How the Charts Are Like Walmart

The charts are similar to the Walmarts of the world; they curate a list of music that is selling or “setting trends” and are getting radio play.  Clear Channel has a huge role in who gets airplay and in what part of the country.  This in turn has a huge impact on whether they make the charts.  What does this have to do with anything?  Clear Channel owns more than 800 nationwide radio stations.  They control what you’re hearing.  If they don’t think it will make them money, whether it’s good music or not, they won’t put it into their rotation.  You have to tickle the fancy of Clear Channel to even have a remote shot at making the charts.  Kind of like Walmart.  Without selling your product to Walmart at a deeply discounted rate (and sometimes even taking a loss just to get their nationwide distribution), the small vendors have to sell their souls to Walmart.  It is eerily similar to the music industry, really.  People call in to the radio stations to request the music they like the most, out of what they’re hearing the most.  If they haven’t heard a new artist, how can they request that artist?  So we’re stuck with the same handful of pop artists making the charts, getting the airplay, and getting the major label record deals.  Kind of like the suppliers with cushy relationships with Walmart.  All the while the boutiques and mom-and-pop stores are going under because they can’t compete with the big boys any more.  The small guys often have superior products, but this doesn’t matter.  The independent artists just cannot afford to compete with the majors.

How the Independent Artists Are Like Mom & Pops

There are thousands of artists that we haven’t heard of.  Many of them would likely melt our faces if we listened to them.  Will they make the charts with their face-melting music?  No.  Instead, they will scrap together what they can to buy a broken down van, do a few show dates, and hopefully build a decent enough following to make enough money to pay for the gas to get home.  The independent shops that are beat down by Walmart go through the same thing.  They have a local following, but can’t compete with a nationwide distributor that has connections and deep pockets.

The independent and small artists might not look a certain way, have a certain sound, or talk about sex and the club enough in their music.  Unfortunately, the major labels are creating this sick culture in music.  A culture where the artist writes about going to the club and dancing to a song.  Then they go to the club and dance, all while their song is playing on the DJ’s rig.  It’s almost like looking in a mirror when there’s a mirror behind you; it keeps going and you’re not quite sure which reflection is the first reflection.  People like the music they hear because it brings back emotions and memories from events.  Someone enjoyed themself at the club.  What song was on?  A song about enjoying themselves at the club. It’s kind of weird, don’t you think?

What Can We Do?

There are pop artists playing on the radio that are truly talented.  People that are amazing.  But for every one that is great, there are 10 that are just a pretty face.  Stop buying into the notion that just because an artist is on a major pop chart they must be good.  Here are a few brief things we can do to help the independent artists survive:

Listen for yourself.  You know what you like.  You know what you don’t like.  Start asking for new recommendations from friends.  When you hear a song that you really like, listen to more of the album.  Buy another record from their catalog.

Find those undiscovered artists and invest in them by going to their shows and buying their albums.  They can’t continue to write, record, and play without money from fans.  Period.

Buy local. Go out and find the artists in your area that are playing shows and get to know them.  Getting their music heard is more important to them than anything else.  Ask around about some of the best local bands you haven’t seen yet and check them out.

Tell your friends. Word of mouth is the absolute best form of advertisement.  We trust the opinion of our friends over the talking heads on TV and radio.  Help these independent artists gain new followers by talking about them and sharing links on Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, blogs, and anywhere else you can think of.

Thanks for reading.  I would love to see your comments, thoughts, opinions, and stories about this topic.  Also, shoot me a tweet on Twitter; I’m @josh_walker. I’m always looking for new people to follow and engage with online.

We’ve been using Facebook and Twitter now for awhile.  Some prefer one over the other.  Some only use one tool.  Others are addicted to both. (Then there’s MySpace.  Remember that?  Facebook needs to take a hint.  But that’s another post…)

Twitter and Facebook.  They’re two completely different platforms.

Like oil and water, they both have their place.  We use both.  Yet they don’t always mix.  Likewise, Twitter and Facebook are two very different mediums with two very different niches.

Facebook.

When Mark Zuckerberg was at Harvard, he had an idea.

He and three classmates got together and developed their idea into a platform that connected them with their friends.  They kept it exclusive to begin with (you had to have a .edu email address).  This allowed them to test it out and have their ideal demographic figure out how they wanted to use it.  Once they were able to set the standards, they slowly started opening the gates to other people.  This exclusivity only helped to build anticipation (can we say Apple?) for the release of updates and the allowing of everyone to participate.

On Facebook you are able to post native pictures, embed links, write comments and replies, send personal messages, and more.  You can see full conversations at a glance.  Entire photo albums.  All within Facebook.  You aren’t limited too much in terms of content length, either.

An interesting thing has happend with Facebook.  The original users (mostly college students) set the standard methods of use.  After a few years, we’ve seen the way Facebook is used transform into something that it wasn’t originally.  This is most apparent with all of the Farmville and Chef’s World updates you probably see in your Live Feed.  The people that started out with Facebook in its early days are easily frustrated by this and many other little things that have popped up, such as privacy issues.  Yet the new Facebook users have no preexisting concept of how it is supposed to be used; to them, it’s a networking/gaming platform.  Others use it specifically to share photos from family trips.  Still others use it for the messaging and chat.  It’s quickly developing into a catch-all platform where you can do just about everything you need.

These things aren’t necessarily bad.  It’s to be expected with anything.  Facebook started with an idea.  Mark Zuckerberg had no idea what it would become. Evolution and growth.  Adaptation.  These all propel success.

Twitter.

If you can’t adapt to this format, it’s probably because you wish it were more like Facebook.  But it’s not, nor is it supposed to be.  Twitter is a different platform where a different language is spoken.  Hashtags (#), replies (@), and retweets (RT) are just a few items.  Then there’s Follow Friday (#followfriday or #ff) and Music Monday (#musicmonday or #mm).  And the ever popular Tweetups (#tweetup) in their various formats and locations.

Twitter was developed to allow people to communicate and update what was happening in their lives at that moment.  It was not designed as a sales tool for businesses. Too often I see companies just using it to throw out their sales pitch in hopes that people will respond to the call-to-action and buy the product or service. These companies spew out their content without adding value to anything other than their own messages.  It’s a shame to see this misuse of a wonderful communication medium.  To use it effectively, listen more than you speak.  Create relationships.  Build networks.  Engage in conversation. Neither was it designed so much as a communication tool where you see a back-and-forth conversation, though this does happen routinely.  It is more of a tool that helps you propagate your content, ideas, and thoughts to the masses.  Let people know what’s going on.  Quickly and efficiently.

We’ve seen Twitter expand and adapt as well.  From the news anchors using it to update the world to the bands keeping fans posted on show times.  Twitter has helped me gain new real life friends and freelance work.  I’ve been able to meet some really great and interesting people thanks to Twitter.  When I first started using Twitter, I was overwhelmed by the fact that I had 13 followers while these other guys had 5,000 or more.  Then I realized that it’s not about how many followers you have, it’s about the relationships you build.  When people see that you’re using Twitter effictively and unselfishly, they will be more likely to follow you.  Then your numbers go up, and all without the help of a third-party app or bot.

If you’re looking to find ways to use Twitter more effectively and live in the Northern Indiana area, the #nwitweetup is a great place to meet people that are using social media in one way or another.  There are many, many more Tweetups around the country.  I encourage you to find one close to you and see what it’s all about.  It there isn’t one in your area, start one!

That’s about it for this post.  I’d love to hear your comments and experiences concerning Facebook and Twitter.  How do you use these tools?  And remember, it’s not that one is better than the other.  It’s not apples to apples here.  We need to learn how to maximize the effectiveness of each tool while realizing what works on one platform won’t always work on the other.  Now, go take a look at this video by @equalman that shows the magnitude of social media today.

If you’re online and have any sort of web prescence, you need to understand the importance of search engine optimization, or as it’s also known, SEO.  You don’t necessarily need to know all about SEO, but you should at least know someone who does.  And that person is Nate Findling.

The internet has transformed.  It is changing month by month.  Day by day, for that matter.  And we need to keep up.  If you are looking for a way to maximize your online presence, check out what Nate is capable of.  Todays internet, and our presence there, is much broader than just one url; now, all of our social media activity is a part of who we are online.  Our reputation and legitimacy.  Not all of us have a way with words that communicates our ideals fluently; that’s where a copywriter comes in.  Someone that can take your idea and concept and translate it into an understandable and comprehensible story.

Nate is that guy.  He can help your company or organization really reach your target audience.  In words they’ll understand.  Not only does he write for other people and companies, he’s writing a book of blues himself.  A book about the ups and downs of life, and how he got to where he is.  Where he’s going.  And everything in between.  As an internet marketing specialist for Chicago and Indiana,  he understands the importance of using digital media to help make his publishing dreams come to fruition.  Don’t think for one second that because you’re writing a book for print that you don’t need a solid and sharp online presence.  Let Nate take a look at your situation and set you up for a successful journey.

If you have a website for your company (and if you don’t, you should), you need to talk to Nate about how to maximize the potential of your site.  You, like many others, may not realize the full potential of the content on your site.  Nate Findling can and will.

Again, thanks for reading.  We’re all in this together, so why not take a few minutes every day to get to know those around you?  You never know when they’ll come in handy.  Even if you never need their services or talents, they will bring a little joy into your life that would otherwise have been absent.

Cheers,

Josh Walker

I’ve had the opportunity to build and open a recording studio that will not only be used to track and mix bands, but also benefit the local community.  I’ll be using this space to host frequent workshops and seminars to educate and teach young and old alike about music, recording, and managing techniques.  There are many misconceptions and bad habits when it comes to making music; I’m looking to help curb this and fill that void.  There are young kids that have a passion for music as well as older people that have been around and creating music for decades.  I’m looking to foster community and education in the local area while helping artists and bands create the music they love.

I’m also doing artist management for a small venue.  I’ll be bringing in local and regional artists and bands to perform every two weeks.  If you or anyone you know might be interested in performing, get ahold of me.  These performance will include live streaming video and audio during the performance.  The studio is tied into the venue, and I’m offering live recording to any artists that perform there.

I’ll be documenting the progress of the studio as we build.  Right now, we’re in the framing stage with cabling, drywalling, and more.  I’ll be moving in recording gear throughout the next couple weeks along with studio furniture and lighting.  In the coming weeks and months we’ll be painting, applying acoustic treatment to the rooms, and completing the “vibe”.

You can keep checking back to keep up with the progress and see how it’s coming along.  And if you know of any bands that could use my services and experience, let me know.
Cheers,

Josh Walker

When it comes to the internet, social media is absolutely the direction we’re all headed.  If you are a business, an individual, a band, or a presidential candidate, you can and should be utilizing the whole social media concept.  Gone are the days that the internet was only for gaining information on a certain topic.  Now we use it to communicate and network with people both locally and globally.

Kathy provides great social media training seminars.  She is also available for various lengths of general social media consulting and auditing, as well as her Social Media Bootcamp.  This is a four hour workshop that will educate attendees on the best ways to use Facebook and Twitter for their business or organization.  More in-depth topics are discussed as well.  I believe that you’ll find her social media training and consulting very beneficial.

Not only is Kathy recognized for her work in Northwest Indiana social media, she was recently voted as the “Social Media Name of the Year” in the female category for 2009 at the Indiana Inaugural Social Media Summit.  Unfortunately I was unable to attend this year, but from the people that were there I hear that it was a great time.  She won because of her work and dedication to educating others about easy as well as intricate ways to use the internet and social media.  No one is too young or too old to start learning.

I know that I’m continuing to learn more and more about social media on a daily basis.  Little things like frequency, the value of content, how to give back, and more.  Some of it I learn by simply doing, while a lot of my insight has come from people like Kathy.  We can all learn from one another, so I encourage you to check out Kathy Sipple and see how she can help you implement solid social media marketing services and practices.  She will show you how to effectively use Facebook, Twitter, and more to expand your business and gain positive exposure.  I know that a lot of people only use it for keeping up with pictures of family members.  Kathy will show you how to really use it.

If you aren’t already, follow Kathy Sipple on Twitter, or check out her Facebook page.  Take the time to do yourself a favor and find out more about how to improve the way you interact with customers, fans, clients, and people in general.  You can catch up with her at various networking events or her workshops.  Follow her on Twitter and she’ll be sure to fill you in and give you great tips and advice.

Thanks for reading, and till next time, pass this along.  After all, it’s all about the people.

Cheers,

Josh Walker

Your old/new friend goes on to describe their dilemma and the fact that they actually happen to have a great need for your “XYZ” service.  So the two of you decide to schedule a time to get together for coffee to talk about how you can collaborate.  You go home happy that you’re just a cup of joe away from sealing another deal and making a couple bucks, all the while getting to help an old/new friend.

As time leads up to the meeting, you quickly jot down a couple of ideas and points that you really want to hit before the deed is done.  Things like overall cost, timeline, and other details.  You might even go so far as to search Google, Twitter, Facebook, and Linked In for your old/new friend.  You make a mental note of any sort of news or related data that would be useful.  And you grab your keys and wallet and head out the door.

The meeting couldn’t have gone better; you talked to them about how you could benefit them, and they expressed a lot of interest in having your help.  They give you an outline of what they’re looking for and ask you that dreaded question, “So, how much will that cost?”

Think before you answer.  You have approximately 17 milliseconds to decide the fate of you and your old/new friend’s new business (and personal) relationship.  The next words to come out of your mouth may very well be what dictates the coming weeks and months of your business with this person.  The road leading you to this fork was inevitible.  However, you are now forced to make a decision.  It will play out one of two ways:

Pathway 1: Your old/new friend has just asked you how much it will cost for you to provide them with “XYZ.”  The friend side of you is trying to justify doing it for cheap.  You don’t want to scare them, offend them, or confuse them.  You certainly don’t want to say something that may cause them to never talk to you again.  And your professional side is vying for your attention, all the while screaming, “Full and normal cost structure!  Charge them what it’s worth!”  You weigh the two against each other and come out somewhere in the middle.

You’ve decided that you will respond to your old/new friend and tell them it will cost $XXX.  The look on their face implies satisfaction mixed with a hint of surprise (that it’s so cheap).  You both shake hands and part ways, happy that you’ve left the meeting at an agreement.

The outcome:  You were forced to give a response.  This is typical of an asked question.  You chose to give a response that had a figure attached to it.  Not good. By breaking under the pressure of a required response, you sold yourself short and gave them an unnecessary discount simply because you felt rushed.  You probably felt that if you told them you couldn’t quote them right then and there that you might lose the sale.  The fact that you’re sitting with them and they’re your old/new friend should tell you that they aren’t going anywhere.  If you would have gone with Pathway 2 it would have shown them another level of professionalism and efficiency.

Pathway 2:  Your old/new friend has just dropped the “How Much?” bomb on you and this is just your first meeting to discuss the simple possibility of even taking on the project.  You were certainly not prepared to actually tell them how much it would cost; you did, however, come to the meeting knowing what ballpark you would charge them, assuming the project fell within the guidelines that you had previously deduced from talking and researching.

If you’ve chosen this pathway, you won’t even attempt to run the numbers in your head.  Instead, you let them know that there is a bit more criteria that you’ll need to gather from them and that you’ll then be able to let them know your quote.  Tell them, “Right now is just too soon to affix a cost.  I need to know a little more about your project and needs to be able to accurately and confidently quote it.” This shows them that you’re serious and interested.  It also shows them that you don’t run headfirst into anything before analyzing the costs, risks, and benefits of a project.

The outcome: After you’ve responded and they’ve shown their understanding, you set up another meeting, either over the phone or in person.  This meeting is specifically to nail down the fine details that will dictate your price.  Then, after you’ve left the meeting and had time to evaluate your notes and estimate your time, money, energy, materials, and other costs, you will give them an official proposal.  This proposal outlines everything from the overall project, how to accomplish the clients goals, a real and actual cost, and an associated timeline.  This is something real and concrete that they can refer back to.

Time goes by and you’ve made it halfway through the project.  You realize that it’s taking longer to accomplish or more of your resources.  Looking back at the proposal (that you both signed), you recall the part that says the overall cost may be affected by unforeseen expenses, needs, and such.  You contact the old/new friend and explain the situation and they pay you accordingly.  The job is soon finished and all parties are happy with the outcome.

If, instead, you were to go with Pathway 1 and just a handshake (you’re old/new friends after all, right?), you end up putting in double the hours you’d originally anticipated and can’t go to the old/new friend and ask them for more money because there was no original agreement in writing.  With nothing to refer back to, you can’t alter the original cost, timeline, or terms.  You’ve effectively shot yourself in the foot.  Good job.

Try using both.  A proposal and a handshake.  We’re real people doing real business, after all.

How do you communicate and interact with clients both old and new?  Is it down and dirty or professional and efficient?  Or a mix of both?