Free Marketing Services for Unsigned/Indie Bands

[VisibleVoice]

Looking to make a name for you or your band? Build a fanbase? Get more gigs?

 

Visible.Voice Marketing and Artist Services is a brand new company designed to help unsigned bands/artist gain a foothold. Marketing/Promo/Distribution services including marketing research, strategy, graphic design, production/implementation of marketing campaigns, assembling/distributing press kits, help with bookings, maintenance of myspace/other online marketing outlets, media placement on blogs, burning CDs, arranging online distribution etc are offered on a pay-for-service basis. No contract...you tell me what you need, and I put my marketing knowledge and industry contacts to work for you. In the age of digital media/online distribution and home-studio recording, the only benefit to signing with a record company is the marketing services they provide. Why deal with the pressures and control of a record company when I will help design and implement a marketing strategy that works for you, working around your budget and needs.

 

If you are serious about your music and need help/guidance to help your band reach more people Visible.Voice is exactly what you need. Contact me by emailing a description of your band along with any current press materials (pictures, posters, etc) and 1 (ONE) mp3 to visiblevoicemarketing@gmail.com.

 

I will respond to all inquiries and will provide a preliminary marketing analysis, free of charge, to all bands that demonstrate a genuine committment. Further services are price LOW as I am trying to attract clients and make a name, so take advantage of my services.

 

Contact me at visiblevoicemarketing@gmail.com for more information. Thanks

 

(This isn't spam...just trying to get my name out there to people who may be interested)

[BlueStrat]

(This isn't spam...just trying to get my name out there to people who may be interested)

 

NOT SPAM?

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

[Mathew]

its true

[VisibleVoice]

This is the only place I've posted anything except for a post on Craigs List...I'm just trying to reach out to the bands/artists that may be looking for help but don't know where to look...or maybe pique the interest of bands that hadn't realized what solid marketing could do for them.

 

If you want me to delete the post I will.

[HuskerDude]

Don't worry, the mods should take care of that for you.

[VisibleVoice]

Is there a more appropriate place for me to post something like this?

 

I'm not trying to step on toes here...I'll just delete the post if there's a problem with it. I guess I'll let the moderators decide...maybe they can move it to somehwere more appropriate.

 

HuskerDude...based on your avatar you might appreciate my inspiration for the name of the company (Visible Voice)...it's from Alex Chilton.

[Beachbum]

Pardon the extreme ignorance of those here who profess to know all, and never miss the chance to criticize others, it's embarrassing to say the least.

 

If you are truly 'on the level', and I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and believe you are, good luck with your project.

 

A smart business man knows that a new business isn't built on immediate profits but rather on a satisfied customer base.

 

I'm not certain what the forum rules are on this type of advertising, but once again - best wishes in your new venture.

[Lee Flier]

Well since you appear to be a "real person" and not just somebody here to "spam and run," I'll let the thread stay. If you are truly offering something that might benefit some of the bands here, we certainly welcome that.

 

However I do hope you'll actually stick around so we can get to know you as a person and what you're all about. Certainly lots of forumites have helped each other out and done business with each other and it's worked out great, but only because we've gotten to know each other through the discussions we have here and thus have built up some trust, as opposed to somebody coming in saying "Look at me!" and then not participating in the discussions. KnowwhaddImean?

 

But hey, if you're an Alex Chilton fan, you can't be all bad. So stick around and get to know us, and if anybody here feels you've given them some valuable perspective on marketing their bands, they just might make use of your services.

[daddymack]

Originally posted by Lee Flier Well since you appear to be a "real person" and not just somebody here to "spam and run," I'll let the thread stay. If you are truly offering something that might benefit some of the bands here, we certainly welcome that. However I do hope you'll actually stick around so we can get to know you as a person and what you're all about. Certainly lots of forumites have helped each other out and done business with each other and it's worked out great, but only because we've gotten to know each other through the discussions we have here and thus have built up some trust, as opposed to somebody coming in saying "Look at me!" and then not participating in the discussions. KnowwhaddImean? But hey, if you're an Alex Chilton fan, you can't be all bad. So stick around and get to know us, and if anybody here feels you've given them some valuable perspective on marketing their bands, they just might make use of your services.

 

hmmm...Lee...don't advertisers typically pay for ad space on websites...?

[THBv2.0]

Originally posted by daddymack hmmm...Lee...don't advertisers typically pay for ad space on websites...?

 

You don't, Mr. Cut-n-Paste.

 

 

[daddymack]

Originally posted by THBv2.0 You don't, Mr. Cut-n-Paste.

 

ah...but I don't charge for my services...I'm a non-profit PITA...

[VisibleVoice]

Thanks for the support...

 

I am indeed a "real person", starting a "real business" and I'm just trying to make contacts.

 

Here's a little bit about myself...

 

I have a marketing degree from Stonehill College (just outside Boston). I'm currently working for a record company (a big indie...but I won't say which one) in digital content/distribution but will be leaving in May to move to New York. I have worked in college radio and have been both photography editor and music writer for an arts/entertainment magazine. I studied in London, including a course taught by Keith Harris (Stevie Wonder's former manager + former employee of EMI, Motown, etc) that focused on the restructuring of the music industry and the impact technology has/is/will have on the industry. I have also specialized in digital marketing/advertising including graphic design and ecommerce. With all the change and uncertainty in the music industry I took a step back and tried to figure out what would be left when the dust settles. I saw a demand for a comprehensive, grassroots marketing service tailored towards independent artists/bands that offers the flexibility to meet each band's specific needs. Hopefully, increased marketing will increase an independent band's fanbase, which will in turn drive sales and demand for shows which will generate enough revenue to record another album, thus creating a situation where bands don't have to rely on an advance from a record company to put out another album.

 

So, that's the idea. I'm just trying to get my idea out there...

 

Thanks again for understanding my situation...hope I can help some of you out

[Lee Flier]

Originally posted by daddymack hmmm...Lee...don't advertisers typically pay for ad space on websites...?

 

Ideally, yes. But most people on the forums do something for a living, and some do things that might actually be helpful to other forumites, and if so we'd be shooting ourselves in the foot to prohibit them from letting us know that.

 

Now there's no doubt that most indie bands could use some help in the marketing department, no? And this guy is a startup. So he probably (like most of us) doesn't have much in the way of advertising capital. But he might in fact have some good skills that could be beneficial to bands here. He's actually being quite bold in coming to the biggest musicians' community and offering his wares, because if anybody does use his services and he does a poor job, or tries to scam anybody, it'll be all over the community in no time, right? Everything he does will be discussed here, for better or worse.

 

So I don't see what the problem is with giving him the benefit of the doubt - until proven guilty as it were. He seems to be offering his services on a pay as you go basis, so I don't see where anybody would have much to lose, and we may gain a valuable ally offering a much needed service to bands. And if he's not in fact an ally, then everyone will find out and that's valuable information in itself.

 

Thoughts? I am not so much interested in making hard and fast rules here as keeping the interests of bands in mind! In theory, I think he has a good idea here and if he broke a little protocol in getting it across, I don't know that he should be strung up the flagpole for it.

[Beachbum]

Good to have you on board, VisibleVoice. Glad to see you can stay.

 

Welcome to Harmony-Central, I hope you learn as much here as I do, and I hope you have as much fun.

 

Help out as many fellow musicians as you can, Lord knows musicians need some fresh ideas.

 

(If some of the 'old timers' here criticize you for any new & iconoclastic ideas you may introduce for the music biz, just remember that they tried to get 'there' musically and are now back to day jobs, frustrated and sour that someone else might use new ideas to succeed where they failed.)

 

Have fun!

[Lee Flier]

Well Beachbum, I wouldn't be too quick to come down on "old timers" either. Anybody who's been around the block has a valuable perspective on things, because the truth is there are a hundred times more scammers in this business than legit folks, and the reason the scammers can continue to do their thing is because there are too many young idealistic musicians who want to believe what the scammers are saying.

 

So we need to have a healthy degree of skepticism, as well as willingness to try new things. It can be a fine line, for sure!

[HuskerDude]

 

Originally posted by Beachbum Good to have you on board, VisibleVoice. Glad to see you can stay. Welcome to Harmony-Central, I hope you learn as much here as I do, and I hope you have as much fun. Help out as many fellow musicians as you can, Lord knows musicians need some fresh ideas. (If some of the 'old timers' here criticize you for any new & iconoclastic ideas you may introduce for the music biz, just remember that they tried to get 'there' musically and are now back to day jobs, frustrated and sour that someone else might use new ideas to succeed where they failed.) Have fun!

 

 

What is your problem?

[daddymack]

Originally posted by Beachbum (If some of the 'old timers' here criticize you for any new & iconoclastic ideas you may introduce for the music biz, just remember that they tried to get 'there' musically and are now back to day jobs, frustrated and sour that someone else might use new ideas to succeed where they failed.)

and thank you for the instant generalized analysis of all the people who have been around the block....if some of us seem a bit jaded its because we have seen scams, ripoffs and legit businesses over the years...and yet, gee whiz, we aren't famous superstars.

 

I honestly hope V V does well, because yes, there are a zillion bands out there who haven't got a clue how to get started, let alone how to market themselves, and yes, the industry is poised for a major change in methodology over the next decade.

 

Then again, for someone offering marketing services, this is an intersting business model to follow....but he/she definitely came to the right place to find potential clients.

 

So V V, please do become a member of the community...there is a lot of misinformation, and a lot of uneducated musicians who would benefit from your knowledge...are you offering discounts to HC Forumites?

[Lee Flier]

Originally posted by daddymack and thank you for the instant generalized analysis of all the people who have been around the block....if some of us seem a bit jaded its because we have seen scams, ripoffs and legit businesses over the years...and yet, gee whiz, we aren't famous superstars.

 

Yep. And actually, many if not most famous superstars were ripped off at some point in their careers too, and if you met any of them they'd tell you the same things as some of the "old timers" around here.

[BlueStrat]

 

Originally posted by Beachbum Good to have you on board, VisibleVoice. Glad to see you can stay. Welcome to Harmony-Central, I hope you learn as much here as I do, and I hope you have as much fun. Help out as many fellow musicians as you can, Lord knows musicians need some fresh ideas. (If some of the 'old timers' here criticize you for any new & iconoclastic ideas you may introduce for the music biz, just remember that they tried to get 'there' musically and are now back to day jobs, frustrated and sour that someone else might use new ideas to succeed where they failed.) Have fun!

 

 

I'm going to go out on a limb here and make a wild guess that you have never played for a living.

 

Theories are great as long as you don't have to depend on them for your next meal.

[Beachbum]

I see new people come into these forums with new ideas, and I often see the new people and the new ideas instantly criticized by those who feel their 'experience' from the past century surely knows better than to try the new ideas. Yet these 'old-timers' incessantly complain about how the music business is these days and how hard it is to make a buck.

 

Here's an idea: if you're NOT an 'old-timer' who doesn't instantly criticize new ideas then what about my previous post bothered you? I'm an 'old-timer' in the music biz, I didn't take offense.

 

I've got an opinion, you've got an opinion, let's share opinions. Let's share ideas.

 

Blues - I'm going to make an educated statement, as versus your wild guess, and state that you don't play for a living. You said so, you are a carpenter. Big deal, who cares? It doesn't mean your opinions and ideas are any better or worse than anyone elses.

 

Now, you may have played for a living in yesteryear, and you may have learned a great deal that you can share with others, but often times yesteryear's fundamentals don't work today. You can continually take jabs at me (as you have since I joined, lol) but the fact of the matter is you don't play for a living either, so why attempt to demean my opinions because I don't?

 

Folks, I've got no animosity toward anyone here, young or old. But if I make a generalized statement referencing 'old-timers' and you take offense - then you must think it applied to you, right?

 

We've got some 'old-timer' wiseacres here eager to jump on people for expressing new ideas, and we have some 'old-timer' wise people eager to share their knowledge. We each need to ask ourselves which category we are each part of.

 

I'm having fun, this is a cool site. Thanks for everyone's input regarding this issue.

[Beachbum]

Originally posted by Lee Flier Yep. And actually, many if not most famous superstars were ripped off at some point in their careers too, and if you met any of them they'd tell you the same things as some of the "old timers" around here.

 

I agree with you. And we'll also agree that a person can't get ripped off if if they don't allow the scammer to take their money.

 

I'm impressed with your decision on ViableVoice. He isn't asking for money, he might be legit, so we give him a chance. I like it.

 

(I'm an 'old-timer' too. I just haven't shared much of my past because I'm always asked about it from some other 'old-timer' in a smart ass demeaning fashion. Sooner or later we'll all get on the same page though. Once I'm allowed to rise to y'all's level and some perhaps will come down to my 'lowly' level. )

 

All's well.

[BlueStrat]

 

Originally posted by Beachbum I see new people come into these forums with new ideas, and I often see the new people and the new ideas instantly criticized by those who feel their 'experience' from the past century surely knows better than to try the new ideas. Yet these 'old-timers' incessantly complain about how the music business is these days and how hard it is to make a buck. Here's an idea: if you're NOT an 'old-timer' who doesn't instantly criticize new ideas then what about my previous post bothered you? I'm an 'old-timer' in the music biz, I didn't take offense. I've got an opinion, you've got an opinion, let's share opinions. Let's share ideas. Blues - I'm going to make an educated statement, as versus your wild guess, and state that you don't play for a living. You said so, you are a carpenter. Big deal, who cares? It doesn't mean your opinions and ideas are any better or worse than anyone elses. Now, you may have played for a living in yesteryear, and you may have learned a great deal that you can share with others, but often times yesteryear's fundamentals don't work today. You can continually take jabs at me (as you have since I joined, lol) but the fact of the matter is you don't play for a living either, so why attempt to demean my opinions because I don't? Folks, I've got no animosity toward anyone here, young or old. But if I make a generalized statement referencing 'old-timers' and you take offense - then you must think it applied to you, right? We've got some 'old-timer' wiseacres here eager to jump on people for expressing new ideas, and we have some 'old-timer' wise people eager to share their knowledge. We each need to ask ourselves which category we are each part of. I'm having fun, this is a cool site. Thanks for everyone's input regarding this issue.

 

 

I did, however, make my living at this for years. Have you? Or are you going to be like Ovation, (who I agree, you sound an awful lot like) and sidestep direct questions?

 

The fact that I no longer play for a living is irrelevant- I did, and I know what works and what doesn't, and I know that you can't raise a family, buy a house, put kids through school, pay medicals and dental bills, etc etc by gigging 6 nights a week unless you're prepared to sacrifice your family to do it by signing a record deal and being on the road 300 days a year. Especially since the business has radically changed from a profession which required skill and savvy to one that require the musicians to pay someone else to let them play. That's just the reality of it, and all the hare-brained "new ideas" you seem so full of aren't going to change that.

 

My only point is this: I don't care how long you've been doing this. I never said anything one way or another about how long you've been playing. I said it's pretty clear you've never made a living at it. Correct me if I'm wrong. But until you do, you have no business judging those of us who have with your snide little comments about guys from "last century", etc etc. Unless you just started playing 6 years ago, all of us are "last century," so get off it.

[Beachbum]

"I said it's pretty clear you've never made a living at it."

 

So, then, are you asking or telling?

 

Record straight: I did make a living out of it, though I wasn't exactly living large, up to about when Britney Spears and the boy bands genre destroyed (in my opinion) the live music scene right around year 2000. Since then I've wrangled, finangled, learned, and changed to where I can make it as profitable again as it was before. I've just gotta change my ways from back then.

 

We're like peas in a pod in some ways. I could care less about your hare-brained stories of your glory days, most likely enhanced with bold script to make you feel good, and you could care less about my new ideas regarding March 2006. You continue to revel in the glorious memories of when musicians in a union used to beat each other up competing for gigs, I'll continue to seek out new ways to make the music business work for me in 2006.

 

We'll just agree to disagree and both be happy!

 

I think you're the kind of guy who has to put others down in order to bring your own self esteem up.

 

We both have opinions, we'll both survive. Soemtimes we will agree, sometimes we will not. We both love the debate though.

 

Have fun.

[vanlatte]

I play bass in a band.

[zookie]

Originally posted by Beachbum We both have opinions, we'll both survive. Soemtimes we will agree, sometimes we will not. We both love the debate though. Have fun.

 

 

I give this opinion a standing Ovation.