Yesterday concluded four days for me in Orlando, where I was a speaker at Podfest Multimedia Expo and, of course, absorbed all kinds of new knowledge and lessons that will be of help in continuing the weekly “Now Hear This Entertainment” show.
But as I sat and took notes and listened to other speakers talk about different tips, tricks, and techniques, it dawned on me that there is no shortage of resources for indie musicians either. The help available to podcasters is not just limited to that industry, although some of them carry over to creators of music instead of audio or video shows.
In no particular order…
YouTube was talked about at length, although it’s due in large part to there having been a day-and-a-half of what was called VidFest. Already as an indie musician you’re saying, “Really, Bruce? Like we don’t know about YouTube?” But in response I ask, are you just uploading videos and walking away, only to periodically check your view and subscriber counts? Or are you really digging in and maximizing all that there is to YouTube? I’m talking about monetizing through YouTube. I’m talking about titling your videos properly. I’m talking about using the ‘cards’ feature that YouTube has. I’m talking about the thumbnail that you are putting on your video rather than settling for the default thumbnail that YouTube generates for you. See?
Furthermore, I have been heard saying in my own presentations that YouTube is the second-largest search engine in the world, so be sure you’re looking at it for that benefit and setting yourself up to be found by people who might just be on there trying to look something up, rather than, “Go watch my music videos on YouTube.”
Blogs were talked about at Podfest although it was quite eye popping when I heard the gargantuan number of blogs out there versus the “only a quarter of a million” active podcasts. While you could spin this two ways, I want you to focus on where you can get you or your music written about more so than writing your own blog. I say the latter because I know countless indie artists who say they’re going to do a blog and are done after three. Consider too, though, that all those bloggers out there already have audiences that might not know you or your music yet. On your own site you’d be writing for the same people, so to speak, every time.
Podcasts can be looked at the same way. Rather than say, “Hey, I’m busy trying to create my own music. I’m not about to start making time to create my own podcast,” get yourself interviewed on podcasts that make sense for you and your music. (By that I mean, don’t ask someone who does a country music podcast to make an exception so you can talk about your new thrash metal album.)
Conferences are popping up more and more in the podcast industry, but the music industry already has lots and lots. And that’s good news for you. Reading blogs to learn and/or listening to podcasts for tips is helpful, but getting out to professional development opportunities where you can do some real learning is a great way to stimulate that brain.
Meetups are usually smaller and local, plus they’re a whole lot cheaper (sometimes even free). This is a great way to start some relationships with people you can see face-to-face on a regular basis. Think collaboratively and don’t put any limits on where those connections might lead.
Festivals can be a good place to hear what others are creating and meet songwriters and others from the music industry – wait for it – even if you’re just there to observe and not actually participating in the event. Depending on the size of it, there might even be vendors there and all it takes is one friendly discussion with one of them to find out that there’s a potential fit for them to get involved with what you’re doing.
Want even more?
Step outside your comfort zone and talk to a professional in the business. Give your music career a jolt by booking a private online video consultation with me and draw upon my more than 15 years as an artist manager/publicist.
Download one or more of my eBooks and put into action the tips I provide in there for your career on and off the stage.
Challenge yourself to grow your career in ways that aren’t the typical, “Play more shows. Get out to venues I haven’t performed at before.” Soon you’ll be the one that people will be coming to for advice on what they can be doing!
Talk about this blog with fellow indie artists and others in our Facebook group!