Bob Baker's Artist Empowerment Blog

Bob Baker on NPR's 'Morning Edition' today

2007-06-21T09:25:00.000-06:00

Allow me to toot my own horn and share some good news. I was featured in a short radio piece today on Morning Edition, which is broadcast to more than 12 million people on 600 NPR stations across the U.S. and beyond.

You can listen to the three and a half minute segment here:
www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11250011

It was about the recent FCC payola ruling (which I wrote about last week on my music promotion blog) and, more specifically, Clear Channel radio's new attempt to give more exposure to local and independent musicians. But the agreement they ask artists to make is raising a lot of questions.

Reporter Neda Ulaby used quotes from three people in this great piece, so she could only use sound bites from each of the interviews. While I take a "pro exposure" stance, don't think for a moment that I devalue the worth of an indie artist's music.

I don't think creative people should always give up everything or "play for free" just for the "exposure." You should read and be concerned about the legal agreements you enter into. But don't let these concerns scare you and keep you from taking advantage of true exposure opportunities.

I've found that a lot of artists are overly paranoid about people -- and corporations -- stealing their stuff. But in reality, their biggest problem isn't copyright infringement. It's obscurity.

If Clear Channel (or any commercial radio station) is willing to give you airplay in an attempt to improve its image as a do-gooder, I think you should strongly consider it. As I mention in the NPR piece, the worse case scenario isn't really all that bad, in my opinion.

-Bob

Are your press kits going straight into the trash? Make sure your PR materials are actually read ... and help lead you to more media exposure. Check out Killer Music Press Kits today!

Hilary Clinton, Celine Dion & The Sopranos

2007-06-20T12:18:00.000-06:00

Want a great lesson on how to use the Internet to create a viral buzz? Keep an eye on the U.S. presidential campaign over the next 18 months. During the 2004 campaign we discovered the power of bloggers. This time around it seems video content will be king.

In an effort to show her softer side, Hilary Clinton ran a lighthearted contest to pick a new campaign song. Check out this video from a couple of weeks ago (which has been viewed nearly 300,000 times).

Also take a look at the announcement video on Sen. Clinton's site, which spoofs The Sopranos finale and makes nice use of former pres Bill and Soprano Johnny Sack.

All of this lead to a big climax: the announcement of the winning song ... which turned out to be an upbeat anthem by, of all people, Canadian songstress Celine Dion.

Here's what was right with this song contest idea:

Hilary did indeed loosen up. In these clips she shows that she has a sense of humor and the ability to not take everything so seriously (something her campaign people have been desperately trying to convey).

Kudos to her for including some of the video submission clunkers and particularly the negative comments people made about the song contest -- important aspects of open and transparent, community-driven communication. Most politicians (and corporations) try too hard to control their intended message and suppress critical comments -- much to their chagrin.

The Sopranos spoof was clever, and the use of Bill, Chelsea and Johnny Sack added some smiles.

Now for the bad: Crowning Celine Dion, the queen of female power ballad sap, as the winner was a mismatch. When I think of web-savvy, forward-thinking voters ready for a change in the White House ... Celine doesn't immediately spring to mind.

Viral buzz is all about connecting with a group of people with a similar worldview. Trying to overlap Hilary-supporting Democrats with Sopranos devotees and Celine Dion fans was a stretch by anyone's imagination.

Another important aspect of today's viral buzz creation is community involvement. While I believe Hilary did welcome new song suggestions, the voting was mainly to choose an existing popular song. Had she opened it up to songwriters and solicited a brand-new campaign song, that would have added a lot more "community involvement."

So, when concocting your own online video buzz theme, make it interactive. And make sure your concept ties in directly to your identity AND the audience you're wanting to reach.

-Bob

Join the YouTube revolution. Read How to Use Video to Promote Your Music Online. Learn how to create, promote and profit from your own low-cost music videos.

How to Make a Name for Yourself as an Artist

2007-06-18T08:42:00.000-06:00

What can you learn about promotion from a guy who's been wearing a nametag 24/7 for more than 2,400 days straight? A lot when that guy is Scott Ginsberg (who just got some great national media exposure when he appeared on ABC's 20/20 last Friday night).

In this video clip (recorded a couple of weeks ago in New York at a trade show) Scott and I explore what it takes to stand out in a crowd:

If you like that, watch this other video clip I did with Scott at the same venue.

-Bob

Join the YouTube revolution. Read How to Use Video to Promote Your Music Online. Learn how to create, promote and profit from your own low-cost music videos.

48-Hour Film Project Rush

2007-06-13T11:15:00.000-06:00

For the third year in a row, I participated in the 48-Hour Film Project. It's an annual adrenaline rush where teams of filmmakers pull a genre out of a hat and are then given a character, a prop, and a line of dialogue they must incorporate into a short film. Then the clock starts and everyone has 48 hours to write, shoot and edit a 5- to 7-minute film.

This year I formed a team with my old pal Lee Mueller. We co-wrote the plot and script. He did all the camera work and editing, and I directed. We had a fabulous cast and crew. It screened last night in St. Louis and got a great response from the audience.

Check out the YouTube version below. And keep your ears peeled for a great original song written and sung by Matt Logan, who took our crazy plot line and crafted the perfect song for the soundtrack.

Here are the details we had to work with:

Genre: Road movie
Character: Ryan Coccinelle, entomologist (an insect expert)
Prop: A doll
Line of dialogue: "Don't look now, we may have trouble."

This was one of those awesome creative group efforts that everyone who participated will remember for years to come. Want to get involved? The 48-Hour Film Project takes place in cities across the U.S. and around the world. Check the web site for upcoming cities and dates.

-Bob

Do You Have a Book Inside of You?

2007-05-19T19:50:00.000-06:00

If you read this blog, you obviously have a song or a film or a play or some type of art inside of you. You have a need to share what you have to say through your talents and creativity. But a growing number of people also want to express themselves through a book -- and do so by publishing it themselves.

As you may know, I've been actively involved with writing and publishing for many years. And over the past four years in particular, I've made a good living exclusively from the sales of my self-published books, reports, audio programs, and more.

It's how I plan to spend the rest of my days, as I truly feel I've found my right livelihood.

I know first-hand the sense of personal satisfaction that comes from putting out your own book. I also understand the deep sense of purpose and meaning a book can give you when it touches people's lives in ways you never imagined.

I've benefited greatly from my pursuit of do-it-yourself book publishing, and now I'm on a mission to empower others to enjoy the same thrills as I have.

I've done that for the past three years serving as president of the St. Louis Publishers Association. I've been doing it through this blog and my FullTimeAuthor.com site. And now I'm taking things a step further with the release today of my new audio/ebook package called "Self-Publishing Success Secrets 101."

It's an ideal resource for first-time authors and other self-publishers wanting to kick-start their book publishing efforts.

What's different about this guide?

A lot of the popular publishing manuals out there are hefty and cover a lot of ground. But the sheer volume of technicalities causes confusion and information overload for many aspiring authors.

That's why I created this guide. To give you a quick crash course on the most important things you need to know to become a successful self-published author -- and to share some of the nontraditional methods that got me where I am today.

Anyway, take a closer look at
www.bob-baker.com/self-publish-book/ebook-audio.html

I'd love to hear what you think.

-Bob

P.S. Do you prefer to read, or listen to books on your iPod or CD? I love doing both. That's why "Self-Publishing Success Secrets 101" comes as a 25-page ebook AND 50 minutes of MP3 audio files. Print it and read it, or burn it and listen on the go. You'll have multiple ways to soak up these self-publishing tips and advice.

Earning Attention: It's All About Context

2007-05-16T12:49:00.000-06:00

For years I've been wanting to write about the role of context in artistic success and recognition. Example: Several years ago, Kelly Clarkson could have sung at a karaoke bar in Texas and few people would have noticed. Put her on an American Idol production stage, team her with pro songwriters and producers, get her some airplay and ... boom! She's a sought-after superstar.

She had loads of talent either way. But it wasn't recognized until she was presented in the optimum context. This idea was driven home recently when violinist Joshua Bell played in a Washington, D.C. subway.

Bell is an internationally renowned virtuoso, considered by many to be one of the most gifted musicians in the world. The Washington Post asked him to conduct an experiment. Writer Gene Weingarten was given the task of investigating what would happen if a gifted musician played in a D.C. subway during morning rush hour.

How would commuters respond? Leonard Slatkin, music director of the National Symphony Orchestra, was asked to predict what would happen. He guessed that, over a 45-minute period, a small crowd would gather and that Bell would earn $150 in tips.

The results: Seven people stopped what they were doing to hang around and take in the performance, at least for a minute. Twenty-seven gave money, most of them on the run -- for a total of $32 and change. That leaves the 1,070 people who hurried by, oblivious, many only three feet away, few even turning to look.

Again, it's all about context. Here's Bell quoted in Weingarten's article:

"At a music hall, I'll get upset if someone coughs or if someone's cell phone goes off. But here, my expectations quickly diminished. I started to appreciate any acknowledgment, even a slight glance up. I was oddly grateful when someone threw in a dollar instead of change." This is from a man whose talents can command $1,000 a minute.

"When you play for ticket-holders," Bell explains, "you are already validated. I have no sense that I need to be accepted. I'm already accepted. Here, there was this thought: What if they don't like me? What if they resent my presence ..."

Context creates expectations in the audience, it can add or subtract confidence in the artist, it colors everything about the creative experience.

Read the entire article here. And remind yourself of this principle next time you have a less than stellar event or performance. Most importantly, do everything you can to create the context that's best for you and your audience.

-Bob

Catch Me Now on Twitter

2007-04-10T12:53:00.000-06:00

It's the latest social media craze: Twitter, a site that describes itself as "a global community of friends and strangers answering one simple question: What are you doing? Answer on your phone, IM, or right here on the web."

Crazy concept. But tons of people are talking about it and using it, including me now. Check out my new Twitter page at www.twitter.com/MrBuzzFactor. Become my friend, get my updates, do that Twitter thing that you do!

Not sure what it is yet? Check out this Wikipedia page and these Google News stories.

-Bob

The James Brown, Don Knotts Publicity Blitz

2007-03-22T10:04:00.000-06:00

Here's a great idea from Bill Stoller's Publicity Insider eZine:

In 1993, the citizens of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, held a vote and officially renamed a local bridge "The James Brown Soul Center of the Universe Bridge." [The Godfather] himself showed up at the naming ceremony and a good time -- and lots of media coverage -- was enjoyed by all.

Try something similar. Run a campaign to name a local street or hill or park after a celebrity, a local notable, or even a fictional character.

Start a petition to rename something that will never really be renamed (the state capitol, Google, a major league ballpark) after, let's say, Don Knotts. I guarantee, if you can get 25,000 web visitors to sign a petition renaming Shea Stadium to Don Knotts Field, you'll get a news story out of it!

How could you use this to get exposure for your art? Hmm ... What about the Borat Museum of Modern Art?

-Bob

Do You Have a Book Inside You?

2007-03-20T12:33:00.000-06:00

I've been writing about music marketing and self-empowerment for a good 15 years now. First, it was through monthly columns I used to write for the local music magazine I published in the early 1990s. Later, those tips moved onto the Web through articles I distributed online and the ezine I've been publishing for more than 12 years now.

By acting on my passion, chipping away at success, and making smart use of the Internet, I've reached a point where I now make a nice living as a self-published author (or indie book publisher, as I also like to call it).

While I'm best known for "indie music marketing" (in fact, I come up #1 on Google for that search phrase), I find myself dishing out a lot of advice lately to aspiring authors. I'm serving my third term as president of the St. Louis Publishers Association and am speaking and writing more frequently on this topic.

If you feel you have a potential book inside of you too, I invite you to check out my new FullTimeAuthor.com web site. Everyone has a story to tell or a personal message they need to share with the world. You can do that through music or art or film. But you can also do it through your own book.

And you won't be surprised to learn that I embrace the same DIY attitude with publishing books as I do with pursuing a music career or any other creative endeavor.

Again, if this interests you, pay a visit to FullTimeAuthor.com.

-Bob

Do You Know 'The Secret'?

2007-02-09T10:02:00.000-06:00

Several months ago I watched an independently produced movie that few people had heard of at the time. The content of the film was amazingly powerful. But this wasn't an action-adventure, drama or comedy. It was a movie called The Secret, which revealed the secret to success and living a vibrant life.

The buzz about this movie has been building steadily, but it took a mammoth leap yesterday when Oprah Winfrey aired an entire one-hour show about it. The little movie that could is now the #1 DVD on Amazon.

The "secret" is not really a secret at all. It's wisdom that has been passed down through the ages based on a principle you've probably heard before. But most people spend their lives disconnected from the principle and, therefore, struggle. I've been aware of this secret (or law) for many years and regularly incorporate it into my writings (and my life).

But of all the books and resources that address this topic, The Secret DVD does perhaps the best job of presenting it and driving home the message.

What does this have to do with artist empowerment? Everything.

The reason so many creative people struggle and complain is because they don't understand the "secret" and the effect it has on their careers and lives. The most visible and successful writers, artists and perfomers have tapped into some aspect of this simple universal principle and apply it on a regular basis. In fact, this is exactly what I attribute my own publishing success and full-time author status to.

And here's the rub: This secret law directs the events and circumstances of your life ... whether you know about it or believe it or not.

I'll stop typing now and let you discover it on your own. There is a summary transcript of yesterday's show on the Oprah site here. Check out the movie on Amazon, where you can also watch a two-minute clip.

As Mike Dooley says, "Thoughts become things ... choose the good ones."

-Bob

14 Things I've Learned About Creative Success

2007-01-30T10:25:00.000-06:00

Turn your mistakes into a reference library, not a room to live in.
Do not take advice from people who are broke and struggling -- unless you want to end up like them.
Great marketing is falling in love with something, then selling your love for it -- not the product itself.
Realize the lifetime value of a fan: It's far more than a single sale.
Pick one aspect of your art or personality and make that the cornerstone of your public identity.
Conduct yourself as if you deliver great value to everyone you encounter -- even if you don't believe you actually do at the moment.
Be willing to take smart risks and overcome the fear of failure. Ask: "What's the worst thing that can happen?" Usually, not much.
Beware of the quick fix. The sure and steady marathon beats the sprint every time.
Ask: "How did you hear about me/us/the event?" It's one of the best, low-cost research tools you can use.
Ask: "What will it take to get from 'Here's what I dream about' to 'Here's what I did'?"
No one will manage you until you can manage yourself.
Be proactive instead of reactive. In other words, create the circumstances you want, don't merely respond to what's handed to you.
Stagnation occurs when your fear of the unknown is greater than your desire for a better life.
What you do today sets the stage for the success you will enjoy tomorrow. Don't squander today.

-Bob

Giving Away Your Art: The Surprising Truth

2007-01-25T15:19:00.000-06:00

Cory Doctorow is a successful science fiction author and co-editor of the popular Boing Boing blog. In his online bio, he may be writing about books, but his perspective provides food for thought for artists, musicians, and other creative types:

I write science fiction novels -- three published to date ... These novels sell well, win awards, and are published by Tor Books (novels) and Avalon Books (collection). They're also given away for free on the Internet as Creative Commons-licensed downloads. They can be freely shared, and in some cases, remixed or translated and sold in developing countries.

I believe that we live in an era where anything that can be expressed as bits will be. I believe that bits exist to be copied. Therefore, I believe that any business-model that depends on your bits not being copied is just dumb, and that lawmakers who try to prop these up are like governments that sink fortunes into protecting people who insist on living on the sides of active volcanoes.

Me, I'm looking to find ways to use copying to make more money and it's working: enlisting my readers as evangelists for my work and giving them free ebooks to distribute sells more books. As Tim O'Reilly says, my problem isn't piracy, it's obscurity. Best of all, giving away ebooks gives me lots of key insights into how to make money without restricting the copying of bits. It's a win-win situation.

The quote I especially like is: "My problem isn't piracy, it's obscurity." In fact, that whole third paragraph holds a lot of wisdom. In so many ways, you have to give to get.

What do you think?

-Bob

Manhatten Marketing Ideas

2007-01-20T23:13:00.000-06:00

On this recent video short, I highlight some of the great marketing ideas I found on the streets of Manhattan during my holiday trip to NYC. Warning: You won't believe what I found in Times Square.

Watch Manhattan Marketing Ideas on YouTube here.

More NYC videos coming soon. See all my videos on my YouTube profile page.

-Bob

How to Rank Higher on Google

2007-01-15T15:04:00.000-06:00

In part 1 of this post, I detailed where my web pages rank on Google for keyword phrases related to my books and online identity: "music marketing" and "music promotion." Now I'll share a few simple tips you can use to rank better on search engines for your own keywords.

As an example, let's use a band that plays easy listening music. Here are the steps you would take:

1) Get Genre Specific

So you play "easy listening" music. Fine. But ask yourself, "Is there an even more specific way to describe what I play?" Easy listening music can be further defined as lounge, cabaret, love songs, mood music, soft rock, and more. What words best clarify your type of easy listening? And more importantly, what words might fans of your music search for online?

2) Title Tag, You're It

Be sure to include your chosen keywords in the Title tags of your pages' HTML code -- especially your home page -- with the most potent words first. Example: "Soft rock love songs from The Smooth Tones." For my purposes, I called my blog "Bob Baker's Indie Music Promotion Blog," which appears in the Title tags of every page. Google loves it when pages specifically reference what they're about.

3) Use a Keyword-Rich Domain Name or Subdirectory

The easy listening band might register SmoothTonesLoveSongs.com or SoftRockLoveSongs.com. I grabbed MusicPromotionBlog.com to reinforce what my blog was about. Again, search engines like to send people to sites that clearly communicate a specific topic, and a well-chosen domain name will help.

If you already have a domain name (such as SmoothTonesMusic.com), add a subdirectory and send people to SmoothTonesMusic.com/lovesongs/. While I own MusicPromotionBlog.com, my blog is actually hosted on my main site at bob-baker.com/musicpromotionblog. Therefore, my blog name, subdirectory name, and Title tags all reinforce the keywords I want to emphasize.

4) Link to Yourself

To show up on Google, you must have incoming links from web sites that are already indexed by Google. The more the merrier, and the higher profile the site, the more weight its link to you will carry.

In the old days of the Internet, you got incoming links by trying to get other sites to link to yours. You can still do that, but these days there are tons of options to create dozens of your own incoming links.

Examples: Include active links to your site (or your specific subdirectory) from your profile pages on MySpace, Flickr, YouTube, Blogger, Amazon, and tagging sites like Del.icio.us and Technorati. Links from these popular sites carry weight with Google.

5) Link Using Targeted Keyword Text

Whenever possible, use your exact keywords as the active link text. Don't just write, visit our "home page" for more info. Better: Check out samples of our "soft rock love songs here."

Use these five simple tips to improve your Google search engine rankings, whether you play "music for the glass armonica" or "Irish drinking songs for cat lovers."

-Bob

Improve Your Google Keyword Search Ranking

2007-01-12T12:13:00.000-06:00

Would you like to rank higher on Google and other search engines for your particular keywords? Let me show you the success I've had and share a few simple Google ranking tips.

First, let's take a look at how I'm doing when it comes to words related to my books. For years, I've been pounding away at the two-word phrase I want to be known for the most: "music marketing."

Actually, I'm probably most associated with the three-word term "indie music marketing." But I figured if I could fare well in the slightly more generic "music marketing," I'd be doing just fine.

The good news is, for some years now I've ranked very well for these word combos. Take a look right now at the Google results for music marketing.

As of this writing, I appear three times on the first page of results -- at the 4th and 5th spots for two pages on my own web site, and again in the 9th spot where my Guerrilla Music Marketing book's Amazon page appears.

That's pretty damn good. But a few years ago, I discovered that the term "music promotion" was searched for about five times more often than "music marketing." At the time, I was buried about three pages deep in the results for "music promotion."

This wasn't a good thing for reaching more people with my message. So what did I do?

One thing I did more than two years ago was start my Indie Music Promotion Blog. I purposely chose the word Promotion instead of Marketing in the name of the blog. For nearly 27 months now, I've been posting to the blog and getting the word out about its existence.

Today, if you search Google for music promotion, my blog pops up in the third spot on the first page of results. That's a big improvement! And it has a great impact on my ability to empower artists -- and on my bottom line.

I also discovered an unintended Google perk. If you simply search for "promotion blog" -- with no reference to music at all -- my blog is in the very top spot! Nice.

In my next post, I'll cover a few simple things I did -- and you can do -- to improve Google search engine rankings. Stay tuned.

-Bob

P.S. I touch on this topic and dozens of others in the special report 50 Ways to Promote & Sell Your Music on the Internet.

Creative Wondering 101

2007-01-11T15:37:00.000-06:00

Liz Strauss wonders about wondering on her blog. She writes:

Creative wondering is opening your brain to the kind of questions you used to have when you were much shorter than you are now. It's like brainstorming with questions. If you're looking to solve a problem, wondering is a painless way to get where you want to be. Point your brain in the right direction, and your wondering takes you to a variety of possible solutions.

The key to creative wondering is asking questions. Liz suggests these idea jolts as a warm-up:

What if?
How come?
What’s wrong with this picture?
Who died and made you king?
What would Brad and Angelina have to say about this?
Why him?
Why her?
Why it?
Why now?
Why bother?
WHY NOT?
What will I do when I win the lottery?

So ... what are you waiting for? Start wondering and begin generating some breakthrough creative ideas!

-Bob

What's Wrong With This Picture?

2007-01-10T09:46:00.000-06:00

Last year I blogged about some cool indie film projects I was involved in. Well, the most ambitious of them is slowly starting to take shape. Check out this page to watch a trailer for Heidi Meets Death. Yes, that's me in the blue shirt, and yes, I play "Death" -- but a kinder, quirkier version than you might think.

It's interesting how Erin, who plays Heidi and whose production company produced the film, created a MySpace page for her character.

MySpace now has separate sections for film, video and music videos. Have a look around and think about how you might tap into the buzz surrounding these visual forms of entertainment.

-Bob

Where in the World Is Bob Baker?

2007-01-09T11:22:00.000-06:00

I finally put up a live event schedule web page. It includes all of my public events: music marketing workshops, book publishing-related talks, even my live music performances (yes, I still actively play part-time).

Most of the events are in St. Louis, MO. But some are in Halifax, Nova Scotia and New York City, and I hope to add dates in Chicago and Nashville soon.

So check out the new Where in the World Is Bob Baker? page. Hope to see you at an event soon.

-Bob

Self Publishing Book Tips at FullTimeAuthor.com

2007-01-08T11:08:00.000-06:00

Ask any author. There's no feeling quite like the first time you tear open the carton that contains your first published book. The sight of the cover, the sound and feeling as you flip through the pages, even the smell of the paper ... it's a thrilling moment!

Whether it's your first or your fiftieth book, that thrill never subsides. It's the closest thing you can get to the birth of a child.

So, do you have a desire to experience that thrill yourself? And, to enjoy that moment with the knowledge that you have a plan in place to reach a lot of people with your book's message -- and make a profit while doing it?

If so, please visit my new FullTimeAuthor.com site and sign up to download four free self-publishing success tips reports. On top of that, I also just started a Full Time Author blog, where I will post regular tips on book marketing and making money as an author.

Here's hoping you get to rip open a carton of your new book soon!

-Bob

Turn Your Book Into a Full-Time Living

2006-12-18T10:33:00.000-06:00

If you're in the St. Louis area the week of Christmas, be sure to check out this great book publishing workshop by Peter Bowerman, author of The Well-Fed Self-Publisher: How to Turn One Book into a Full-Time Living.

Got a book in you (especially non-fiction) or one already out? Wondering if self-publishing makes sense? Struggling with how to best promote your masterpiece?

Join nationally renowned copywriting and self-publishing pro Peter Bowerman (in St. Louis for a few days visiting family for the holidays), author of the award-winning Well-Fed Writer titles, for an information-packed 90-minute mini-seminar, presented by the St. Louis Publishers Association.

You'll learn how to:

Create a book that turns heads and grabs eyeballs
Find tons of reviewers anxious to publicize your book
Get the bookstore chains to come looking for you
Minimize your dependence on fickle mainstream media
Parlay one book into multiple income streams

Most importantly, you'll learn a radical new approach to book promotion -- one that keeps you in control. The result: less anxiety, higher profits, and more fun!

Date: Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2006

Time: 6:30 to 9:00 PM (talk runs from 7:00 to 8:30 PM)

Venue: The Heights (Richmond Heights Community Center); 8001 Dale Avenue, Richmond Heights, MO 63117 (south of I-64/40 and just east of Hanley Road).

Cost: $8 general admission; $5 for members of the St. Louis Publishers Association and the St. Louis Writers Guild.

Peter Bowerman, a freelance copywriter and business coach, is the author of the award-winning Well-Fed Writer titles -- how-to "standards" on writing freelance for businesses (www.wellfedwriter.com).

In 2006, leveraging the successful self-publishing of his first two books (50,000 copies in print, and a full-time living for five-plus years), he released The Well-Fed Self-Publisher: How to Turn One Book into a Full-Time Living. (www.wellfedsp.com).

Why Am I Thanking You?

2006-11-24T11:13:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was Thanksgiving in the U.S. While a lot of focus is put on tasty meals, parades and football ... it's also a great day to express gratitude for the people, things and events of our lives.

With that in mind, I would like to acknowledge the role YOU play in my life and thank you if you have ever ...

Taken the time to read this blog
Shared one of my articles with a friend
Subscribed to my ezine or podcast
Purchased one my books, reports or CDs
Attended any of my speaking events
Encouraged me to keep doing what I do
Sent me some honest feedback - good or bad

Without someone paying attention, I'd just be flinging words into the ether. The time and attention you give my work gives it meaning. And for that, I thank you!

-Bob

Hits and Misses vs Hits and Niches

2006-11-14T13:21:00.000-06:00

I've written about Chris Anderson and his Long Tail blog before. I finally got around to reading his new book, The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business Is Selling Less of More. It's a real eye-opener. Do yourself a favor and go to Amazon or wherever and get a copy, because in it he writes at length about the changing face of the entertainment industries.

Here's the Long Tail concept in a nutshell:

For decades, we lived in a scarcity economy. We got introduced to new music, books and films via retail outlets, radio, TV and print publications. But all of these avenues of exposure had physical limitations. There was only so much shelf space, air time and editorial pages to fill. So, in order to appeal to the widest audience and turn a profit, only those things that were determined to be most popular were stocked or covered.

This lead to a cultural mentality that a band, book or movie was either a big hit or a giant dud. There was little ground in between the two extremes of popularity. You were either part of the system ... or an outsider.

Then came online retailers such as Amazon and Netflix, which were not constrained by the physical space limitations of traditional sellers. For example, the average Borders bookstore carries about 100,000 titles, while Amazon offers nearly 4 million book titles. The average Blockbuster carries about 3,000 DVDs, while Netflix offers close to 60,000.

And guess what? About 25% of the total revenues on Amazon and Netflix come from products not available in retail stores. Yes, from titles outside the "hit list." Anderson's overwhelming research concludes that, when given unlimited choice (along with the ability to filter through the choices), people will stray from the hits and spend a considerable amount of money on non-mainstream products.

Unfortunately, the old scarcity business model is so ingrained in our culture, it has lead to many unfounded beliefs, such as:

If it isn't a hit, it's a miss
The only success is mass success
"Independent" = "They couldn't get a deal"
"Self-published" = bad
Low-selling = low-quality
If it were good, it would be popular

Luckily, a growing number of creative entrepreneurs are figuring out ways to make the most of this new "abundance economy" -- where practically everything is available to the public, where the cream rises to the top based on what consumers actually want, and where you can make an impact (and a living) without ever ranking on the Billboard Hot 100.

So, what kind of world do you want to live in? One of scarcity, hits and misses? Or one of abundance, hits and niches?

The choice is ultimately up to you.

-Bob

P.S. To make the most of the abundance economy, you simply must squeeze everything you can out of Internet promotions. I just completely revised and updated my popular special report 50 Ways to Promote & Sell Your Music on the Internet. Take a look at this guide and the free bonuses that come with it.

Grow Your Creative Business

2006-10-02T11:19:00.000-06:00

My Internet radio show blitz continues. A couple weeks ago I did a rollicking 40-minute phone interview with Fred Hueston and Lyna Farkas. I was a guest on their Growing Your Business show, which explores all aspects of running and marketing a small business.

The show featuring yours truly airs tonight at 8 PM Eastern / 7 PM Central U.S. time at AllTalkRadio.net

Tune in if you can.

Update: If you missed the live airing of the episode, you can still catch it on Fred and Lyna 's "Growing Your Business" audio archive page or download the MP3 directly using this link.

Enjoy!

-Bob

Can You Hear Me Now?

2006-09-26T11:25:00.000-06:00

Last week I had a great conversation with brothers Phil and Jason Montero, hosts of The Anywhere Office. The show covers work/life balance, virtual offices, mobile work technology, Internet marketing, and more.

Phil and Jason are musicians, so they asked me lots of questions about my background, the good and bad things artists do to promote themselves, and general online branding principles.

You can stream or download the show here.

-Bob

Artistic Success & Nerves

2006-09-14T19:32:00.000-06:00

Check out this video blog post on which I make a personal confession ... and transform it into a crucial marketing lesson that applies to music, art, literature and just about any creative pursuit.

-Bob

P.S. You can also watch a streaming version of this video at
www.audioacrobat.com/playv/W5dbh1cQ

To learn more about Bell's palsy, visit www.bellspalsy.ws