Get noticed! Effective strategies for your music videos to become popular
Although disseminating information is easier nowadays, due to the prevalence of mobile technologies and the Internet, marketing products and/or services becomes more difficult and tactical. Music videos for instance, may seem easier to share and promote online, especially since it’s a form of visual content. However, it has become more challenging for marketers as the competition has become highly competitive with a seemingly endless sea of new music online.
In Nashville, entertainment production is one of their most booming industries. Based on a comprehensive study by the Music City Music Council (MC2), the industry has contributed 5.5 billion yearly to their local economy, leaving Nashville with more music industry job opportunities than other city in the United States.
However, with so many bands and artists out there, the only way to rise above the competition is to be unique by going viral. Here’s how you can effectively do it:
Make it appealing for mobile users
It’s no secret that mobile users are increasing in number year-on-year, and in order to successfully penetrate your target market, you will have to include mobile strategies in your marketing campaign. How do you do it, you may ask? For starters, consider the overall appearance of your video on a smaller screen, especially since online content consumption is expected to rise with the increased use of smartwatches and other wearables to access content. Smartphones, vary in size and features, thus you will have to consider the strengths and weaknesses of the device in general. Not all smartphones have powerful speakers like the Dolby Audio surround sound speakers on the HTC One M9 to enjoy good background music, so you will have to consider increasing the audio on your music video before uploading it on YouTube or Vimeo.
Connect with big names
Uploading your video online does not guarantee that it will be popular. You will have to start sharing it for other people to talk about it, and hope that it will go viral. Try to start socializing with influential people whose interest are connected to your niche and market. They are the ones with a high number of followers and connected brands, which are both necessary for your success. Maximize your social platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo, YouTube, and even Instagram) in disseminating your video, finding connections, and strengthening relationships with top names in the industry.
Video must be viral-worthy itself
What is the point of marketing a product that does not have a unique selling point or is unlikely to be something that’s talked about? If you are in the stage of recording your music video, it might help to consider reviewing some viral videos online, especially on what made them click with the online users. Mashable has listed 10 of the most successful viral music videos and some tips that can help you get started on your campaign, such as always have fun while making the video and rehearse as much as you can to perfect your formation.
With the help of the strategies we’ve listed, you could be one step closer to your dreams of being noticed by music producers worldwide. To further guarantee the success of your video, you will need the assistance of a professional production team to handle your video recording and editing work.
Exclusively written for The Recordshop Nashville
Submitted by Jen Birch
Basic Tips for Learning Classical Guitar
The classical guitar is a timeless instrument which also makes for a fantastic entry-level instrument for beginners. Inversely, seasoned guitarists and professionals also make use of the classical guitar as a way of enhancing their repertoire. Here are some fundamental tips to get you started with a classical guitar.
Beginner or professional, start from square one.
Veteran guitarists often find it hard to give up on frequent habits with their modern guitars as the classical one requires technique that’s vastly different from a steel-strung acoustic guitar or an electric guitar, for that matter. Quite simply, all musicians who are new to the classical guitar will find that starting afresh and letting go of what they already know will serve them well.
Choosing the Right Guitar
Keep in mind that steel-string acoustics won’t give you the sound that’s expected of a classical guitar. Nylon strings are entirely essential and so too are choices in the wood, string tension and the construction of the guitar that you’ll be picking up as your new instrument. Some of the best classical guitars are:
It goes without saying that picking the right instrument for you will require you to actually play it and see if you get a feel for it.
Tuning your Guitar
Having any instrument that’s in-tune is fundamental to a good sound and it’s no different with a guitar. For beginners, it’s significantly important to ensure that the right notes are being listened to from an in-tune instrument. The Snark Mini Guitar & Bass Clip-on Tuner is an easy-to-use, portable and accurate tuner that’s highly recommended.
Name your fingers
Your fingers are the pillars of strength, skill and dexterity for the guitar and it’s inevitable that they’ll feel sore at the beginning. Naming the five fingers of your chosen hand is necessary. The classical guitar scoring in Latin goes:
Should I study Music?
Should I study Music?
There really are quite a few reasons why having an understanding of music and how it reads, can be beneficial to your musical abilities. However there are a few negative factors to consider too.
Pros
Cons
Overall
It is imperative to choose to study a musical genre that not only challenges you, but stimulates your passion. There is no sense attempting to study something that you either do not love or find utterly boring.
General
The best way to start is with Music Theory 101 and then progress from there. It will have a focus on the classical side of music, but you can embrace other genres like jazz by taking up classes in Music Practical 101. Genres include
Where can I study music without going to college?
Where can I study music without going to college?
For some, the idea of going back to university can be quite daunting. But for others, it is not possible as you are already knitted into a job and life. Do not lose hope; there is another option if you are interested in studying music.
Decide
To study an instrument, you need to not only be able to read the finer details of music, but to be able to follow and interpret a score or a sheet of music. A piece of sheet music includes timing, breaks, tempo, soft play as well as loud and playful sections. It is therefore helpful to study music theory along with the practical of the instrument you are trying to gain accreditation for.
Correspondence
Studying music via correspondence can be a lot less time consuming that having to sit and follow online courses. The following institutions are readily available for you to study through, and the fee includes all study material. Many of the institutions do have a separate fee for exams.
Online
Online music can be a little more time consuming in terms of ensuring you are online at the right time for your lesson, but it is also much easier for some people to learn from observation. Here are a few reputable institutions and websites to try:
There really is no excuse to not actually learn an instrument. So figure out exactly which instrument you want to master, and start inquiring at the above mentioned universities. Keep in mind that they are all paid courses, in the currency of the country they are based in.
The Highs and Lows to Self-Releasing a Record
The Highs and Lows to Self-Releasing a Record
Technology has advanced to such a degree, that one can record a full album from the comfort of their own home, and still release it to the masses without much effort. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Let’s look at both.
The Bad
The Good
At the end of the day, both the good and the bad components still cannot make the decision for you – but whatever decision you do make, be prepared to work hard. Nothing is for nothing and nothing comes for free.
How to Self-Release a Record?
Sometimes if one cannot get their band signed, it may very well be easier to release your own demo to the public. This can be a little risky, but in today’s times of modern technology, it is so much easier to do.
Audience
In order to release a demo or a short album, one will need some sort of audience to release it to. Of course your friends and family will be there, but how do you draw in the rest of the crowds? You need to follow a few steps in order to build a reliable fan base.
Notifications
It is important to let your audience know where the band is at and how they are doing. If you have built up enough of a fan base, then let them know that you are planning on releasing a record.
Digital Release
If you cannot build up a real time fan base, there is always YouTube. The wackier the music video behind the song, the better the attraction. But if there is something amazing about your band, you are going to get noticed. The more hits, the better. And once you have a digital fan base, you can release your demo or record.
Always offer something for free if you can – nobody can resist a freebie.
What to do if your recording is rejected?
The reality of any industry is that we do not all succeed the first time around. If you have worked hard on a demo, taken the time out to submit it and either didn’t hear back from the record label or received a rejection letter – it is only expected that you would be disappointed. But do not give up, there are other options.
Re-submit
It can take months for a record label to get a chance to hear your demo. In fact, you may think you have been rejected, when actually they simply have not had the chance to hear it. It can pay to send them an occasional email until you have a definite response.
Re-record
The quality of a demo is not necessarily the reason that you were rejected, but it can however make a difference in terms of the immediate feelings towards your band.
Imagery
A CD cover that looks professional can go a long way in getting peoples attention.
Do not give up
An old Chinese proverb says, “Fall seven times, and stand up eight.” So no matter how many rejection letters you get – keep trying. You sincerely never know who may be listening one day.
Get noticed! Effective strategies for your music videos to become popular
Get noticed! Effective strategies for your music videos to become popular
Although disseminating information is easier nowadays, due to the prevalence of mobile technologies and the Internet, marketing products and/or services becomes more difficult and tactical. Music videos for instance, may seem easier to share and promote online, especially since it’s a form of visual content. However, it has become more challenging for marketers as the competition has become highly competitive with a seemingly endless sea of new music online.
In Nashville, entertainment production is one of their most booming industries. Based on a comprehensive study by the Music City Music Council (MC2), the industry has contributed 5.5 billion yearly to their local economy, leaving Nashville with more music industry job opportunities than other city in the United States.
However, with so many bands and artists out there, the only way to rise above the competition is to be unique by going viral. Here’s how you can effectively do it:
Make it appealing for mobile users
It’s no secret that mobile users are increasing in number year-on-year, and in order to successfully penetrate your target market, you will have to include mobile strategies in your marketing campaign. How do you do it, you may ask? For starters, consider the overall appearance of your video on a smaller screen, especially since online content consumption is expected to rise with the increased use of smartwatches and other wearables to access content. Smartphones, vary in size and features, thus you will have to consider the strengths and weaknesses of the device in general. Not all smartphones have powerful speakers like the Dolby Audio surround sound speakers on the HTC One M9 to enjoy good background music, so you will have to consider increasing the audio on your music video before uploading it on YouTube or Vimeo.
Connect with big names
Uploading your video online does not guarantee that it will be popular. You will have to start sharing it for other people to talk about it, and hope that it will go viral. Try to start socializing with influential people whose interest are connected to your niche and market. They are the ones with a high number of followers and connected brands, which are both necessary for your success. Maximize your social platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo, YouTube, and even Instagram) in disseminating your video, finding connections, and strengthening relationships with top names in the industry.
Video must be viral-worthy itself
What is the point of marketing a product that does not have a unique selling point or is unlikely to be something that’s talked about? If you are in the stage of recording your music video, it might help to consider reviewing some viral videos online, especially on what made them click with the online users. Mashable has listed 10 of the most successful viral music videos and some tips that can help you get started on your campaign, such as always have fun while making the video and rehearse as much as you can to perfect your formation.
With the help of the strategies we’ve listed, you could be one step closer to your dreams of being noticed by music producers worldwide. To further guarantee the success of your video, you will need the assistance of a professional production team to handle your video recording and editing work.
Exclusively written for The Recordshop Nashville
Submitted by Jen Birch
Plucking the Nashville strings
Oh the tunes that have been emitted from many a Nashville guitar. Gibson’s, Fenders and the likes in the hands of those who have been lucky enough to grace the walls of the hall of fame.
Unfortunately, not everyone can simply afford to go and buy the best or the top of the line guitar – but we can dream. And save.
Things to consider
One must obviously always buy a guitar that is comfortable, especially on their finances. Yes, a beautiful guitar can emit a better sound than a cheaper guitar – but you can buy all the expensive guitars in the world, but you cannot buy talent.
When deciding what guitar to buy, you need to know the sound you are looking for. A country guitar generally has a twangy sound, great tone and can take a decent beating. Keep in mind though, that the top guitars are expensive for a reason and have been at the top of their game for decades. For a top guitar, expect to spend anywhere around $3000’s and up.
Traditional Country Sound
Look for the following characteristics, to ensure you get that country sound:
Modern Smooth Country Sound
Electric Guitars
All the big names will come to mind, but you may be a little surprised about the names you didn’t think of.
There are however, a few general electric guitars that will do the trick if you are a beginner.
Under $200’s:
Acoustic Guitars
One of the nicer attributes of an acoustic guitar is that one can play it wherever and whenever they want to, without having to drag an amplifier around. There are some really stunning country styled acoustic guitars, and some wonderful choices for beginners on a budget.
Under $200’s:
Whatever your budget, there is a guitar out there waiting for you to pluck its strings all the way to Nashville.
How to get noticed!
With a world so convoluted with musical talents and expressions, how does one get noticed? There are a few options such as recording your own demo, submitting it to record labels or even publishing it yourself. But if you are one of the few who wants to be “noticed” for their pure talent, then here is where you should start.
Busking
Find a cosy street corner that you know is going to be busy, set out a hat or that old guitar case and get playing. The simplicity of this is that you just belt out some tunes and hope you can be heard over the rush hour traffic. If you are able to, then plug yourself in and try being a little more noticeable about the bustling crowd. Do a few crowd pleasing songs, and of course a few of your won. Mournful ballads are not going to work in this situation – go for upbeat and perky if you can. The bonus is that you may also earn a little moola as passersby throw some cash into your hat or case.
Free Gigs
Inquire at local coffee shops, markets and pubs and see if they would be willing to let you sing a few tunes. You may not be their perfect taste in genre, so do a few covers. But do not forget to slip in a few of your own songs. And use this as an opportunity to gauge how well liked your songs are.
Freebies
If you have the opportunity, give away a few free items. Everybody loves getting a gift, even if it’s a quirky one
Whatever happens, the main thing is that you are pleasing the crowd. Nobody is going to notice a miserable, unhappy and sorrowful musician. Play to the strengths of those around you, and they will be eating out the palm of your hands.
How to submit a demo to a record company?
The song is clean, the recording is done and now you finally have the guts to send it off. But how does one actually send off a self-recording? Sometimes it is as easy as “who you know” in the business, and other times it is a scramble to get noticed. You have to be sure that you are not just another number waiting in a line.
Planning
It is imperative to know about the genres of music your record label of choice hires. You cannot be sending off a rap piece or heavy metal gig to a classical recording label. So do your research. The internet is a wealth of information and so it is easy to look up different labels and the types of bands they hire. Or one can simply look at the record labels on your own CD’s and who signs the musicians that inspire you.
Step 1: Figure out who you are applying to.
Research
You cannot simply just email a demo. In fact, it requires a little formality. A lot of record companies have legal stipulations.
Step 2: Research
Keep it simple
Do not waste time with lengthy musical introductions. It is a demo – so very quickly get to the point of what it is you are demonstrating.
Step 3: Keep it simple
Wait
Once you have sent your demo off, simply wait. Most recording studios do have a notification policy, but if you are unsure then email them 6 weeks after submission.
Step 4: Wait