HowToBand.com Blog

Anvil is a Canadian heavy metal band comprising Steve "Lips" Kudlow (lead vocals, lead guitar), Robb Reiner (drums), and Glenn Five (bass, backing vocals). To date, the band has released thirteen studio albums, and has been cited as having influenced many notable heavy metal groups, including Slayer, Anthrax, and Metallica.

This Band has persisted diligently for 30+ years to live what they are, a great rock band! Learn about them. Pay tribute to them. Watch the documentary about them:
http://www.anvilthemovie.com/

BUY ANVIL'S CD & PRODUCTS
http://www.anvilmetal.com/

LEARN MORE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anvil_(band)
http://www.anvilmetal.com/

The other day, I caught the tale end of a solo performer onstage that blew my mind because of the power he had. He easily excited, engaged, and moved a massive audience into following his demands and fun actions for a wonderful and captivating performance of music. It was one man on stage with an accordion. His name, Jason Webley.

He has been noted in many music circles from Punk Rock to Folk Music. He is a powerful and most importantly, a genuine heartfelt performer. He performs with passion.

The most powerful way to capture him is through a live stage performance or any stage performance recorded. Watching him and feeling his performance as you listen to the music resonate from him is amazing. Then you add the fact that his communication skills with the audience are extremely skillful and commanding, he is a great example to learn from. He offers some excellent top skills to practice and embrace for your stage technique.

If you get a chance to catch Jason on one of his many performance stops around the world… it is worth your time to do it.

See if you can catch him performing on a stage on YouTube or elsewhere (See below for an example).

You can learn more about Jason at his website or on any search for his name:

Jason Webley
http://www.jasonwebley.com/

In previous postings, I discussed the value of using video broadcasting sites like YouTube to promote your Band. Well, today I just want to keep it simple and add one additional point:

Use that same video to promote your sales.

Insert mini commercials that let people know about how they can find your website, order products you have for sale, or book you for a show. Increase your profit potential by directly selling to the people that are already looking at your videos. They like you, so why not let them know how they can enjoy you more?

Are you using tools like YouTube to promote your music and songs? If not, why not?

Included below is another of the wonderful examples showing you how powerful YouTube and other Broadcast websites can be for you.

Chris Cendana posted a basic home computer recorded music video of his song "Velvet Fingertips" on February 11th of this year (2008). That is he posted it just under 19 days ago. During that short time, he has had 126,938 Views, 1,454 Comments on it, and had it marked by people as one of their Favorite Videos 1,396 times.

So, here is the summary:
Results for Days: Under 19
Views: 126,938
Comments: 1,454
Favorited: 1,396

Are you getting that kind of exposure for your music? Why not get it?

When you are about to get onstage or perform your music for anyone...
Why do you do it?

If you don't know that, then...
What do you feel like doing first?

Understanding what drives you will give you the perfect reason why you can improve and where to focus 90% of all your energy in order to deliver something incredibly powerful for your audience to enjoy. This will make you better and help you build a stronger, larger, more passionate Fan following.

Whether it's gracing overpriced T-shirts or iconic drumheads, being furtively carved into classroom desktops or intricately inked on the bodies of the most dedicated fans, a band's logo can be just as memorable as its biggest single....

Please check out the Logos and article at the following link. This is well worth your time:

http://www.spinner.com/2008/02/15/best-band-logos-no-25/

If you are serious about making it to the top, then it is critical that you take the time to do things right with your Band. And you can do them as you go. You don't have to do them all at once or before you start working. Build your Band's identity, brand, and business through time, so you can enjoy doing what you love - Playing music.

Okay... How are you selling your songs now? Do you sell them digitally to your fans? If not, why not?

There are many ways to sell your music now. If you stick to the old fashioned way of doing things, then you are not looking at the new opportunities that are available (Unless you are doing the old fasion way plus a new way).

I want to include this Broadcast by Bob Baker from his MrBuzzFactor YouTube center. It shows some really incredible data on how Trent Reznor is making some good money selling digitally, and I know that even some local bands can capture this kind of money and more. Keep in mind that some bands and musicians were able to accomplish making some very large profits before they ever got signed by anyone, and... Some actually remain unsigned because they make so much money as an indie artist.

Watch, learn, and think about it.

I believe that every person who starts a Band or becomes a performing musician is an Entrepreneur - someone who creates a business venture in order to succeed. The fact that you are reading this right now means that you are one of the few people who actually are driven by the Entrepreneur's spirit. I believe that you can succeed if you persist, keep learning from all of the leaders you can, and Keep Taking Action.

Donald Trump shares some of his thoughts on Entrepreneurs below. When and if you look at this, consider what he is saying and how it applies to you.

Are you an Indie Musician trying to get heard? What are you doing to get heard? Are you out on the streets and getting your music in front of your audience? Are you communicating with them the way they want to be communicated to?

Getting heard by the correct audience is critical to your success. You can hear that in the audio commentary posted below, however you need to know who your audience is first.

If you don't understand who your audience is, pay attention to who gets excited at your next live performances. What kind of clothes do they wear? Where do they get those clothes, can you play your music at those stores? I know a lot of stores that would love to have free music to play for their shoppers (especially if the music matches their shoppers personality and desires). What other things can you find out about your audience just by looking at them, listening to them and talking to them? Where do they work? What kind of hobbies do they like? Where do they live specifically?

The answers to these questions and more will help you get your music in front of them and in their ears. Take action. Don't just complain about how come you can't get your music out there on a particular radio station. Get it played continually wherever you can.

KISS had makeup and costumes. David Bowie had a distinct sound and style. Dolly Parton had her look and still keeps it up.

Knowing what certain elements are part of your image and identity are your choice to make, however realize that your audience does find you and identify with you quicker and easier if you stick with your look and identity. Remember this... If you keep changing your package, it makes it hard for your audience/Fans to find you and follow you.

Enjoy this entertaining clip of Dolly Parton speaking about discovering and maintaining her image and identity and let it start you thinking of all the ways Bands and Musicians you like present their Identity... And what would happen if they changed it?

Making a song recording to help market and develop your audience/Fan base can be easier today than it has ever been before. How?

With all of the FREE or easily accessed Community based sites online, anyone can create either a simple audio or video recording of their song and showcase it online to see how people react. If they react negatively, oh well, no loss. If they react positively... You can increase you Fan Base larger than you ever thought possible.

How can this help? Well... If you increase your Fan Base and Fame, it will increase the chances of you being able to sell some of your songs or merchandise online easier to them. Also, if you have enough of those Fans living in areas you are performing, you can announce your shows to them and Fill the House almost every time you do a show. Venues will love you and ask you back (especially if your Audience is ideal for their business Venue).

So take advantage of those easy-to-use software packages that come standard on most computers now and upload what you have to websites that let others view and comment on your song. Take the Opportunity and make yourself Famous.

(Note: By getting instant feedback, you also have a better chance of improving your song writing skill and building an amazing set of music to showcase at your next live performance.)

A good example of what can be done at home is seen below by Julia Nunes singing her song, Into the Sunshine. Julia made a simple recording at home on her computer and uploaded it to YouTube on January 18, 2008. It is now February 1st 2008. So, in Fourteen Days, her Homemade Song Video has been Viewed and listened to 185,188 Times and she has 1,502 Comments.

Have you exposed yourself to an Audience that large yet? Until very recently, people would be willing to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars and even millions to get that kind of exposure in the market. Now you can get it for FREE or Dirt Cheap! Use it. Benefit from it. Live your dream and take action to increase your chances for success today.

I know you can do it, and the tools are already available to you. I look forward to see and hear you.

Watch the Video Julia Nunes made below:

It's all about the 'Hook'.

Songs can be intricate and they can be simple. When writing your music, keep in mind... What is 'The Hook' of the song?

If you don't have one, what will people remember about the song? What will they sing to themselves after they have heard it? If you think of Beatles' songs, or of any of the older classics, you will be able to sing or hum something about them that you remembered about it. That is the Hook of the song, usually. The thing that stuck in you mind.

So, when you write your songs or create the music (because the music itself can have the Hook, it might not be the words), keep in mind the question: "What is the Hook?"

Below is a recent song that is very simple. It has easy words, music, and concepts, however, it has a powerful 'Hook'. You may not like this style of music, yet you may have a hard time trying to forget you saw and heard the video below.

What is the Hook in your song?

What do you want to be known as?

Do you want to be a best selling Artist?
Do you want to be the most skilled Artist?

There is a BIG Difference between the two.

A person can focus on becoming incredibly skilled and educated on their craft all their life and still not make any money doing what they love (or at least nothing that will help them pay basic living cost bills). Than, there are people who will focus on learning how to sell themselves and their art properly so it is exciting to their desired audience. This can make them more money than they ever dreamed.

Make sure YOU KNOW which person you want to be.

Remember... It is like the person who writes a Novel and says, "I want to be a Best Selling Author." However, if their writing is focused only on their self interests and they are trying to write incredibly well for their craft, while abandoning the interests and desires of their reading audience... They will never be a best selling author. You must create your work to be exciting and desirable to what YOUR AUDIENCE wants if you want to make money as a BEST SELLING Artist. Or.......... You need to find a new audience because the one you are trying to force your art upon, will reject you and leave you.

What do you Want To Be?

I love to hear that people are benefiting from the work I do to help musicians and bands accomplish their goals. I feel good when I hear from them.

Below is a review that someone wrote on AMAZON.COM after reading my book, How To Make BIG MONEY with Your BAND. I hope that everyone that reads it gets excellent help and direct tools to immediately increase their success. And if anyone has questions after reading it, they can always email the question through HowToBand.com and I will respond either in email back, or through a new entry in this Blog.

Review Written by 'Conquest Bass':

If your under 25yrs of Age .. Buy this Book ! Some good insight on the music Business. Easy to read ! If your over 26 ..You better read ! ...Book covers some of information need to make a good band. Half the Groups i"ve been didn"t know much about Show Business. So read up Boys & Girls. x-A&M Artist

There are many things that compete in the new world of music entertainment. Below is an example of an animated video made by a company that makes music entertainment for the television. It is used successfully as background visuals along with recorded music played at parties and social gatherings. This style of music entertainment is a competitor to the live musician, however can never replace the "Power" of a live musician.

Granted, the creations are very entertaining, and they do have their place in the market. It is critical for you, the live musician, to realize what you individually have to bring to any performance you do.

There is nothing like the live performance of music and watching and feeling the performers give their life energy to you (as an audience). This is valuable and special. It is the gift you have to give and share anytime you perform live. Realize its value. Sell it properly to people when you are booking gigs/shows. Know what you have to bring to the stage/live show that identifies you so you can explain it in three words to the person booking you.

Yes, the world of music entertainment is changing, however that just means that the live performer is in an even more specialized market niche. And... Specialists make more money than non-specialists.

Know what you bring to a live show. Sell it. And charge appropriately. Just because everyone else is doing it a certain way, or because 'they' (the booking person) only pay, everyone else, a certain amount for doing shows... doesn't mean you have to do it that way. The more specialized you can be and focus your Band's offering, the more money you will make and the more referrals you will get from people. Your Fans will be more powerful as a unified group and will be more passionate about you.

So, for now... Enjoy the Music Video Entertainment below, and while you are watching it, think about all of the things you have to offer that are different to people paying for the Music Entertainment. Maybe even get a piece of paper out and write them down.

Terry Prince is a Musician in California who plays Piano and Sings. By taking a simple technique most people in the world know about, he sold a ton of CDs gained a lot of exposure and made real money. And... This is only a small part of his success so far as a Musician.

Take a look at the video below to learn, very simply, how you can follow this simple method of increasing your CD sales, having fun making money while you play music, and increasing your exposure.

The video is an interview buy the ever helpful Bob Baker with Terry Prince. In it Terry Prince explains how he sold 15,000 music CDs in 18 Months by playing 30 hours a month on the Santa Monica Pier. An inspiring interview!

There is a New Helpful Company Online that can teach you songs quickly simply and accurately because the actual artist that plays it or created it will be teaching you how to play it. Weather you are a guitarist, pianist, or drummer, iVideoSongs can teach you.

How do they teach you? It is pretty cool. They have High quality videos that you can buy and download at a fraction of the the cost it would take you pay for a lesson to learn these skills. All of the videos have bookmarks to each section so you can quickly find exactly what you want to learn or repeat. They range in cost from $5-$10 each, compare that to a $40 music lesson. And... You are learning from the actual artist. Pretty Cool!

Check them out. I know that I will be using them.

http://www.ivideosongs.com

Below is a Demo Video of iVideoSongs

Twitter can be a powerful way for you to increase the amount of communication you can share with your Fans. Keep them engaged with what you are doing.

The video below shows you excellent detail on how to quickly start from ground zero and use twitter like an expert in minutes. However, it also shares some incredible insights into something else that can increase your success in your relationship with your Fans... Simple everyday communication.

As a Band, your Fans want to know more about you. They enjoy finding out things like when you are going to rehearsal, what you ate for lunch, when your next gig is, if you took some new Band photos to share, are you working on some new songs, and much more. All of these things increase the bond with your Fans. It helps your Fans know more about you so they can appreciate what makes you into the Band they like, support, go to watch play, and have fun listening to your music to get through their day.

If you have Fans of your Band, than you are part of their life, world, and identity. The more you can share with them, helps them understand and appreciate themselves even more.

Look at the following video if you want to hear about Three Simple yet Powerful things you can do to increase your Band's Success. Many times I have mentioned these things and even share some great detailed insights on these elements in my book, How To Make BIG Money with Your BAND.

Keep improving your skills to help you have more fun doing what you love.

As a Band, Band Member, or a Musician with the Dream of being Great, you are an Entrepreneur.

To accomplish your goal, you need to think like an Entrepreneur - A Top Businessman. If you don't... You won't succeed. You will only be a person who enjoys playing music for fun (which is okay), however if you have the dream driving you now, You know you want more. So, go get it! Don't let yourself be second best. Be the Winner!

If you take it easy and avoid learning good business skills Marketing and Selling your Band, Music, and Identity, then others will and you will watch and listen to them, saying to yourself, "Wow! I wish I could be like them." The only challenge here... You need to realize you can be like them.

If you feel the passion of the dream inside you... Build it and go all the way to the Top! Find your style and the identity that you want to represent. Let others know that you are the best in the world for that particular style and identity. Win!

Below is a video showing some very successful Businessmen talking with you about Winning (You might recognize some of them). They are dressed in suits and look like Businessmen, so recognize that identity as their choice for their work. You will have your style of dress for your work. However... Listen to what they share with you. They tell you everything you need to know about Winning your dream your way.

Enjoy and Become Great!

Bob Baker has dedicated is life and career to helping musicians succeed and develop their careers. He has some wonderful books out there and some great 'Help Videos' on YouTube.com under his label "MrBuzzFactor". He can offer you some incredible advice and insights. I highly recommend him as an excellent resource for you.

Below is Part One of a series of Interview Videos he posted on his YouTube.com MrBuzzFactor Page. Enjoy and check out some of his other resources.

Guitar Players and Musicians, Take a look at the software PocketGuitar for the iPhone. It is fun if anything. I'm sure that someone could find an incredible use for it, however it seems like a fun tool for playing around and maybe trying out some new musical thoughts.

Hot New Artist worth looking at...

Blood Red Nails currently operates as a Solo Act and resonates audience heart strings with the passion infused vocals of Tiffany. Take a look (and Listen) at her new MySpace website page at the following link:

http://www.myspace.com/bloodrednails

Enjoy!

"New Arrivals" is a compilation project aimed at increasing exposure for exceptional self-released material. Artists will receive free marketing to MPress contacts (i.e. Radio, Press, and Internet), as well as cross-promotion at live events presented by MPress Records, including 6000+ pieces distributed at various label-attended industry conferences throughout 2008. As with Volumes 1 and 2, the third volume will be serviced to press and college/AAA radio formats. Submission deadline: October 31.

http://www.sonicbids.com/newarrivalsvolume3

For its Super Bowl ad in February, Frito-Lay is putting a musical spin on this year's successful Doritos promotion using consumers' homemade videos for its commercials. The chipmaker will devote 60 seconds of Super Bowl advertising time - worth more than $5 million - to a consumer's original song that is the winner in an online contest. Unlike like last season's competition, where the video had to be a do-it-yourself Doritos commercial, the tunes don't have to be about any Frito-Lay (PEP) brand. Contest goes live online in the "Crash" area of the website October 25.

http://snackstrongproductions.com/