Getting heard. For any musician, it’s a big problem, and it’s only getting worse.
Here’re some numbers to think about (via US Music Information Service, Nielsen/Soundscan)
- In 2007, 79,695 records were released worldwide.
- In 2008, that number jumped to 105,575 – the largest increase of it’s kind in the history of recorded music.
And there’s your noise. Releasing music has never been easier ergo more people are doing it.
It’s a terrifying concept for marketers – but a wonderful one for us, the music listeners. There may be 105k releases every year, but we’ve got the tools, the saavy and the desire to filter that information any way we want – RSS feeds, music blogs, P2P, LastFM recommendations, internet radio – it all makes it relatively simple to find great music.
So how do you get heard?
First off, understand that the rules are still being invented. There is no “right” way to approach it and the methods are so varied that only a commitment to experimentation, and disciplined measurement of the results can help you progress.
Second, understand that the listener is in charge, not you. The audience now controls when, how, where and most importantly IF they pay you any attention – with pay being the operative word.
2 of our favourite methods, and ones that hold much promise, are below:
- CwF + RtB = $$$ – Connect with Fans (CwF) and give them a Reason to Buy (RtB). More success stories that you can imagine – Mike Masnick explains
- Meet the Millenials – Terry McBride outlines the appoach taken by his company to build and continue to succeed with a wide variety of artists. The scope not only covers understanding the artist, their influences and processes of creativity but delves into understanding an artist’s audiences preferences – from consuming music to clothes – as well as causes to which the artist may be aligned.
These are only guides. Inspirations, really, toward what El Corazon is trying to achieve – but important steps toward getting heard.
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