IOTM Blog
Posted: Nov 29, 2023
Category: Recording
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**Guest post written by Nick Braren, owner and operator of Upaya Sound. This was originally an excerpt from his new book COMPLETE CREATIVE CONTROL – The Art Of Recording Music Unveiled.
"Before you learn the foolproof process of what works, I want to first tell you about what things you should avoid. Knowing the mistakes of music production that others (me included) have made will further streamline your thought processes and stop you from wasting time, energy, money and gear. By knowing what not to do, it will become much clearer what to do instead."
View Full ArticlePosted: Nov 22, 2023
Category: Fans
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**Guest post written by Sammy Hakim for Bandzoogle.com.
"Whether it’s over the internet or on a stage, one of our main jobs as musicians is to engage with our audience...in the modern era, engaging with your audience means a lot more than generating powerful work: fans expect artists to be active online using various platforms, from TikTok to streaming services. Some even deem this online activity to be necessary for building a sustainable career. With that said, if you’re struggling to find ways to engage with your audience online, we’ve got your back! Here are five tips to get you started..."
View Full ArticlePosted: Nov 15, 2023
Category: Technology
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**Guest post originally featured in the PlaylistSupply Blog.
"In today’s digital age, technology continues to revolutionize the way we approach various industries, including music marketing. One of the most exciting advancements in this realm is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into music promotion strategies. When it comes to playlist marketing, AI can be a game-changer, providing valuable insights and automating certain tasks to maximize your outreach and increase reception. In this article, we’ll explore the powerful combination of PlaylistSupply and ChatGPT, two AI-driven tools that can supercharge your music marketing efforts."
View Full ArticlePosted: Nov 7, 2023
Category: Marketing
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**Guest post originally featured in CS Discos' e-book Cover Your Way Up, a guide to leveraging music covers on YouTube.
"Copyright owners typically opt to monetize videos rather than block them, meaning they will run advertisements on them and collect any revenue generated by these ads. Although none of that revenue will go back to you as the creator of the cover, your video will remain viewable by other viewers...Additionally, in some cases, copyright owners may choose not to monetize videos by blocking them instead. Therefore, it’s wise to conduct some research and understand local regulations before posting covers online."
View Full ArticlePosted: Nov 1, 2023
Category: The Musician Business
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**Guest post by One Submit, the ultimate music submission platform.
"Being a full-time artist, musician, or vocalist is no different from being a mechanic, a carpenter, or an attorney. You'll eventually get there if you wake up to work every day. One of the most effective ways to do this is to diversify your sources of income. Try to locate multiple sources of income that will eventually add up to a respectable monthly salary, rather than putting all your eggs in one basket. Here are the top 12 ways to make an income as a musician..."
Posted: Oct 25, 2023
Category: Technology
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**Guest post originally featured in the PlaylistSupply Blog.
"In the evolving music landscape, streaming platforms like Spotify have reshaped how music is consumed. For independent artists, this evolution presents both an opportunity and a challenge. While it’s easier than ever to distribute music, the challenge of getting noticed amidst a sea of tracks has intensified. So, how do indie artists stand out?"
View Full ArticlePosted: Oct 18, 2023
Category: The Musician Business
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**Guest post written by David Andrew Wiebe for Bandzoogle.com.
"One of the reasons musicians end up choosing to become artists and joining bands in the first place is because they love live performance and simply can’t get enough of the adrenaline and dopamine cocktail. That is, of course, until they’ve been rejected by 10 venues in a row and grow tired of trying to grind it out. It’s usually at this point that the bassist chimes in with – “I know! We should find a booking agent!” But is now the right time for a booking agent? And, if it is, how do you get one?"
View Full ArticlePosted: Oct 10, 2023
Category: The Musician Business
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**Guest post written by Matt Santry, founder of www.WellPaidMusician.com.
"What I want to discuss is the importance of gig contracts, specifically for private event performances...With a private event, it’s very different. Most times you’re working with individuals or businesses that don’t have much, if any, experience working with live entertainment. So, you will need to create the terms and present them in a formal written contract."
Posted: Oct 4, 2023
Category: Marketing
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**Guest post originally featured in CS Discos' e-book Cover Your Way Up, a guide to leveraging music covers on YouTube.
"To further your music career, it’s essential to understand YouTube monetization. This process offers benefits like revenue generation, audience engagement, and enhanced content creation. Monetizing your channel means not only earning money but also increasing your professionalism and visibility. To qualify, YouTube requires at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past year, or you can alternatively accumulate 10 million short views in the last 90 days, as per updated information from 2023."
View Full ArticlePosted: Sep 26, 2023
Category: Social Media
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**Guest post originally featured in the Symphonic Distribution Blog.
"Every week, something new is trending on TikTok. Hell, it seems like something new has taken the platform by storm almost every day. Hopping on the latest trends is a great way to get seen by more people and blow up the engagement on your present and past posts. Whether you’re on the hunt for audio, effect or hashtag trends, there are tons of ways to find what’s popping off on TikTok."
View Full ArticlePosted: Sep 20, 2023
Category: Live Performance
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**Guest post written by Adam Percy of Bandzoogle.
"No matter your genre or style, if you’re a musician, chances are you’ll be looking at playing shows on a tour. For a lot of musicians, crossing the country and playing in other parts of the world is the dream - and it can be a huge component for your success as you reach outside of your core local fans...One of the best ways to set up a tour and hit the road effectively is to network and plan gig swaps. It’s a helpful way to find suitable venues as well as broaden your audience reach. Here we’ll look at figuring out if gig swapping is a good fit for your band, and how to get started with it."
View Full ArticlePosted: Sep 12, 2023
Category: Marketing
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**Guest post originally featured in CS Discos' e-book Cover Your Way Up, a guide to leveraging music covers on YouTube.
"Understanding YouTube’s algorithm can be your ticket to shining amidst so many creators. With millions of videos uploaded daily, the algorithm’s effort is directed towards tailoring content to viewers’ preferences, ensuring they get a satisfying experience. As artists, understanding this system can amplify your online presence."
View Full ArticlePosted: Sep 6, 2023
Category: Fans
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**Guest post written by Sarah Beth Perry of With the Band, originally featured in Soundfly's Flypaper blog.
"All artists want to get their music into the hands of more fans, but the real challenge lies in how to properly target potential fans with your marketing campaigns. With the rise of social media, fans are spread out all over the world, and they want to feel seen and recognized by their favorite artists. I want to help you better understand your fanbase by analyzing the demographics of fans who you interact with both online and in person...We use the following methods to help create marketing campaigns for major artists like the Jonas Brothers and Kacey Musgraves." View Full Article
Posted: Aug 30, 2023
Category: Marketing
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**Guest post originally featured in the Symphonic Distribution Blog.
"Publicity is arguably the most misunderstood of all the marketing efforts recording artists go through. Many creators, from musicians and influencers to songwriters and producers, have wild visions of what publicity is and how it functions to support and enhance the trajectory of their career. Typically, these visions aren’t accurate. To clarify this process, here’s a rundown of everything you need to know..."
View Full ArticlePosted: Aug 23, 2023
Category: Fans
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**Guest post written by Jubran Haddad, originally posted on Chartmetric's blog.
"Discover the key stages, real-life examples, and essential tips for artists to navigate the fan journey from discovery to advocacy." View Full Article
Posted: Aug 15, 2023
Category: Merch
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**Guest post written by Janelle Borg, originally posted on AmplifyYou's blog.
"For gigging artists like you, music merch should be an integral part of your brand-building strategy. It’s not only a great way to project your musical identity through a tangible item, but also serves as a much-needed financial lifeline. Best of all, music fans love merch, and are ready to spend money on quality pieces they truly like. If you need convincing, here are 5 reasons why you should start selling merch now rather than later." View Full Article
Posted: Aug 8, 2023
Category: Live Performance
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**Guest post written by Frankie Barclay of Sugar Studios, originally featured in Soundfly's Flypaper blog.
"Choosing the ideal music venue can be tricky. You need the right acoustics, size, location, and more to really get things right. Whether you’re an aspiring artist planning a gig or a devoted music lover seeking the ultimate sonic escape, finding the perfect venue is crucial...Here’s what you need to consider and why. Are you ready? Let’s go!" View Full Article
Posted: Aug 2, 2023
Category: Live Performance
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**Guest post written by Katherine Dvoskin, Co-Founder & Piano Teacher for K&M Music School, San Diego.
"In the enthralling journey of morphing from a classroom maestro to a virtuoso on the concert stage, there's a symphony of skills that every musician ought to master. These skills are the crescendo to your performance, and like the meticulous tuning of an instrument, they prime you for the ebbs and flows of a life spent on the road. In this post, we will explore three key skills that music education helps cultivate: stage presence, repertoire selection, and audience engagement." View Full Article
Posted: Jul 25, 2023
Category: Copyright
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**Guest post written by Tero Potila, a professional music composer and producer. His career combining knowledge and experience from music, TV, film, ad, and game industries gives him a unique perspective that he shares through posts on teropotila.com.
"If you are an artist or otherwise work in the music business, you've likely heard about copyright and licensing. But do you fully understand what these terms mean and how they impact your work? In this post, I'll guide you on how to navigate copyright and licensing in today's music industry." View Full Article
Posted: Jul 18, 2023
Category: Technology
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**Guest post written by Leonard Patterson of Artist Collective AKA @ac_leonardp.
"...the truth is, we have control of how and when A.I. impacts our jobs if we lean into it and don’t ignore it thinking “this too shall pass...” That’s why I wanted to gather a list of A.I. tools that you can use to enhance your instruction, courses, and lessons...My hope is that at least one of these tools inspires you or better yet helps you continue sharing your gifts and passions with others."
View Full ArticlePosted: Jul 11, 2023
Category: The Musician Business
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**Guest post originally featured on MariNation's blog, the stock market of music.
"...investing in music can be a fulfilling and potentially profitable venture. But, like any investment, it requires a sound strategy and an understanding of the industry. In this post, we'll explore how to be a successful music investor by providing specific tips and examples to help you navigate the complex and ever-changing landscape of the music industry." View Full Article
Posted: Jul 5, 2023
Category: Career Goals
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**Guest post written by Katherine Dvoskin, Co-Founder & Piano Teacher for K&M Music School, San Diego.
"Music education plays a crucial role in building a solid foundation for aspiring musicians. It goes far beyond simply learning how to play an instrument or sing; it encompasses a range of skills and experiences that prepare individuals for a successful career in the music industry. In this section, we will explore three key areas where music education helps in building that strong foundation: deepening appreciation and knowledge of music, developing work ethic and discipline, and enhancing coordination and multitasking skills." View Full Article
Posted: Jun 28, 2023
Category: Marketing
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**Guest post originally featured in the Symphonic Distribution Blog.
"So you’ve been added to a popular playlist on Spotify… Hell yeah! Getting your music placed on a great Spotify playlist means more exposure, a further reach and a major platform to back you up. Once you’ve been added, the work doesn’t end there. Here’s how to ride that wave and make the most of it..."
View Full ArticlePosted: Jun 20, 2023
Category: Promotion
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**Guest post written by Cyber PR, originally featured on the Cyber PR Blog.
"Capturing your fans’ email is only the first step of a successful email marketing campaign. Now that you’ve got them, and they’re eager to hear from you, how do you make sure you land in their inbox (and not the dreaded “promo” folder ?) and get them to actually open it? We explore the 9 hacks we have found to be the most useful in getting your subscribers to open your emails." View Full Article
Posted: Jun 13, 2023
Category: Tips & Tricks
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**Guest post by Fang from Lords of the Trident, the most METAL band on earth!
"We sit down with Martin Atkins - the godfather of the DIY band business, and inspiration for this whole video series - to talk about the current state of the music business, and how to make your band stand out!"
View Full Article