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Hey All,
Fremont John here, friends call me Monty. I'm older than most of you and still trying to get it out there. I'm a singer/songwriter, guitarist, perform a lot, 200-250 gigs per year, mostly bar/restaurant, mostly solo, mostly FL gulf coast and lots in Key West. Sometimes do larger band shows at nicer listening venues like perf. arts centers, small auditoriums. Want to do more of that and less bar gigs. Have 4 CDs since '99. Most recent one, '09, is a guitar instrumental CD, "Guitar Songs". They're good and I need to get them out. I have CD #5 in process.
I'm just getting started here and still need to figure out that "Squeeze Page" thing. Also apparently need to get the sig-link thing going on too. Where does one start?
John made a comment in one of the videos asserting that online sales can be increased to a high volume even without a lot of performances. Is that really true? I'd love to get my CD sales and downloads or online royalties to where they can support me so I have more time to create, record, play fewer but, higher quality gigs. Can that be done? I'll keep playing but, I also want to raise the bar on the type of gigs I do. House concerts would be a welcome change to the bars. Yep, I listened to that interview, too.
Anyway, 'nuff about me. If you want to know more, just ask. You'll probably see me surfing the other forums. I'm all ears (or, eyes) for your words of wisdom. Gotta go, I think I saw a forum discussion somewhere about squeeze pages. Time to go check it out.
Best,
5:44 am
June 9, 2011
Offline
Welcome to the party Freemont.
Yes, all of those things are possible.
I would start with the squeeze page. (Forum signature will be used as a tool to drive traffic to your squeeze page.)
It's pretty simple:
It's just a page to send people to so that they can decide to sign up for your mailing list or not. That's it.
However you want to offer something to them (free song or two) to get them to share their contact info with you.
Do you need an example to check out? I think John was giving away a free squeeze page template at one time. Perhaps he still is?
Again, welcome! Look forward to sharing with you!
-Steve
3:35 pm
June 7, 2011
Offline
Fremont Ashton said:
Hey All,
Fremont John here, friends call me Monty. I'm older than most of you and still trying to get it out there. I'm a singer/songwriter, guitarist, perform a lot, 200-250 gigs per year, mostly bar/restaurant, mostly solo, mostly FL gulf coast and lots in Key West. Sometimes do larger band shows at nicer listening venues like perf. arts centers, small auditoriums. Want to do more of that and less bar gigs. Have 4 CDs since '99. Most recent one, '09, is a guitar instrumental CD, "Guitar Songs". They're good and I need to get them out. I have CD #5 in process.
I'm just getting started here and still need to figure out that "Squeeze Page" thing. Also apparently need to get the sig-link thing going on too. Where does one start?
John made a comment in one of the videos asserting that online sales can be increased to a high volume even without a lot of performances. Is that really true? I'd love to get my CD sales and downloads or online royalties to where they can support me so I have more time to create, record, play fewer but, higher quality gigs. Can that be done? I'll keep playing but, I also want to raise the bar on the type of gigs I do. House concerts would be a welcome change to the bars. Yep, I listened to that interview, too.
Anyway, 'nuff about me. If you want to know more, just ask. You'll probably see me surfing the other forums. I'm all ears (or, eyes) for your words of wisdom. Gotta go, I think I saw a forum discussion somewhere about squeeze pages. Time to go check it out.
Best,
Welcome Monty. Great to have you here. 250 gigs a year is quite a lot. You sound like a real pro.
As Steve mentioned, a squeeze page is a type of page that is designed for maximum conversion rate. What we are focused on here is essentially an online marketing model. As apposed to going out and getting customers one at a time in the traditional way with gigs, we are focused on building a mailing list and then selling product to our list over and over again for years to come. We are using the internet to drive the traffic facilitate the process, and we are using direct response marketing triggers to convert subscribers into buyers.
In short, you need a big list to sell big numbers of CDs, but it can be done. What's great about you is that you already have a system in place that sounds like it's working. By slowly building your online sales process you can use your gigs to help drive traffic initially. This could mean some additional income right out of the gate. With some luck you can become less reliant on those gigs as your online sales funnel takes over and your list grows.
It will take work and some time, but it can absolutely be done. Sales simply require traffic, marketing, and product. We are simply focusing on finding traffic online and using marketing tools that are far more powerful than simply setting up a merch table in the back of the room.
Be sure to check out the video on "creating your sales funnel" in the library.
If you need to see an example of a squeeze page, here is one of mine: http://www.johnomusic.net/
I look forward to seeing you in the forum.
Having trouble with your marketing? Wish you could have an experienced direct-to-fan marketing expert look over your actual campaigns, music, or content and offer feedback? Or perhaps you’re just looking for a little one-on-one assistance so you can ask questions that pertain to your specific goals and get a second, more experienced, perspective? Click here to book a session with me now.
1:53 am
August 27, 2011
Offline
cliff stevens said:
Hi everyone,
I'm Cliff Stevens this is my first post glad to be here. I am a working musician, have one album and also do a tribute to Eric Clapton from time to time.Greg Parke said:
Hey Cliff - nice to see a fellow Canadian on here.
Just wondering if there are also any bassists among us? I once heard that bassists <stereotype>tend to handle more of the web promotions/website stuff than other musicians</stereotype> - wondering if there's any truth to this?
3:56 am
June 9, 2011
Offline
Mike Ippersiel said:
I once heard that bassists <stereotype>tend to handle more of the web promotions/website stuff than other musicians</stereotype> - wondering if there's any truth to this?
Hahaha. In my case the bass player was always the trouble maker of the bunch. It was all word of mouth though...
12:12 pm
August 27, 2011
Offline
Steve Rodgers said:
Mike Ippersiel said:
I once heard that bassists <stereotype>tend to handle more of the web promotions/website stuff than other musicians</stereotype> - wondering if there's any truth to this?
Hahaha. In my case the bass player was always the trouble maker of the bunch. It was all word of mouth though...
Hmm...maybe he needs to play busier bass lines to keep out of trouble?
9:23 pm
June 15, 2011
Offline
Hey All,
My name is Mike Last, and I'm a songwriter/guitarist fronting a band called the Stagger & Sway. We're trying to carve out a niche in that world of original music, playing Americana with a Rock and Roll temper ... fighting the good fight, as it were 🙂
I'm also a husband and father (my daughter starts kindergarten tomorrow!), and I'm feeling incredibly behind in the MMM, and in our band Marketing in general. I hope to dedicate a good deal of time in here in the next couple weeks, and throw out some questions to you all. That is, once I catch up and make sure my questions aren't already answered!
The band is doing well ... our live shows are always incredibly well received, and we have a lot of name recognition in our local town. But booking shows in other markets is difficult, regardless of the decent radio support that we've had (much to my dismay ... I'd thought the radio push would have counted for more) and a couple of small licensing deals.
So, I figure I need to build the buzz better online, then hopefully booking the shows becomes easier, and online merch sales increase.
I've got a lot of notes already, and I'm stoked to put some of this into action, even if it's feeling pretty UP-HILL at this point!
Mike Last
2:38 am
June 9, 2011
Offline
All I can say for now Mike is... just getting a couple of steps up the hill is way more thrilling than standing around at the bottom. Don't be shy about posting your questions.
Kudos for being here, Mike! ...And Welcome!
-Steve
3:47 am
June 10, 2011
Offline
Mike Last said:
I've got a lot of notes already, and I'm stoked to put some of this into action, even if it's feeling pretty UP-HILL at this point!
Hey Mike,
Welcome! As one who tends to work on this stuff in bursts and fits and starts, and has a kid and plys the rock music, I know where you're coming from. But, it's pretty cool how just taking things in bite sized chunks the pieces come together and you start seeing the gears turn on their own.
And everyone here is super cool and represent a huge variety of backgrounds and experiences. As Steve said, don't hesitate to ask questions, and definitely read as many of the threads as you can. It's like a huge brainstorm in here and a lot of threads that start start out with a simple question turn into these awesomely detailed discussions.
Congrats on Kindergarten!
Daniel
6:48 am
June 10, 2011
Offline
I'll third the welcome Mike!
Don't worry about asking questions that might already be answered. I'm currently the second highest poster on this forum, and probably know the least of anybody about how all this new internet marketing works. But I gaurantee I know a HUGE amount more now than I did several months ago, thanks to MMM 2.0, this forum, and all the very sincere and helpful answers I've recieved to all of my questions. Looking back, some of my past questions now seem kind of stupid, but no one has ever treated me that way. (Thanks everybody!) And besides, re-asking some questions might get some new answers, since the forum is getting more members all the time.
My son has already graduated from high school, but like you I have tons of notes, and I too, am really stoked about putting more and more of this stuff into action. It seems almost imposible at first, but when you see things actually start to happen, it's a real thrill and an inspiration to do more.
I'm still working on the basic stuff, but after only a few months, my new mailing list/fan club is almost as big as my former list that took me almost 10 years to build! That proves to me that this stuff works.
Don't worry about feeling that everything is uphill......that's good! Uphill means you have something to strive for. Down hill means you are just coasting, and will soon be at the bottom of the hill again! Hmmm.
What would a jam session with Gordon Lightfoot, Collective Soul, and Damien Rice sound like?
Check out Greg Parke and you’ll have a pretty good idea!
5:54 pm
June 7, 2011
Offline
Mike Last said:
Hey All,
My name is Mike Last, and I'm a songwriter/guitarist fronting a band called the Stagger & Sway. We're trying to carve out a niche in that world of original music, playing Americana with a Rock and Roll temper ... fighting the good fight, as it were 🙂
I'm also a husband and father (my daughter starts kindergarten tomorrow!), and I'm feeling incredibly behind in the MMM, and in our band Marketing in general. I hope to dedicate a good deal of time in here in the next couple weeks, and throw out some questions to you all. That is, once I catch up and make sure my questions aren't already answered!
The band is doing well ... our live shows are always incredibly well received, and we have a lot of name recognition in our local town. But booking shows in other markets is difficult, regardless of the decent radio support that we've had (much to my dismay ... I'd thought the radio push would have counted for more) and a couple of small licensing deals.
So, I figure I need to build the buzz better online, then hopefully booking the shows becomes easier, and online merch sales increase.
I've got a lot of notes already, and I'm stoked to put some of this into action, even if it's feeling pretty UP-HILL at this point!
Mike Last
Welcome Mike. I do Americana stuff these days and have a one and a half year old so I know where you're coming from. Glad to see you in the forum and be sure to post any questions you might have.
Having trouble with your marketing? Wish you could have an experienced direct-to-fan marketing expert look over your actual campaigns, music, or content and offer feedback? Or perhaps you’re just looking for a little one-on-one assistance so you can ask questions that pertain to your specific goals and get a second, more experienced, perspective? Click here to book a session with me now.
Thanks for your post Greg, kicked my butt!
John, you really are doing many remarkable things for all of us, thanks!
My name is Dawn King I live in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. My husband and I have been doing covers for almost 20 years, still happlily married and 4 kids! Music keeps us hoppin, rockin, poppin and lovin!
In the next two months we plan to have our website up, 13 song originals album released, 2 cover tunes launched and plan on creating a royal Canadian music marketing machine!
Our songs are current, melodicallly and musically. Songs you can dance to, smooch too, maybe get a room too! Seriously though the songs are truly about living, loving and having a blast while staying very much in love with each other and with this amazing life! There is also alot of inspiration and attitude in many of the songs. It is our hope and vision that our music moves people's hearts and minds to live the best life! Below are some banners I am playing with.
Music that inspires you to love your life ... and love each other
Meet Robert and Dawn King, your musical love doctors
Daniel Crandall said:
Mike Last said:
I've got a lot of notes already, and I'm stoked to put some of this into action, even if it's feeling pretty UP-HILL at this point!
Hey Mike,
Welcome! As one who tends to work on this stuff in bursts and fits and starts, and has a kid and plys the rock music, I know where you're coming from. But, it's pretty cool how just taking things in bite sized chunks the pieces come together and you start seeing the gears turn on their own.
And everyone here is super cool and represent a huge variety of backgrounds and experiences. As Steve said, don't hesitate to ask questions, and definitely read as many of the threads as you can. It's like a huge brainstorm in here and a lot of threads that start start out with a simple question turn into these awesomely detailed discussions.
Congrats on Kindergarten!
Daniel
Daniel Crandall said:
Mike Last said:
I've got a lot of notes already, and I'm stoked to put some of this into action, even if it's feeling pretty UP-HILL at this point!
Hey Mike,
Welcome! As one who tends to work on this stuff in bursts and fits and starts, and has a kid and plys the rock music, I know where you're coming from. But, it's pretty cool how just taking things in bite sized chunks the pieces come together and you start seeing the gears turn on their own.
And everyone here is super cool and represent a huge variety of backgrounds and experiences. As Steve said, don't hesitate to ask questions, and definitely read as many of the threads as you can. It's like a huge brainstorm in here and a lot of threads that start start out with a simple question turn into these awesomely detailed discussions.
Congrats on Kindergarten!
Daniel
Daniel...I love your band name and description, awesome and catchy!
Fremont Ashton said:
Hey All,
Fremont John here, friends call me Monty. I'm older than most of you and still trying to get it out there. I'm a singer/songwriter, guitarist, perform a lot, 200-250 gigs per year, mostly bar/restaurant, mostly solo, mostly FL gulf coast and lots in Key West. Sometimes do larger band shows at nicer listening venues like perf. arts centers, small auditoriums. Want to do more of that and less bar gigs. Have 4 CDs since '99. Most recent one, '09, is a guitar instrumental CD, "Guitar Songs". They're good and I need to get them out. I have CD #5 in process.
I'm just getting started here and still need to figure out that "Squeeze Page" thing. Also apparently need to get the sig-link thing going on too. Where does one start?
John made a comment in one of the videos asserting that online sales can be increased to a high volume even without a lot of performances. Is that really true? I'd love to get my CD sales and downloads or online royalties to where they can support me so I have more time to create, record, play fewer but, higher quality gigs. Can that be done? I'll keep playing but, I also want to raise the bar on the type of gigs I do. House concerts would be a welcome change to the bars. Yep, I listened to that interview, too.
Anyway, 'nuff about me. If you want to know more, just ask. You'll probably see me surfing the other forums. I'm all ears (or, eyes) for your words of wisdom. Gotta go, I think I saw a forum discussion somewhere about squeeze pages. Time to go check it out.
Best,
Hey John...husband 63 and I am 46...you rock! Love your photos, you got it!
Dawn King
Mike Last said:
Hey All,
My name is Mike Last, and I'm a songwriter/guitarist fronting a band called the Stagger & Sway. We're trying to carve out a niche in that world of original music, playing Americana with a Rock and Roll temper ... fighting the good fight, as it were 🙂
I'm also a husband and father (my daughter starts kindergarten tomorrow!), and I'm feeling incredibly behind in the MMM, and in our band Marketing in general. I hope to dedicate a good deal of time in here in the next couple weeks, and throw out some questions to you all. That is, once I catch up and make sure my questions aren't already answered!
The band is doing well ... our live shows are always incredibly well received, and we have a lot of name recognition in our local town. But booking shows in other markets is difficult, regardless of the decent radio support that we've had (much to my dismay ... I'd thought the radio push would have counted for more) and a couple of small licensing deals.
So, I figure I need to build the buzz better online, then hopefully booking the shows becomes easier, and online merch sales increase.
I've got a lot of notes already, and I'm stoked to put some of this into action, even if it's feeling pretty UP-HILL at this point!
Mike Last
Hi Mike...great songs and harmonies, well done! Can you please tell me how you made your video ( for hire?) and or how you did yourself and the costs wither way? Thanks very much! Dawn King
8:28 pm
June 15, 2011
Offline
Dawn King said:
Hi Mike...great songs and harmonies, well done! Can you please tell me how you made your video ( for hire?) and or how you did yourself and the costs wither way? Thanks very much! Dawn King
Thank you all for the welcome messages!
Dawn, the best answer I can give you about the video is that it came about through networking. That is, through asking around I got hooked up with some guys that were getting their own video production group off the ground.
They are both musicians as well, had been eager to do a music video, but had other projects chomping at their heels. So when I asked if they were interested in my project, they jumped at the chance, and said they would take it on as a learning project for themselves!
That said, I traded some copywriting in exchange, and will also be helping them put a website together. We just tried to make it a mutually beneficial deal.
Also, I suggested taking footage from a live show, thinking that would make it a bit easier on them (rather than figuring out location, props, etc.). They filmed the entire show, and then let a story line emerge through their own footage editing. The scene we did with the band taking "shots" we actually filmed later ... that was their idea after culling through the footage.
By the way, meeting those guys has been great! Not only did they make this video, they've used different songs in three of their own projects now (a short film, a movie, and a documentary). I'm incredibly thankful to them, and oddly enough, they credit me with motivating them to do a project they'd been wanting to try ... they're working on a few videos for other bands now that feel comfortable having one under their belt.
So, short answer: I asked around a bit and then totally lucked out 🙂 And both parties feel like we stumbled into a really good thing.
4:00 am
June 7, 2011
Offline
Welcome Dawn. It's good to see you in the forum Great story. You sound very passionate about music and life.
...and thanks for sharing the video story Mike. You can do some amazing things for cheap.
Re: Dawn's question: I had one really kick ass music video done for nothing. Just a few friends and some long days. I even hired an animator to do something for $300 right on scriptlance.com. Truth be told, I had some issues getting him to finish the thing, but on scriptlance ypou don't pay until it's done. Point is that there are all kinds of people out there with a lot of talent that can help you make some great videos for practically nothing. Hell, with iphone apps alone these days you can do some pretty cool looking stuff.
Having trouble with your marketing? Wish you could have an experienced direct-to-fan marketing expert look over your actual campaigns, music, or content and offer feedback? Or perhaps you’re just looking for a little one-on-one assistance so you can ask questions that pertain to your specific goals and get a second, more experienced, perspective? Click here to book a session with me now.
7:57 pm
June 14, 2011
Offline
Hey All,
It's been a hectic summer for me, so I apologize for just now really utilizing the forum! I'm Anna Zoe, an independent alternative singer-songwriter originally from Erie, PA but currently living in NYC. I just released my first album, "Friction In Some Direction", in June 2011 on my own label, Dank Records, and plan to tour early 2012. After doing some internet marketing research, finding some not-so-good programs, I came across John's Music Marketing program last year and instantly had some small success, stemming mostly from his Twitter, Mailing List, and Squeeze Page advice. I have no doubt the Inner Circle will dig deeper, so I thank you all for having me be a part of it!
Peace,
-AZ 😀
An independent alternative singer-songwriter whose music sounds like Tori Amos having dinner with Coldplay, and going for drinks with Death Cab For Cutie. Get a FREE download at: http://www.annazoe.net
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