"Artists - there’s no excuse or reason for you NOT to be connecting with fans through video. Grab your Flip camera or iPhone and start sharing your story with fans! Let them be in the studio with you, on your bus, while you’re writing songs or spending a day at the park or the lake. Be silly, spontaneous, humorous and real! Connect with them on a personal level to create a true fan experience!"
- Kimberly Maiers Shaw, Artist Relations & Publicity
"Think you have a unique title for a new song? Do a title search on the ASCAP and BMI websites to see how many songs similar to your title have already been written, published and recorded and by whom."
- Gigi Swanson, Consultant – New Media
"Filling your "creative well" as an artist is just as important as taking care of all of the other day-to-day commitments and obligations you have to your career. Give yourself permission to schedule at least an hour a week for yourself to do something fun, different, silly, or completely random or out of the ordinary from your normal routine. This will help stimulate your senses, renew your energy and keep the creative juices flowing!"
- Kimberly Maiers Shaw, Artist Relations and Publicity
"Your attitude is everything...your talent is secondary!"
- Brenda Cline, Chief Operations Officer
"Patience is the ultimate virtue. And the music business the ultimate test of patience. Good things come to those who wait, and I'm not saying just do nothing and wait around for something to happen. Just prepare yourself to give your music a couple of years incubation period do develop and grow without a ton of expectations. Be persistent and give it time. Just see what happens. "
- Raleigh Squires
"If you're an artist, there is ALWAYS plenty to talk about, so what are you waiting for? Talk! Your fans are always listening, don't leave them in the dark."
- Stephanie Koehn, Administration and Digital Management
"When you pitch yourself and your music to a record label, producer, manager, or booking agent, you have one shot at making a great impression. I believe in what I call the "5 second factor." That is, I'm convinced we form an opinion of you in the first five seconds upon you entering the room. That opinion can be negative or positive based on how you carry yourself, your image, and wardrobe. Of course smile, don't look nervous, and pay close attention to your body language while sitting, standing, and even leaving the room. You want to give off a positive, confident, charismatic vibe. Remember they have already decided whether or not they like you long before they listen to your music. Sell yourself and then let your music do the rest!"
- Brenda Cline, Chief Operations Officer
"Don't put the cart before the horse. Do what you do for fun and don't make a business out of it. Just let business be the natural result of what you enjoy doing."
- Raleigh Squires
"A caveat: new technologies are coming out everyday that can either help you or harm you. Be educated enough to at least know the difference."
- Stephanie Koehn, Administration and Digital Management
"You can be a successful recording artist without having to be a "star."
- Raleigh Squires
"Just when you think you know your stuff you become easily reminded that Amateurs ...Built the Ark. Professionals ... Built the Titanic. Be humble enough to know what you don't know and keep learning your craft."
- Gigi Swanson, Consultant – New Media
"There are no rules or blueprint for success. As the music industry is reborn, you must be open to taking risks and exploring new opportunities."
- Wayne Halper, Legal Advisor
"Purchase a handheld digital recorder…you never know when a great song idea may come along."
- Rod Parkin, Songwriter Development & Management
"As an artist, your fan base is worth tons more than the price they paid for your music. They are a unique market all within themselves. What steps are you taking to better understand them?"
- Sheldon Bradley, Director of Technology
"Promoting Yourself On-line Tip: Did you know you can include keywords in your tweets to promote better search engine optimization?"
- Gigi Swanson, Consultant – New Media
"Keep a notebook and recorder by your bed… if you don't write down the idea or sing the melody when it wakes you up in the middle of the night, then you may never remember the idea."
- Rod Parkin, Songwriter Development & Management
"The future of music will be DATA driven. Have you positioned yourself for the changes to come?"
- Sheldon Bradley, Director of Technology
"Promoting Yourself On-line Tip: If you have a name that is often misspelled, incorporate the misspelled version in content tags to get picked up in organic searches."
- Gigi Swanson, Consultant – New Media
"Keep a designated 'Hook Book' handy. A notebook where you can write down your song ideas, titles, etc."
- Rod Parkin, Songwriter Development & Management
"iTunes, CD Baby, and Rhapsody all know the who, where, when, and how when it comes to the fans that are buying your music. Do you?"
- Sheldon Bradley, Director of Technology
"A key to a long-term career is patience and options. If you don't completely trust someone, don't work with them. No exceptions."
- Wayne Halper, Legal Advisor
"Don't be afraid to co-write…your co-writer may have the idea, twist or melody that makes your song a hit!"
- Rod Parkin, Songwriter Development & Management
"When approached in a respectful way, every element of a relationship is open for negotiation."
- Wayne Halper, Legal Advisor
