Something I'm going to try

So, I have a show coming up in about a week.
Nothing to crazy, I entered into a battle of the bands. Should be fun if anything. Would be cool to win the top spot for the night. The prize is a day of recording and some promotion.

Even if I don't place I will be getting to play for a whole bunch of people I don't normally reach. It is exposure, none the less, to possible new fans.

The one thing that I am going to do different that what my mind has always been on is with merchandise. Every one will have T shirts and CD and odds and ends. I'll have my little stack of CD's sitting there as per usual, but what I will be bringing that is different is a stack of small paintings.

I'll have about 10 or 12 little acrylic painting set up to offer. There are a few examples over on my other blog if anyone wants to take a quick look. www.thepainthabbit.blogspot.com
Material wise these didn't cost me a lot. It took me a little bit of time to figure out what to paint, what I could paint quickly, and was not super time consuming. I'm hoping because it is unusual that it might make people slow down and chat and even better spend a few dollars at my table.

So in the quest for ideas and new revenue streams I thought I would give it a spin and see what happens.
Could work of anyone. Right?

I'll let you know How it goes.

Cheers!

My Music

I nearly forgot to say something about this.

In July I signed up on CD baby and set out for digital distribution of my first single.
I have up for sale the song "My Way To You"

So far the sales have been slow, I can't lie. But I have not been pushing it to hard yet. Just a little bit on my personal facebook page to friends and family.

So here it is This song is up on CD Baby, iTunes, Amazonmp3 and a bunch of others that CD Baby deals with for you.

By The way this is the store widget that you can get from CD Baby. You can tinker with it some to make it look the way you want it to.

Tickets

So with a show coming up and a handfull of tickets, it got me thinking. As an indie artist what are the best ways to sell tickets?

I'm banging my head on the wall trying to move tickets for a show. I've Tweeted, I've set up an event on facebook, i've talked to friends, I have tried many things. Fliers, random chats, really anything I can think of.

I have not found a sure fire way to do it yet. I have even set up a free pair to give away for the first comment on one of my music pages. Nothing.

Why is this so?
Am I being a pest?
Not talking it up enough?
Talking too much?

Not really sure.

So, what are the best ways you use to move tickets.
How does one set up a sure fire plan to sell tickets like hot cakes?

I know one of the golden rules of Social media is to not over do the tweets and updates, or you will get filed to teh side as a spammer.
Is it time of day? or what you say that counts?

I would love some insite from other artists on what they do, what works for them, and what does not work.

So put on your thinking caps and drop me you thoughts.

Cheers!

Been A While

I know it has been a while since I last was through. Sorry about that. Been working, tinkering with some song writing, playing the odd show and battle of the bands. Played a quick one Down In Sundre Alberta in early October. That was a lot of fun. I think I did well. I didn't make it to the next round though it was a tough one that night a lot of good bands. That battle was for a spot to play at the birthday bash for Rock 106.5 in Olds Alberta. That would have been cool and fun.

I did get into the studio for a short bit of recording back in February. I went and seen James at 2 bodies of water productions in Edmonton Alberta. Got 2 songs recorded and one of them is now up on Cd baby and iTunes for sale. The song is My Way To You if you want to give it a listen.

In about 2 weeks I have another Battle of the bands coming up. I will be one of many on November 17th at The Nest in The(NAIT) Northern Alberta institute of Technology building. Should be a good night. Doors are at 6 pm and it is $15 at the door to get in. All Ages to boot.

I'll See if I can't get back here real soon with some more ideas and information to share.

Until Then Keep On Rockin!
Kevin