reedolson-blog

[reedolson-blog]

“Social media has completely changed the way people interact with each other. We are all connected in ways that were never possible before. This doesn’t just affect our personal lives, but also how businesses engage with customers and market their goods and services. Though not inherently businesses, bands and musicians have also greatly changed the way they market themselves and interact with fans through social media. This change has also ushered in a massive change in the way music is sold through the integration of mobile technology. However, these changes have not all been positive.

Working closely with bands, and being a musician myself, I have seen this change firsthand, and have conflicted feelings about the results. To get some other perspectives, I also talked to a few musicians about their experience with social media and mobile technology, and asked them about their experiences with social media and mobile technology’s influence on the music industry, sometimes for better, and sometimes for worse.”

[reedolson-blog]

How artists are using new media to bypass traditional distribution channels and forming new artist-fan relationships

Living in the age of social media and technology, it’s really hard for an artist to stand out and make themselves heard in an endless sea called the internet. With companies like YouTube, Facebook and Tumblr, it is possible for anyone to upload a video or clip of anyone and anything. So without the help of a financial backer, record label or personal manager; how can one relay their material and performances to the masses? I have discovered many musical outlets and processes that allow you to let yourself be heard for basically free. Sites like Soundcloud and YouTube let your record and share your music for absolutely free!

Many artist today are bypassing the mainstream recording studios and record deals to self-promote and record their own music. Take Jason Isbell for example. He has recorded, produced, and marketed a majority of his own music. This allowed him the creative direction that he wanted and was able to create a product to look and sound the exact way that he wanted. Not only did he create the records that he wanted to create, he also won a couple Grammy’s while in the process.

I will try and convey the possibilities of self-marketing and artist-fan relationships through my blog with posts pertaining to the subject. The World Wide Web is at your hands and can be your biggest backer and supporter if you know what you’re doing.

[reedolson-blog]

This is an example of self promotion that is used all throughout the music world. A band or Artist can simply create an event sharing the time, event and location of their show and send out an invite and reminder to theirs friends/fans in the Facebook world. 

[reedolson-blog]

Here is a great link showing multiple ways to improve your Instagram and everything about it. Instagram was something I never used before and I kind of thought it was only useful for sharing pictures. It’s mind blowing to me how many people throughout the world use these new social media outlets to create and share their art.  

[reedolson-blog]

When I was first approached by a record label, I was completely in the dark about all subjects outside of singing and playing my instrument. I was informed that I needed a Facebook page (with 1,000 likes), a Twitter account, a professional webpage, as well as a couple other forms of social media. I was clueless up to that point and purely thought that if you play good music, then word would spread and good things would happen. Learning the ropes of social media has definitely been a tedious process, but certainly a beneficial one. 

[reedolson-blog]

Youtube is a great way way to freely share your music with the entire globe. It’s as simple as filming a song, video, or concert; then uploading it to the website to be shared. The trick is choosing your wording/description wisely so you will gain optimal views. 

[reedolson-blog]

Offering people an opportunity to help with the marketing of your shows is a great way for band to fan interactions. People love to help out their favorite bands by hanging poss for upcoming shows or blasting it all over social media. The Devil Makes Three (one of my favorite bands) is offering a free digital download of a new song as well as free concert tickets, just for joining their “street team” and helping to promote their show in the city of your choice. 

[reedolson-blog]

This is by far the best blog/site I have found so far. There are constant updates and relevant information posted daily about how you can better your band, artistry and marketing all together. 

[reedolson-blog]

This is a video I pulled from YouTube that was recorded this past year at Bristol’s Rhythm and Roots Reunion. Third party videos of performances is a great way to gain exposure through social media. YouTube is heavily used by new artists to foster a fan base and since it is free, there is nothing to lose.

My band (and many others) also use Instagram to share music. On Instagram, you can upload a 15 second video clip, as well as photos. Find us on Instagram by clicking here.

[reedolson-blog]

Internet podcast and radio stations are great media coverage that an artist or band can utilize to help spread their art and music. Radio stations often offer free exposure because it benefits each side mutually. 

[reedolson-blog]

Here is a video of me rehearsing a song that I wrote. Youtube is a great way to utilize social media to freely share and distribute your music to a wide variety of people. 

[reedolson-blog]

Super interesting insight into how much a record should/can cost.