Category Archives: Youtube

How a Music Video Can Make Your Career

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If you haven’t seen this music video for “Big Booty” by Jennifer Lopez featuring Iggy Azalea, you need to press play asap. This video is at 33 million plus hits and counting, and it only came out 5 days ago. Now not all the feedback is positive, but people are watching regardless. There’s a lot artists can learn from a video release like this one.

First of all, the ad at the beginning of the video is making J. Lo and her record label tons of money, but ads only come once you’re bringing in enough traffic. In other words, popularity can go a long way even if not all the responses to your content are positive (let the haters hate). That being said, however, you should absolutely strive to create relevant, engaging and high-quality videos. 
Though music videos aren’t necessarily played on network television like MTV anymore, that doesn’t mean you can’t leverage them to help boost your career. They can definitely make money on sites like YouTube and anywhere else they’re promoted, but more importantly they keep your fans interested in your work. Releasing content, from a full performance or narrative video to behind the scenes recording your new album, is just another way for you to reach out to fans. These videos can then be promoted on your social media sites, which gives them the possibility of going viral and you the possibility of becoming the next #1 artist. 

New Rules for Making Music in the Digital Age

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1. Put it in perspective. The number of YouTube hits you have on any one video can communicate more than the number of sales that were made. For example, a video that has 50 million views may only have sold 50,000 units. Though this number may seem low, today’s industry actually deems it a success.

2. It’s what you can do for others. If you can prove that you will bring ticket sales and a line out the door, promoters, agents and club owners are far more likely to book you. Record labels will want to sign you if you already have an audience they can sell to. 
3. Money will most likely come later. Real success doesn’t happen overnight and you’ll need to grow your audience little by little. The longer it takes for you build your fan base, the more likely you’ll have a long-lasting career instead of being a one-hit wonder.
4. Create music regularly. With so much music available on the internet, fans have a shorter attention span than ever. Keep them excited about your music by putting out songs, even if they’re just acoustic covers or lyric videos, to stay at the forefront of their minds. 
5. Cultivate an organic audience. Friends and family are great for spreading the word about your career, but they don’t count as real fans. Finding an audience that loves your music without even knowing how great you are as a person will result in a loyal fan base.


What to Avoid: 4 Ways to Ruin Your Music Career

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Navigating the music industry can be tough, but there are four basic ways to ensure your career isn’t a flop. Pro Music Records has the tools to help you avoid these mishaps!


1. Depending on anyone but yourself to build your career
These days, having a solid fan base is essential to even getting noticed by a record label. They want artists who are working and developing their fan base, which means that you need to make sure you’re fulfilling fans’ needs (ie. putting up new material often, interacting with fans through comments).


2. Not having a serious web presence
Be everywhere. Not only do you need to be on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, but using other platforms like Instagram or blogs can help reach your target demographic. This will make it easier to interact with your incoming fans, too.

  
3. Not selling merchandise
Selling a variety of merch at all your shows (and online) is key. It helps pay for all the little things that got you there, like gas and food. Not only does your stand or site need to exist, but it needs to be easy to get to and easy to purchase from.

  
4. Delivering subpar press kits
A strong, well-crafted press kit can greatly increase your chances of getting into a venue or onto a radio station. With only a few slots to fill, you’ll need to be noticed immediately through your marketing materials. A powerful bio, press release, EPK and one sheet can ensure your submission won’t simply get deleted.  

  
For music promotion services to get your work out to radio stations, blogs, podcasts and magazines, as well as merchandising and publicity services, visit www.promusicrecords.com. 


Millenials & Music: Building a Loyal Fan Base

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We’ve all heard the term “millennial,” which basically refers to the generation of young adults in our world. This demographic, which makes up 2/3 of any music artist’s fan base, has different expectations, spending and consumption behaviors than others. Recognizing how building brand loyalty among this sector can greatly contribute to making you a successful working artist. 


Millennials love music and are interacting with artists in different ways than previous generations. When reaching this group with music, it can be simple and easy with the many available avenues on the internet. Social media efficiently reaches the widest audiences, sharing your music on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. 

Listening and online interaction data can help marketing teams decide who to target with your music. Identifying who is watching your videos based on comments or likes or can help you accumulate even more fans. Given the wealth of information accessible to us through social data, understanding the audience you are trying to reach with your music is key to a profitable campaign. 
It can be tricky to know how to use the numbers available, so hiring a marketing manager can be an efficient way to carry out your campaign. Here at Pro Music Records we use the data to hone your primary audience, which may very well be millennials, and promote your music specifically to them. This can help your fan base grow exponentially, the crucial aspect to generating revenue and popularity in the industry.

Music Artists as Entrepreneurs: Building Your Empire

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Until recently, the only way to “make it” was to be picked by an A&R rep at a major record label, and even that didn’t guarantee success if the label dropped your record or cut your marketing budget. Today, your success is primarily up to you. You are your own CEO and your product is your music. Identifying multiple sources of revenue and having a team is the first step in thinking like an entrepreneur and forming your thriving business 

Develop Your Product & Identify an Audience
Think about exactly what it is you are making and how it is different from existing music. What genre do you mow identify with? Your personality and image are significant aspects of your business, too. Understanding how to develop your brand in the market is invaluable.
Next, find out who your customers or fans are. Use internet tools like Google Analytics, Facebook, Twitter and other social media channels to see who is listening, watching and commenting. Talking to fans after shows will allow you to figure out who your key demographic is. 
Get Your Music Out There
You’ll need to get your product to the market as quickly as possible, so release small and often on easily accessible digital platforms. If you don’t have the money to release a full length album, start with distributing singles every few months or EP’s. Cover Songs for your YouTube channel can keep fans interested without forcing you to spend thousands of dollars. Another good method is releasing a song to social media and telling fans you’ll release the next once you get a certain number of comments or likes. Promotions are key to building your fan base. Most importantly, get feedback as soon as you can and adjust your business accordingly. 


Network
Take tips from outgoing and energetic entrepreneurs and don’t be afraid to talk about your music, your band, and what you are trying to achieve. When you play gigs, Introduce yourself to the other bands playing or the guys behind the scenes running lights or sound. You never know who you can meet and you may find a way to collaborate! In the music industry, your success will come from your connections.
Build a Team
Think about who you know who would be willing and able to work with you to develop your career. Hiring professionals, like those at Pro Music Records, to carry out your website, marketing, promotions, and submissions to labels or radio stations can ease your stress and keep you organized. Delegating tasks to your team can also give you more time to hone your craft and create more music. There’s a reason most successful businesses are more than one person! 
Pro Music Records & Entertainment

Artist’s Guide to Streaming: Digital Music Distribution

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As an artist, finding the right distribution method can be tricky, particularly because there are so many online services these days. In terms of royalty payments, each site has its own pros and cons, so knowing the way they work is essential to growing your career and generating revenue. A closer look at five of the biggest distribution methods can help you understand. 
Bandcamp: This site is most often used by smaller bands or labels. Inexpensive and easy to use, the site provides easy downloads and streaming and allows artists to name their own price for a download. Physical releases and merchandise are also up for purchase. Unfortunately, no revenue is generated from album streaming alone, so purchases are needed to making money on the site.
Soundcloud: This service offers free accounts for only two hours of upload time and then an up-front payment is required. Extended accounts or even unlimited ones offer more uploads, analytics and let users highlight five songs at the top of their profiles. It does not pay directly for streams which makes it a better tool for sharing rather than selling. Links to sites that offer your music for purchases, however, can be included on your profile. 


Spotify: Though it is free to put music on this site, it only uploads music from distributors or labels. Merchandise can also be posted for free on profiles and no cut is taken. Royalty payments vary from $.006 and $.0084 per stream.

Pandora: One million plays on this site can result in about $1,370. This money does have to be divided among performers, songwriters and labels, but still makes more money than song plays on terrestrial radio. Music must already be on iTunes or Bandcamp in order to be posted to Pandora.

iTunes: The dominant distribution service for music, iTunes relies on downloads as opposed to streaming. It can be costly to upload songs to the site, especially if an aggregator is required to post the music, but the music is readily accessible for fans since it can easily transfer to laptops, iPods and other devices. 
While certain sites offer more reward for music distribution, others still provide exposure and music for the masses. Whichever services you feel are right for you and can lead fans to discovering and sharing your music, Pro Music Records and Entertainment Media can get you set up for success. PMR can put up a single, EP or entire album on any site so you can start making money today. We can even do promotions on sites like YouTube, another distribution option, so your music can be heard even more often. You own all the music and rights in this non-exclusive deal, Pro Music Records is simply the distributor that gets your secure digital media to retailers. Visit us at http://www.promusicrecords.com to learn more or e-mail info@promusicrecords.com with questions and submissions.

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7 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your YouTube Channel

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#1. First Impressions are Everything.
Make sure you have a great thumbnail photo for each video. It’s the first thing people will see when they search for you, so make sure it appealing. 

#2. Use Titles & Descriptions to Your Advantage
Your title is of course important for intriguing viewers, but it can also improve your search results. Good marketing can allow your video to reach the most viewers with keywords and tags.

#3. Remember that YouTube is Interactive
According to recent stats, YouTube is more popular than Facebook for certain age groups. Artists should be engaging with fans after posting a video to keep them interested and excited.

#4. Make Use of Call-To-Action Videos
A few quick videos can encourage your fans to take action. Ask people to buy your single on release day, go support another artist, or ask fans to come see you on tour. Videos can create opportunities!

#5. Advertise
Add websites, comments & purchase links to use your channel as a billboard for promotions. Direct fans to subscribe to your channel so you can keep them coming back for more and link to your other social media profiles.

#6. Hook Fans with Playlists
Instead of having a series of isolated videos, use a playlist to get your fans hooked. Start with your most recent and popular videos and then let them cycle through older material. Just make sure that all of your content represents your best self and brand.

#7. Timing is Key
If you’re busy promoting your music, you’re being featured on music blogs, your album just came out, or you have a song on a TV show, make sure you have relevant content on YouTube as well. Make sure you are uploading high-quality videos whether they’re music videos, lyric videos, or vlogs.


Ready to take your YouTube channel to the next level? Try out the tips above with Pro Music Records and Entertainment Media. We can create your high-caliber videos and then handle your promotions and marketing to ensure you reach the right audiences.

YouTube Fame: Still Very Real (And Very Relevant)

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We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Social Media is invaluable when launching your music career. The proof? A capella singer Peter Hollens has just been offered record deal after unleashing a series of other innovative covers via the internet. His YouTube channel has over 63 million views and features collaborations with other YouTube musicians. Now, Sony Music’s classical and crossover label called Sony Music Masterworks has signed Hollens, whose album will be released on October 28th. 
What we can learn from Hollens’s success is the importance of being visible, accessible and prominent on the internet. Your launching point? High quality videos. Using a good camera and editing can go a long way.
Additionally, the buzz that is created around your music can take you from unknown to #1 in just a matter of time (Vine star Shawn Mendes just hit #1 on iTunes in 37 minutes). Not only do you need to consistently be uploading new content to keep your fans engaged, but also communicating with them to build and maintain relationships. By being genuine and friendly, you can attract more and more people. That being said, you’ll want to watch and support other musicians or music blogs too. Spreading the love is an easy way to double your fan base.
Finally, tagging your videos with descriptive and specific key words will help you get found! Use words that are relevant to your content so viewers won’t be misled.
Having the tools to carry out these crucial steps can be the most challenging part of the process. Pro Music Records & Entertainment Media offers services for Video Production, Promotions and Marketing to produce and keep up with your social media presence. By taking advantage of Pro Music Records experts, you can rest assured that your fan base and video views will increase exponentially. We can even submit your music to record labels, radio stations, and other entertainment resources to further promote your music. Save time and money today by calling Pro Music Records at 818.971.9301 or e-mailing info@promusicrecords! 

How a Professional Music Video can Make an Artist: Creation & Promotion

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We’ve all heard of it: the YouTube sensation who landed a huge record label because of a viral video. As ridiculous as it sounds, independent musicians putting up their music videos on YouTube and then becoming big time stars is more and more common in today’s world of digital media. And, with the release of MTV’s VMA nominations, it’s clear that interesting, unusual and well-made videos can do a lot for an artists career.

For example, Iggy Azalea, who is nominated for seven awards this year, released her video for “Fancy” featuring Charli XCX long after the song was released this past February. It took a month and half for the song to be recognized and debut on the Hot 100 chart, but this success can be greatly contributed to her music video, which went viral shortly after it was released on March 4th. The video now has 161.5 million views (and counting) and portrays the theme of the iconic movie “Clueless,”  which almost any listener in Iggy’s target audience can relate to. The Australian rapper is now one of the most talked about artists of the year.

A remarkable music video has the power to get an musician’s name out and be seen by the masses in a short period of time. It shows audiences who the artist is, how they perform, and how they want their craft to be portrayed. In addition to making a top-quality video, it is key to have a team that can promote your video to major labels, television networks, music blogs and potential fans. Without the right targeting, even the most professionally made videos can go unnoticed. That’s where we come in! Pro Music Records can not only write, produce and direct your next customized video, but push it to MTV, BET and VH1 amongst hundreds of broadband video companies and shows worldwide. Leave it to our team of experts to help you create a top-quality video that gets you noticed and recognized as a legitimate artist.


Business Strategies: Translating Social Media Popularity into a Career

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In an era of social media obsession, it seems almost senseless not to utilize these platforms to grow a business or brand. Some social media users have even more followers than celebrities (ie. teen idol Nash Grier has double the followers of Oprah Winfrey)! These users have leveraged their fame to generate income, receiving free products (clothes, food, alcohol, cosmetics, etc.) or invitations to exclusive events as long as they promote whatever it is they receive. These social media superstars all have one thing in common: using their popularity to launch a potential career.
Being virtually free of cost, social media is an ideal way to market a brand, especially since it holds the potential to reach broader audiences at a much faster rate. Updating all of these social media platforms or even a website can take up a ton of time, so when you are ready to build your own personal brand, it may make sense to hire someone to keep up with your posts. This can generate visibility and take advantage of online advertising capabilities. Here at Pro Music Records we offer services that guarantee social media popularity, increasing your likes, fans and followers. The more followers a profile has, the more chances it has to target potential customers. Today’s day and age requires that a new artist or brand maintains social media profiles and we can do that for you! Using entertainment marketing business strategies, we guarantee a certain number of real fans depending on your plan and less than 1% unfollow rate or your money back. Save your time and money and allow PMR to build your brand and increase your fan base by using social media promotions.