By NationWide SourceEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
It is extremely important for up and coming or local musicians to be actively involved in their own music distribution. One way to get your music to a wider audience is to pursue airtime on public and local radio stations. Below are some tips for making that happen.
Go Public
If you’re a relatively undiscovered artist, a great way to break onto the airways is through public radio. National Public Radio (NPR) is a nation-wide syndicated radio format that is carried by many local public radio stations. There are a number of music-related programs associated with NPR, the most notable of which is All Songs Considered. A feature on an NPR program could mean national recognition.
College radio stations are another option. While college radio stations are often public radio, some do not carry the NPR programming. The formats for each station will vary. For a list of stations in your area, visit this website. Airtime on these college stations would be more localized than on one with NPR programming, but any airtime is good.
Think Local
Because commercial stations are paid for by ads, listenership matters. These stations might not be as willing to play an unknown artist and risk losing listeners (and ad dollars with them). However, just because it may be a bit more difficult to get your unsigned, new music onto a commercial radio station, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. If you have good ties with a local venue, try getting them to support you with the station. Better yet, go in together on an ad mentioning an upcoming gig and have the station play one of your songs after the ad runs.
General Pointers
It is vital to establish relationships with the people you’re trying to get to play your music. No matter the station, know your recipient. Don’t submit your music to the DJ if it should go to the station manager or programming director.
Also, it’s important to listen to your music and pick the target stations and their programs wisely. Know the station, their different programs, and the type of music they play. Be sure that yours fits their niche. If you write AOR top 40 style pop, sending your music to a hip hop station doesn’t make much sense.
Music distribution is tough. You’re going to face a lot of rejection and you might think that you’re sending your work off to a vortex that you never hear back from again. But there is nothing more rewarding than getting that break and having your own music be played for everyone to hear.
Has your music been played on the radio? What type of station was it, and what steps did you take to make that happen? How did it help your music career?
By NationWide SourceEstimated reading time: 6 minutes
When you first look into distributing your music, you’re going to encounter some unfamiliar terms. Two terms musicians regularly encounter are CD duplication and CD replication. What do these two terms mean? Is one process better than the other? Which should your band use?
Duplication vs. Replication
CD Duplication
If you’ve “burned” a CD or playlist on your home computer, you have duplicated a CD. The duplication process involves a laser creating a chemical pattern in the internal layer of an existing compact disc. The pattern is later read by disc players and translated back into data. CD duplication requires a less-complicated production process than replication. This means that it’s usually a more cost-effective choice for small orders, and turnaround time is shorter, making it a great choice when time matters. CD duplication also lets you choose almost any quantity of discs to manufacture, allowing you to fit your needs exactly. Please note that not all CDs and CD burners are of equal quality; to ensure a high quality result, most companies that perform CD duplication as a service will use industrial-grade equipment to duplicate the CD as well as superior quality CD media. Of course, this is not always the case, so it would be a good idea to verify the details of the process with the company of your choice.
An important yet often overlooked factor to consider as part of your duplication purchase is the printing method. How will the artwork be printed on the disc face? There are a few acceptable methods for duplicated CDs, but other methods should be avoided:
You should avoid companies that apply labels of any kind to your disc face. The labels can come loose or wrinkle over time. This is particularly annoying if one of these labels comes loose inside of your CD player, potentially resulting in either unusable players or costly repairs.
Another method to avoid is water-soluble ink on the disc face. A very small amount of moisture on your fingers will cause the ink to smear, creating a mess.
Both of the above methods are typical of what you would see from a disc burned and printed at home. Duplication companies that employ these methods should be avoided. Preferred printing methods include:
UV ink (UV light cured), which bonds permanently to the disc surface and does not use a label of any kind. This is the most durable process and performs well with almost any kind of art on the disc face. UV ink is great for colorful artwork, full color images that include skin tones, or single color images with full flood coverage. The ink cannot be removed from the disc face without damaging the disc itself.
Dye sublimation (sometimes referred to as thermal printing), which applies a high quality image with a silicon film. It’s not quite as durable as UV ink, but it’s still a nice quality. The only real challenge to dye sublimation is the cost and time; it is expensive and slow to manufacture.
CD Replication
CD replication is a little bit different. Replication involves physically pressing the pattern into the internal layer of the disc as the disc is manufactured. This creates a copy of the master recording. Replication is not something you can do at home. The quality of replicated CDs is generally considered better than that of duplicated CDs. However, if you were to test the sound quality of the same music written to a duplicated disc against a replicated disc, it would be very difficult to tell the difference. The turnaround time is longer for replicated discs, and the costs are higher for smaller quantities. Replication pricing starts to compare favorably to duplication pricing at quantities of 300-500 or more.
Printing methods commonly used for replicated discs are a little different than those for duplicated discs. The preferred method is offset printing. Offset printing uses a printing press to print your artwork directly on the disc face, and the ink used is permanent, much like the UV ink used in the duplication process mentioned above. Offset printing is best for full color artwork and does an exceptional job with skin tones (images of people). Another method is screen printing. Screen printing is a great option if your artwork is not full color and you have no images of people in the art. For example, if you were doing a flood of black on your disc face with white letters, then screen printing would be the best choice. Screen printing does not compare favorably to offset printing for full color images, particularly images that have skin tones. Rely on your disc manufacturing company to guide you on which process would work best for your artwork.
Which Is Right For You?
If you are uncertain of demand and are ordering your band’s CDs in smaller batches, or if you need the order fulfilled quickly, CD duplication is probably the best option for you. The duplication process requires less turnaround time than replication. Additionally, the costs per CD are usually lower, and most manufacturers offer smaller quantities. Quite often a company that specializes in disc manufacturing can create your project for you with higher quality at a lower cost than you can do it for yourself, so shop around and ask questions about their process before deciding to do it yourself. In addition, they offer great options for packaging your discs (digipaks, wallets, sleeves, etc) that you cannot produce at home. Fans love packaging, and packaging gives you a chance to tell your story. CD duplication is growing at a very rapid pace as the process of choice for many bands because of the combined flexibility and quality it offers.
On the other hand, CD replication might be the right answer if you’re fulfilling a large order (several hundred or thousands of CDs) and have a little extra time, or if you have a devoted fan base and are setting out on a sold-out tour and need a large quantity of discs. Some companies also offer significant discounts on reorders of replicated CD projects. This flexibility gives you an opportunity to purchase a smaller quantity up front (avoid buying 1,000 CDs just to end up with 500 that did not sell), but still have the option of ordering more replicated CDs at a large discount if your release takes off. You could also market replicated CDs to your fans as a limited or first edition version, driving up the demand and price a little. Imagine what a first printing of “The Rolling Stones” would be worth today. Or “Please, Please Me.”
In the end, the right option for your band will be determined by your band, what stage it’s at, and where it’s headed. Either way, choosing professionally replicated or duplicated CDs tells both yourself and the rest of the world that your music is worth investing in.
What type of CDs do you order for your band—duplicated or replicated? Why do you choose that option?
By NationWide SourceEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
One of the biggest challenges for bands is making money. The obvious way to make money is to play gigs and sell your albums and songs. Another way to increase your income is to create and sell custom merchandise, especially t-shirts.
If your band is just getting started and doesn’t have any merchandise yet, or if you’re looking to find a new merch supplier, here are some places to consider:
Bands On A Budget
Since its staff is made up of musicians, this site is aware of your needs, from merchandise selections to quick turnaround times, design services to budget friendly options. Bands on a Budget makes it easy and affordable for your band to create and sell the custom t-shirts, apparel, stickers, print products, indie cards, vinyl banners, and other promotional material your loyal followers want. The site provides instructions for submitting your artwork, or you can use their design team.
Merch Kitchen Screenprinting
Another great spot for DIY printing is Merch Kitchen Screenprinting. This small outfit, based out of Nashville, Tennessee, does a number of things to make ordering merchandise easier for your band, including not requiring minimum orders and bundling products into packages for you. For example, for the month of January, they waived shipping on t-shirt orders over $200. Like the above site, they offer design services for a fee or allow you to upload your existing design.
We Need Merch
We Need Merch has good deals for bands who are hoping to begin selling merchandise at their shows and need bulk orders. Right now, they are offering one hundred t-shirts for just $400. If you sell the shirts for $10 or $20 each, that’s a pretty hefty profit for your band. The site allows you to upload your design or use their design team.
My Custom Band Merch
Another supplier for your band’s merchandise is My Custom Band Merch. This site specializes in t-shirts and other wearable merchandise. The website’s built-in design tools make creating your products simple and fun; if, on the other hand, you have a design ready, you can use that instead.
Of course, there are great suppliers popping up all the time that can provide your band with the merchandise it needs. Look around online and find those that best meet your needs.
Does your band offer merchandise at shows? Do you use any of the above suppliers? If not, what suppliers do you recommend?
By NationWide SourceEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
For independent artists attempting to make it big in the music scene, there is an obvious and daunting obstacle to overcome: the music machine. In the hands of major record labels, this machine is focused on a formulaic production of art. Generally, the machine favors proven winners over cultivating new talent and focuses on safe returns on investment instead of risk-laden creativity. But, it doesn’t have to be that way.
The Music Machine’s Formula
The time, financing, and resources put up by the machine can discourage musicians just getting their footing. Some reports put total financial investments at upwards of a million dollars for just one potential hit song. That massive figure includes sourcing a team of producers, songwriters, and lyricists who collaborate on creating the songs; then, the actual recording process takes place. Once the songs are recorded, they must be distributed and marketed, which includes creating collateral material (music videos, ringtones, etc) and sending the artist on the road to promote the song and perform. Sometimes the formula works, and the song is a hit. Sometimes it doesn’t, and it’s a costly failure.
Independent Artists
As an independent artist, you may look at the machine and think there is no way to succeed against the machine. Relax. As daunting as the machine is, the music industry has never been so accessible to the average musician.
First, you don’t have to invest a million dollars to make a hit track. You do need talent, timing, and hard work; you need to think like a business. If you’re writing your own music, you don’t need to hire teams of songwriters. You might want a producer or manager for guidance. You can find good (even great) studios at a fraction of the machine’s cost, or use the many software programs and hi-def audio equipment available to record, mix, and master your own music. You canpromote your band’s gigs and upcoming releases at a relatively low cost using your band’s website and the many social media platforms available. For the best impact, get your music in front of the right people as often as possible. You can also find and set up the distribution channels that best suit your band’s needs.
Second, define success for your music career. Is success making millions on each single, or is it simply sharing your passion for your music with a dedicated fan base through performances and sales of your songs? For the best results, keep making your art the priority.
How do you, as an independent artist, compete against the music industry machine? Do you think it’s possible to compete? Do you focus on putting out a record-breaking hit song, or have you defined success differently?
By NationWide SourceEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
When your band is looking at recording its music, there will be many factors to consider. One of the most important decisions for independent musicians to make is who participates in the process with them. Do you find a manager? What about a producer? Do you even need a producer? If you truly are an “indie band” and are self-made, the idea of getting a producer can seem a little hypocritical. On the other hand, once you’ve recorded with a producer, it can be difficult to imagine recording without one.
It is important to deliberate these issues before you begin the music recording process. As a band, you will need to make a collective decision about whether or not you’ll have a producer. If your band has been working with a manager (of any form), this person or group should probably also have a vote in the decision.
Pros and Cons of Music Producers
Many of the potential pros of working with a music producer are also potential cons.
A producer should guide your band through the recording process, maybe asking you to step outside your band’s comfort zone and try new things. This could be helpful, especially for bands unfamiliar with the recording process or uncertain of the direction they want to go. For other bands, this potential micromanagement might be frustrating, and the suggestions might push your band in a direction you don’t want to go. Be open to new ideas, but know yourself; if the results don’t fit with your band’s sound or goals, say something.
Producers can also pull strings to get you a good deal on recording time; this might mean working on their schedule or at their studio, though.
Some producers may dip their toe outside the music recording process, handling record labels, venues, contracts, and marketing. Again, this might be helpful, or it might push your band in a direction you don’t want to go. Be open, but speak up if needed.
Making The Choice
Working with a producer can open up your sound in ways you’ve never known before. This is why producers are such a vital component to the music recording process for virtually all professional bands. That said, if you decide to use a producer, make sure everyone is clear about every step of the process up front. If your band doesn’t agree with what’s happening, speak up before you sign anything… and never sign your rights away.
Has your band recorded music? Did you use a producer or go it alone? What factors led you to that decision?
By NationWide SourceEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
Selling merchandise is one of the best ways to turn your fan base into a cult following and earn money. While staple items like t-shirts and bumper stickers are great (they are staples for a reason, right?), you might want to branch out and distinguish yourself from the other bands. Some bands have taken the creative merchandise concept to extremes (such as the KISS Koffin). While you don’t have to go that far, stepping outside the box can really pay off.
Here’s some advice for setting your band’s merchandise apart:
Be Pun-ny
If your first album is titled Hot Nights, consider merch like matches, lighters, or oven mitts. Sure, you might get some groans, but you might also get some sales.
Know Your Audience
If your fans are largely vegans, don’t try to sell them steak sauce, even if it somehow ties in to your act. Know who they are, what they like, and what they could actually use. If female 20-somethings make up your fan base, consider adding iPhone cases or tote bags to your merch table. If your fans frequent bars, consider pint glasses or coozies. If you regularly play in coffee shops, offer coffee mugs. If your fans are regularly snowed-in, consider custom snuggies, thermoses, or ice scrapers.
Use Your Artwork and Images
Your merchandise doesn’t always have to feature your band name. If you or your graphic designer came up with killer artwork for your newest album, run with it. Offer some limited-edition lithographs, coasters, phone cases, or even throw pillows. If you have an abundance of band photos that didn’t make the album artwork cut, offer calendars featuring a previously-unreleased photo each month. Note: if someone outside the band created the images or artwork, be sure you have their permission to use the work in these manners.
Use Your Words
You’ve seen the countless images on Instagram, Pinterest, or Tumblr with a short quote overlaying a pretty background, right? Your song lyrics can be great on merchandise, from those tote bags, to posters, to mugs, to t-shirts. For fans, it’s a quick way to recognize and feel kinship with other fans, and it’s a great conversation starter with the uninitiated.
You don’t have to bring tons of this merch to your gigs, either; bring a few to sell, and be sure to keep one as a sample. If your fans want more, take orders at the event and ship the product to them. Having an online sales platform can make this process easy.
If you’re still out of ideas, you can always ask your fans what merch they want to see.
What merchandise do you offer? Is there product you offer online that you don’t bring to gigs, or vice versa? What’s the best unusual merchandise that you’ve seen a band offer?
By NationWide SourceEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
If you’re heading into your first recording session, you might not know what to expect. To help, we’ve assembled a basic outline of the recording process below.
Please note: each recording session is unique, and preferences will vary from one band or recording studio to the next. Some artists do as many takes as necessary to obtain the elusive perfect version, then carefully blend the tracks together. Other artists use software as their recording studios and do only one sitting, adjusting it digitally as needed. Other artists prefer to record live performances, including variations, flaws, and audience interaction. For the sake of simplicity, we’ve looked at the basic process using organic instruments.
The Backing Track
This is the skeletal framework of the song. Start with the drums, then the bass, then record the rest of the instruments. Remember: not everyone nails it their first time out of the gate. In fact, the unpredictability of artists is one of the things that makes recording so exciting. Tip: you may want to use a metronomic click track to help your rhythm section keep time.
The “Scratch” Vocal Track
Once the backing tracks are set, you will likely record a reference or “scratch” lead vocal to serve as a guide for backup singers. This also provides a preview of the finished product—which is often encouraging and inspiring.
Backup Vocals
How do you want the background vocals to sound? Like the Beach Boys? Like ELO? Or do you want something a bit simpler? While your music should be ready before you enter the studio, this is when you officially decide what path the song will take.
Solos and Overdubs
Consider this the “season to taste” portion of the recipe. Does the song need a little guitar solo here or some extra oomph there? Listen to what you have so far. What is it calling out for?
The Lead Vocal
Time to give the performance of your life. You might get it in one take, or you may nail it on the thirtieth. Give it your all, and be patient.
The Mixing Session
If you thought you were done when the recording wrapped, think again. Mixing is the art of squeezing a studio full of music into a space the size of a human ear. Scrutinizing every square inch of the track and making sure every level and sound is perfect takes time. Put the coffee on and get cracking.
It’s that simple. Now, all you have to do is repeat the above ten or twelve times, and you’ve got yourself an album.
Have you been through the recording process? Did it flow like we described, or was it different for you? Do you have any advice for first-time recorders?
By NationWide SourceEstimated reading time: 3 minutes
Streaming music is becoming more and more popular. Fans love it, since they can listen to music when and where they want for free or practically nothing. Streaming companies love it, since they make money off of subscriptions, streams, and ad revenue. And many artists initially love it, thinking it increases their exposure and income. (This often isn’t the case; read this for more information.)
For those considering streaming music, we’ve assembled a list of five music streaming services and what it takes to get your music on each.
Spotify
Spotify is arguably the most popular service at this time. With its premium service, the website allows users to create playlists and save them offline, letting them listen to their music without wi-fi or cell service. The site also offers pre-made playlists and radio stations, and it suggests artists similar to those that users like. To use the service, artists must go through a third party. Visit this page to learn more.
Pandora
Pandora is a radio-based streaming service. They have heavily invested time and money on their Music Genome Project, which finds songs similar to each user’s musical tastes by analyzing every song for over 450 characteristics. Their instructions for music submission are pretty particular, though.
ReverbNation
ReverbNation is almost like a social media site that offers streaming. It allows you to put a plug-in/page on your Facebook page or website, which is a really useful tool. It’s very easy to sign up, and the basic profile is free, although upgraded accounts and additional services cost money.
Rdio
Update: Rdio is no longer available.
iTunes
To keep up with all the other streaming services, iTunes—the most popular service for purchasing and downloading tracks—recently released iTunes Radio. It works very similar to other radio-based streaming services; it takes note of what you listen to and plays similar music. Check out how to submit your music and more details here.
Signing Up
As an artist, you can sign up for some of these sites individually; there are also music distribution companies that can push your music to all of these services. Generally, the distributors collect your royalties from these services (taking their cut), but you keep 100% of the rights to the songs.
A Final Word
If you’re an artist considering music streaming, we encourage you to consider it carefully and proceed with caution. Unless the system changes drastically, streaming music is not a reliable source of income for artists, even with thousands of streams. Putting your music out there for free (or almost free) might seem like a great way to gain fans… but if you make everything free, those fans will never need to buy your music, thereby supporting you. And, most streaming services won’t provide you, the artist, with the data on who is actually streaming your music… which means you can’t contact or track those fans.
On the other hand, choosing to ignore streaming might be harder than you think, especially if you are trying to make it easier for fans to discover and access it. Your best bet as an artist is to strategically select a limited number of songs to stream, and keep the rest of your catalog available by album sale only (ideally through your own website and retail platform).
Have you made your music available on a streaming service? Why or why not? How did you choose which service to use?
By NationWide SourceEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
When it comes to the question of how to promote your gig or music, there is a pretty rigidly, almost exclusive split between those who swear by using promoters and those who prefer to DIY. Where do you fall on the issue?
What Do Promoters Do?
In short, music promoters build the hype around gigs and events. They either contract with the venues (promoting their events), or they work independently.
Using a Promoter
Odds are good that you want more people to come to your shows, and you want more money from your gigs. Good promoters can help with those goals. They use their existing and extensive industry contacts to draw crowds to your band’s appearances; bigger crowds mean bigger payouts. Music promoters can also get you on the radar of the right people. If a promoter worked with you before, they might recommend you to other club owners looking to fill their schedules. Having someone outside the band promote the gigs leaves you free to focus on the music. What could be bad about that?
Well, you do have to pay the promoter. So, that’s a bit less money for you.
DIY Music Promotions
Depending on the venue, you might have to use their promoter. But, for argument’s sake, let’s say you don’t have to and don’t want to. Whether you’re blessed with a knack for marketing and promotions or are wrapped up in the magical fairytale about the exhausted, busking musician who gets his big break on the very last leg of a very exhausting tour (isn’t that a nice thought?), you’ve decided that you can handle your own promotions. That’s fine. Really, it is.
But, if you want results, you’ll have to work hard. Make your own connections; get to know those in your local music scene on a first name (both ways) basis. Go to the bars and venues where you want to play; meet the managers, owners, and bartenders. Let them know you’re serious about your band, and leave a press kit or demo with them. Build friendships and alliances with other bands, so when they see an open slot at their gigs they call you first. When you have a gig, tell everyone. Post it on your website and your social media accounts, put up posters around town, call your friends and their friends. Be aware that the time you invest in promoting might impact your music or your personal life.
Promoter or not, at the end of the day, you need to be your biggest mouthpiece. Choosing to go without a promoter just makes it even more important.
Have you worked with promoters before? Were they chosen by the venue, or by the event, or by you? Did you also promote the gig? How did the experience go for you?
By NationWide SourceEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
As a musician, you probably spend a large part of your time listening to music: in rehearsal, at your gigs, attending other concerts, relaxing, looking for inspiration, and so on. At some point, though, you might need a little break. A great alternative is to download some podcasts. Not only do these provide a break from music, but they might help you grow as a musician. Here are a few to check out:
Hosts Micheal Brandvold and Brian Thompson have a good bit of industry experience. Micheal is a freelance music industry consultant who has worked with KISS, Motley Crüe, Britney Spears, Rod Stewart, Ozzy Osbourne, Madonna, and many more. Brian is a managing partner for Thorny Bleeder Records and formerly was the corporate head of music buying and marketing for a national music retail chain. The two put out this weekly podcast covering the latest news in the music business, music marketing events, and music marketing techniques.
This podcast is mostly about what is happening in the music industry, so you won’t hear as much about marketing. It will give you a good sense of rising trends or upcoming changes, which should help you stay ahead of the curve.
Music Business Radio offers a lot of information straight from the mouths of some of the biggest names in the industry. They certainly know what is going on, and the best way to learn in this industry is to talk to people that have experience in it. Like the other aspects of this businesses, experience trumps book smarts.
If you aren’t a top level professional, this is a great podcast. The show is geared towards the “Joe Songwriter/Musician” learning how to record their own songs on a budget.
Hosted by Bob Boilen, this show plays music from emerging bands and musical icons, as well as interview musicians, DJs, songwriters, and so on. Concepts and the general state of music are considered and discussed in true NPR fashion.
You don’t have to limit yourself to music industry podcasts, either. General marketing podcasts may be really helpful and translate well to the music industry. Find what you like and get learning!
When you need a break from your music, what do you listen to? Are there other podcasts you could recommend?
