The Year End Refocus – Guest Blog

Refocus to understand more clearly what you're doing right or wrong and where you're going

By Ed Teja

Many people view the end of one year and the beginning of another as a time to reflect. As an advocate of the here and now, I suggest that a better idea is to take this opportunity to refocus—your attention, your effort and your intention. I’m not talking New Year’s resolutions or anything so trendy. No, it is time to drag out the thoughts you’ve had on your marketing plan and public relations plan, take a hard look at the current realities of the world of music, and get everything up to date.

The Big Media Trend of Next Year – Guest Blog

Jerry Del Colliano - Inside Music Media

By Jerry Del Colliano

At the end of the year – not to mention another decade – attention seems to be directed to what changes have happened over that time span.

But today, I’d rather look ahead to next year, the next three years – I doubt anyone could accurately see through the entire next decade.

Album Cover: Ke$ha “Animal”

Click pic to play "TiK ToK" by Ke$ha

Happy Holidays from The Hit Music Academy

The Hit Music Academy would like to wish you all a very happy holidays. We hope that you, your family, and friends had a wonderful Christmas and we wish you a happy New Year!

Video Premiere: T-Pain “Take Your Shirt Off”

Music Commerce: Direct-to-Fan Strategy Is The Answer – Guest Blog

Trent Reznor - Image Courtesy of Stereogum.com

By Ryan Wines

Direct-to-Fan Strategy

One thing I’ve enjoyed the most while working with Beat The World is what I’m learning about the significance of a “direct-to-fan” or “direct-to-consumer” strategy.  Dandy Warhols Manager, Lee Cohen, has convinced me that a direct strategy is the only feasible way that a smaller, low-to-moderately funded indie label has a chance of sustaining itself.

What is a “direct-to-fan” strategy? Simply put, it’s developing and engaging a fan base to the extent that a majority of your fans will be compelled to buy your music and merchandise DIRECTLY from you – the artist.

15 Concert Posters Worth a Look

Buy this poster @ concertposter.org

Trent Reznor Teaches Young Bands How To Be Successful – Guest Blog

Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor

By Stereogum

As previously mentioned, after a spate of final shows Trent Reznor is putting NIN on “indefinite hiatus.” Today he announced the exact dates and sites of the ten “Wave Goodbye” outings: They begin at the end of August with four nights in New York City before stops in Chicago and Los Angeles, and you’ll find them at the bottom of this post. But before he goes off into the sunset or whatever, Trent decided to impart some wisdom to all the younger acts who’ve yet to amass hundreds of thousands of Twitter followers. Pay attention, class.