Production

Is video essential?

Only if you want to build your career.
Why YouTube is the dominant player in today’s music industry

[Take your YouTube presence to the next level with Illustrated Sound. Click HERE.]

YouTube is the #1 music streaming platform in the world. It’s the #2 search engine in the world. It’s slowly replacing radio, MTV, and many other platforms for music discovery. It’s become a serious revenue source for musicians too (some CD Baby artists have earned more than 40k from YouTube ad revenue). And that’s why YouTube is more important than anything else in your music career — besides the actual music, of course.

But these days it takes more than just a couple music videos to establish a YouTube presence.
Read more here!

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How to Made a Music Video Step by Step (full article is here)

1. Choose Your Song
Having a music video can help promote your band, through video sites such as YouTube and MySpace.

2. Get a Team and Equipment Together
However complicated (or simple) your shoot is, you’ll need a team of people.

3. Plan Your Shoot
The more planning you can do before hand the quicker you’ll be able to shoot.

4. Filming
On the day of the shoot be prepared and organized. Keep a record of shots you’ve made; it’ll make editing much easier.

5. Capture Live Footage
Filming the band playing live can provide you with great footage for a video.

6. Use Stock Footage
You can spice up your video by adding stock footage, but you need to be aware that, like music, almost all video footage is subject to strict copyright law.

7. Editing
Your footage might be great, but it’ll only become a great video through editing.

8. Get the Right Software and Hardware
These days cheap, or even free software can do a professional job of editing.

9. Be Creative
How many videos have you seen on MTV that consist of the band playing in a club, with the lights flashing whilst the audience jump up and down?

10. Tips for Making a Good Music Video – Beware of Using Excessive Zoom
It may look cool while you’re shooting it, but in the final edit zooming often looks clichéd, and unless done with a very steady hand can often look amateurish.

Don’t Be Over Ambitious

A simple idea well executed is often more effective than a complex idea done badly.

And Ignore All I’ve Said

The most interesting videos are made when the rules of convention are bent, buckled and broken, so keep experimenting and above all else, make something interesting.

Many thanks to video director Arthur T. Flegenheimer (stage name) for his expertise!

 

7 music marketing strategies

Ever wondered why some super talented musicians don’t get the fanbase and recognition they ‘deserve’, while other not as talented musicians get a lot more exposure and seen in all the right places? Well while there could be a number of different reasons for this, some of the most common are that successful person’s goals, drive & dedication, and ability to handle the business side of the music industry. More specifically, they probably know how to market themselves well.

Music marketing is that key piece to the puzzle many musicians simply never put into effect – Tweet This.

It’s because of this that many don’t get where they could have otherwise been, and why they struggle to make sales, get gigs, and generally move their music career forward in any meaningful way.

The good news however, is if you’re willing to put in the work, it’s possible to learn how to market your music.

The team over at Music Thinktank share their 7 strategies for music marketing success right here

Sound, stage & lighting

Has this ever happened to you? We often get asked for a band, only to find out that the venue has no sound capability!

Often it’s the first time talent buyer, and they just don’t really know what’s needed in terms of sound, lighting, and stage. Ask any band, and they’ll tell you that supplying the PA easily doubles the work, and the load in & out. You’ve been there, as a musician.

Sometimes it’s the venue providing sound, sometimes it’s the band, and sometimes we work with one of our STLBluesTALENT production partners. Regardless, we always make sure to get all AV needs addressed upfront.  If the talent buyer doesn’t provide the needed sound, stage and lighting, we’ll work with them to provide the best production. Either way, we make sure to bring a great show!