Managing your band's online presence

Any musician trying to make it these days needs the Internet. But as your band gains traction, managing your online presence can quickly become a full-time job. Between your official website, social networks, music portals and stores, you can easily find yourself managing dozens of separate accounts.

It's almost enough to leave you pining for the days of old, when all you had to do was update www.yourbandname.com every once and awhile. Now, to keep your fans interested, you need a steady stream of media flowing out in all directions at all times.

'Web 2.0' can be a huge boon to your music career, but it takes a lot of diligence and a little strategy to relieve the burden. Here are some tips to making your online presence more manageable.

Organization - Keep a folder with bookmarks of all of the sites and pages that your band oversees. When you update your media, run down the list and don't stop until you've updated every relevant account.

Planning - Typing out a random update and sending it your your mailing list is better than nothing. But with a little planning you can get much farther. Anticipate future events (shows, album releases, etc.) and work on your message days or weeks before you send it. That way, when something interesting happens that generates media for your band, all you have to do is copy, paste, and click 'submit'.

Restraint - Don't jump the gun on news just because you're excited or feel like you haven't updated in a while. Album release dates can slip, shows can fall apart immediately after they're booked, and people will get less and less excited if you're always crying wolf. You're a journalist covering yourself -- so get the facts right before you go to press.

Consistency - You want to be putting out the same message on each site. For example, if you're debuting a music video, don't distract your audience by including a new T-shirt design and news on your new bass player. Just stick to one thing and wait for it to sink in before you switch gears.

Branding - In terms of design, keep the same look and feel across all of your band pages. Not only does it help 'brand' your band, but you'll save a lot of time updating your band's image by changing everything across the board at once.

Ubiquity - You want your media to be everywhere within reason. It's great to sign up for ten different music video sites as long as you have the time to manage them all. For starters, stick to the most popular online venues, but don't be afraid to branch out as new opportunities present themselves.

Subscription - One of the best features of Web 2.0 is the ability to subscribe to 'feeds'. Usually, a user merely has to click 'subscribe' and they'll receive all of your updates from then on. Make sure you push subscription at every available opportunity -- it's the ultimate connection between fans and bands online.

Communication - If your media push succeeds, you'll know because you'll be receiving positive feedback from your community of fans. Learn how to use the communication tools at each site to maximize your exposure. Follow-up on every contact you receive.

Street Team - What's better than managing dozens of separate band sites? Having someone else do it for you, of course. Offer your biggest fans the early scoop on all your upcoming news and media, and they might just help you distribute it online, leaving you more time to master the music itself.

Get Real - Finally, don't forget that there's a real world outside. If your band solely exists on the internet, that's where it's gonna stay. Go out and shake some hands, make some friends, and your Internet efforts will not be in vain.

Guatemalan rising star Shery spreads music 'like a friendly virus'

Latin music is all about passion, and it's hard to imagine a more passionate singer and songwriter than superstar-in-the-making (and GarageBand.com member) Shery.

Hailing from Guatemala, Shery's artful approach and pop appeal have caught the pulse of the Latin music scene. Over the past three years, she has taken step after successful step in a music career that is as blessed as the voice that carries it forward.

Shery's songs have been picked up by numerous radio stations. She's appeared on television and has sung for thousands in concert, just recently opening for Enrique Iglesias. Her debut album, El Amor es un Fantasma is making a huge splash across the Latin market, not to mention the waves she's made across the Web. We asked Shery to explain her phenomenal online presence.

"I'm just too fortunate to have been born in this wonderful era," she said. "As an indie artist, without a major record label on my back, I can see before my eyes how my music spreads all over the world like a friendly virus... It's sweet to know that every minute of every day someone, somewhere, is discovering my music."

Shery became a GarageBand.com member almost three years ago, at the start of her music career. "[GarageBand.com] has a lot of credibility," she told us. "It's a place where you can get unbiased feedback on your music from thousands of 'critics', most of them fellow indie musicians, who rank and comment on your songs without knowing who you are (not even seeing a picture of you), therefore basing their reviews exclusively on the music itself.

"Among other things, GarageBand.com made me realize that people all over the world liked my songs, beyond the barriers of language: most don't understand the lyrics, which are in Spanish, but still love the songs!"

When asked what advice she would give to other aspiring musicians, Shery was quick to point out that while the reviewers on GarageBand.com helped steer her music in the right direction, inspiration ultimately must come from within.

"Be your own toughest critic, keep it real, and remember: all limitations are self-imposed," she said. "There are no limits outside our own mind. Before conquering the world you have to conquer yourself."

Acoustic Minds promote peace with a trailblazing tour

A great synonym for peace is 'togetherness.' Can you think of a better definition of 'togetherness' than two sisters who form a band and play 200 shows a year for three years?

Soulful singer/songwriters Amanda and Jenni Price teamed up in 2002 to form Acoustic Minds. Since then, they have touched many hearts and minds with their powerful songs and positive outlook. Most recently, they booked their own 'Peace Tour 2008' with fellow musician Alex Arndt and were subsequently contacted by the Los Angeles chapter of The Peace Alliance, a campaign to establish a U.S. Department of Peace. The band's May tour found Amanda and Jenni joining a list of celebrity endorsers such as Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Willie Nelson, Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and more.

"It was something that naturally came together," Amanda told us. "I have always been an advocate of non-violence... Peace isn't something you can tie down, it's something universal and important at all times. It just made sense to turn our northwest ride into a ride of peace. And what a ride it was!"

If Acoustic Minds are to serve as a role model for other independent musicians, the lesson must surely be in their grassroots approach to spreading their music in addition to their message. And by its very definition, peace is a message for everyone to get behind.

"I would suggest to all musicians to go to their local peace organization," Jenni said. "There are hundreds of groups set up in all cities across the globe. The more we musicians lead by example, the more this word can we spread."

Amanda agreed, "You cannot just be a pretty voice anymore... you need to be an example. It's not always easy, but if you're consciously aware of what you are doing you can make an impact. Even one person is one more to the cause."

For the grassroots approach, the Web is second only to the instruments and voices themselves. In order to connect today's music fans in a common groove, the Web is essential.

As Amanda points out: "Being online is key. I love that GarageBand.com is linked to iLike as it saves so much time adding dates... it's a great tool for people to link to what others think."

Jenni concurred, "I love submitting our songs for review on GB, it is a great way to get some factual constructive feedback. We have always enjoyed hearing from other great artists and songwriters. Whether their advice is good or bad, it is necessary and very much part of the process in this business. You have to grow some thick skin. Most people are very positive about the music... the negative things just help you so you can also grow and rework songs to make them more pleasant to the ear, if you will."

"We have taken the feedback we received and changed some of tunes as well as how we present them," Amanda agreed. "I really think the overall growth of a group is so important and we went from a 'garage band' to a professional band. I'd like to think GarageBand.com helped us get there."

GB favorites and Idaho's finest, The Invasion releases a monster album

The Invasion has more that just begun. Singer/songwriter Aaron Brown put the band together in 2003, and the band has been blowing up the Boise, Idaho scene ever since. Today they enjoy a rock-solid web presence and a hot new album produced by Grammy™ Award winner Art Hodge (Santana's Supernatural). The band is well-positioned to maximize its musical future. We spoke Brown about his burgeoning music career.

Things started fast for The Invasion. Shortly after forming, they scored big with an opening slot when the Pixies reunion tour stopped in Idaho. Then they started burning up the GarageBand.com charts with their award-winning single "Constancy". All the attention added up to more opportunities.

"We were approached by the editor for a Stephen Baldwin skate film about using 'Constancy' in the soundtrack," Brown told us, adding that his songs have also been used in Idaho independent films and movies produced by his father in Italy. He also hinted at a continued movie/music tie-ins: "We have some reason to believe that tracks off the new album will end up in major films."

The new album, entitled How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Madness, is a tour-de-force of catchy, dynamic modern rock with a raw, alternative edge. Now available for purchase on iTunes, Amazon.com and CDBaby, the band has paid close attention to its digital release strategy, making sure they are represented across multiple distribution channels and social networks.

"Our online presence has slowly grown over the last few years, with a sudden burst leading up to our album release last month. We definitely saw an increase in attendance due to our MySpace promotion and email blasts surrounding the release party. We also considered our first foray into the GarageBand.com charts to be important," he said.

"It always looks good on your resume when you can say that you topped the charts against tough odds and that you ended up with 5 stars after 100 people reviewed your music," Brown said. "Getting 100 people to agree that you've got the stuff is a difficult task, so we've always mentioned our success on GarageBand in our bio."

What stands out about The Invasion is the same thing that stands out for any successful band: the music! Their pure creativity shines through not only in their songwriting and performance, but also in their overall attitude and approach.

When asked what advice he had for other musicians, Brown said, "If you know that you were born to make music... that it's part of who you are... just keep doing it, and don't worry about whether other people like it or whether you make money at it. If money and fame are the reasons you're making music, please, stop. We've all heard enough of that. The world needs sincere, humble people writing and playing the music that fills our airwaves and our heads, regardless of genre."

Albums as advertising, concerts as communion

As the health of the recording industry continues to deteriorate, live shows have taken precedence as the focal point for a new music industry. Fans want unique experiences, and after all, an album is just a copy of a performance -- whereas a live show cannot be duplicated. Sure, video or audio of the show can be recorded and distributed, but the experience of being there cannot be copied.

These days, many artists are saying the recording is less like a product and more like an advertisement for their live show. This doesn't mean that your albums are any less important. In fact, the sound and look of your album matters more now than it ever did. Unlike the brick-and-mortar days of shrinking shelf space, in the Digital Age your album appears everywhere -- from blogs to webstores to social networks. It is a single, shining beacon of your uniqueness as a musical act in a vast sea of aspiring artists. You should still be putting maximum effort into the production of your CD.

That said, as an unsigned band you may not see a significant revenue stream from physical CD sales right off the bat. Like any start-up business, bands (like mine) are willing to invest a little money up front in the hopes of making a profit in the future; but many bands are mistakenly viewing their album as their primary 'product,' which could lead to a money-losing investment.

Independent bands are small businesses, but in 2008, this business is not about selling CDs. The 'product' is actually the band itself. CD sales will follow naturally if you can sell your band.

When hundreds, even thousands of albums are released every week, your needle in a haystack can easily go unnoticed, no matter how ingeniously crafted or well-produced it is. For a fan to pick you out of the crowd, there has to be a personal connection. In this way, fans are truly becoming more like 'friends.' And just like friends, they'll like you more if you like them back.

The relationship between fans and artists is what music (and the music industry) is all about. For independent bands, it's not about 'moving units,' it's about making connections.

Albums are gateways to establishing these connections. So are band websites and social networks. But as technology changes, one thing remains true: the best way to make a lasting personal connection is in person. Unlike the decidedly one-way experience of listening to a CD, a concert is a shared experience between bands and fans.

There are many reasons why your live show should be at the center of your band's business strategy, and not the least of which is that concerts offer the best revenue streams (besides ticket sales, fans usually prefer to buy albums and merch from you directly).

The live event is where the money is, and there will be many different ways to get there. For some artists, live shows are where they hone their sound, songs and image -- and almost everything that album embodies is a representation of their live act. For others, songwriting talent or studio production skills may be their strongest suit, and internet distribution may help them win live performance opportunities never before available to them.

Ultimately, it's the fans that will make you popular. If you want to make your money as a musician, your best bet as an independent band is to play every live show you can. Create a legendary concert experience that others will strive to live up to. Your fans will not just follow, they'll lead.

-- by Zac Shaw, GarageBand.com Newsletter Editor

[DISCLAIMER: the views of Zac Shaw do not necessarily reflect the opinions of GarageBand.com or iLike, inc. Zac's just a dude who gets to edit this newsletter. Although we do think he's kinda cool... sometimes.]

Lady Antebellum gets maximum exposure with iLike video feed

Nashville-based trio Lady Antebellum has been taking the country world by storm lately, and the latest strike of lightning happened during a recent performance at the CMT Music Awards (check it out here on the iLike video player). The band has been building in popularity the old way -- one fan at a time -- but the Internet has definitely hastened the process.

The web has gone wild for 'Lady A', and the band has given the love right back with a steady stream of media and messages to its fans across the world. Right now you can listen to a stream of their entire new album on Lady Antebellum's iLike artist page.

Also on iLike are tons of behind-the-scenes videos of Lady Antebellum, including the band's 'Webisode Wednesdays' (the latest episode shows the band making dance remixes and pancakes). Also be sure not to miss the Lady Antebellum/iLike Commercial which aired during the CMT Music Awards, and exclusive rehearsal video of the band preparing for the show.

Jennifer Brantley follows her dream both online and off

When Nashville songwriter and aspiring Americana star Jennifer Brantley met with famed producer Bil VornDick (Bob Dylan, Bela Fleck, Alison Krauss), they both knew they were onto something special. Brantley's captivating voice and evocative songwriting combined with VornDick's Grammy-winning ear to produce Break Down, an album that quickly found its way into the country music buzz factory, bolstered strongly by a burgeoning online audience.

Brantley leveraged the Web to generate excitement about her music, and then set out to replicate that excitement in the real world. Her song "I Need A Place" quickly climbed to the top of GB's Folk/Country charts, and her other songs were similarly voted up the ladder on numerous music sites. This produced enough momentum to get attention and airplay from radio stations around the country, as well as great gigs and positive press. She has now sold thousands of albums and played for thousands of people all over the U.S., quite the achievement for an independent artist.

"We use the Internet to get a buzz, but getting out and playing as much as you can makes a big difference," Brantley told us. "We try to use the Internet to get people out to shows. The live shows are where you really get most of your CD and merch sales, and this is where you build your mailing lists."

Her other advice for aspiring GB artists: "Write, write, write! Some criticism is worth listening to and I had to let go of my ego many times! Don't give up on your dreams. Work on your skills at guitar, vocals or whatever it might be."

She concluded with the bottom line: "Songwriting is key. It all begins with a song, as they say here in Nashville. Once you get your music down there are lots of opportunities out there for promotion, like Garageband.com."