In the olden days (a few years ago), posting photos to the web was a bit of a chore. And when you did post them, the images lived on your separate web space -- far from other photos posted by other folks around the world. Just those few years ago, posting videos was a distant dream, as bandwidth (the speed of your internet connection) and storage space was expensive.
Two web phenomena of the past few years have addressed both challenges, adding a whole new world of opportunity, connection, and social interaction in the process.
Both sites, Flickr and YouTube, are well beyond mere dumping grounds for photos and video content. They are social networking systems, designed to encourage users not only to post their content and browse the content of others, but to connect, comment, and cluster the content of others in a hundred different ways.
Flickr
Flickr is a photo-sharing site with both free and ''pro'' account options. An upgrade to the "pro" account gives you unlimited storage, uploads, and the like for about $2 per month. Best to try the free account until you know you need more. Essentially, Flickr is a bundle of software and web scripts that help you upload digital photos to your account (through a web browser, by e-mail, or even from your photo-ready mobile phone), and then add elements to those photos like captions, text, tags, and keywords. You can invite anyone to view your photos, or you can limit access to a select group.
The cool part comes once the photos have been posted. Flickr has features to help you share your photos with friends and colleagues, and to view the updated photo streams of your friends as well. If you open up your photos to the world, then a whole world of users can find your images, comment on them, subscribe to your photo stream, or add you as a "buddy."
Having such a large user base contributing and browsing images makes Flickr an addictive place to visit, with photo galleries of the ''most interesting'' images on the site ("interestingness" is determined by how many links, comments, tags, and visits an image gets each day), and connections with amateur and professional photographers.
As a socially active site, Flickr is also an obvious ground for marketing people, events, shows, and other entertainments, which makes it a natural place to advance your organization, your artist, or your events. Imagine creating a Flickr account for your performing arts venue or your artist agency, posting promotional photos as well as images from the most recent events and performances. Flickr offers easy ways to include your evolving photo stream in your own web site, on weblogs, or anywhere else on the web. And the effective use of image tags ensures that your events or your artists show up on major search engines like Google.
For an example, check out the Flickr account of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
YouTube
On the heels of Flickr came YouTube, a web site and system that does many of the same things, but with full-motion digital video. Users can post digital video to their free account, adding captions, descriptions, and keyword tags, and also view and connect the videos of others.
The synergy of this idea made YouTube the site to watch in 2006, as user-generated videos flowed in surrounding major news stories (London bombings, Hurricane Katrina), often with more speed and depth than network news could manage. The low barriers to entry also made YouTube a massive cultural phenomenon, with the rise of "video bloggers" (individuals posting video diaries of their lives, their opinions, and their creative expressions) and social networks built around favorite funny videos or long-lost film -- think America's Funniest Home Videos, on steroids.
For the arts presenter, manager, or artist, YouTube offers opportunities that were, until recently, too expensive and complex to consider. With a YouTube account, any arts presenter, manager, or independent artist can post videos for the world to see -- demo songs, performance excerpts, guided tours of a facility, video interviews with artists, and on and on. And as with Flickr, once content is posted, it can be dynamically included on your own organization's web site, promoted through e-mail, and linked to a larger world of arts lovers, business colleagues, or enthusiasts.
Already, Hollywood studios are posting movie trailers on YouTube, encouraging fans to spread the word about upcoming releases (remember Snakes on a Plane?...sorry if you do). Imagine a similar network of artist performance excerpts, interviews, and documentary footage, all connected to performing arts organization web sites at no cost to the agent, the artist, or the presenter.
A Caveat about Copyright
As Flickr and YouTube have grown, so has the challenge of protecting copyrighted creative work. Still images and moving images with sound often have complex ownership issues. And just because you have a digital copy of something, doesn't give you the right to post it for the wider world to see.
So, as you dip your toe into the content-sharing worlds of these two sites, be sure you have the rights or the express permission of the various owners of the content to post their work (the composer, the artist, the designer, the producer, the union, and anyone else who played a role in creating the image or video content).
Sharing is a wonderful thing. But you can only share what's yours.
[Ed note - for those visiting YouTube for the first time and wondering where to start browsing, Terry Teachout has compiled a wonderfully absorbing index of hundreds of amazing performances uploaded onto YouTube including Maria Callas, Louis Armstrong, Blossom Dearie, Edward Elgar, Leadbelly, Astor Piazzolla, Frank Zappa, and Stevie Wonder, among many many others. Just follow the link and scroll down nearly to the bottom and look on the right.]
Showing posts with label hi-tech networking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hi-tech networking. Show all posts
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Myspace - are you there yet?
I'm writing this blog entry after about 4 hours of sleep on the last day of our tour where we head from Chicago (last night) to Washington DC (tonight) before heading back to NYC (later tonight). Does this sound like the kind of performer/tourer you are? In which case you can really use Myspace to go way beyond "hey I have some friends" to using it as a tool to get your band out there.
Are you on it?
OK, Myspace has been around long enough that the schoolkids have gone off to Facebook. The punk scene has their own site. But music people, well.... we're always a little behind the curve, aren't we? And it just so happens that right now, EVERYONE is on Myspace.
To the extent that many bands I know are asking "Why am I still updating my website?" since everyone goes to Myspace for their info anyway. As of latest 2006, many bands' sites are languishing as their Myspace slots have their actual gig dates, latest info, etc. Clubs are ditching their websites altogether and just putting all their information here.
Why? Well, here's 4 reasons.
1) It's super-simple. You don't need any html skills. It's made for bands. Everything that you need is ready to go (except a press kit, and even that you can figure out). Upload a picture, tunes, bio information, and gig dates. And you're set to go - you have a site!
2) You're not separated from your community. By listing your Top 8, 12, 16, whatever, Friends, you've made a statement about who you are and the company you keep. Or, in some instances, where you want to be. Most major bands have myspace sites. Be Wilco's friend! Or, why not give props to Beethoven in your Top 8? This is part of your snapshot, and gives your viewers a sense of not only what you sound like, what your bio says, but what scene they can place you in.
3) You come up in Google searches - and anyone can see your profile at any time! Google your band name, and your myspace page shows up. Then anyone can click on it, and hear your tunes & get your info. Automatic Google placement, that's pretty cool, right?
4) Oh yeah: it's free! You don't have to pay for hosting costs, bandwidth, nothing. Good deal, right?
Make connections!
The great thing about Myspace is it's created with bands and fans in mind.
People are connecting in relation to the music they love. Sure, not every profile has music on it, but most do -- if someone doesn't make music themselves, they can take someone else's music and put it on there. If your fans put your tunes up on their Myspace page, it also boosts your official play count! Plus it's like radio play - everyone who goes to that page can hear your song.
That said, some of the really great work goes on behind the scenes. Say you're a DIY chamber music collective in Cleveland. You want to tour Toledo, Cincinnati, Columbus, and get a show at Oberlin. What's the old way of doing this? Find clubs, art galleries, cafes, call them, give them your credentials, and beg them for a gig.
What's the new way? Make friends!
Locals will do the work for you!
So, do a Myspace search for "chamber music Toledo" and see what comes up. Or maybe "Charles Wuorinen Toledo" to find someone who's playing similar music. Add those guys as your friends. Make some nice comments. Check out each other's tunes. And now - it's time to go behind the scenes. Use the Messenger - not the comments field - and write them a note. You're going on tour in April and wondered if they wanted to help you set up a show in Toledo? You'll trade them for a hometown gig in Cleveland when they come out your way.
You won't believe it, but those guys in Toledo will be psyched to make the connection, and will - most likely - not only book the space for your show, but help promote it to their audience! You show up in Toledo, and, presto, you've got a gig - and, an audience! It doesn't always work that smoothly, or is that easy, and certainly isn't an automatic audience, but you'll be surprised by the power of this - especially if your work is compatible to the other group and you are ready to reciprocate.
Now, you won't be getting big money gigs, in all likelihood, from this. But if you're ready to be a little crazy and just *get on the road* to get your music out there (see above reference to current 11 1/2 hour drive to the next gig), Myspace is a great tool. Or, if you've got a good tour with some decent-paying gigs, it's a great way to fill out the off-days.
Quick marketing tips
OK now that I've talked about how to get gigs, there are some things you can do to boost your profile. The first thing is obvious. Get some friends. People like people with other friends. But here are some other pointers for Myspace newbies. Have fun with it!
1. Don't just add friends. Leave comments. If someone wants to be your friend, actually check out their page and say something nice. For two reasons - a) everyone who sees that page also sees your comment. More linking! b) Said person will often reciprocate and write something nice about you. Thus giving you more comments, thus making your page more active.
2. Don't change your songs every day. Get your play counts up; have at least 1 song in solid rotation so it's clear that people are really listening to your stuff. This gives others the feeling that you're a hot artist that they should actually listen to.
3. Get your friends count up - but - good friends. There are programs/spiders you can buy that will automatically add friends. You can get your friend count way up artificially, but it's better to have a smaller, solid group of fans.
4. Leave around e-flyers. Speaking of the comments field, create a little jpg graphic for your next gig, and go to your friends' pages and leave it as a comment. This will get your gig in the head of your friends, but also - again - everyone who sees this site will see your comment.
5. Keep it legible - be creative on your site but don't go nuts. If you DO know html, you can mess with your Myspace page, from changing the background color to adding pictures to changing where the different boxes are on the page. You want the page to reflect you; and the Myspace troller's eyes will perk up when it's not a plain-jane white background. Give people a video or two they can watch. Get your logo/identity up there somehow. That said, if it's too busy so that you have to strain to get critical information - like "When is the next gig?" then you've done yourself a disservice; it's the internet -- people have limited time to see if they want to stick around.
Are you on it?
OK, Myspace has been around long enough that the schoolkids have gone off to Facebook. The punk scene has their own site. But music people, well.... we're always a little behind the curve, aren't we? And it just so happens that right now, EVERYONE is on Myspace.
To the extent that many bands I know are asking "Why am I still updating my website?" since everyone goes to Myspace for their info anyway. As of latest 2006, many bands' sites are languishing as their Myspace slots have their actual gig dates, latest info, etc. Clubs are ditching their websites altogether and just putting all their information here.
Why? Well, here's 4 reasons.
1) It's super-simple. You don't need any html skills. It's made for bands. Everything that you need is ready to go (except a press kit, and even that you can figure out). Upload a picture, tunes, bio information, and gig dates. And you're set to go - you have a site!
2) You're not separated from your community. By listing your Top 8, 12, 16, whatever, Friends, you've made a statement about who you are and the company you keep. Or, in some instances, where you want to be. Most major bands have myspace sites. Be Wilco's friend! Or, why not give props to Beethoven in your Top 8? This is part of your snapshot, and gives your viewers a sense of not only what you sound like, what your bio says, but what scene they can place you in.
3) You come up in Google searches - and anyone can see your profile at any time! Google your band name, and your myspace page shows up. Then anyone can click on it, and hear your tunes & get your info. Automatic Google placement, that's pretty cool, right?
4) Oh yeah: it's free! You don't have to pay for hosting costs, bandwidth, nothing. Good deal, right?
Make connections!
The great thing about Myspace is it's created with bands and fans in mind.
People are connecting in relation to the music they love. Sure, not every profile has music on it, but most do -- if someone doesn't make music themselves, they can take someone else's music and put it on there. If your fans put your tunes up on their Myspace page, it also boosts your official play count! Plus it's like radio play - everyone who goes to that page can hear your song.
That said, some of the really great work goes on behind the scenes. Say you're a DIY chamber music collective in Cleveland. You want to tour Toledo, Cincinnati, Columbus, and get a show at Oberlin. What's the old way of doing this? Find clubs, art galleries, cafes, call them, give them your credentials, and beg them for a gig.
What's the new way? Make friends!
Locals will do the work for you!
So, do a Myspace search for "chamber music Toledo" and see what comes up. Or maybe "Charles Wuorinen Toledo" to find someone who's playing similar music. Add those guys as your friends. Make some nice comments. Check out each other's tunes. And now - it's time to go behind the scenes. Use the Messenger - not the comments field - and write them a note. You're going on tour in April and wondered if they wanted to help you set up a show in Toledo? You'll trade them for a hometown gig in Cleveland when they come out your way.
You won't believe it, but those guys in Toledo will be psyched to make the connection, and will - most likely - not only book the space for your show, but help promote it to their audience! You show up in Toledo, and, presto, you've got a gig - and, an audience! It doesn't always work that smoothly, or is that easy, and certainly isn't an automatic audience, but you'll be surprised by the power of this - especially if your work is compatible to the other group and you are ready to reciprocate.
Now, you won't be getting big money gigs, in all likelihood, from this. But if you're ready to be a little crazy and just *get on the road* to get your music out there (see above reference to current 11 1/2 hour drive to the next gig), Myspace is a great tool. Or, if you've got a good tour with some decent-paying gigs, it's a great way to fill out the off-days.
Quick marketing tips
OK now that I've talked about how to get gigs, there are some things you can do to boost your profile. The first thing is obvious. Get some friends. People like people with other friends. But here are some other pointers for Myspace newbies. Have fun with it!
1. Don't just add friends. Leave comments. If someone wants to be your friend, actually check out their page and say something nice. For two reasons - a) everyone who sees that page also sees your comment. More linking! b) Said person will often reciprocate and write something nice about you. Thus giving you more comments, thus making your page more active.
2. Don't change your songs every day. Get your play counts up; have at least 1 song in solid rotation so it's clear that people are really listening to your stuff. This gives others the feeling that you're a hot artist that they should actually listen to.
3. Get your friends count up - but - good friends. There are programs/spiders you can buy that will automatically add friends. You can get your friend count way up artificially, but it's better to have a smaller, solid group of fans.
4. Leave around e-flyers. Speaking of the comments field, create a little jpg graphic for your next gig, and go to your friends' pages and leave it as a comment. This will get your gig in the head of your friends, but also - again - everyone who sees this site will see your comment.
5. Keep it legible - be creative on your site but don't go nuts. If you DO know html, you can mess with your Myspace page, from changing the background color to adding pictures to changing where the different boxes are on the page. You want the page to reflect you; and the Myspace troller's eyes will perk up when it's not a plain-jane white background. Give people a video or two they can watch. Get your logo/identity up there somehow. That said, if it's too busy so that you have to strain to get critical information - like "When is the next gig?" then you've done yourself a disservice; it's the internet -- people have limited time to see if they want to stick around.
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Tell Me What I Want To Hear
Okay, yes, 99% of America may know more intimate details about Paris Hilton than is healthy for anyone, but keeping on top of the names and careers of performing artists outside of those few still successfully clinging to the major mega-corporations can seem a daunting task. We're told that everything you need to know is available via the Internet, but how to shake out what you need from all those pages?
Flavorpill
Newspapers used to offer a centralized place to learn a little bit about a lot of topics. Economic forces are reshaping their ability to do that job well, and alternative media sources available online are picking up the slack. Still, with no common place to turn, it can feel like you have to already know what you want before you can find it.
So how to keep on top of the trend-setting events happening beyond your own creative daily grind? Stories might be scarce in your local daily, but Flavorpill delivers a culturally-slanted selection of art, book, fashion, music, and world news right to your inbox. Plus, if you live in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, London, or Miami, you can subscribe to a weekly email newsletter that delivers capsule overviews of buzz-attracting shows in your town. The service is free; all you have to do is visit the site, enter your email address, and select which newsletters you wish to receive.
ArtistShare
Along with the major dailies, the major labels in the record industry are also anxiously monitoring their bottom lines. Artists who are tired of getting lost in this shuffle have taken up many new approaches to recording and distributing their music independently, but perhaps none so sophisticatedly as those involved with the alternative-release model built by ArtistShare. Participating artists raise funding for their recording projects through their fan base by offering special interactivity options, like the opportunity to download scores-in-process or watch a recording session. You might pre-order a download of a new album with bundled interview content for $9.95 or sign up to be an underwriter ($1,000 and up) and snag a VIP invite into the production and release process. This is no throw-away vanity project for the artists: Maria Schneider and Billy Childs have already picked up Grammy awards for discs released via ArtistShare, and Bob Brookmeyer and Brian Lynch have just received 2007 Grammy award nominations. See how this can integrate with an artist's career by visiting Schneider's website.
Yahoo!Groups
The official channels, even those of the off-the-charts and under-the-radar sorts, can only be so useful for your particular areas of interest and concern. Services like Yahoo!Groups (or googlegroups, if you prefer -ed.) allow users to establish a communication network of their own or join one already up and running: think of it as a way to plug into a line of conversation between fellow colleagues and enthusiasts—online or via email—whenever you wish. There is no cost to start or join a group.
There are 24,949 groups talking about the performing arts on Yahoo already, so finding a good fit for you can take some time, but once you do, you'll be able to read what others have to say about a topic and email your thoughts and ask questions of a whole group with just one click. Or you can start your own group, even with just a handful of people, and build it as you meet new colleagues and invite them to join. All posts are archived, and you can also use the Yahoo!Group site to share and store networking resources such as files, photos, and a group calendar.
Though it can sound like an amateur tool for hobbyist, it's also a remarkable professional connector. I'm part of a group that includes several hundred women music journalists—many of them writers for the major dailies and glossies—and amazingly the conversation has been going strong for several years now.
Flavorpill
Newspapers used to offer a centralized place to learn a little bit about a lot of topics. Economic forces are reshaping their ability to do that job well, and alternative media sources available online are picking up the slack. Still, with no common place to turn, it can feel like you have to already know what you want before you can find it.
So how to keep on top of the trend-setting events happening beyond your own creative daily grind? Stories might be scarce in your local daily, but Flavorpill delivers a culturally-slanted selection of art, book, fashion, music, and world news right to your inbox. Plus, if you live in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, London, or Miami, you can subscribe to a weekly email newsletter that delivers capsule overviews of buzz-attracting shows in your town. The service is free; all you have to do is visit the site, enter your email address, and select which newsletters you wish to receive.
ArtistShare
Along with the major dailies, the major labels in the record industry are also anxiously monitoring their bottom lines. Artists who are tired of getting lost in this shuffle have taken up many new approaches to recording and distributing their music independently, but perhaps none so sophisticatedly as those involved with the alternative-release model built by ArtistShare. Participating artists raise funding for their recording projects through their fan base by offering special interactivity options, like the opportunity to download scores-in-process or watch a recording session. You might pre-order a download of a new album with bundled interview content for $9.95 or sign up to be an underwriter ($1,000 and up) and snag a VIP invite into the production and release process. This is no throw-away vanity project for the artists: Maria Schneider and Billy Childs have already picked up Grammy awards for discs released via ArtistShare, and Bob Brookmeyer and Brian Lynch have just received 2007 Grammy award nominations. See how this can integrate with an artist's career by visiting Schneider's website.
Yahoo!Groups
The official channels, even those of the off-the-charts and under-the-radar sorts, can only be so useful for your particular areas of interest and concern. Services like Yahoo!Groups (or googlegroups, if you prefer -ed.) allow users to establish a communication network of their own or join one already up and running: think of it as a way to plug into a line of conversation between fellow colleagues and enthusiasts—online or via email—whenever you wish. There is no cost to start or join a group.
There are 24,949 groups talking about the performing arts on Yahoo already, so finding a good fit for you can take some time, but once you do, you'll be able to read what others have to say about a topic and email your thoughts and ask questions of a whole group with just one click. Or you can start your own group, even with just a handful of people, and build it as you meet new colleagues and invite them to join. All posts are archived, and you can also use the Yahoo!Group site to share and store networking resources such as files, photos, and a group calendar.
Though it can sound like an amateur tool for hobbyist, it's also a remarkable professional connector. I'm part of a group that includes several hundred women music journalists—many of them writers for the major dailies and glossies—and amazingly the conversation has been going strong for several years now.
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