5 Fave Things
Ariel Publicity’s Cyber PR: Ariel Hyatt is like a matchmaker for bands and PR opportunities. I’ve gotten many reviews and podcast placements this year, and this service is a great resource for musicians. Ariel is a band’s best friend.
Twitter: Ariel had been singing the praises of Twitter to any musician who would listen, and now I know why. I’ve been able to meet awesome musicians around the world, and build relationships with them. Twitter also offers the opportunity to start a dialogue with plugged-in celebrities such as Dave Matthews, MC Hammer, Lance Armstrong, or Shaquille O’Neal. That’s just too cool!
Thirty Day Challenge: Over the summer, I took this free online internet marketing course which was taught by Ed Dale, an Australian musician turned internet marketer. I learned the basics of internet marketing, and found new ways to promote music online. The course is now offered all year-round, and I recommend it to any musician who’s serious about selling their music on the internet.
Unity NYC’s Music Ministry: Unity NYC is an interdenominational organization with the best music program, and their band is amazing. Led by Britt Hall (no relation that we know of), the Voices in Unity choir sings everything from gospel to Broadway show tunes, and Spiritus, their ensemble of professional singers, is top notch. Paul Tenaglia, the senior minister, is a former actor/singer/dancer, and he uses music to heal and inspire the congregation (made up of many actors, singers, and other creative types). The services are held in a large 760-seat theater, so it feels like you’re attending a live concert every Sunday morning.
Kings of Leon, Sex on Fire: I love this song. C’mon, the name says it all!
The Past/The Future:
2008 was an awesome year because I was laid off! For the past 10 years, I had been building my music business around my day gig, and the opportunity finally arrived for me to work for myself, and focus on performing and writing again. I also spent thousands of hours online this year, blogging at RockStarLifeLessons.com, and learning new ways to market and sell music online. I also coached many musicians on their marketing plans, which was fun. Clients and singing gigs have arrived when I needed them, and I wonder why I waited so long to go solo.
2009 will include continued promotion of my CD, Supernova, while I’ll also release my new live EP, Dirty5. I’m also looking forward to recording more YouTube videos. I’ll also continue my current testing of search engine optimization (SEO) techniques for musicians. When I’m done, I plan to write a book of SEO techniques for musicians. I also have my eye on touring Europe!
About You:
Carla Lynne Hall is a singer/songwriter in NYC, and blogger at RockStarLifeLessons.com. Her new CD, Supernova, has been described as “Norah Jones meets Sade for tea on their way to visit The Beatles.”
Carla is also Vibe Magazine’s former music biz columnist, and the author of The DIY Guide to the Music Biz. Her writing has appeared in Associated Press, MusicDish.com, and other publications around the globe.
Twitter: @carlalynnehall
MySpace: http://MySpace.com/carlalynnehall
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Carla-Lynne-Hall/829342719
eBook: http://DIYGuide-MusicBiz.com
