Great Tools for Indie Musicians: Part Two: Social Networking

As the times have changed, well, the times have changed. Technology has been on the rapid rise for the past 20 or 30 years and so has the concept of networking. The kind of networking I'm going to talk about in this blog is very broad and very specific. So let's just dive right in. When it comes to building an online fanbase your options are limited to where the people are. As we all know the number one site used to be Myspace.

MySpace

According to the "modern socialite" this company is dead in the water. Not entirely true. Myspace seems to have ventured from a site that everyone used to a specific site. It's important to keep a myspace musician profile up as many venues still book through myspace. It's really not difficult to keep maintained as you can (which is what I do) imbed the free widgets from Reverbnation in your myspace profile to update your tour schedule and videos.

Facebook


Until the next "BIGWIG" social networking tool comes along, Facebook is king of the hill. Though there are some things that perturb musicians and bands within the Facebook page, it's still the best for what it can do. I've decided that people check Facebook about 3 or 4 times more than they check their email. This can be a good and a bad thing when it comes to musicians.

The Plus:

The most apparent plus out of Facebook is the instant contact you can gain with your current fans and potential fans. It allows you to notify people in regards to: new songs, new dates, goings-on in the life of you and your music.

The Downside:

There can be such a thing as "too much." When it comes to your postings and ultimately SPAMMING on your fans' wall. As independent musicians there is a fine line between promoting and annoying. And sometimes it's a hard tightrope to walk. We really want to get people out to our shows and spreading the word but we don't want to frighten our peeps away.  A great article that opened my eyes can be found here:

5 Ways to Avoid Annoying Your Fans

That being said, my booking agent is a wise man. He constantly says things like, "One full room of fans for two weeks is better than two weeks of rooms with one fan." Things that Lao Tzu would say. Funny thing is, most of the time he's correct.

One thing he swears by is there is nothing quite like paper. Paper for contracts. Paper money. Paper. So one thing I constantly keep is a mailing list. A REAL mailing list (for emails) at shows. I was a little skeptical about this at first. But he was right. That list let's you know exactly who was at your show and what city they're from. It also is a way to be personal with the fans who took the time and gave your their information. They're really interested in what your doing. It's not like they just clicked a "Like" button because their friends told them to. Show them the respect. That being said. I personally have an exclusive "perk" for people who sign up on their list. It's a good idea to have a way to communicate almost instantly with these fans for showing you their appreciation for what you do.

Band Networking


If you've played "out" at different areas we all know how difficult and important social networking is among musicians. Open mics, invite onlys, battle of the bands, festivals, meet and greets. All of these things are important when it comes to trying to build your reputation. One of the most important things you can do, especially if you're moving to an area or trying to find gigs in an area is to find the proper website. I've discovered that almost every major city has a site that is controlled, funded, and, for the most part, updated on certain venues and their requirements. I'll begin to list these as I find them in this blog so bookmark this one.

Raleigh, NC (This list kinda encompasses the RTP area)

Venue List

Great Tools for Indie Musicians: Part One - The EPK

I know that I've posted these links and sites in other forums but I thought it might be a good idea to post almost every resource I have (linkwise) in one post. I may not remember everything I've had but I shall do my best and hopefully I'll try to keep it condensed. The most important thing you need is an EPK.

The EPK (Electronic Press Kit):

Despite the fact that a few places still accept standard press kits, when it comes to booking, the EPK is one of the only ways to go. You can get a free one with limitations from Sonicbids you can view mine specifically by clicking this link. Another place that hosts pretty good EPKs (for a price) is Reverbnation. Having an account with Reverbnation is a good thing to have anyway. To have just the profile is free. They have a good number of free widgets that will help you later on with your website. To add on an "RPK" which is the same as an EPK it's an extra charge. The great thing about both of these is that you can receive a notification when your EPK has been opened and viewed.

Though many places are looking for different things in regard to an EPK, some things are still pretty standard. Obviously, at least with booking, the most important question is, "What does the band sound like?" It's important to have recorded tracks in your EPK. But I believe that you must also include a link to a live video or a live track or something so the venue can get a feel for your live sound. I usually combine a link to my EPK as well as my website.

Second on the importance list is a good photograph. I'm not really referring to the whole vanity/aesthetics notion here. There is something to be said for a professional looking photograph in everything that you do (Myspace, Facebook, EPK, Website). Basically having a professional photograph will show the venue that you take your craft seriously. Reserve the funny quirky pictures for your personal profiles and accounts. You can pretty much find a friend with a decent camera, find a photography student looking for a muse or just a tourist on the side of the street who looks like they spent way too much on a camera to take a picture of local streets.

Other things would be a list of covers that you do. Though some venues strictly adhere to only originals, these venues are few and far between. As much as you want to be a completely original artist you have to put in your time with covers in order to lock in the fans and soon-to-be-fans of your music sometimes by performing cover songs. Having a list of cover songs in your EPK will also let the venue know what your influences are.

Another great thing about Sonicbids and Reverbnation is the tour schedule. Even if you've booked a backyard BBQ with your great uncle PUT IT ON YOUR TOUR as a private show. It's still a gig, even if you're not getting paid. Venues like to book an artist who looks like they have a bunch of shows. So make sure you have and fill out a show section on your EPK.

Lastly, you only need ONE EPK. Don't go making 50 on 50 different sites. Just stick with one. Fill everything out and make it look pretty.

Though this post is a work in progress, these are some of the initial steps and important factors in an EPK. Please feel free to add comments and advice and I'd love to add them in if they seem relevant.

Keep Driving,

N

Pup-pup-puppy Power!

     Well the benefit for the Fayette County Humane Society seemed to be a success. I got there fairly early to do a sound check with my system. Almost immediately after playing around 10 seconds of a song one of the volunteers came up and started complaining about how much they HATED when they were trying to eat and live music was playing. Good Start. Needless to say I turned my system down. I'm telling you there is nothing like try to suppress the dynamics of your songs that were designed and played to grab attention and sell CDs. As Kurt Cobain said last night i was "Half the man i used to be." Although I received GREAT feedback from everyone (including the initial person), got some George Washingtons in the ol tip jar, sold a CD, and handed out about 40 cards, I'm gonna chalk that up as doing one for the Humane Society. That's what it was all about anyway.

     That being said, let me get to the point. For about 2 hours they were streaming a slideshow with animals that needed to be adopted. Seriously, it was like the Macy's Day Parade lasting until Christmas Day. I can't believe that within that ONE agency there were so many animals. If you're reading this and thinking of getting a pet. Do it. If you say, "I don't know where we'd put one." Slide over the vase in the corner and put down a dog bed. They are not difficult to take care of or extremely costly and many animals still remain threatened by kill-shelters. Ashley and I constantly recognize the extreme gratitude that we receive from Lenny. He became an instant part of our family.

     I loved playing this benefit. It's, I believe, the first official benefit concert I've actually done. Though I was quietly playing in the corner, the volunteers said that it added a TON in regard to atmosphere to the overall auctions and benefit. So musicians, if you want to help an organization in any way. Hand them some music and ask them what you can do to help. I approached the Humane Society. They didn't approach me. If something can happen with it, above everything else you're doing something for a good cause. In addition, I gained exposure to an extra 200 or 300 people. 

Keep Driving.

Neil . .  . Out.

The First for the Last

     As I'm getting ready to embark on this life as an independent musician I figured the easiest way to keep track of the ups and downs, the overcomings and the shortcomings would be digitally. I'd like to use this blog as a means of an outlet, something that other musicians can find solace in. Something that someone could discover and keep it close to them . . . or just a means. That being said, my name is Neil Cribbs. And as of one week ago I'm an independent musician. It's what I do for a living. And here we are, one week in, and I'm poor. Nothing like "into the fire." Before this particular stint I was a bartender for a "green" restaurant (poor then too). A good friend of mine Ben Jones decided a few months ago that he would jump on board and become my booking agent. And thus he did . . .
     As soon as he began calling he began booking. There is something about having a person represent you that makes venues say, "Hey! This guy has an agent. He has to be booked here!" Seriously people, just have your mother call for you if you have to. It'll get you more gigs. Anyway, things were going pretty smoothly and then Ben got another job and just had a baby. Don't get me wrong. I'm very very happy for him. It just kinda doubles my work. But enough about me . . things are going well, poor, but well. and here's what's on the agenda for today,
     I'm playing a benefit show for the Fayette County Humane Society called Cause for Paws. It was kind of an idea that I had when my girlfriend Ashley and I got our pooch Lenny from the shelter. Being pretty young and not having the finances I didn't have a way to give back for the addition to our family that they had given us. . . so I found out about this benefit and decided to ask them if they'd like some music. And here we are.
     There will probably be many things in this blog that will come up as the days go by that may not make sense. It's ok. Sometimes people say things in conversation that don't make any sense and people just gloss past them. Let them be. It's ok. I don't see any reason to spill all the beans in the first posting. That being said.

Keep Driving.
N