| Bob Baker's
TheBuzzFactor.com
Marketing tips and self-promotion ideas for songwriters,
musicians, bands and small record labels ... since 1995
June 9, 2006 - Vol. 12, Issue 13
Five Music Success Questions to Ask
A recent issue of Music Connection magazine featured an interview
with Clif Magness, who has produced and co-written songs with
artists such as Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson, Lisa Marie Presley,
Charlotte Martin, and many more.
When asked how he prepares for working with a new artist, Magness
said he usually asks the artist five key questions:
- What are your influences?
- Who are your favorite current artists?
- How do you see yourself as an artist?
- How do you want to be seen as an artist?
-
What kind of music career do you
want to have in the future?
As a producer, Magness has his own set of reasons for asking
these questions. But once I read them, I quickly realized
they are also great questions for indie artists to ask themselves
-- especially when it comes to marketing.
The first question, of course, helps answer that age-old question,
"Who do you sound like?" In this context, your musical
influences can be in any genre from any time in history. While
you may resist admitting that you "sound like" someone
else in particular, certainly you have been influenced by some
well-known artists. And most likely, fans of those artists could
very well become fans of your music.
Next, knowing who your favorite current artists are can help
you understand where you fit in with the current musical landscape.
This may or may not be useful, considering that the commercial
landscape consists mostly of major label artists, and you are
operating in the indie realm where you shouldn't be as concerned
with popular trends, what's selling well, etc.
Still, having an idea of who you sound like and how you compare
with other artists of the past and present will give you a great
sense of where to focus your self-promotion energies.
Who Do You Think You Are?
Questions 3 and 4 above likewise act as excellent self-examination
probes. How you see yourself as an artist reveals a lot about
your self-image. Not only does it expose your genre and the
unique way you approach it; your answers also speak volumes
about your confidence, clarity and vision.
"How do you want to be seen as an artist?" brings
to light whether or not there's a discrepancy between how you
currently view yourself and how you ultimately want others to
perceive you. If the gap is a wide one, you may have identity
issues you need to resolve before you market yourself much further.
Either you aren't communicating who you are musically clearly
enough OR who you are is clear to everyone except you!
The final question, about the career you want in the future,
is another great one. Where you eventually want to end up greatly
determines the steps you take today to get there. Most musicians
focus on what's right in front of them or mull over the injustices
and successes of the past.
But you must ask yourself (as I encouraged in the last
ezine), "What do I ultimately want to achieve?"
and "What will getting there look like?"
Answer these questions in the clearest way possible. Then make
sure your current actions are moving you closer to those ideals
and not further away!
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