The Proper Follow Up

Hello, new readers - welcome! From time to time I will post informative music biz info in hopes that it helps you broaden your business side. Honing your business skills is just as important as getting your chops together. Think of it as another instrument you have to be skilled at in order to eat and pay your bills! What good is phenomenal talent if it's sitting in your garage, or bedroom? Anyway, I found this repost interesting and relevant:

Til next time

-o<


                             The Proper Follow Through

 It never fails to amaze me the amount of work most indie bands and agents will go through to put together the most elaborate CD and Press Kits. The hours spent in the studio fine tuning each song, the amount of money spent on designing cover art and getting photos taken and so on. It is not that these things do not require a lot of time and energy, but what amazes me is that most bands will then send out these works of art to try and book gigs and then never even make one follow up phone call to be sure it arrived.

Once that CD and press kit is sent, you will need to do everything in your power to maintain a consistent schedule of follow up calls, emails and faxes. The problem is that most people get discouraged after the first few times that they are unable to reach the Talent Buyer. Some even get very emotional in just trying to get a response to the repeated emails or calls. The reality is that most Buyers will only book those things that they already know about or that comes recommended from their trusted peers or friends. For the average band to be heard above the never ending din of new bands only requires one thing, PERSISTENCE.

You need to be confident enough in your product to not stop contacting the venue until you get a firm yes or no. But it is a fine line between being persistent and being a pest.

A Pest:
. Calls during the busiest hours (nights and weekends.
. Calls, emails and leaves numerous messages every week.
. Is usually looking for a gig within the next few weeks.
. Is short or abrupt when calling.
. Stops calling after a few weeks of disorganized rudeness.

Persistence Is:
. Finding out when the best time to call is and only calling during those hours.
. Following a consistent, weekly schedule of phone calls, emails and faxes.
. Being realistic. Most clubs book 2-4 months in advance.
. Being polite.
. NOT GIVING UP, (a lack of response never means not interested.)

Once you reach the Talent Buyer always ask if it is a good time to discuss booking. If it is not, ask when would be a better time and be sure to set a reminder to follow up.

Any band can put together a great demo, but truly successful bands realize that every person they contact is a potential business relationship for life. They may not be interested today, but you should ask if it is okay to stay in touch and keep them posted about your progress as a band. Then call them a couple of times year, say hello, tell them what you have been doing and inquire if there are any gig opportunities.

Sending out a few emails or CDs is not going to make the phone ring by itself, no matter how good your band is. The only way to get the industry to take notice and give you an opportunity is through consistent, professional follow through.

This article was written contributed by Jay Flanzbaum founder and CEO of www.onlinegigs.com.

12:26 AM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

this one time, in Songwriting Camp...

Oooh wee! It’s been a while since my last post. Life’s had other good plans for me lately.... Here’s a little something for my songwriting friends ---




At Band Boot Camp you will have the opportunity to showcase your music to Music Industry executives one on one and get immediate feedback. This includes A&R Execs, Film & TV Supervisor, Publicist, and Record Producer. Additionally, you will learn techniques for improving songwriting and strategies for navigating the often mysterious music business.

At the end of the event, you will also receive Loren Israel’s complete list of music industry contacts. This has the contact information for lawyers, booking agents, managers, film & TV supervisors, and A&R execs.

Spots are limited and space is small. To find out more, please email bandbootcamp@gmail.com or check out www.myspace.com/bandbootcamp. You can phone us at 818-745-1033.

Spring 2008 Clinic
When: Saturday April 26th 2008
Where: Uncle’s Studio
             6028 Kester Ave
             North Hollywood, Ca.

Cost: $250 per band/artist each additional member $50

If you are not satisfied by lunch, you will receive full refund.

Time: 11:00am 10:00pm

11:00 - 11:30 Arrivals/Check-In /Introduction
11:30 - 12:45 Song Writing 101
12:45 - 1:15 What’s Your Plan?
1:15 - 2:00 The Importance Of "Integration"
2:00 - 2:45 Lunch
2:45 - 4:00 Guest Speaker Panel Q&A
- Film & TV Music Supervisor: Get your songs in film and TV
- Music Publicist: Avenues of publicity
- Record Producer: How to make the most of your studio time
- Major Label A&R Exec: What bands/artists get signed
4:0 0 -5:00Listening Session- Receive written evaluation from Panel on your music
5:00 6:00 Post-Workshop Review
6:00 7:00 Dinner
7 :00 11:30 One-on-One Performances


For more info call (tell em Max sent you):


Loren Israel
Band boot Camp
818-745-1033

11:09 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

The Martini Diaries Live @ Colombo’s
Category: Music

Well, we're doin it again this Saturday, Feb 16, 9:45: THE MARTINI DIARIES at Colombo's 1833 Colorado Blvd Eagle Rock, CA 90041
(323) 257-3225 for dinner reservations

We'll play a few romantic Valentines songs for your dining and dancing pleasure as well as our usual groovin goodies. I'll be at the piano, singing and blowin the trumpet (not all at the same time, though), so come and say hi. We welcome requests, too...

The food is awesome and you'll feel like you're in a Scorsese movie in a very cool ol skool Rat Pack ambience. We expect to have some special guests sit in with us. By the way, if you are in L.A., know the "standards" tunes and can play or sing your heart out... You are welcome to join in on the merriment. If we can pack the place this night they will most likely give us a steady monthly, so, I hope to see you there...

-o<

5:06 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

THE MARTINI DIARIES
Category: Music

Please visit my new group's new profile here: www.myspace.com/themartinidiaries
or http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=327817771

if you will. and hear more of my tunes. We are also on my top friends if ya just wanna click on us. I just added to it. Help us build it up with requests and say hi. We'd appreciate it. Enjoy!

We will be at Colombo's 1833 Colorado Blvd Eagle Rock, CA 90041 tonight round 9:30 and on Sturday Feb 16 as well. This is the first time in a very long time that I am performing with real humans (not computers and whatnot) so I'm real excited about it. Come say hi and groove to our grooves...

-o,

4:55 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

This Year’s Comeback

Looks like the next day after we played last week, the owner called us back and said they loved us and want us back! It's an excellent Old Skool Italian Restaurant with no cover charge. So now my new quartet (I'm on piano, vocals and trumpet), which we call

"The Martini Diaries"

will be back at 9:30 PM on Saturday Feb 2 and Saturday Feb 16

@

COLOMBO"S

1833 Colorado Blvd

Eagle Rock, CA 90041


I hope to see my L.A. friends there on either of the two Saturdays.

11:44 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Gig-ing Again

Hi, all. It's been a while I know, but life's keepin me busy. In fact, I had a gig last night at a nice Jazz club singing, playing piano and trumpet with my new group Narnia Jazz Quartet! The first live show of the year and everything turned out nicely. We had a big turnout considering the heavy storm, so I thank those who came, even though I didn't post it here... Kind of a trial run...

 According to the owner, we've been invited to perform each 4th Saturday of every month so I will keep y'all posted. By the way, another good music business tip - the tip jar! Sounds tacky but it works.We got an extra 25 bucks each!! Don't be afraid to put your jar out there. Good people will share their appreciation of what you do if you put it out there. Til next time,

-o<

3:41 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

New Songs Uploaded
Category: Music

I hope everyone had a great New Year celebration. I, for one, am glad to see 2007 in my rear view mirror! It was a crazy year for me, both positive and negative. Anyway, I have uploaded 2 additional songs to my player to keep things interesting. I'm planning on changing the list as soon as my friends network hits 10k, so these will be up for a while.

"The Special One" is a kind of Smooth Jazz/RnB type of thing I cooked up when I fell for someone a few years back that made me realize that I may be getting too old for a relationship with women under 30. I like the chord progression I came up with because it serves as such a nice canvas for the great Jimmy Street on alto sax.

"Zooland" came out of just missing going out and dancing all night back in the day. And also, the title was inspired by a very funny movie I still get a kick out of. There are some brilliant touches by my partner Tim White of The Magnus Project. This is a bit of a sneak preview since we haven't officially released it yet. I always welcome comments from all my friends.

Enjoy, and Happy New Year. May 2008 be a wonderful 12 months of phenomenal success for you all!

-o<

1:34 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Happy New Year my friends

Wishing everyone a safe and happy New Years Eve celebration and an even more prosperous and exciting 2008!

11:45 AM - 5 Comments - 7 Kudos - Add Comment

The Show Must Go On....

It is with a certain bit of sadness that I announce today that I have chosen to leave my position as producer on The Music Shoppe on adviceradio.com  due to scheduling conflicts and other undisclosable reasons. However, you can expect more advice from Joanne as the show will continue. I support her in her future endeavors.

I am in the process of creating several more shows of diverse formats in the coming year on satellite radio! Movin on up, as they say... I will also continue to bring you more music business news and info on this forum and soon on selected platforms to be announced after the New Year. Everybody please have a warm and safe Happy Holidays and exciting New Year's time.

See you in 2008!!

Much Love To Y'all,

-o<

10:38 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Live from SkiDazzle today!

Tune in on our regular time for a special live show from SkiDazzle today. We're broadcasting live from The Los Angeles Convention Center at 2PM Pacific Daylight Time on adviceradio.com and adrenalineradio.com

9:54 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Good Wishes For You All On this Holiday Week

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! The Music Shoppe live will be on hiatus this week. We'll be with our families this week, but, tune in anyway in case you missed this previously aired episode while you munch on some turkey (or tofurkey for my veggie friends?). Thanks for all your support and Bless Y'all,

-o<

4:39 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

The Music Shoppe Live from TAXI Road Rally Friday and Saturday!

Just got the schedule for the live broadcast from the largest songwriter convention of the year in Los Angeles. If you're attending, come say hello!. I will be there with Joanne broadcasting live on Friday from 2 to 3 PM Then on Saturday from 3 to 4:30 PM, a special 90 minute show! Stay tuned for special guests we'll bring in.from the floor of TAXI Road Rally! on adviceradio.com and adrenalineradio.com

4:30 PM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Best Birthday Ever!
Current mood: cheerful
Category: Friends

Well... almost. Wish you could've all been there. My closest friends threw a surprise party for me last night, and I had zero clue! Pure evil how good they kept it from me. lol. Thanks Edric&Susan, Carl, Tim&Erin, Georgie, and my best friend of over 30 years, Will! I love you guys!!! 

3:36 PM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Best Birthday Ever!
Current mood: cheerful
Category: Friends

Well... almost. Wish you could've all been there. My closest friends threw a surprise party for me last night, and I had zero clue! Pure evil how good they kept it from me. lol. Thanks Edric&Susan, Carl, Tim&Erin, Georgie, and my best friend of over 30 years, Will! I love you guys!!! 

3:36 PM - 3 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

about a star
Category: Music

I know there's been babble about Britney's last performance, so I thought I'd throw my two cents in once and for all. I gave it a lot of thought since I saw the fiasco. As a producer, I feel it is my job to uphold and protect the image of any artists whom I work for. So, what I considered was that, given her motherhood status, a long hiatus from performance, and challenges she and most of us face as human beings, I would have approached things a little different than what the darn Hollywood machine did that night. Had I the dream job of getting her act together, I would have chosen an elegant black evening gown, a grown up hair style, a heartbreaking ballad to win back the hearts of her fans, and given her the respect a veteran should have. Someone who's been at this far too long not to receive it. 

It is typical of a machine grinding down that little or no thought is given to elevate the performers who give joy to many, by displaying them in garish and insensitive ways. I'm turning 44 this Monday, and I can assure you, i'd feel pretty foolish gettin up in the gear I used to perform in (not that it wasn't cool back then but...lol), and I wouldn't want to throw anybody else to the wolves in the manner of what "they" did to her. Granted, The Rolling Stones are awesome to hear and see, even though their campy outfits are silly, it's part of the attraction, their branding, so to speak. But even Mick knows when it's time to put on a nice suit and show some style. I am sometimes afraid that certain entities in control "up there" have lost sight in lieu of greed and don't realize how to make the most of a good situation while they have it. I recently had an artist of exceptional talent express her frustration over the"big bosses" who turned her beautiful music down because they "felt" she was too old. She was only 25 at the time! I wonder if they actually "feel" anything. That's probably not fair, but neither are they...

I speak to many young folks in this business who tell me they are just tired of the same processed cheese packs the biz is shoving at them. Many of my young colleagues and their fans are reaching back towards a time when music really meant more than a top throw-away hit. I find them studying Morrison(Jim AND Van), Crosby Stills&Nash, Joni Mitchel, Led Zeppelin, Floyd, Sabbath, Dead Kennedys, Burt Bacharach, etc. And they are coming up with some really sincere and excellent material because of it.

Too bad Hollywood has lost sight of sharing decent talent and production with the world. Not that I don't enjoy a good Pussycat Dolls video, but.....

thanks for letting me rant. I don't often like to use this forum for that, in pursuit of finding good articles and tips to share that can help you, my artist readers in your careers, but I had to get it out of my system.

Don't forget to tune in to our show, now in its 16th week!

Blessings,

-o<

1:43 AM - 2 Comments - 5 Kudos - Add Comment