Twitter Tips For Musicians

Before the internet came along, it was frustrating being a jazz fan. Hearing and finding new music was difficult — radio outlets were limited, playlists mostly covered the classics. Music stores had minimal rack space and a subsequent lack of new titles. It sucked.

As the web developed so did artist and label sites, web radio and the convenience of music downloads. You Tube and My Space became natural showcases for videos and artist jukeboxes. Could it possibly get any better?

With social networks, it has. Twitter and Facebook offer the recording artist, previously strapped by minimal marketing and promotion budgets, a new marketing & promotion tool. Artists now have the ability to be directly involved with their promotion as well as an interaction with fans and community. It’s easy, efficient and useful.

Though your “tweets” are limited to 140 characters, Twitter’s malleability astounds. Everyday I read about a different industry, company, service organization or individual that has benefitted from incorporating Twitter into its’ marketing strategy.

Just some of the ways Twitter can help musicians–

• Promotional blasts to fans re: touring iteneraries, publicity, radio interviews, etc.
• Feedback requests to fans on recent performances, releases,
• Press alerts to outlets (radio, newspaper, clubs) in cities where artists are scheduled to tour.
• Communication with radio stations on playlist ranking and airplay
• Use of hashtags to organize groups for feedback on concerts, releases, etc.

As social media advancements continue, they will be adapted by the musicians (and artists of all types) who are always seeking new ways to increase their fan base and get their music heard.

The result will be an interactive community of fans, friends and industry associates. And formerly frustrated jazz listeners such as myself will become the beneficiaries.

Best Jazz of 2009

In no particular order–

Tessa Souter – Obsession
Bennie Maupin Quartet – Early Reflections
Gretchen Parlato – In A Dream
Chick Corea and John McLaughlin – 5 Peace Band Live
Darcy James Argue – Infernal Machines
Fred Hersch – Plays Jobim
Marcus Strickland – Idiosyncracies
Monterey Quartet – Live at 2007 Monterey Jazz Festival
Ramsey Lewis – Songs From The Heart: Ramsey Plays Ramsey
Sonny Rollins – Road Shows Vol. 1

Twitter Uses For Distance Learning

From a recent report to Hofstra University’s Distance Learning department

Twitter’s communication features make it a natural fit for distance learning instructors alike. What follows is a list that shows why…

1. Twitter as newsfeed, to increase University/department brand awareness.
Distance Learning departments could incorporate Twitter as a newsfeed to promote department, new classes, class updates, registration, deadlines, etc.

2. Ability to “Blast” a message to large or specific groups.
Alerts or communications could immediately be posted from teacher to group, student to group, administrator to instructor, etc. giving a user the ability to report system problems; distribute a group notice, (schedule change, course error(s), etc..

3. “Hashtags”(#) allow the creation of specific groups and communities
Twitter hashtags (#) define a topic or group, giving students ability to easily interact around a specific course or assignment.

4. Instant feedback and instructor/group interaction in real time
Twitter’s interactivity helps students work easily together on projects/assignments. Instructor can participate in group discussions and promptly respond to questions.

5. Listening to student groups
User ability to listen to dialogues, without participation. Instructor can monitor student discussions and tweets to review proper understanding of class or lesson.

6. Private direct message (DM) for an individual or instructor.
Twitter’s direct message feature gives users private, one on one communication, important for instructors and students alike.

7. Remote usage via mobile phones
140 character tweet limit opens mobile phones to send and receive texts. “Follower” lists can be defined by user to restrict number of incoming tweets and save on text charges The growing number of specialized remote Twitter apps adds to the ease of mobile usage.

Obviously, this is only the beginning. As distance learning students and instructors begin to employ Twitter, new uses will continue to be developed.

Note: After the completion of this article, I learned that Purdue University has started a social networking-powered mobile web app, incorporating Twitter, Facebook and mobile phones.

The Content Has Been Let Out Of The Box

In today’s ‘New York Times Sunday Magazine’, Nicholas Carr takes on the growing loss of profits resulting from the availability of free television and movie content on the web.

He discusses the growth of web-enabled technology, the ease of streaming content to a television, free content sources (Netflix, Hulu, You Tube, etc.), the F.C.C.’s embracement of “net neutrality” and the subsequent loss of communal viewing.

To his list of grievances, I would mention how the change in viewing habits resulting from the parsing of viewing platforms has resulted in a devaluation of the content. Because of its’ availability, the consumer has lowered their “respect” for the product. Technology has minimized television “Event” programming to live events. NBC’s long time Thursday night hold just doesn’t grab one when ’30 Rock’ and ‘The Office’ are quickly available online at no cost and sometimes with extra web-only content!

And it’s not just television and film that we see this in. The bloodletting in newspapers and magazines continues as their content is freely available online. Book publishers see their business models changing as Amazon reprices their product for its’ ‘Kindle’ digital reader. They need to learn the lessons of the recording industry.

Most egregious of all, has been the cheapening of content from the producers themselves. They are responsible for have freely releasing their product to the masses at no cost, with no profitable business model in place. On a variation of what Jay Leno once said to Hugh Grant — what in the hell were these guys thinking?

For a television network or film studio to promote a new release online at no cost, will always be an intelligent method of promotion, but allowing free tv and movie downloads is not promotion — it’s giving away expensive product to an audience already aware of its’ value and willing to spend the time to view it.

We all like free product and quickly become Pavlovian in our continued expectation of it. A lesson needs to be learned from the online version of the ‘Wall Street Journal,’ which continues to show profitability as premium subscription content. As for the free movies and TV shows that are already available on Netflix, Hulu, You Tube, etc., it’s too late. Technology has opened the Pandora’s box of content. Good luck getting it back in.

A New Sales Outlet For Music

Think about this — As you’re enjoying a live concert, engineers are busy recording it so digital copies will be ready for sale when the show is over. Some bands have already tried it out. I think it’s a great idea that deserves to develop.

Illegal Downloaders Buy More Music?

An article in the Independent UK relates a study which concludes that illegal music downloaders spend more on music than those who claim not to illegally download.

With MP3 files less expensive than compact discs music and the convenience of purchasing individual files, I not only gladly pay for my downloads, I purchase more music in a larger range of styles, than ever before. I also admit to making copies for friends who more likely than not, are not acquainted with the tunes I send their way.

Forrester Research states that “We have a generation of young people who don’t have any concept of music as a paid-for commodity.” And unfortunately, there’s no reason to expect that to change.

Business Week Covers The App Business

The November 6 cover story of ‘Business Week’ looks at the growing app economy.

Verizon Plays Hardass With Apple

I was hoping Verizon was going to pick up the iPhone next year, and though it looks like my hopes have been squashed, I’m pleased to say that it’s not bothering me like I thought it would.

Verizon is showing allegiance with Googles’ entry into the mobile market with its Android OS phone, called the ‘Droid’. We will soon be learning about its’ multitude of features, but as a Google phone, one is not surprised to see a ‘Quick Search’ box located at the top of the browser, allowing users to search the web directly from the home screen.

Android’s free ‘Open Source Project’ platform, will be developer-friendly and insure an extensive quantity of applications. Google has even offerred $250,000 in price money for best new applications.

And if you think Verizon is being delicate about superiority to the iPhone, check out the ad

This competition will be interesting to follow, with the consumer the ultimate beneficiary.

Amazon Continues To Lower Price On Kindle

As competition continues to creep in, Amazon wisely has lowered the price of its’ Kindle digital book reader to $259.00. This $40.00 reduction is the second in just one year. I believe the reductions will be ongoing until we see the Kindle at a $199.00 price point, and that could very well be within a year. This is good news for all potential but still price conscious customers. As for me, I’m still waiting for the $99.00 version.

Take That, iPhone!

A deal has recently been announced whereby Google’s ‘Android’ platform will utilize the highly rated Verizon Wireless network. New phones are in development, expected to become available early next year.
What’s particularly pleasing about the news is that the Google Voice application will be included. Google Voice translates voice mails into texts and allows the same phone number to be used with multiple phone locations. Take that iPhone!