My Black jack code

One of the Brobdingnagian Bards' early CDs, Songs of the Muse is going into it's back pressing. When I saw Saint Saint Christopher Knab's article "Your cadmium Screen is Your Best Ad For Your Music", I decided this was the perfect inspiration I needed to update the cadmium graphics.

I've been a fan of Christopher Knab for about as long as I've been a fan of British Shilling Baker. He is without a uncertainty 1 of the top Top 10 music sellers in my book.

Well, whenever I make graphics, I happen too often that I bury a clump of stuff. So this article functions as a great checklist. But when I read Seth Godin's Best-Selling book, Free Prize Inside, I realized that it was NOT a complete list!

In fact, the music industry in general have greatly missed out on an astonishing chance to break sell CDs.

The thought I got came from the dorsums of books. Go catch a best-seller and bend it over. On the back, you will happen the secret...

What did you find? You might've seen testimonials, a little verbal description of the book, or maybe even an exerpt.

You see, one of the jobs I establish with Songs of the Muse is that since we name our music "Celtic music." It wasn't till much future that I realized that in the Celtic Language music tradition, "songs" have got words and "tunes" are instrumentals. This record album is all instrumental. So it was poorly named for the "Celtic music" world.

But if we utilize the dorsum screen correctly, it doesn't matter!

The new dorsum screen now names songs statute titles along with a little verbal description of the ideal individual who will bask this CD. It includes testimonials. And anyone who reads it will have got all uncertainty removed as to if this is a vocal or instrumental CD.

Use Saint Christopher Knab's checklist for a better cadmium graphics. Then believe outside the box. What can you add to the screen that volition do this cadmium sell better than ever?

Everytime I do a new friend, they look to come up away with selling ideas.

Today, I got an electronic mail from one. Her name is Jen Clower-Brown. She is a phantasy creative person and friend who I've worked with on a figure of phantasy fine art projects. She wrote:

Marc,

I just received the cadmium I ordered of "The Trial of Lancelot" by Heather Dale. I haven't even given it somes full listen yet, but already she have made an feeling on me. Let me explain...

When I pulled out the packing reception that was with the cd, she had hand-written a short, personal thank-you to me on the receipt! It states nil more than "Thanks Jennifer! Enjoy, Heather", but I doubt I'll be tossing out this reception any time soon. It was just a antic gesture.

I recognize this may be a spot boring to maintain up with, but it's worth considering for your ain cadmium orders.

Jen Clower-Brown

Course, I've been a large advocate of authorship personal short letters for a long time. For a while, I handled cadmium orders in house and followed her suggestion. Now, however, CDBaby manages most of our orders. Even there, it's a batch of work to follow-up each order with an email, but allow me state you it's worth it.

Fans desire to cognize that they're not just a face in the crowd. Something as simple as "Thanks Jennifer!" is all it takes to do that impact to gain a traditionalist fan for life. That's not too tough is it? Well, follow my example, I'm gonna travel catch up on sending give thanks you messages to our fans. They've given a portion of themselves to us. And they rate it!

I was listening to NPR the other twenty-four hours when they did a study on tipping in the eating house industry. One they had a listing of tips on how delay staff can increase their tips.

That got me brainstorming and surfing the nett for other thoughts to hike tips. That concerted with tons of public presentations at Renaissance Festivals helped me to develop my ain listing of ways instrumentalists can improve their tips.

1. Introduce yourself by name

Too often instrumentalists bury to present themselves on stage. Brand certain you state the audience your set name, but to really hike your tips, you should also present yourselves individually. Let people cognize who you are as an individual and you'll see greater tips.

2. Go out into the audience with a tip jar

You really can't be inactive when it come ups to getting tips. You have got to walk out into the audience with some ocular mention that states "Tip Me!", and they will tip you.

3. Meet your audience at their level

Take the time to speak to your audience members at their level. Holding a treatment from a phase sets a wall between you and them. So instead, travel out into the audience and talking to them face to face. Kneel if they're at a table, so you're at oculus level. And if you have got ayour tip jar with you, you will you will not only derive a fan, but you will also improve your tips.

4. Brand your visual aspect personal

We have on kilts to most of our gigs. A kilt adds a very personal touching It associates us to a certain civilization and do people take notice. Course you don't have got to travel that route, instead happen some piece of clothes that reflects your personality and you will hike your tips.

5. Recommend your favourite CD

If you have got multiple CDs, your audience will always inquire for your favorite. State them what it is. If you only have got one, you can make the same by recommending other people that you like. That adds a two-fold advantage of helping your audience happen music they like and helping your chap musicians.

6. Smile

A bright, confident smiling will convey fans back again and again with tons o'big tips.

7. Involve your audience in the music with a gag or game

Next time you're up on stage, see what haps when you jest around with the audience. Your personality will freshness all the more than and so will your tips.

8. Chat with fans by name

Music fans love nil more than to be recognized by the sets they love. So make your best to retrieve their names. They will experience that much more than attached to your music and experience like your friend. And these friends will tip you better for the courtesy.

9. Touch your audience

When you're come out of the closet socializing with your audience, touching them (in a non-sexual way). Whether you agitate their hand, rap them on the shoulder or back, or just brush against them, delay staff happen that that even that volition encouragement their tips 50%. And it will yours too.

10. Use tip jars with the VISA/Mastercard Logo

According to surveys done in restaurants, just seeing those Son is enough to promote clients to tip more. I cognize it sounds crazy, but give it a try. You may be pleasantly surprised with the results.

11. Give your audience something in tax return for their tip

People love feeling like they're getting their money's worth. And many people don't recognize you should tip bands. So give something in return. It could be something as large as a spine or magnet, or as simple as a concern card that mightiness include a $1 off your CDs. Or hey what about eating their sweet tooth with a piece of candy. Whatever the case, that small gift will intend large tipping results.

12. Draw a picture

On a similar note, if you give them a concern card, draw or do a remark on it. That piece will be more than valuable to them and will result in larger tips.

13. Brand tipping a portion of the show

Why delay until the end of the set to inquire for tips. Sing a song about tipping, or acquire your audience involved in the tipping procedure by cheering something. Or offering a award to the first tipper. But incorporate it into your show and it won't look like you're just begging for money, rather you're making it merriment to tip.

14. Thank your audience

No gig would be complete without an audience. So give thanks them for taking the time to watch you perform. They will experience the personal touching and react when you inquire for money.

15. Bonus Tipping Suggestion:

If the alteration is five dollars, never go back a five-dollar bill. Always give back five ones. This lets the client to tip you with some of the dollar measures you returned. You will rarely acquire a $5 tip and returning a $5 measure will turn off tippers. In general, it's good to go back all 1s if the alteration is less than $8. You desire the client to have got at least two 1s so they can give it back as the tip.

I was walking on campus today back from our weekly gig at the University of Texas' South Mall, when I heard a member of the Young Conservatives of Texas speak. March 2nd is Texas Independence Day and so this chap was sermon that if you work difficult and play by the rules you too can take a good life.

Maybe it's the sceptic in me, but it made me think, "What a clump of crock!" Most people, including most musicians, work difficult and play by the rules, but did you cognize that Americans carry, on average, $5,800 in recognition card debt from calendar calendar month to month. Well Iodine inquire you, what sort of life is that when a immense bulk of state is in unprofitable debt?

But I've been reading books like "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" recently, in an effort to larn music concern and finance accomplishments from people who do millions. Bash they follow the rules? Yes...sorta.

The inquiries that came to me as I walked by the Young Conservatives were, "Who do the rules?" and "Are we following the Right rules?"

That's really the cardinal that many successful concern people learn. It's not a substance of are you following the rules. It's are you following the Right rules?

You see, our community is filled with rules on what you can't do, but there are also dozens of rules that say what you can do, but most people don't cognize what they are.

Taxes are a great example. The norm instrumentalist might not subtract things like auto traveling to and from gigs, or the cost of their picks, because they may not cognize that they can.

The same travels with promotion. Just because you're on MP3.com and acquire a twelve electronic mails from other instrumentalists in a word word form missive saying, "play my song", makes not intend that you should set together your ain form missive and Spam thousands of musicians.

Or just because most instrumentalists make their best to pull the attending of a Major label A&R Oregon even the President, makes not intend you shouldn't schmooze with the secretary.

The point is cognize the rules, but then look beyond them. The rules are a guide. They are not etched in stone. Interruption the rules. Bash what others are NOT doing and you will make a better of occupation standing out in the crowd.

I'm a immense fan of SpamAssassin. I have got many websites and all of my waiters utilize it. It cuts out about 80% of the dirt heading to my inbox. And while I make lose a few newsletters, it's worth it.

The job is too many indie concerns just don't acquire it. They believe flashy is the manner to go, but more than than than and more people recognize as Spam goes ever more rampant that if you desire to reach your fans, you necessitate to make your newssheets accessbile first, flashy second.

How make you do that?

Start by doing away with hypertext markup language in emails.

That's right. Ditch it. It's useless. I cognize one music game website that actually directs out hypertext markup language messages with artwork and all. And every edition acquires SpamAssassinated. hypertext markup language electronic mails are selling heaven. A seller can track which electronic mails are opened and which not. They include javascript and cookies, and of course, hypertext markup language is easy to steal a virus into.

So halt using hypertext markup language newsletters. Remember the point of fan newssheets is communication. If you don't effectively pass on with your fan base, then you're wasting your time.

How make you cognize if your newssheet is being Spam Assassinated?

For the past twelvemonth or so I've been using SiteBuildIt to optimize my websites for the hunt engines. SiteBuildIt is programme designed to assist you construct a webpage that Effectively sells your merchandise while helping you to exceed the hunt engines.

Warning: It's expensive. We're talking $299 a year. And yes, it's worth every penny. SiteBuildIt offers some unbelievable services, but I DON'T propose you head over there and purchase the program.

Instead, fall in their affiliate program. You will happen out about ALL the great services they offer, like their SpamChecker, and happen out IF it's compensate for you.

Here's how it works:

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A couple months ago, I wrote The Rogues to ask them directly what it is that makes them so successful at selling CDs, and why they are one of the top 10 bands on CDstreet selling CDs. Sharon Wothke wrote back:

"As head sales person for the band, I think that I would be the one to talk to. The Rogues are definitely unique in what they do, and if you will indulge me, very good at what they do.

As a sales person, I know that the way the guys play their music definitely is the biggest factor in their sales quotient. When the music, which can be described as infectious, is smoking hot, and everyone is having a good time, the sales are usually pretty good. Most people who come to a Renaissance Festival, where the band still does the lion's share of their gigs, do not come
expecting to buy a CD with bagpipe music on it. The Rogues have converted many people to this form of music. So in other words, they create a unique atmosphere which is conducive to sales.

If the guys are doing their job (making great music), it makes my job a lot easier. I just have to be available and approachable to people and looking like a I am a part of the show for people to feel comfortable in coming up to me. We started from the very beginning employing the use of a roaming basket. It is very effective and other groups have successfully copied our approach.

Our sellers walk around holding up the product so people can see them. Our sellers try to blend in with the show and not be pushy, just visible. I personally enjoy interacting with the crowd, spoofing off of what is being said on the stage and telling jokes to make the audience laugh. And I will talk and be nice to everyone, even if they don't buy a CD simply because I enjoy people and I am trying to be an ambassador for the band. They may not buy today, but chances are they will think about it and buy a CD at another time."

Straight from the Master's mouth. What does it take?
1. Great music
2. Great live performance
3. Roaming sales people with baskets of CDs
4. Sellers hold up product DURING the show
5. Sellers blend in an interact with the show

The Rogues use CDBaby to sell their CDs. Why? See for yourself?

This weekend, we're flying to Hollywood. We are booked to execute at the Into the Occident Oscar Party, sponsored by New Line Cinema's Official Godhead of the Rings Fan Club. We are so psyched.

Unfortunately, I haven't done nearly as much promotion for the event as I would've liked. After five old age of promoting twenty-four hours and night, I'm kinda burned out. Fortunately, our fans aren't.

So when I got an electronic mail last hebdomad from Hagar "the Horrible" (he get dresseds as a Viking at Renaissance Festivals and kinda looks like the amusing strip character) saying he wanted my permission to electronic mail the television stations about our Oscar Party gig, I was like, "Hell, yeah! Why didn't I believe of that?"

I didn't believe anymore of it until a photographic camera crew showed up that evening. Jim Gustavus Franklin Swift from KXAN News 36's "Out On The Porch" section saw on our website that we were playing that very eventide and decided to interview us.

The interview went antic and ran this past Sunday. It also got me thinking. Why on this Earth makes Hagar continually travel out of his manner to assist us? What's in it for him?

There are many reasons. I trust to travel into many of them in future articles. But allow me state ye, it's not for any fiscal reward. We don't pay him a thing. Actually, he won't even accept money or free CDs. He makes it mainly for two reasons.

One, we've educated our fans to advance us. Two, and more than importantly, it lets him to "pay us back" for the joyousness we've given him.

Hagar isn't so atrocious actually. In fact, he's a batch like you and me. All we desire is acknowledgment for what we do. The greatest wages your fans really trust to have come ups from two emphatic and sincere words: "Thank you!".

Well a great public presentation and an synergistic gross sales crew is just the start to seling more than CDs at gigs. The Rogues also use other salespeople.

"Our Sellers work off of a commission, with bonuses built in when an individual's sales entire ranges a certain amount. Giving a salesperson a committee motivates them to sell more than merchandise than just giving them a level rate. We make have got minimal pay for a day's work when the gross sales are not good. In that lawsuit the set usually pays $50 day, or a 10% committee of the gross gross gross sales total, whichever is greater.

At the more than modern venues, such as as upland games and Celtic festivals, we have got establish that having a sales table is an extremely successful manner to increase sales, especially in combination with a roaming salesperson (when using both are appropriate). At public house gigs, we only have got a gross sales table. Having person wander in a tight space like a public house would be seen as too aggressive or invasive, which the Rogues make not promote their salespeople to be. Friendly competition between two or more than Sellers is good as long as there is a feeling of squad spirit. Our Sellers aid each other out when one necessitates alteration or more than than stock.

The bigger the crowds, the more gross sales people are needed. The sheer size of the crowd have a enormous impact on sales. When you acquire that many people standing or sitting that stopping point together and they are all excited about the music, it is like a rippling effect--once the gross gross sales start flowing, everyone looks to leap on the purchasing bandwagon.

At one peculiar show at the Old Line State Renaissance Festival, where the crowd was huge, our three Sellers were not able to maximise the full sales potential. A good indicant of my not being able to tap the gross sales possible that is when I am standing in one topographic point and have got not moved out of it the full show. Just as soon as I complete one sell, another individual come ups up to purchase a CD. I name that standing in a "sweet spot"--when people come up up to you already wanting to purchase a CD. My occupation then is to seek to calculate out, as
quickly as possible, what cadmium or CDs would best lawsuit what they are looking for. I always seek to point out the fact that they can tell more than CDs through the website or mail order, or listen to the music on MP3.com.

As a bandmember's wife, I am always trying to advance the band. I take concern cards from people who desire to engage the set for possible gigs and I direct them to my husband, Randy, who is the concern director for the band."

1. Honor gross sales people with commission
2. Set up gross sales table for venues
3. Promote friendly gross sales competition
4. More people to sell for bigger crowds, bask 'ripple effect'
5. Take concern cards to gigs and manus out at every opportunity.

The Rogues utilize CDBaby to sell their CDs. Why? See for yourself?

I retrieve when I first put option the Brobdingnagian Bards on MP3.com and started to larn the ropes. I would listen day-to-day to music there, but I never listened to sets that were higher in the charts than we were because I didn't desire to hike their ratings any more than than they already were.

I think greedy. It totally dog-eat-dog. But it wasn't until I started to listen to my ain advice that I started to do some alterations and helping my chap musicians. And it wasn't until I started to assist you that our success took off.

Yeah, there are many grounds why we've done consistently well on the mp3.com charts, but one of the chief 1s is that I've been willing to abrasion person elses back with no outlook of a return. And while there's no expectation, there always is a return.

It's one of those great conundrums, I guess. I mean, how is it possible that when you assist person else You will benefit... Yet I'm amazed to see that it happens. And it haps all the time.

The more than Iodine am willing to give, the greater my return.

Just yesterday, I got an electronic mail from a Nagian (one of our fans) saying he loved our music and would make everything he could to advance us. Just ask.

But the lone thing I can make is to humbly inquire him to turn around and see if he necessitates his dorsum scratched.

I read somewhere not too long ago that someone was lamenting that artists are putting out too many albums without spending enough time promoting them. Well, I hate to say it, but my group, the Brobdingnagian Bards, is guilty of such a crime.

You see, when I started The Bards a couple years ago, I knew that bands needed a product. So we recorded our first album, Marked By Great Size, bought a CD burner, and started producing the CDs ourselves to sell at gigs.

Six months later, we released our second album, Gullible's Travels. By this time, we'd only had a few decent reviews of our first album, but we'd sold a couple hundred CDs after playing at numerous Renaissance Festivals. Now, our second album was underway.

We recorded it, and got a whopping one review for the album. But with extensive gigging we sold a couple hundred copies of this album.

Six months later, we completed our third album, Songs of the Muse. By this time, we starting to wonder if we were stretching ourselves too thin. Andrew was duping all the CDs while I was getting them printed. And his burner wasn't quite fast enough to keep up with the demand for CDs. But it was about this time that we got started on mp3.com, and we got introduced to DAM CDs, a much easier way to produce CDs when you have several, but can't afford to mass produce any.

All of a sudden, the reason for our recording CD after CD made sense. We could get paid for people listening to our music, and the more music you have the more money you made. Talk to Ernesto Cortazar and 303infinity if you disagree.

Now, we could order CD one-offs from MP3.com, sell them at gigs for $10-15, and make a nice profit while our music climbed the charts. But did I promote "Songs of the Muse"?

Well, we started recording for our next albums (yes, plural) at the beginning of 2001. We've done some minor promotion of our album, and quite honestly, SOM is the best of our albums, and now our first mass-produced CD. So yes, we should do more promotion for it, and we are. But no, we are still not spending all of our extra income promoting this or another album why? Why are we recording more albums.

Well first, Songs of the Muse was recorded to meet a very specific market. It's an all instrumental album, and was designed to get us wedding gigs, which it does quite nicely.

But the other reason we don't is because we are meeting our goals...making a living.

While some are after a record deal or becoming the next pop star, we are on a journey. Yes, I'd like to be a pop star. Sure, I wouldn't mind having a record deal. But our music is still evolving. We have a long way to go before I feel we are ready for that record deal or super-stardom. The first step is making a living.

That's what living the dream is all about. You have to take care of the basics first. In my case, it involves getting out of debt, building a regular income, building a following, and one day earning enough from the music to quit my day job so I can become a full-time musician. Does it matter that our first few albums may never be heard? No. It doesn't. Those first albums will be Collector's Editions once we get there. ;)

Once those goals are met, then I can work on my dreams of super-stardom. Yes, I am working on those steps now. I'm not gonna find a publicist to promote us unless we are guaranteed a decent return on our money. But I will continue to get our music to local publications, slowly but surely. And one day, you're gonna read a message from me saying, "I am now living the dream!"