You know, at first, I was going to say that I wasn’t sure if I agreed. But, he is warm and entertaining and appears to be one of us, as musicians, producers, etc. And, I don’t want to spoil his advice, but he does reiterate it and especially at the end. So, how about we watch the video 🙂
Even those of us who have been doing this for 30 years would agree (and yes, we were doing it before there was software!).
This is a great video by Nu-Trix, the Synth Guy. I didn’t want to steal his thunder, so definitely visit his youtube to get the links to the products that he mentions 😉
And, with that, please show some love for the video owner and his/her YouTube channel (like, share, comment, etc.). And, don’t forget about SeasideRecords.com while you are at it – We love engaging 🙂
It all started, the promotion that is, when we enrolled in a team challenge where a bunch of us musicians decided to follow along together through Ariel Hyatt‘s Music Success In 9 Weeks (affiliate).
Oh, we had already produced the album, thanks to our friend Alan O’Day and Denny Martin. The album turned out even more wonderful than we had anticipated. I guess that helps when you are attempting to do well in the stats, eh?
Granted, there have not been as many efforts to reach #1 since then and Deborah E has still stayed at #1 for much of the time and even recently hit #4 (and then #3) in the world! But, that is where the quality product comes into the picture.
So, if we broke this down into steps, it is fairly easy:
Now, it is time to go get the book that started it all 🙂 . I don’t say that because of the affiliate status but because Ariel Hyatt and the Music Success In 9 Weeks may not have started it (that was Deborah E) but it definitely got Deborah E’s music out there and provided the opportunity for hitting #1 in Jazz on Reverbnation (and keeping it).
Hey, all.
Here is an idea that many of you musicians have probably already thought of yourselves, but if not, it is a helpful tip to make your own Bandcamp Download Cards. 🙂
If you have a Bandcamp account, you can offer discounts on your music. So, maybe you want to offer a holiday discount or a CD launch discount. Oh, Bandcamp isn’t the only way, but it is fun 🙂
First, you would need to login to your Bandcamp account. Or, if you don’t have one, it is an opportunity to sign up for one. At the time that I (Deborah E) signed up for the account, it was free. I can’t guarantee that that is always the case, as times change rather rapidly in these internet times, don’t they? But, check it out and consider whether you want a Bandcamp account. 😉
If you already have a Bandcamp profile, now is the opportunity to beef it up a bit. If you just registered, it is pretty much essential that you build some sort of profile or home on the Bandcamp site. This is the time to do that.
Ensure that in the process, you upload a high-quality headshot, as well as any other high-quality images you can add. Create (or have one designed) a professional header. This is something that you can reuse on other profiles, or modify to work for other profiles. Also, upload your high-quality digital music and post your bio. These are tips for starters, but if you have been there and done that, you probably already get the idea.
One of the real beauties of a Bandcamp account is not just the eCommerce, but the ability to create download codes. That is the real secret behind the download cards!
Here are the two steps. It is that easy. The steps are described here, followed by the screenshots.
Now, to create the download card. You may want to create a short URL to use for the long link for the download code. By doing that, your link will fit better on your download card. You could also put your home page from your main musician page and give a link there, to redeem the codes. But, if you want to keep it a bit secret, or special, you may want to do the short link thing for the download card.
For example, I use http://1.ladyd.info for my short link for my Deborah E links. So, I may create something from that link and it will fit nicely on my download card. You can do a Google search to find places, like bitly, where you can create your own short link (or shortlink).
Then, there are a myriad of places where you can create the card. You could print it out on a color printer and laminate it. You can do it manually and cover it with contact paper (anyone remember doing that as kids?). If you plan to do this frequently, and with quite a few cards, probably purchasing a lamination machine would be your best bet, along with a nice paper cutter of some sort.
Be sure to create a digital version, using your favorite image program, and make it available for people to download the doanload card from from the internet. Maybe you want to offer the card as a treat for those who purchase another one of your albums. On Bandcamp, you can create a smaller album or EP and offer it as a free “gift with purchase” for those who purchase the LP.
With a digital download card, you may not even have to create a printable version. You could just go with the digital. Isn’t that where we are headed as a culture anyway?
There you have it, your own download card for your music, as well as a couple of promotion ideas to get you going 🙂
This campaign is something that was started as a charity project for Deborah E after her album was released by Seaside Records.
It is an effort to share love for other humans and especially to encourage others that they are valued and deserve love.
There are so many people in our community that did not grow up with love and validation and need that extra boost. The idea is that it does not take that much effort to attempt to encourage others every day and that a goal of five people, with five hugs or five affirmations, is not too high of a goal for anyone to add to their schedules, no matter how busy.
Before we watch the campaign video, a quick word from two of our sponsors:
Snack Without Guilt - Your taste buds have never had it so good! 100 Healthy Raw Snacks & Treats (affiliate link) is the definitive guide to good-tasting snack foods that only sound like they are fattening.Now, from Ileane Smith and her expertise:
Learn how to get those views to your YouTube channel - only $20 and presented by expert Ileane Smith (affiliate link, but the course is that good that I recommend it!).Now, for our campaign video:
Through her experience, in life and as a musician, Deborah found that people have a desire >> “I desire to not be forgotten.”
If we extend that desire for oneself, it is a statement that goes like this >> “I desire to not have others forgotten.”
5 Hugs a Day addresses those desires, by encouraging a slight behavioral modification (or addition to one’s life). This modification helps to enrich our own lives while enriching others’ lives.
So, what is it that you are going to do to make a difference? Do you think five hugs (or five happy thoughts) are possible?
I think so! It isn’t exactly a tall order, now is it. So, it looks to me like nothing is standing in your way and you can get started even today, eh? See you in that next positive thought (or hug) coming your way!
