[Last Day] Day 25 – Ready for Release: Where can I sell my music online?

Day 25 - It's pretty easy to be an independent artist and figure out the streams of revenue to recoup on expenses for marketing and promoting your music releases. Maybe "easy" is an understatement, but if you consult with the right team, your team will educate you on the different ways you can make money as an artist without signing to a major label. The days of physical platinum album sales are pretty much out the window. As a consultant to major labels like Atlantic Records and Warner Music Group, majority of the marketing and promotion campaigns are concentrated on digital marketing efforts. With that being said, you need to set up a TuneCore account to release your music online so it's available for purchase digitally. TuneCore is a digital distribution channel that makes your body of work available for purchase on digital store fronts like iTunes, AmazonMP3, EMusic, Google Play, and CD Baby. It also distributes your music to online streaming platforms like Pandora and Spotify. If you want to find out how to get a TuneCore account, contact me at www.JCoutureProductions.com and set up a consultation. At the end of the day, if you can show a major that you are generating tens of thousands of sells as an indy artist, it will create negotiation leverage and control when you get approached about signing deals with majors.

I hope the #ADD "Artist Development Dedication" 25-Day Brand Challenge has helped you in your journey in becoming a respected artist brand. Follow me on twitter and instagram at @JCouturePR.

- Joy Young, CEO of J.Couture Productions, L.L.C.

Day 24 – Ready for Release: What do digital distributers want to know?

Day 24 - Examples of digital distributors are iTunes, Amazon MP3, Google Play, etc. It is advised that you select a release date three weeks ahead from when you hit "distribute" on your digital distribution account. When you are ready to submit your project, make sure you have the following questions answered:

1. How many have your previously releases sold?

2. How many potential fans can you reach and direct to purchase?

3. How many followers do you have collectively on Social Media?

4. Do you have advertising dollars allotted to the release?

5. Will there be TV or film sync placements of your music at the time of release?

6. What are you realistic expectation of overall first week digital sales?

These are the questions your digital distributors will want to know to consider releases your album.

This is the #ADD campaign!

"Artist Development Dedication" Brand Challenge Campaign

- Joy Young, CEO of J.Couture Productions

Day 23: Why are albums better than singles?

Day 23 - This question is debatable. Before the digital world became what it is today, releasing albums with three to four lead singles versus releasing just one single or multiple songs that aren't a complete body of work, was the thing to do. You would release one album every three to four years, promote that one project, tour non-stop for two years and then repeat. Since those days, consumption habits have changed and you must keep up with the times or get left behind, especially in the independent music world.

The more music you release, the greater your chances of building a loyal fan base that will help you sustain an independent career. Whether it's releasing a single a month, an EP per year or a live album every tour you're on, consistency and frequency is becoming key to building a buzz. The idea to put out so much music is debatable when you're speaking with artist veterans who were developed in yesteryear. It's also debatable to whether this content should be free releases or for sale. If your brand is not known, you can't expect to put out music for sale and then expect someone to buy it. It's also not realistic to put out multiple bodies of work, 5 or 6 times a year.

So the idea may be that singles are better than albums when you're discussing frequently releasing music to build your fan base, in today's times. These "singles" could be free buzz records that you give away to your fans to get them excited about your official album and single releases which will be for purchase. But at least you're giving them something to "get to know you" before they invest in your career by purchasing your music, and it's a way to build your fan base in preparations for your official releases.

Here's a great reference that discusses 10 reasons why you should distribute more www.Vakseen.com

#ADD to your Brand!

"Artist Development Dedication" 25 Day Brand Challenge!

- Joy Young, CEO of J.Couture Productions, L.L.C.

Day 22 – No Budget: How can I Release my viral visuals?

Day 22 – No Budget: How can I innovatively release my viral visuals?

Indie Artists require 4 million online plays to make $1,160 (minimum wage) in one month. With that being said, producing quality visuals from a limited budget can be a bit of a challenge for an independent artist. Thanks to social media, there are innovative ways to get a visual promotion across if you have a smart phone with high quality video capability. Get creative and “Do It for the Vine!” with a 15 second promo spot directly to your core following. When it’s time to produce a full music video, there are crowd-fundraising sources like Kickstarter.com, GoFundMe.com, IndieGoGo.com, RocketHub.com, CrowdRise.com and Invested.in. Simple, right? 

#ADD to your Brand! 

This is the "Artist Development Dedication" 25 Day Brand Challenge

- Joy Young, CEO of J.Couture Productions, L.L.C.

Day 21 – The Total Package: Do I have it?

Day 21 - As an artist, I'm not referring to the the traditional "total package" phrase, I'm actually referring to the total packaging of your product. What does it look like? Do you have high quality photos, videos, and graphic design? What does your physical product look like? Did you take the cheap route or did you make an investment in your presentation? If you do not have an in-house graphic designer or team, learn to create or hire someone to create eye catching logos, cover art, album/single inserts, promotional artwork for promo tools, etc. Is your branding synonymous? Do your photos, graphics and color palette match across your social media platforms, press kit, electronic press kit, and promotional materials? If they don't then you need to redesign your collaterals. Everything should be synonymous to assist in creating brand recognition. 

There are four days left in the #ADD campaign! Let me know if you're learning something! Share your thoughts on social media using #ADD and @JCouturePR! Don't forget to follow me on Social Media! T + IG | @JCouturePR

The "Artist Development Dedication" 25 Day Brand Challenge is brought to you by Joy Young, CEO of J.Couture Productions, L.L.C.

Day 20 – No Budget: Why do I need professional promo photos?

Day 20 - All bloggers will want a photo to go along with their features that include your music. Many media makers have quality standard to uphold and poor photos of you and your brand could be a deal breaker. Instagram filtered photos are not considered professional, in case you did not know. The first impression is a lasting impression and you have one chance to make a first impression. Unique, creative and well-shot promo photos can be the icebreaker needed to get new media maker and shakers to check out your music. 

#ADD to your brand! - #JCouturePR

The "Artist Development Dedication" 25 Day Brand Challenge is brought to you by Joy Young, CEO of J.Couture Productions, L.L.C.

Follow me on Twitter: @JCouturePR

Day 19 - No Budget: Why Do I Need A Professionally Written Bio?

Day 19 - A professional bio that weaves a compelling story about who you are and what makes you unique is the #1 asset that you need for an effective PR campaign (after the music of course). Bloggers write their own content, but it is often where a blogger will re-purpose the bio in order to create enough content for their blog on a consistent basis. You have the opportunity to control the message if your bio is well written, telling their readers the important points about you that may stick out to fans as unique and intriguing. A professional bio can cost a few hundred dollars, but it will only mean the difference between success and failure of a PR campaign. It is a critical asset you'll be able to use long after the campaign has ended.

#ADD to your brand! - Artist Development Dedication 25 Day Brand Challenge

#JCouturePR

Brought to you by Joy Young, the CEO of J.Couture Productions, L.L.C.