I measure my success as a recording artist by the growth of my mailing list. The best way to get someone to subscribe is to offer something in return, and a great song is a powerful incentive. Here are ten techniques to negotiate that delicate exchange:

1. The classic squeeze page. You’ve probably stumbled onto one of these before: a fine-tuned infomercial-style pitch with a clear call to action and no exit links. The sole goal of the site, often just a single page, is to generate conversions. In our case, a conversion means “squeezing” an email address out of a potential fan. Seamus Anthony describes the method here and demonstrates it using his own music here. It may do the trick for first-time visitors, but returning fans have no clear path to explore the rest of your content.

2. The homepage squeeze. Identical to the classic squeeze page, except for a small link that takes you to the rest of the site. Returning fans are forced to opt out every visit – an annoying speed bump. Then again, if the free song is rotated often enough, it may encourage repeat visits. Theoretically, a site could use cookies to bypass the squeeze page for return visitors, but I don’t know of any service or WordPress plugin that does it.

3. The “free mp3 download” page. This is my current strategy, but there’s definitely room for improvement. An SEO friendly “yourbandname.com/free-mp3-download” URL and clever use of keywords can pull in traffic from Google searchers trying to freeload your music. While a simple “free mp3s” link in your site’s navigation isn’t distracting for repeat visitors, it’s easy to overlook. Still, I’m not going to force my fans to jump through hoops every time they want to post a comment.

4. The fan club. Thomas Dolby offers two full EPs exclusively to registered members of his forum. This soft sell approach encourages die-hard fans to join the conversation, but I doubt it pulls in much new blood. If your focus is to satisfy your existing fanbase, fan club exclusives offer a surefire way to retain their love and devotion.

5. The widget. Your mailing list service should provide a widget to gather fan addresses (I use ReverbNation’s FanReach, but FanBridge is another great choice). You’ll obviously need it for the squeeze page of your site. If you’re still sporting a MySpace page, you’ll want to embed it there as well. On sites where you can’t embed a widget, you can link directly to the signup form. ReverbNation and FanBridge provide every artist with a landing page to send potential subscribers to (for example, mine is here).

Click here to read the entire post from PassivePromotion.com.

What's your take... leave your comments below.

 What do hit songs have in common that can unite soccer moms with club rockers and hipsters? Literally creating one nation under a groove!

Two Rutgers master degree candidates created a presentation called "Visualizing A Hit" that maps popular songs against some of their musical attributes in an effort to find out what they share, and how they have changed over time.

First, they tapped Billboard’s chart data to build a database of over 4,200 popular songs, their peak ranking, Billboard “Hit Status,” and number of weeks they were on the charts.

They then cross-referenced that data against detailed musical information for each song — its key, mode (major, minor, etc.), tempo, loudness, “danceability level,” and “energy level” using data from The Echo Nest. (Disclosure: The Echo Nest, a music intelligence platform, publishes Evolver.fm.)

The resulting study revealed a number of interesting findings – among them, that Madonna is the overall queen of pop, songs are getting longer, louder, dancier and (barely) more energetic, and the optimal number of beats per minute over the past few decades was precisely 119.8:

“Madonna has had 36 songs [in the top 10 and] The Beatles are right behind her with 34″:

Check out the presentation here.

Might be interested in what you discover!

What's your take... leave your comments below.

 Are you looking to get signed as an artist? Come see the Presidents of the Indies and Major Labels explain how! Are you looking to make more money as an artist, manager, label or agent? See the 22 18-minute presentations from the CEOs of the top companies explain how! Visit one on one with 24 mentors at the NMS Mentoring Sessions or the Songwriting, Voice and Producer’ Workshops, and find for your next business partner. Then network with over 80 of the top CEO’s and others speaking over 3 nights and 2 days at the New Music Seminar in Los Angeles February 14-16.

For the complete schedule go to www.NewMusicSeminar.com. Register and get a special 2 for 1 discount by entering NMSLASE2322 when you select the Partner option on the registration page. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to take your career the next level.

What's your take... leave your comments below.

There is really no right or wrong way into this business however certain actions equal dead ends.  Rick Goetz explains one of five below.

#1 Waiting

Waiting on our fellow notoriously late collaborators, waiting on getting things tracked right in the studio, waiting to load in, waiting on sound check. There are a million things that we have to hurry up and wait for before we even get to the business side of things. This is of course not the waiting I am talking about though.

The biggest mistake I have seen in the past year (although admittedly it is certainly not unique to 2010) is that people wait on outside help to starting their businesses. Anyone who has tried to raise money can tell you that it is easier to raise money when you have momentum with a project then when you only have a blueprint and some high hopes. This is in no way saying that I think people do everything themselves. DIY in my opinion is a condition of last resort but a condition that almost all of us are stuck with at some point or another.

Keep this in mind – when you are someone looking for outside help from someone like a potential manager or an agent you have to remember that you are asking someone for their time. Given that time = money – you are in fact asking someone to invest in you and your company. When you are preparing to approach someone for help of this kind ask yourself “What would make me invest in an artist’s career?” When I ask myself this question I almost always come up with wanting to see that my time and money would be going into a business is already showing signs of life. I would want to see that in spite of or in addition to what my eyes and ears tell me that real consumers are responding to this musician’s material. Generally speaking those artists who have a spark and have a fledgling business are people who didn’t wait on outside help to get those businesses going.

I will let you in on a little insider secret – since the un-bundling of the album EVERYONE is making this up as they go along. There is no hard science to the initial stages of breaking new artists – it is a series of best guesses. Since no one is ever going to care about your career more than you do (at least I hope not) you may as well give it a try for yourself. Even if you fail you will no more about the job and be better qualified to find the right person who compliments your strengths and weaknesses.

There will, of course, be times when you are forced to wait for circumstances to change. It happens to all of us no matter what business we are in but I urge you to find ways of making these periods productive. No matter what major event in your career is looming large – get out and play, meet people and record as much as possible and remember – there is never going to be a perfect time to start that next phase of your career. Something will always be in your way if you let it.

Visit Rick Goetz site for further articles.

What's your take... leave your comments below.

SESSION REPORT For Immediate Release Contact: Toya Elise Brown 404-874-9880 JANUARY 2010 SESSION REPORT Who Werked in STUDIO 995? Audio, formerly known as the boy band, B5, have reemerged under new management, Upfront. With a new single 'Magnetic', featuring Akon, Audio has already gotten a good start on their upcoming release. This past January, Audio was in PatchWerk Studios for several days working with PatchWerk engineer Mike Wilson. Singer, songwriter and choreographer Shanell AKA SnL wrote and featured in Lil Wayne's "Prom Queen" music video and has worked for other big music artists such as Jay-Z, Usher and Ne-Yo. The Young Money artist, who is also a part of a group called The Girls Club with her sister D. Woods and Mika Means, was in PatchWerk studios this past January working with PatchWerk engineer Luther Banks. Other sessions in studio 995 included those for Gucci Mane (K. Anders), J. Rich (K. Anders), Young Nuse (M. Wilson), Young Dose (C. Hammond), Khalil (M. Wilson), Owl City ft B.o.B (Derek/D. Brown), Young Chris (C. Hammond), Shanell (L. Banks), Travis Porter (KY/D. Brown), Perry Kardaras (M. Wilson), Hookdiggy (M. Wilson), P3t3rz (M. Wilson), Sonny Digital (D.Brown), Skinny Fats (M. Wilson), Jemiah (M. Carter), Parsitra (D. Brown), Trai'D (D. Brown), Big Bank Black (K. Anders), EMI (Kris Kraus/L. Banks). (TO BOOK A SESSION IN PATCHWERK'S STUDIO 995 CALL 404-874-9880) Who Werked in STUDIO 9000? Akon's fourth studio album, Akonic, was released on November 29, 2010. The album's lead single, Angel, was released to US radio stations on September 14, 2010 and was released as a single on September 27, 2010. This past January, Akon was in PatchWerk Studios having songs mixed by Leslie Brathwaite assisted by PatchWerk engineer Muzzy Solis. The newest breakout artist from the music Mecca -Atlanta, GA-is known professionally as Young Dose. Dose has been crafting his style since he was a kid and is already being compared to ATL superstars T.I. & Young Jeezy. His debut project titled Genesis has some of the best young producers in the ATL. With production by platinum producers Nitti, Shawty Red, Midnite Black, Teddy Bishop, Zaytoven. This past January, Dose, along with labelmate Young Chris -who's single 'Racks' is blowing up in the clubs - was in PatchWerk Studios for several days working with PatchWerk engineer Charles Hammond. Other sessions in 9000 included those for J Rich (K. Anders), P3t3r Z (M. Wilson), Kourtney (L. Brathwaite), Demarkus Ragland (D. Brown), Street Savvy (Yayo/M. Carter) TO BOOK A SESSION IN PATCHWERK'S STUDIO 9000 CALL 404-874-9880 Who's Werking in STUDIO 1019? Atlanta rapper Jody Breeze recently released his single "Lights Camera Action" from his Welcome To The Future Part 2 mixtape. Jody Breeze was in PatchWerk Studios this past January working with PatchWerk engineer Dee Brown. Singer/Songwriter Jay Bean has been grinding in Atlanta, GA., currently songwriting for some of the games hottest producers including Zaytoven, Tha Bizness, Cory Mo, J French, just to name a few. He has recently been in PatchWerk Studios working on his 1st R&B Reality Mixtape and documentary entitled "Project Bean Vol 1: Last Writer Standing". All Jay Beans sessions were engineered by PatchWerk engineer Dee Brown. Other Sessions in 1019 included those for Money Gang (L. Banks), Shanell (L. Banks), Tiffany Bleu (Khalifani/M. Carter), Kelsi O (D. Brown), Bad Habbitz (L. Banks), Yani Simone (M. Wilson), Erron (J. Brown), Cash P (M. Carter), Pen Palz (D. Brown), MTV Made (M. Wilson), Gucci (L. Banks), Trick Trick (J. Brown), Hollywood (J. Brown), Brittany J (D. Brown), Trai'D (D.Brown), Diamond (L. Banks), Tre (L. Banks), Lil Marc (D. Brown), EMI (C. Kraus/L. Banks). TO BOOK A SESSION IN PATCHWERK'S STUDIO 1019 CALL 404-874-9880 Who's Werking in the MASTERING Suite? Sessions in the mastering suite included those for Rocko, Young Nuse, LA&T, J. Rich, Perry Kardaras, Pretty Ken, Yo Gotti, Nando, Tez, Hookdiggy, Skinny Fats, Same, Kourtney Heart, Trai'D All sessions in our mastering room are engineered by Kenny Mixx. TO BOOK A MASTERING SESSION CALL 404-874-9880 PatchWerk Recording Studios (www.patchwerk.com) is a world-class recording facility that has catered to the national entertainment industry since opening in 1995. The company, which is centrally located in the heart of Midtown Atlanta, has earned a reputation for its excellent sound quality and superb customer service. PatchWerk features Georgia's only SSL 48-channel Duality Console as well as Georgia's only SSL 9000 J Series Console. The larger of the two studio rooms, Studio 9000, features design by industry leader Russ Berger (RBDG). PatchWerk has continuously serviced the top record labels from around the world and has accomodated an endless array of world-renowned talent, including TLC, Beyonce Knowles, Outkast, Usher, Ludacris, the Neptunes, Rodney Darkchild Jerkins and Bow Wow.

What's your take... leave your comments below.

Give the gift of music to the one you love! For Valentines Day, Patchwerk Recording Studios is offering a gift package including two hours of studio time in our 1019 vocal suite, two copies of CD's from your session, complimentary snacks and beverage all for one low great price.

Call Patchwerk at 404.874.9880 and mention discount code: Vday 1019 for more details on this great offer. Expires February 14, 2011.
What's your take... leave your comments below.

 Who is werking more than Red Bull? The 2011 Red Bull Music Academy will be taking place in Tokyo, Japan and the application process is now open.

Now some of you may be saying: "What Is The Red Bull Music Academy?"

The RBMA is a world traveling workshop, and a platform for artists, musicians, producers, etc. of various genres around the world who shape our musical future. It's a place to meet other artists from around the globe, learn, work on music, network, and hopefully become better at what you do. In a nutshell, it's every motivated musicians dream!

The Red Bull Music Academy has been gathering up-and-coming producers, DJs, and musicians with legends and pioneers of the music world since it began 13 years ago in 1998, every year choosing a new city and music scene to highlight. For 2011 the Academy has chosen Tokyo, Japan as its destination. There they will gather 60 participants with an assortment of music professionals (other artists, journalists, DJs, label heads, studio engineers, etc.) to share ideas, make music, perform, and do all the other things that fall in between. Starting February 2, RBMA will be accepting applicants until April 4, 2011 with the event taking place in Tokyo between October 23 and November 25, 2011.

If you are an musician, singer, emcee, DJ, producer, etc. I STRONGLY encourage you to apply for RBMA. It does not matter if your an artist who makes music from your bedroom for fun, or if you're a Grammy nominated musician, anybody is eligible to apply.

If you've applied before in the past and haven't been chosen, this is a great opportunity to apply again, it costs you nothing to apply and if your selected it's a FREE trip to Tokyo.

"So... How Do I Apply?" - Glad you asked. Feel free to check out this video below to give so some more information on the application process. If your ready to go, head over to RedBullMusicAcademy.com where you can download and print the application.

How To Apply For The Red Bull Music Academy from Red Bull Music Academy on Vimeo.

And I know many of you are NOT artists of any kind at all. Please do not view this as spam. I sent this too you today because we ALL know some very talented people who just need
that chance showcase their talent. This is a great opportunity to do just that, and see the world as well. Feel free to spread the word as best as you can whether it's via facebook or a text message.

If you have any questions feel free to contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

What's your take... leave your comments below.

Don't miss out on an awesome presentation hosted by The Audio Engineering Society Student Chapter and Patchwerk Recording Studios on Saturday, March 5th! We will be educating you on the difference between Analog and Digital formats

We will record both and do listening comparisons. You decide which sounds better!

Call 404-874-9880 for registration.

What's your take... leave your comments below.

 Looking to extend special offers or unique content to smart phone users? Perhaps familiarizing yourself with QR codes or "Quick Response" codes could be the answer. QR Codes are two-dimensional barcodes that can be read by most smart phones (via the camera function) and automatically link the mobile user to a marketing offer, website or video.

Consider this a low cost marketing tool musicians can utilize to provide exclusive content to their fans.

There are several free online tools for creating QR Codes including myQR.co and the ZXing Project. The process of creating a QR Code is remarkably simple. Just decide what type of content you want to share.

A unique QR Code image will then be generated and displayed that can be saved to your computer. This image will have the specified url embedded into it and can be scanned by any smart phone with a QR reader and camera functionality. It’s probably worth mentioning that Android based phones come with a QR reader built in but iPhone and Blackberry users will need to download a free QR code reader app.

Music Marketing Ideas for QR Codes

OK, so creating QR Code images is easy and cheap (free!). Now what? Even though some marketers use QR Codes in online campaigns I tend to think offline marketing applications are a better use for this tool. After all if a fan is already online isn’t just clicking a link easier then pulling out a smart phone and taking a picture? In short, any place music fans might be using their smart phone their primary point to access the web could potentially be a good place to use QR codes for music marketing.

Some of the interesting places QR Codes can potentially be used for music marketing include :

1. Tour Flyers / Band Posters
2. The Merch Table
3. Email Sign Up List
4. The Tour Vehicle
5. CD Jackets
6. Business Cards
7. T-Shirts
8. Stickers
9. One Sheets
10. Outside of any Mailed Package

From a fan engagement standpoint the content or offer that is delivered when a QR code is scanned is the primary driver for a successful QR code marketing campaign. Fans experienced with scanning QR codes are expecting to find unique content or a special marketing offer when they scan a QR code. Simply linking a QR code to your band’s website homepage or Facebook Fanpage will only leave your fans disappointed. Also, be sure to consider that when fans scan your QR code will be viewing your content or offer on a smart phone screen. Make sure the content or offer is formatted for easy viewing on a smart phone.

What sort of content or special offers make sense to offer music fans via QR codes? The options are almost endless! Just let creativity and common sense be your guide. Here are a few QR code content or marketing offer ideas:

1. New or unreleased band videos
2. A personal video message from the band
3. Discount codes good for X% off at the merch table
4. Discount codes good for X% off at the band’s webstore
5. Fan contests

Using QR codes can be a fun and unique way to engage your fans when they aren’t on their computer. If you have suggestions on new ways to use feel free to post in the comment section!

Source: Know The Music Biz

What's your take... leave your comments below.

Online music database AllMusic.com is changing its name and domain.

Rovi Corp., the company overseeing the site, is replacing AllMusic with a new website called AllRovi.com, which is designed to combine its music database with its TV and film databases for a one-stop shop for all things entertainment.

AllRovi.com launches today in public beta, following a private test period. It's not clear exactly when it will completely replace AllMusic.com.

Virtually every digital music service -- including iTunes, Napster, Pandora, Shazam, Slacker and Spotify -- relies on AllMusic.com to provide a range of information, from artist biographies at the very least to album reviews, catalog data and more.

According to VP of marketing Dave Jordan, those services will continue without interruption, but with some added features to choose from. Elements of the new site include a recommendation tool that lets users find music by mood, genre or time period. Recommended playlists based around themes like "exercise" or "dinner party" are also included. Additionally, there are original blog posts, reviews, streaming samples and links to buy directly on Amazon.com and iTunes.

While existing customers can continue to use the AllRovi data, the company is gunning to generate more Web traffic of its own. Together, AllMusic.com, AllMovie.com and AllGames.com draw a combined three million unique visitors per month, according to the company.

"We think there is a better entertainment experience out there and we want consumers to use our site to learn about it," Jordan says. "Once they experience the richness and features we provide, they might start looking for it in other devices and want to connect where ever they are.  Of course that is on top of the benefit to Rovi which is to showcase our data and services as an inspiration to our customers and future developers."

Rovi was formerly known as Macrovision, but changed it to Rovi in 2009. In December, it announced plans to acquire Sonic Solutions for $720 million in a move meant to expand its interest into content distribution (Sonic Solutions owns movie rental and sales service CinemaNow).

Could a music content acquisition be far behind?

Source: Billboard

What's your take... leave your comments below.