconds or less, can you do it? You will need to, so practice it!

Promo Tip #64 Post your gigs on your website(s), class ads, Craigslist, Backpage and other sites for your location.

Promo Tip #65 Submit your music to songwriting competitions, musician competitions, singing contests - try out for American Idol, for gosh sakes!

Promo Tip #66 Do a free conference call to chat with fans using your website. Record the call and follow up by posting the MP3 on your site. Promote it for all its worth.

Promo Tip #67 Never release an inferior product, send out professional, and only your very best demos and new releases.

Promo Tip #68 Get testimonials and reviews from people that matter and start locally if you have to. Add them to your press kit.

Promo Tip #69 Make sure you make it easy for potentials sales to happen whether on your site or at a show. Make the payment process, safe, secure and EASY.

Promo Tip #70 Have a house concert. Invite the neighborhood to your backyard.

Promo Tip #71 Give your fans insider, behind the scenes, back stage with the band info and videos. This is great info to include in newsletters - people that signed up to learn more about you on purpose.

Promo Tip #72 Take the good with the bad, and take it all graciously. You must keep your image clean or at least maintain the aforementioned image.

Promo Tip #73 Don't waste time, prioritize and go with the best bets. Put your energy into the correct market for YOUR music.

Promo Tip #74 If you can write well about a music subject, write and distribute articles. Always source the article back to your website. Let it be redistributed with the bottom author source info to spread your message and link.

Promo Tip #75 Gig swap with other bands from another area to widen your fan base.

Promo Tip #76 A music profile or bio, press kit and press releases should all be well written, free of misspellings, kept current, and to the point. Schedule updates of your various online activities.

Promo Tip #77 Find a business in your area that you can partner with for mutual benefit. If something about a song, style, or image would boost a local business, develop a cross promotional relationship.

Promo Tip #78 Respond to all your correspondence in a timely, businesslike, and correct manner - appropriate to the sender. Be considerate of your audience.

Promo Tip #79 Give people what they want. It's all about the fans. If they come to your website, give them information that makes THEM feel good. If they come to your show, entertain them, thank them and thank the venue for the experience.

Promo Tip #80 Don't disappear. Once you have started building your momentum, it is a continuous onslaught.

Promo Tip #81 Attend music conferences, indie showcases, music festivals. Gain exposure and network.

Promo Tip #82 Be easy to work with and be flexible. A good reputation carries a lot of weight. Flexibility can also mean possibly adjusting areas of your work or image so as to get your foot in the door if need be.

Promo Tip #83 Have a cause. Create an event to promote that cause. Team up with other like-minded bands and make a news worthy event out of that cause.

Promo Tip #84 Business Cards - When talking to anyone, hand one out. You must include the link to your website. Consider your link as your online business card.

Promo Tip #85 Rolodex your contact list (some sites have contact managers in their member consoles). Make a list and keep it current of all the places online and offline that you need to post to when you need to send out reoccurring press releases of news and events. Be aware that many sites have limits in number and/or time frames, be careful to not exceed them.

Promo Tip #86 Invoke your personality into your writings to make your invitations, announcements and introductions fun and effective.

Promo Tip #87 Clearly define what you are about - quickly, online or offline. People have short attention spans and are short on time - not just the music industry, but most people in general. This is very important! Don't waste words. Make anything you have to say about yourself or band enough to give the important necessary information and cut out the nonsense.

Promo Tip #88 Create a band calendar with some humorous photos of the various band members at various events.

Promo Tip #89 You heard it through the grapevine. Share "some" inside knowledge with other bands and songwriters in your area. Start your own information highway.

Promo Tip #90 Create an automated template for emails. Take the time to add the person's name with a personal tidbit, but save time with a ready made email guide. Respond to unsolicited emails with your own personalized marketing message and a link to your website.

Promo Tip #91 Play for free if you have to, any where, any time. Create an event, an event with a cause and donate the proceeds to a charity. This can open up some interesting contacts and opportunities. Sponsor an event.

Promo Tip #92 Reach out and touch your fans. Whether someone else is maintaining your online presence or not, occasionally touch base with fans personally.

Promo Tip #93 Include every ounce of contact info needed upon every available surface.

Promo Tip #94 Borrow an idea from other sources, even outside the music industry. If it works for that company, perhaps you can adapt the idea to market your music as well. Find a way to put a new twist or slant on a successful bands tactics.

Promo Tip #95 Send birthday cards to your fans...of course you need to get their birthday info when they sign up for mailing lists.

Promo Tip #96 Get involved in the music forums and message boards that target your music segment and ALWAYS include your signature URL (aka web link)!!

Promo Tip #97 Start a Music or Band Blog, well written and kept current. Submit it to music Blog directories.

Promo Tip #98 Create a novelty song that topics a holiday, a hot news item, your city or town, sports team, political event or other idea and gain exposure on promoting this song.

Promo Tip #99 Listen to your fans and learn what brought them to your show. This is very effective to giving you feedback on which promotional tool worked.

Promo Tip #100 Success does not happen to those that wait. A record label , music deal, stardom, just creating a website "and they will come" does not just land in your lap with you doing nothing. You have to make success come to you. Be persistent, be confident, roll up your sleeves, it is going to take some serious work.

But wait, there's more! We could not stop at 100! Here are a few more great tips:

Promo Tip #101 Use the Internet to research and keep current on new ways and new sites to market your music.

Promo Tip #102 Strength in numbers. Build joint ventures, collaborations and/or online partners on a project and both of you market that project.

Promo Tip #103 Have a professional email address.

Promo Tip #104 Don't burn your bridges. Even with the increasing number of music "wanna-be's" the music industry is a relatively small and close knit community. A wrong done to you by someone early in your career, may be that "someone" in a position of music power one day that you just might need to do business with.

Promo Tip #105 Join the party, even if not in the mood. Don't respond to the inevitable "what do you do" question with your day job, but tell your potentially new fan you are a musician and hand them your business card.

Promo Tip #106 Keep a journal of your marketing efforts with what worked and what did not work. This can be used in many ways down the road besides tracking your efforts. A book or e-book maybe?

Promo Tip #107 If out partying, have a designated friend or band mate for image control. If you get into something that could potentially land you in trouble, that controller gets you out of the situation before it can hurt your image. Video can be on the Internet before you even get home, so protect your image at all costs if you happen to get out of control.

Promo Tip #108 Business is business. There is a time and place for slang/explicit language, behavior, and the like. Project yourself in a professional manner. Know when you are onstage and when you are not.

Promo Tip #109 Get your own competition going about your band or a new release. Give something away, have fans register at local record stores, find a way to get buzz going by asking a great question.

Promo Tip #110 Self promote everyday, in every way, one way or the other.

Some of these pointers may not be for you. That's fine. Do what you need to do, just make sure we ALL hear about you. Very true that many artists do not have the funds to do some of these tips, well, with the Internet and some ingenuity it possible to get around this to an extent.

The difference between you and another band that made it may not be that their music was better. It might be that they found a way to get noticed better. The music industry needs music talent and is constantly on the look out for something that stands out. If you have the guts and perseverance, it can be you.

Artistopia - The Ultimate Artist Development Resource http://www.artistopia.com is an artist development and community on the web providing music artists, songwriters and bands all the tools needed for displaying their talent, music business collaboration, marketing and networking. Online since 2003, Artistopia develops advanced technology solutions that leverage the Internet to both the music artist and music companies respective advantage. Part One of 100 Tips to Market Your Music can be found at Music Articles

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Five Basic Ways To Market Your Piano Music Online

Many people have argued that there are no great piano composers in the modern world. They say that this art died fifty to one hundred years ago. Here are the facts - there are still many unbelievable piano composers in the modern world today. However, whilst one cannot argue with their creative skills, they lack basic modern marketing skills. And the world is missing out on this distinguished talent.

The most affordable and convenient way to market your music today is through the internet. It is used by billions every single year. So why do many piano players fail to market their music online? Why do they go down the traditional route of taking it to a publisher?

Marketing Method Number One - Creating Your Own Website with A List

If you make the decision to market your music online, it is almost criminal to do so without a website. Your website must be where you send all of your prospective customers. Your website must contain details on how to purchase your music, both online and offline. I would also recommend having a 'sample' piece of music for clientele to listen to for free and to be able to download the score.

When you are building your website, you must include a list. What is a list? A list is a collection of email addresses of potential customers. Your list should be kept abreast on new pieces of music that you are creating. Also they should receive occasional incentives to remain on your list, eg. a free song or a discount.

It is much easier to sell to people that know and trust you then to sell to a complete stranger. But so many people in all facets of marketing spend more time on getting more customers than selling to previous customers. Do not make this same mistake. By investing no more than $US200 per year, you could and should have a major increase in sales.

Marketing Method Number Two - Piano Radio Stations

Piano radio stations are a great way to market your music online. There are numerous radio stations on the World Wide Web that specialize in all sorts of areas, and piano is no exception. Whilst I could only speculate costs, you might be able to get your music played for free, or even better, you might be entitled to royalties from that particular radio station.

The main difference between radio piano stations and normal piano stations is that online users are able to click on a link that will take them directly to your site. So make sure that the music that you submit to radio stations are some of your best pieces of work and fit the mould of the station.

Marketing Method Number Three - Submitting Your Scores To Directories

There are numerous cases where piano composers only market their actual music and neglect to market their sheet music. This is such a silly thing to do. If a piano player likes listening to your music, then naturally they would want to learn to play it. Web sites like Free Piano Sheet Music would be more than willing to put your compositions onto their web site for free. Also you would get valuable links from your sheet music to your website.

Marketing Method Number Four - You Tube

This is the new way to market your music online. You Tube has simply taken the world by storm, not only from a viewers perspective but from a marketing perspective also. Similar to video clips that you see on MTV you are able to create your own video of your music. It does not have to be a complicated task. The easiest way to do it is to record yourself at the piano playing the score and this would be enough. However if you have a theme to your music i.e. the ocean, then you would cut to shot of the beach, i.e. waves crashing on the rocks. Whatever you decide your video clip to be, make sure you put a visible URL at the end of your video as credits, so the viewer can take action to buy your music.

Marketing Method Number Five - Piano Forums

Forums are an old and popular way to marketing your music, and it still works today. Not only can you specifically market your music in the forum, you can also market your music by just posting messages about anything related to the piano. For example, if there is a discussion about what is the best brand of piano, and you post your comments, you can put a link at the bottom of your post to your website. So not only do you market your music, you also marketing to the right group of people, piano players!

In conclusion these are much more effective methods of marketing your music then taking it to a publisher. Not only do you have much more control of your music, it is also much cheaper.

The world deserves to hear your music.

Christopher Carlin is the founder of the new resource for piano players, Free Piano Sheet Music. If you wish to submit Your compositions to Free Piano Sheet Music, click here, or send an email to: contactus@free-piano-sheet-music.net

We look forward to hearing from you

http://www.free-piano-sheet-music.net

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100 Tips to Market Your Music - Part 1

Marketing is all the activities and processes of planning, communicating and executing a product, with a price, the promotion and the placement of an item to an end user. Your music is your product which you are then supplying to the end user - the music fan. Between you and the fan is a big space on how to bridge this gap. You may think that if you just get a record deal with some label, your prayers are answered and this instant bridge is built across that space. This is for the most part, not how things work today.

As an aspiring indie or unsigned singer, songwriter, or a musician in a band you can not do just a few things to promote yourself and expect success in your music career. Offline and online music promotion and marketing exposure is an ongoing process in this DIY age. Music companies are looking for artists that already have fan bases, sold CDs, and are proven ready to move up to a higher level. Presented here are more than 100 tips and ideas for you to think about and tweak as you will, to get noticed, gain fans, and get heard. You have to find a way to stand above the crowd, for talent alone is not enough.

Promo Tip #1 A music artist must start somewhere, that's usually locally, but it's better to not just dive in without a plan. But begin you must. Create a plan with some ideas and set goals as to what you need to accomplish weekly, monthly, and yearly. Start small and make it progressive. Reach bench marks and keep at it.

Promo Tip #2 Image is everything. Image is the complete package - artist/band name, look, performance, merchandise, and style, to how that brand is marketed. A stage name can be a descriptive statement of the image you or your band project. Be unique and interesting to look at in some way....build your own unique stage persona.

Promo Tip #3 Word of mouth has always been the best promotion - tell people what you do. Get people talking. Create your buzz by just giving enough info to get people interested, but hold some secrets close.

Promo Tip #4 Those that promote the most win.

Promo Tip #5 You may be a truly great talent, but without getting out there and consistently marketing yourself, networking, meeting the right people, maintaining your image, and being humble, your talent will only get you so far.

Promo Tip #6 Be innovative in your promotional efforts! The Internet has made it possible to hear a LOT more music, from a LOT more artists. You are now a very small fish in a very large pond - you will need to find a way to stand out, above and glow in the dark. Think beyond the box on every promo tip.

Promo Tip #7 Learn web basics to use the Net to your advantage. The Internet thrives on links, quality content, keywords and consistency. Properly use the tools of the Internet to build your online brand.

Promo Tip #8 Create a web site. Buy your own artist name or band name URL for your web site, keep it simple, easy to remember, make sure it loads quickly and is easy to navigate.

Promo Tip #9 Submit your web link to online music directories, search engines, good music resource sites, in the best possible descriptive category. Use niche sites like tour date sites, lifestyle, regional, music magazine, music ezines, music Blogs and similarly themed sites.

Promo Tip #10 Use Myspace, Tagworld, Frappr, Facebook and any of the good social networks and extend your fan base. Update on a regular schedule.

Promo Tip #11 Go beyond the social networks and sign up to the best indie and unsigned music artist sites. Add a full profile, good photos, your best music, update the info regularly and DO NOT REDIRECT them with only a little info to find out more at another site. These indie communities are built to attract music biz personnel as well, to browse for the talent needed for various projects. While you have the viewers attention and time, have the important info right there, don't waste their time with a redirect link! Include a link to your main site, if they want to learn more they will go to it.

Promo Tip #12 Hand out your CDs (or demos). Have your web link printed on the CD. Include your band name and contact info as well. Remember, your name on the work is more important than the name of the work. Hand the CD to club owners that feature your type of music.

Promo Tip #13 Send press releases and reviews of your shows to local print newspapers, magazines and event papers. When writing press releases, read up on "press release tips" and the like to tweak your presentation.

Promo Tip #14 Professional photos mean you take yourself seriously. All photos in your press kit should be quality photos, not just your main bio picture. The money spent on a photographer that can capture your music "image" is money well spent.

Promo Tip #15 Collect addresses and email addresses (email is free!) to keep your fans current on what you are up to. When building your lists, try to list their location - city, state and zip with a bit of personal input about that fan. This is a great way to create a more personal and targeted mailing list without bombarding people that are too far away to attend a show.

Promo Tip #16 Practice and practice and practice. Longevity in the music business means learning new things, constantly creating, and always improving.

Promo Tip #17 Zero in on your target. Know where they hang out, where they shop, what they do for fun, and hit them where they live - online and off. Your audience is a specific crowd of people so don't waste time being where they are not.

Promo Tip #18 Play, play and play some more. Get gigs in one part of town on Friday and another part of town on Saturday. Do mini tours outside of your town.

Promo Tip #19 Create your own support group of family, friends, and school mates - communicate well with them on your plans and goals to help spread the word on you, where you plan to go and how you plan on getting there. Delegate tasks to the appropriate people.

Promo Tip #20 Online send out press releases and reviews of shows via all appropriate sites.

Promo Tip #21 Get online air play. There are a lot of indie radio webcasts, join sites and do what you have to do to get on the playlists.

Promo Tip #22 Create an interesting banner to drop in your forum signatures or other online locations. Many message boards will let you leave a link and/or banner in your signature, but don't like blatant advertising.

Promo Tip #23 Brand your name across the world and be ever mindful of the image you wish to portray whenever out in public or online. When it's in print, it's permanent.

Promo Tip #24 There is such a thing as overkill, in that it is better to describe your band/music as "we sound similar to the Beatles" rather than "we are the biggest thing since Led Zeppelin!" (or better than). So word your description accordingly.

Promo Tip #25 The music business is in the business to make money. If your career is in music, know when to be businesslike.

Promo Tip #26 Learn every area of the business you are in. Knowledge is power.

Promo Tip #27 You must network. Meet people, get out there, shake hands, listen to them as well and let them know about your music. Build those relationships.

Promo Tip #28 Be on friendly terms with other bands and artists in your area.

Promo Tip #29 Create a "street team", online and/or offline...they are core people that wish to help you further your marketing efforts. Give away free tickets, CDs or merchandise to your street team as incentive.

Promo Tip #30 Announce every song, every CD, decent chart position, contest win, top sales on releases, announce anything and everything to stay in the public's eye. If you can't write a decent article up for the press release, get someone that can. Write a review of every gig and get feedback from local VIPs, fans, whomever matters and include the best quotes. Is it news worthy? Write and promote it. Get the most mileage you can from your promotional tactics.

Promo Tip #31 Never mail your CD without a purpose or a contact person's name on it and expect miracles. Far better that the contact person knows to expect your CD, his or her name is spelled correctly, and you are mailing it to a company that actually works with your style of music.

Promo Tip #32 Wear your band! Get a jacket, t-shirts (etc) and add your band name or logo on it. Wear it everywhere and be a walking advertisement. If you have a niche fan base, think of a merchandise item that they need that of course has your name on it!

Promo Tip #33 Create an interesting band logo. It can be a conversation starter or a potential contest question.

Promo Tip #34 Join a Songwriting Circle. This is a local idea (though it is possible through the Internet), to meet with other songwriters in your own area and share your songs. You can get feedback on your work, share ideas and tips, possibly collaborate on work, learn about what's happening locally, help each other in many ways. If you wanted to start your own circle or look for one, you could use Craigslist for your Wanted or Needed post. Most ask that you be open minded and dedicated, with a willingness to listen and give feedback.

Promo Tip #35 Burn your best song as a single. On the CD and cover include ALL contact info, website, names, etc and distribute that CD wherever you go, for free.

Promo Tip #36 Have a custom vinyl car wrap created about your music/band and put it on your car. OR a use a magnetic door sign for your vehicle will work as well.

Promo Tip #37 Cross promote online on your web sites with local bands as well. You give them a boost on your site and they give the same back to you. Ask other people to LINK TO YOUR music site from their website!

Promo Tip #38 Introducing your band whether in person or online has a lot of similarity in speech writing techniques, in that you have to grab the reader or listener or viewer in the first 30 seconds. Your opening line needs to have punch, snag the audience and reel them right in. Remember the rock group KISS and "Are you ready to Rock?!!" Find your attention getting line and use it. Don't fall victim to the less inspiring, "um, hi guys, um, we are the 'Example' band..."

Promo Tip #39 Use Internet class ads as well as local newspapers to promote upcoming events and possible collaborations with others. Print papers and magazines need advance notice so plan accordingly.

Promo Tip #40 Create an online newsletter, with content of value to the receiver. This is an invaluable way to keep fans informed on gigs, news, gossip, new releases and other great info. Send out your newsletter about once a month.

Promo Tip #41 Be outrageous or controversial. Shock value can work, but it can backfire too. Can you maintain the image? It has worked for many, but was a disaster for many more. Think this tip out.

Promo Tip #42 Create a fan club online and get them to spread your banners, links and provide content for them to spread.

Promo Tip #43 Who are the VIPs in your community - who are the popular people in your area? Get to know them, give them a free CD and invite them to your show. When they speak, others will listen.

Promo Tip #44 Create a video and get on YouTube. Place your video on all relevant video sites. Video Scrapbook (or Diary) your music band's progress, accomplishments, and jam sessions. This could make for good clips in other projects.

Promo Tip #45 Have a CD, digital download and other merchandise for sale. Generate some sales so you have something to invest in other areas of your marketing effort.

Promo Tip #46 Have star quality, but don't be a big-head. Let people know you are professional and have the ability to be a long lasting star in this business.

Promo Tip #47 Never Spam email.

Promo Tip #48 Have a press kit ready to send out or email. Have it neatly organized with a brief bio, a short description (about 30 words or less) on what you sound like, full length bio, quality photos, music samples, current press releases and quality newsworthy items, song lyrics, radio airplay and chart position information, and detailed contact information.

Promo Tip #49 Join online music groups and newsgroups.

Promo Tip #50 Be a bit mysterious, hold back and leave them wanting more. Timing is everything for some info, releases, etc.

Promo Tip #51 Create a music slogan of up to 8 words (less is better) that quickly, accurately and in a catchy manner describes your music in a real way.

Promo Tip #52 Give a review to get a review, honestly is the best policy, but never brutality. Many times someone will return the favor and it shows your knowledge, your twist, on the music created.

Promo Tip #53 Print up posters and/or flyers about your upcoming show and post them wherever your type of fans would hang out and include your web link, show date, name of CD, where CD can be purchased.

Promo Tip #54 Get into podcasting and videocasting yourself or making your music available for podcasting.

Part 2 of 100 Tips to Marketing Your Music continues the remaining promo tips plus some bonus ideas!

Artistopia - The Ultimate Artist Development Resource http://www.artistopia.com is an artist development and community on the web providing music artists, songwriters and bands all the tools needed for displaying their talent, music business collaboration, marketing and networking. Online since 2003, Artistopia develops advanced technology solutions that leverage the Internet to both the music artist and music companies respective advantage.

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Android This Week: Hulu Plus lands; Falling market share; TV tech on phones

A handful of Android devices this week became the first to gain access to Hulu Plus, a subscription-based service for online movies and television programs. The software is free, but most content on Hulu Plus is only accessible by paying a $7.99 monthly fee. Similar to Netflix, Hulu Plus is only available for small subset of Android phones during the initial rollout; likely due to testing each individual Android phone model to ensure it meets the appropriate Digital Rights Management (DRM) requirements.

For now, Hulu Plus is only supported on the Nexus One, Nexus S, HTC Inspire 4G, and three Motorola phones: the Droid 2, Droid X, and Atrix 4G. In a blog post announcing the new software, the folks at Hulu Plus said it “expects to add to the number of Android smartphones and will be making additional device announcements throughout the year.”

I have both a Nexus One and a trial subscription to Hulu Plus, so I gave the software a try earlier this week. I found it to work quite well, even over a 3G connection. The menus are intuitive and the video quality is on par with other high-quality video streaming services.

In other Android news related to video quality, Sony Ericsson announced two new smartphones that borrow from Sony’s high definition television technology. The Xperia Active and Xperia Ray both use the Bravia Mobile Engine to enhance video playback on their “Reality Displays”, bringing improved contrast, color management and noise reduction. Although I haven’t seen either of these phones yet — they aren’t due to arrive until the third quarter of 2011 — the video demonstration shows promise:

Aside from the display technology, Sony Ericsson is trying to differentiate the Active by ruggedizing it for exercise. The capacitive touch screen works even with water or sweat on the screen and can survive up to one meter in water for 30 minutes. Various sports tracking software applications are also pre-installed.

These models may help Sony Ericsson’s market share, but Android’s as a whole is showing some slowness; at least in the U.S. Earlier this week, Charlie Wolf, an analyst from Needham & Co., suggested that out that Android’s market share in the U.S. fell to 49.5 percent from 52.4 percent in the first quarter of 2011.

This marks the first decline for Android in any region of the world and is largely due to the Verizon iPhone, thinks Wolf. If true, it’s likely that Android’s market share will continue to be challenged this year as a new iPhone is expected for both Verizon and AT&T in September. In addition to new hardware, the iPhone’s software looks good too; even from an Android owner’s point of view.

Related content from GigaOM Pro (subscription req’d):

• A Global Mobile Handset Platform Forecast, 2011 – 2015
• Bluetooth to Feel Blue as Personal Area Network Battles Loom
• Sony vs. Microsoft: Whose Mobile Gaming Strategy Will be Better?

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Use Attraction Marketing To Market Your Melaleuca Business

Mike Dillard created a new type of marketing, called Attraction Marketing and it is working for thousands of people. Attraction Marketing varies from other types of marketing techniques because instead of selling your Melaleuca business you sell yourself. It can also significantly reduce your marketing and advertising costs.

Attraction Marketing will cut your marketing costs because you don't have to spend money on leads. You can bring leads to you. If you are a small business that nobody has heard of you need away for people get to know about your businesses. If you use Attraction Marketing techniques you will find that people will come to you instead of you having to find them.

There are many different ways to begin the process of attraction marketing but here are some of the suggestions that will work for you. You want to create a brand for yourself. That brand will need to be consistent and displayed on different platforms.

Blogs are a wonderful way to start branding yourself. You should blog about topics associated to your business or industry but not directly about your business. Once establish a following on your blog you can then begin the process of introducing people to your business. People should get to know you first and then your business.

Social Media platforms like Twitter and Facebook are part of this new phase of marketing. It's a terrific way to reach people. There are a large number of people that use social networking sites daily. If something catches a person's interest then chances are they will click on it. It's important to remember not to automatically begin pushing your business or product. People aren't going to know about your product at first and therefore won't click on it. You need to attract them by providing them some type of valuable content to catch their attention. Once they are interested you can slowly start adding information about your product and pointing people to your website.

Attraction Marketing works because people aren't interested in sales pitches anymore. They have become smarter and don't want high-pressure sales. More subtle ways of getting people to know about your information is what businesses need to do now. People are more likely to buy products from people they trust. If you spend the time and let people know more about you and provide people with a service, the more likely they are to buy your products.

It is important to remember that this marketing method is going to take some time. You can't just inundate people with information about your product or service right away. You need to develop trust with them first and then you can get them interested. If you are patient you will find that Attraction Marketing works for your business because if they are taking the time out of their busy lives to view your blog or pay attention to your social media outlets then they trust you and are interested in you. You won't waste time with people that aren't interested in you. This definitely will work to your advantage. Give Attraction Marketing a try and see what it can do for your Melaleuca business.

Bruce Holmes is a Marketing Professional. Find out about Attraction Marketing for Melaleuca. Learn marketing secrets for Melaleuca.

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Angel / VC Funding in A Frothy Market

I had the privilege of keynoting at the Founder Showcase tonight in San Francisco.

Adeo asked me to speak about fund raising. I generally don’t like to speak about fund raising in a frothy market. If you’re bullish you seem like a Cramer-esque cheerleader and if you’re bearish you sound like a party pooper.

But Adeo asked so I obliged. I don’t know whether they shot video. If they do I’ll post it. I think you can get the gist of it from my presentation although some slides don’t quite tell the full story.

Enjoy. See you in the comments section for our debate.

VC Funding in a Frothy Market

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