Young people today have so many ways to spend their free time, it sure could be overwhelming. When I was around sixteen I spent a lot of time with my friends, and I was always making time to watch music videos. Really, most of my time spent with friends was dedicated to MTV. If we weren't viewing the station we were talking about what we saw or what we would like to watch next. Looking back now I can't believe I wasted so much time, but then again, it made me happy so I believe it was important. In any case, at that moment in my life I could not envisage not watching MTV all the time, and now I could not tell you where it is on my cable lineup.
My friends and I could watch music videos so much that we could tell you every tiny thing that happened in the video. It was the time of the eighties hair bands, and there was at least one guy in every group that we were so much in love with, though it was rarely the same guy for each of us. We would watch music videos far into the night, and would eagerly await a new release. Thinking back, I recognize there are worse things I could have been doing with my time.
Although I do not watch music videos on MTV any longer, my boyfriend turns on some videos on occasion. We might watch some new material, and we could also see music videos from when we were teenagers. It is almost embarrassing to watch them today, as it reminds me of how crazy I was about it. I look at the guys that I thought were so attractive back then, and I do not understand what I saw in them. If it is up to me, I never watch music videos any longer, but if they are on and something good comes on I don't mind going down memory lane.
For the teenagers of today, there exist a lot of methods to look at music videos. MTV is still there, though I think it is a joke now. It is almost a parody of itself. If you are sick of the MTV programming like I am, you can find another great place to watch music videos. Many singers now put their videos up online so that you can watch them there. They do it for promotional purposes, just like the reasons they are played on TV music stations. So it seems there is a time for everything in life. Enjoy the present my friend.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
The Versatility of Internet Radio Stations
One of the most exciting developments in high tech media is the emergence of Internet radio stations. Everyone can now make their own webcasts or podcasts. All an individual needs to have is an inexpensive sound recording software, a computer, and of course, Internet radio stations.
Major communications firms established the majority of Internet radio stations as Internet versions of their own radio stations. The beauty of the World-Wide-Web is that it gives everyone a chance. Through the amazing technology of the Internet, you can listen to the top forty hits from New York or listen to some kid spin acid rock in Birmingham, Alabama though the amazing Internet radio stations.
One impressive feature of Internet radio stations is its ability to allow you to listen to your favorite radio station even if you move out of the city where it is based. I used to love WCBN in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the local college station, when I went to college there. When I transferred to another state, I had to leave many things behind, but not the music of my favorite radio station.
Fortunately, WBCN has a live streaming, Internet version on my computer, so I was able to tune in as if I still live in that area. This is really great for a music lover like me, I can listen to all my favorite programs from anywhere in the entire country. Nothing can possibly beat that.
Another thing to look for in Internet radio stations is the type of music that you prefer. Cities of average size would normally have a few different radio stations, but the line up is often pretty much similar across the whole lot of them. But if you have an internet access, you can listen to country, polka, blue grass, old school soul, and any other music type. There are plenty of people throughout the world who would appreciate sharing their music with you and would be overjoyed if you were to listen to their internet radio stations. Another bonus with internet radio stations is it’s mostly free, because if you charge for music from your radio station, people will just listen to something else.
Major communications firms established the majority of Internet radio stations as Internet versions of their own radio stations. The beauty of the World-Wide-Web is that it gives everyone a chance. Through the amazing technology of the Internet, you can listen to the top forty hits from New York or listen to some kid spin acid rock in Birmingham, Alabama though the amazing Internet radio stations.
One impressive feature of Internet radio stations is its ability to allow you to listen to your favorite radio station even if you move out of the city where it is based. I used to love WCBN in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the local college station, when I went to college there. When I transferred to another state, I had to leave many things behind, but not the music of my favorite radio station.
Fortunately, WBCN has a live streaming, Internet version on my computer, so I was able to tune in as if I still live in that area. This is really great for a music lover like me, I can listen to all my favorite programs from anywhere in the entire country. Nothing can possibly beat that.
Another thing to look for in Internet radio stations is the type of music that you prefer. Cities of average size would normally have a few different radio stations, but the line up is often pretty much similar across the whole lot of them. But if you have an internet access, you can listen to country, polka, blue grass, old school soul, and any other music type. There are plenty of people throughout the world who would appreciate sharing their music with you and would be overjoyed if you were to listen to their internet radio stations. Another bonus with internet radio stations is it’s mostly free, because if you charge for music from your radio station, people will just listen to something else.
5 Sure Fire Ways to Get Radio Play for Your "Independent" Music!
You have to find radio airplay time if you’re going to be heard and we’re not just talking the local college campus. The trick is called promotion. Now that doesn’t mean you just put your press kit in an envelope with a demo and hope they take pity on you. Perhaps you call a station and they give you the standard pitch of, “Send it and if we like it we’ll put you in rotation.” After a few months of never hearing your music, you automatically think you’re not worthy.
First, don’t buy that. You’re one of hundreds, maybe even thousands depending on your city. Your disc will probably end up in the trash or, for more enterprising DJ's, on Ebay in a one-cent CD sale. If you want to be heard and make potential sales, you have to stand out from the crowd, and in this jewel of an article, I’ll show you Five(5) Knock ‘em Dead Ways to Do Just That!:
#1 - Get your CD into the right hands. The intern that’s too busy to getting coffee or typing up a report for the station manager isn’t going to be the one making the airplay decision. So find out who the head honcho is in that department and touch base with them. If the club you’re playing at charges an admission or you have a show coming up offer to send the stations tickets to give away to listeners. Now keep in mind you can’t give the tickets to the staff, since that’s illegal and called payola, but you can offer free giveaway items to your potential audience.
#2 - If you’ve got one station in your pocket, then drop names. Let them know that WABC is playing your music and it’s getting a great response.
#3 - Make genuine friends in the business. If you’ve got a disc jockey that’s got you in rotation and really likes your sound, get to know them. Find out why they enjoy it and see if they’ve gotten any responses from listeners. If they haven’t, ask if perhaps they might Q & A their callers about your music so you get a feel for your target audience. It’s not a bad idea to ask them for a testimonial or quote if they’re well known in your area if you know them personally. People help people. That’s a fact so if you treat your area disc jockeys like a living and breathing human and not dollar signs, that’s a foot in the door. Another good source is club owners. If they play your music and the fans go nuts ask them to say a few words about your sound that you can pass along to prospective stations, but be sure to sit down for a drink with them. Ask them about the picture of him and the woman and two kids behind the Magic Kingdom. Don’t be fake, but be genuinely interested.
#4 - Network. Find out if someone you know (or someone they know) has connections to the music stations. Remember six degrees of separation - you’re only six people away from knowing anyone on the planet and yes that includes station managers, concert promoters and record execs. The trick is it takes a great deal of work and time, but if you’re serious, it’s well worth it.
#5 - Go local, state, national. Don’t think you’re going to skip your local and state stations and be the next Matchbox Twenty. It doesn’t work that way. Start small and then get big.
Making contacts and getting names can be tough, that’s why you should start with a tested and proven music industry resource like The Industry Yellow Pages - Music Industry Contact Directory at rel=nofollow http://www.TheIndustryYellowPages.com
The TIYP is helpful and loaded with contacts you can start using immediately without doing all the legwork yourself.
This article was written by Ty Cohen, the music industry's most recognizable voice!
Ty is the C.E.O of Platinum Millennium Publishing, Platinum Millennium Records as well as owner of http://www.MusicContracts101.com and http://www.MusicIndustrySuccess.com .
Some of his work includes: books, directories, mini-courses and software programs including the titles: "How to Make a Fortune in the Music Industry by Doing it Yourself" and "How to Make $500,000.00 "or More" A Year in the Music Industry by Doing it Yourself".
To find out more about Ty Cohen, his services, products and how he may be able to help you succeed in the music industry go to http://www.MusicIndustrySuccess.com and sign up for his free limited edition music industry success 10-part “Mini-Course”, it will work wonders for you and best of all, it’s FREE, but EXTREMELY VALUABLE!
First, don’t buy that. You’re one of hundreds, maybe even thousands depending on your city. Your disc will probably end up in the trash or, for more enterprising DJ's, on Ebay in a one-cent CD sale. If you want to be heard and make potential sales, you have to stand out from the crowd, and in this jewel of an article, I’ll show you Five(5) Knock ‘em Dead Ways to Do Just That!:
#1 - Get your CD into the right hands. The intern that’s too busy to getting coffee or typing up a report for the station manager isn’t going to be the one making the airplay decision. So find out who the head honcho is in that department and touch base with them. If the club you’re playing at charges an admission or you have a show coming up offer to send the stations tickets to give away to listeners. Now keep in mind you can’t give the tickets to the staff, since that’s illegal and called payola, but you can offer free giveaway items to your potential audience.
#2 - If you’ve got one station in your pocket, then drop names. Let them know that WABC is playing your music and it’s getting a great response.
#3 - Make genuine friends in the business. If you’ve got a disc jockey that’s got you in rotation and really likes your sound, get to know them. Find out why they enjoy it and see if they’ve gotten any responses from listeners. If they haven’t, ask if perhaps they might Q & A their callers about your music so you get a feel for your target audience. It’s not a bad idea to ask them for a testimonial or quote if they’re well known in your area if you know them personally. People help people. That’s a fact so if you treat your area disc jockeys like a living and breathing human and not dollar signs, that’s a foot in the door. Another good source is club owners. If they play your music and the fans go nuts ask them to say a few words about your sound that you can pass along to prospective stations, but be sure to sit down for a drink with them. Ask them about the picture of him and the woman and two kids behind the Magic Kingdom. Don’t be fake, but be genuinely interested.
#4 - Network. Find out if someone you know (or someone they know) has connections to the music stations. Remember six degrees of separation - you’re only six people away from knowing anyone on the planet and yes that includes station managers, concert promoters and record execs. The trick is it takes a great deal of work and time, but if you’re serious, it’s well worth it.
#5 - Go local, state, national. Don’t think you’re going to skip your local and state stations and be the next Matchbox Twenty. It doesn’t work that way. Start small and then get big.
Making contacts and getting names can be tough, that’s why you should start with a tested and proven music industry resource like The Industry Yellow Pages - Music Industry Contact Directory at rel=nofollow http://www.TheIndustryYellowPages.com
The TIYP is helpful and loaded with contacts you can start using immediately without doing all the legwork yourself.
This article was written by Ty Cohen, the music industry's most recognizable voice!
Ty is the C.E.O of Platinum Millennium Publishing, Platinum Millennium Records as well as owner of http://www.MusicContracts101.com and http://www.MusicIndustrySuccess.com .
Some of his work includes: books, directories, mini-courses and software programs including the titles: "How to Make a Fortune in the Music Industry by Doing it Yourself" and "How to Make $500,000.00 "or More" A Year in the Music Industry by Doing it Yourself".
To find out more about Ty Cohen, his services, products and how he may be able to help you succeed in the music industry go to http://www.MusicIndustrySuccess.com and sign up for his free limited edition music industry success 10-part “Mini-Course”, it will work wonders for you and best of all, it’s FREE, but EXTREMELY VALUABLE!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
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