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crunkedxup wrote:send it to people who matter, think of them in terms of a network (how it will spread from them), while DJs are the obvious go-to purely because of dance music tradition, id imagine these days you'd be better off sending them to a blog or one of those youtube channels that deal with certain genres of music.

spamming is a definite no. don't force a fanbase, it never works and is pointless considering they're just numbers on a screen and don't actually listen to your music. in the grand scheme of things, having your music genuinely adored by one blogger who never leaves his computer desk is going to help your career x1000 more than some soundcloud scam where you end up with thousands of "followers". I've seen people with 1000's of followers and 1000's of comments on soundcloud who barely even exist outside the internet. it's not an accurate projection of a fanbase, i think in time it will be, but not now.

truth.
time + effort + good music = fans/followers

thanks guys! I'm super flattered that all you guys took the time to reply so eloquently.... and crunkedxup I think some of that might have to end up in my sig lol. *bows to the sages*
keep it coming!

cheers!


Luigi

a.) define being a "whore" in this sense;,

b.) your # of soundcloud followers is a (relatively small) piece of the metrics that you can use to measure where your career is at.

if your music is good, interesting people will find it. Self-promoting the works that you believe in is never ever a bad thing... provided they are, indeed, good. There's not a single person working in music who's not waiting for something amazing to come across their desk or show up in their inbox. Sure, it may get lost in the shuffle, but that shouldn't stop you from standing your ground on your music that you believe in.

If, on the other hand, this is your 1st time thinking about getting your music heard, and you're not sure if your music's good enough... it's not good enough, and you shouldn't be sending it out until it is.

Sharmaji wrote:a.) define being a "whore" in this sense;,

I think he's talking about those people who spam soundclouds askin for you to follow them

I gave up whoring. Shit i dont even make dubstep or DNB, so whats the point. I think i have some genuine fans, maybe 10-15. I might become a big man when i get alot better but for now im content. And yes ill randomly send my best tracks to a label now and then. Never tried, always missed.

1) Produce good music on the regular

2) Good to nights where you sort of music is played. Take with you;

- 20 x mix CDs containing at least some of your songs
- 5 x production showcase CDs containing 3-5 of your tunes (unmixed)

3) Give the mix CDs to the party people, give the production showcase CDs to the DJs. Make sure both CDs are clearly labelled with contact info/name/SC link etc.

4) Do this at least once a month for a big party, and at least once a fortnight for smaller local nights.

5) Repeat the cycle every month, each time taking with you different CDs

6) This means you should be producing on average at least one decent listenable track per week and a DJ mix at least once a month

7) If you're not at that stage, work on your productions until you are are then see step 1). Repeat

The giving out physical copies thing is important IMO, particularly if you want to build a local following. CDs get played, in cars, at house parties, when folk are chilling, whatever. If you're not comfortable giving out stuff on CDs, you need to ask yourself why you think it's good enough to offer for free download in the first place.

The whole process is reciprocal - that is to say, whilst you're doing this you'll be having interactions with people, other producers, DJs, promoters, party people...all of whom have something to bring to the table. I recommend getting a copy of this book;



It should be under $20/$12 wherever you are, probably cheap off eBay, and read it. It's about how to build lasting purposeful relationships with people whom you are networking with.

So for example, if whilst you're giving out CDs someone does likewise to you, give the CD a listen. If they email you/FB you a SC link, listen to it. Properly listen to it, don't just hear. Give the person a shoutback via whatever medium giving constructive feedback on their music, ask them about certain things, say what it reminded you of, and finally ask that they keep you posted whenever they release new stuff.

If it's a flyer for a new party, or a blog post being launched, take the time to check it out. Make a note of who/what is being mentioned. Are there other DJs/producers on the flyer you've not heard of? If so, check them out and see what they're about. Does the blog post mention something relevant that you like, or is simply a good read? If so, maybe make a FB post about it/Tweet about it, then send the author a message letting them know you're spreading the word.

NB: Only do this for stuff you actually like, I'm not suggesting you start fawning over some genre/sound that you're not into just to get ahead.

Build relationships, expand the network...once you've got the number of contacts etc to a decent stage, think about transferring it to some sort of database style setup, where you have people categorised by promoter/DJ/producer/party goer etc. Then you can do targetted mailshots of your stuff. For example, I probably wouldn't send a production showcase to party goers, but other DJs might be interested. Similarly, other DJs might not necessarily want a mix CD, but the party goers and promoters might.

i've got a shit ton more to add on this, but I'll update this list as the days goes on.

Blogs are a great way to get the word out. I got lucky and got my first tune blogged on a pretty big blog, I hit 3000 plays in less than 24 hours and maxed out the download limit in like no time at all, next thing I know the fucker is bouncing around tumblr, getting reposted on YT and whatever. Needless to say I didn't make it big but it was pretty awesome seeing other people post your track on their channels and stuff. Takes a bit of luck/effort though, I try to mail bloggers I like with my tracks and write a lil' bit. Most wont reply or dig it but sometimes all it takes is the one so don't get discouraged. Sometimes you get lucky.

Edit: I also sent my latest track over to Charlie Darker and he ended up liking it and told me to send some more over, that was pretty sweet since I'm a fan. Don't know if he ever played it out but at least he digged it you know, that felt a lot better than a bunch of random SC plays.

been working like a dog on a remix contest...just realized I forgot to thank you guys.
Incredibly useful, and it made me feel 1000000000x better. Working with a new purpose. I love this forum !

btw wub finish your thoughts... please! the book is coming next week

3za wrote:

crunkedxup wrote:a little google search for "(insert your genre) blogs" will go a long way, most related blogs tend to be connected so it's easy from there on.

there's so many, you'll definitely find one.

"No results found for sqiudcore blogs"

Not to jump in late with a slightly different question, but;

How do you know when your music is good enough? Is it something you just wake up one day and notice that your music all of a sudden sounds high quality? Or is it something a little more complex then that. I guess what I mean to say is I have some 'pretty good material' and I wondering if there's gonna be a moment where it just fits, or if I'm always going to feel like it's alright. Don't get me wrong, I've gotten pretty hyped up about some stuff I've done but never enough to send it out to people.

double post***

big up for that post wub, definitely given me some ideas!

i think i'd feel too awkward giving out my music though, don't want to feel like i'm forcing my music on people

chekov wrote:big up for that post wub, definitely given me some ideas!

i think i'd feel too awkward giving out my music though, don't want to feel like i'm forcing my music on people

I have this problem too. I'm really antisocial (probably because of the fact that I'm abstinent) + I'd hate to have people feeling that I'm forcing tunes on them + there's the fucking language barrier.

I rarely send my stuff about anymore (at least on a omg i just finished this tune time to spam it about mentality), i'll pop a pack of tunes to some dj buds on facebook and stuff sometimes, and rotate the tune in my sig here maybe update my soundcloud time to time, but honestly it used to be a full time job sending tunes about to get them heard and I'd rather spend that time actually working on music.
That being said with even that minimal of effort, your stuff will get heard if you garner up legit followers or actually interest people.
ie: track in my sigs stats atm

Houston Weather wrote:How do you know when your music is good enough?

for pretty much any genre, listen to radio shows and dj sets. if you hear someone you know/respect/recognize playing a tune and you think, "shit, 'x' tune of mine is like this only so much better and would kill right now," chances are-- your material is good enough. chances are also good that said person wants more more tracks like the ones he/she's playing!

chekov wrote:big up for that post wub, definitely given me some ideas!

i think i'd feel too awkward giving out my music though, don't want to feel like i'm forcing my music on people

self promoting with cd's, mixes, djing as many venues as possible slipping your best tracks into mixes....this is how it was done for as long as i can remember. I cant believe it not working even in this virtual world. they dont have to play the cd. Talk to the promoters, dj's , any one involved in the local scene. if your area has no scene ...move.

I have not the faintest clue. I know a bunch of relatively successful dj's but they wont play what i put out.

Hircine wrote:

chekov wrote:big up for that post wub, definitely given me some ideas!

i think i'd feel too awkward giving out my music though, don't want to feel like i'm forcing my music on people

I have this problem too. I'm really antisocial (probably because of the fact that I'm abstinent) + I'd hate to have people feeling that I'm forcing tunes on them + there's the fucking language barrier.

It's a good thing I know you, because I would have assumed instead of being abstinent from drugs/aclohol, you meant being abstinent from sex made you less social

But oooh you can force your tunes on me anytime~~

I'd like to make a pretty obvious suggestion here, but Youtube really helps. Ever since I started making decent tunes, I threw them up on Youtube. Some don't get many plays, but some do, and I pretty much owe 95% of my fanbase to Youtube.

I've currently got 25,381 plays on my ISM Youtube (consisting of my songs, and 1 "Launchpad Jam" video... however, one *could* throw their tunes in with a bunch of random videos, but I prefer not to do that), and 46 subscribers. This isn't phenomenal, but considering the minuscule amount of promotion I've done, it's definitely nice. I make sure my facebook URL is the first thing in the description, and I get a new fan or two every week because of it. I understand most of my views are from people who don't care, but a small percentage end up becoming genuine fans.

It takes a while to start getting consistent views, but if your music is good enough, you will get them. (Plus, having a joke dubstep song go semi-viral helps a lot too...)

To the second question "How do you know when your tunes are good enough", I'd say when you aren't embarrassed by them anymore. Most of us were shy when we first made tracks and didn't try and show everyone, besides maybe some close friends. When it gets to the point where you can't think of anyways to improve on the piece of music, and you genuinely enjoy it disregarding the fact that you made it, then your tunes are probably of caliber.

InternetSlaveMaster wrote:

Hircine wrote:

chekov wrote:big up for that post wub, definitely given me some ideas!

i think i'd feel too awkward giving out my music though, don't want to feel like i'm forcing my music on people

I have this problem too. I'm really antisocial (probably because of the fact that I'm abstinent) + I'd hate to have people feeling that I'm forcing tunes on them + there's the fucking language barrier.

It's a good thing I know you, because I would have assumed instead of being abstinent from drugs/aclohol, you meant being abstinent from sex made you less social

But oooh you can force your tunes on me anytime~~

I'd like to make a pretty obvious suggestion here, but Youtube really helps. Ever since I started making decent tunes, I threw them up on Youtube. Some don't get many plays, but some do, and I pretty much owe 95% of my fanbase to Youtube.

I've currently got 25,381 plays on my ISM Youtube (consisting of my songs, and 1 "Launchpad Jam" video... however, one *could* throw their tunes in with a bunch of random videos, but I prefer not to do that), and 46 subscribers. This isn't phenomenal, but considering the minuscule amount of promotion I've done, it's definitely nice. I make sure my facebook URL is the first thing in the description, and I get a new fan or two every week because of it. I understand most of my views are from people who don't care, but a small percentage end up becoming genuine fans.

It takes a while to start getting consistent views, but if your music is good enough, you will get them. (Plus, having a joke dubstep song go semi-viral helps a lot too...)

To the second question "How do you know when your tunes are good enough", I'd say when you aren't embarrassed by them anymore. Most of us were shy when we first made tracks and didn't try and show everyone, besides maybe some close friends. When it gets to the point where you can't think of anyways to improve on t
he piece of music, and you genuinely enjoy it disregarding the fact that you made it, then your tunes are probably of caliber.

Thanks for this post.
As of right now. I only used soundcloud. Guess I need to branch out.

No problem, CDBaby gave out a free Youtube guide for musicians, will probably be useful for someone starting out:

http://members.cdbaby.com/campaigns/req ... Tube_Guide

And for reference (not trying to spam, just proving a point), here is my Youtube page:
http://www.youtube.com/user/InternetSla ... ture=guide

Notice the layout;
•I've got my newest tune at the top of the page (Doesn't have to be your newest tune, can be your favorite video of yours, etc.)
•My bio to the right, and my links to SC and FB
•I've got one of my album covers as my background to make it look nice/personalized/themed
•I've also got my albums in playlists to the bottom right

It all looks pretty nice if I do say so myself.

Now, here is a friend of mine's band page. They just made it and haven't gotten to editing anything yet:
http://www.youtube.com/user/thevigorband?feature=g-u-u

This is what your page will look like when you first join. Now, most of your listeners may not head over to your Youtube channel, but for the few that do, you want to give them a reason to, and you want them to be able to find your facebook/soundcloud/etc. Don't keep them guessing as to where to find your stuff, most won't go searching for you.

And keep in mind, most of Soundcloud consists of fellow artists. This can work in that they may hear your tune, like it, and help you out, but most of the time they just leave comments/etc. in hopes that you'll check their own stuff out. Youtube is mostly average listeners, who don't want anything from you, which generally brings in more legitimate fans.

Also, I don't comment on Youtube like "Hey check out my stuff", I hardly ever comment (and when I do it's on random stuff, nothing about my tunes), and I've still acquired the plays and stuff that I have. And the Youtube goes hand-in-hand with a Facebook page. Tell your Youtube fans to "Like" you on Facebook to keep updated with what you're doing. They like your status, their friends may see that they liked it, they check you out, they head over to your Youtube... etc.

At the end of the day, make good tunes and be honest with yourself and your fans, and that will get you places

[EDIT: Haha, just noticed while writing this that I had my Youtube page for 2 years today. Should note that I first uploaded my tunes to my personal Youtube page, but after it got cluttered with unrelated personal content, I made the ISM page, but I've still got 2 videos on my old account with a combined 3,000 views I think (I deleted all of the videos but those two). So yeah, my suggestion is to not mess around and just make a dedicated page, because if you're taking your music seriously you'll end up having to anyways.]

Hope it helps, if you've got any questions feel free to ask