Great Songs From An Independent Band Will Make Money

The only way to make money with anything as an independent band is supply and demand. If they're equal you'll make decent cash. If there's more demand your independent band need more supply and vice versa. Many of you would like a record deal. That's understandable, but how many of you would your independent band to have a record deal just for the money? Fame you could care less about? Well, you wouldn't need a record deal then. This is where the supply and demand takes place though. Think about it like this, supply would be the deals and the independent artists would be the ones demanding them. Of course, deals aren't that easy to obtain but it's possible as long as you know what you're doing or what you need to be doing.

Here's where your independent band come in. Instead of chasing a deal for money, make money from those who are chasing the same thing as you! Of all the things needed to get a deal, great songs is the perfect way to help and make you a lot of money while helping them. Many people want deals but many lack great material.
Basically, you have the demand now supply it. Now you'll need amazing songs

in order to have people really spending money to get them. How do you achieve this? Not music theory or composition. Those will help but there's one thing you'll need to really prosper...a trained musical ear. Seriously! You can start writing amazing songs without even knowing how to sight read. You can base it off of what sounds good. From there you could learn all the theory you'd need but the fact is, great songs are great songs whether you can read music or not. Do lots of research and you'll find out the many of the most successful artists never took a music class let alone learned music notation. If it sounds good it sounds good. From there lyrics and song structure will be easy. Just listen to some great song writers in all genres to figure out what's the average structure per genre. Those songs will make you plenty of money because many people don't have trained ears. You can write a song in your head without an instrument being within a mile with a trained music ear. I do it all the time, infact I never enter the recording studio 'cold,' ie. With no idea of what I'm hoping to achieve. Once you train that ear and get the songwriting to that same level, you'll never be broke again.

So how exactly do you make that cash in 6 months? Spend two months working on your songwriting. While doing that train you ear. There is plenty of information on it if you just Google" music ear training." In my opinion though, I'd use software. It's faster to learn and it will track your progress for you. Okay, month three and four should be used to find those people looking for the songs. Use the internet and network where there is anything music related. Be sure to have some songs prepared for them too. If you cant sing, find someone who can and create a demo with four of your best songs on it. The last two months is where you work pays off. This is when you negotiate fees and start counting that money! What are you waiting for?!? TRAIN YOUR EAR! You won't regret it. Master that songwriting and in six months, you may be counting your cash for another six months!

I discovered Bandcamp some months ago and now use it as my primary distributor. Why? It's a no-frills site where you can upload on pretty-well any sound-file format....all high quality. Likewise, if fans choose to stream the album "Mean Business," for example, to your left as often as they like. Fans can also download singles in any file format that they choose. Again, all of the highest quality AND they download quickly. In the instance of "Mean Business" if you enter the codeword thistle at the checkout you receive a 50% discount. To view the discount doesn't leave you obliged to purchase it. On top of all of this, the artist keeps 100% of profits, thus encouraging us independent artists to drastically reduce our prices in comparison with the 'big guns.' I've always believed that transparency & honesty are the two most useful tools that independent bands should utilize to the hilt.

Getting back to perfect pitch, it  is almost essential when it comes to making money with your songwriting. Once at least relative pitch is achieved, it could do wonders for your music career. Don't wait until it's too late. Start ear training today and start counting cash tomorrow.

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ReverbNation. A Dream For Fans And The Independent Musician

Without doubt, ReverbNation is one of the most beneficial specifically music sites
around for the independent artist. ReverbNation offers the new online musician
outstanding free statistics, promotional tools and other means of maintaining contact with your fanbase.


The promotional and statistical tools offered by ReverbNation are a real online highlights.
Supporter sign-up forms come in varying sizes with colours also being able to be
customised. They can be deployed on your website, pages that you have on other
sites blogs and other online areas.


Additionally, ReverbNation have an assortment of mini-players that can be similarly
deployed. These players can be set on 'auto-play,' as suggested by ReverbNation. I
suggest NOT doing this and the vast majority of online listeners will agree. They're just plain annoying.


Uploading your original material is a simple affair. Tracks are accepted at 128kbs and the
download bar let's you know when the job is done. Take some time deliberating your list order and attempt to keep it static.


• Track 1 should NEVER be changed!


As I recommend for all sites, upload no more than 8-14 tracks. Keep track 1 at the top
of the list as it greatly affects your statistics and continuity. It also helps you 'climb' as far
as Google is concerned.


ReverbNation keenly encourages artists to offer a track, or tracks, as “fan exclusive”
free mp3 downloads. I have had this conversation with everyone from D.J.s to promoters,

musicians and followers. Their argument is the same old “people like free things.” They
use this philosophy as a means of attracting followers. I find this extremely patronising towards listeners in general and statistics show that it DOES NOT boost a musicians true following.


• You want REAL followers, not transients.


IF you do opt to offer a free mp3 download, use it wisely. NEVER use what you consider to
be your best track or your most requested. The “free mp3 download” widget IS a handy tool forplacing on your website, and so forth but bare in mind there's a lot of people will be put off by the fact that they go to download the track only to discover that they have to sign up as a ReverbNation member. Even though it's free, people STILL feel that they're being roped in and roped in by YOU, not by ReverbNation.


• Don't try to dupe the public.


Once you have your ReverbNation page ready, launch it by making it known on other
music sites and social networking sites using the assortment of widgets and banners
provided. Word will travel quickly, believe me.


ReverbNation gives your followers the option to join your mailing list. To my mind,
when used properly, it's THE single most powerful in-line communication tool for
musicians. To see it both under-utilised and abused by musicians played a part in me
embarking on the writing of this book.


• CONTINUALLY check your mailing list activities.


Initially you will have a reasonably high percentage of followers who also sign up to
your mailing list. By checking the locations of who truly is paying attention via clickthrus'

in combination with song-play locations can help you delineate a target
audience, geographically & demographically.
Through human nature your mailing list numbers will drop over time. Don't be
disheartened by this. A mailing list of between 10% and 20% of your total followers is a
good figure.


Mailing your supporters is FREE. One paid service offered by ReverbNation is
professional templates for your emails with additional features. From my experience
this paid service makes no difference at all. Keep your credit card in your wallet & you will save almost $120 a year.


The most common mistake I've encountered is artists emailing supporters with news
that people aren't interested in. This is a sure-fire way of watching your mailing list
plummet. Paradoxically, make your followers aware of upcoming & new releases. Let
them know that you are still thinking of them.


• Don't email your list every time you hit a chord.


Emailing your list every 2-3 weeks is ideal. Ensure your emails are relevant, well laid
out and maintain continuity regarding previous mail. Spending a little extra time (not a
great deal) on these little thing really DO make a difference.


If you enjoy it, your supporters will too!


Get your 50% Discount on "Mean Business" by entering codeword: thistle