Bandhive

Releasing a single is a big moment for any artist.

Whether you’re the artist who is building up to an EP or full-length album, the content creator who releases singles every month, or you’re releasing a one-off single just to get some music out there, there’s one common thread: 

To truly take advantage of the boost a single could give you, there needs to be a solid plan around the release.

Not only for the long-term, but also for the short term.

What can you do to give your single a fighting chance in the world of attention marketing?

Listen now to find out!

What you’ll learn:

• How the internet has changed the way artists need to market their music
• Why creating a moment is the way to a fan’s heart
• How you could harness a single to grow your email list
• Why your single release needs to be part of a bigger plan
• How to increase your long-term success by giving fans something to be nostalgic about
• How you can grow your fanbase by investing into your audience
• Why community is so important for a fanbase
• Why you are not done once you finish your songs
• How the music industry has become compartmentalized

For full show notes visit https://bandhive.rocks/46

In 30 seconds, you have to walk out onto a stage with hundreds of people in the audience.

Your palms are sweaty, and your heart is pounding.

It may feel like you’re the only one in the world who experiences the feeling of performance anxiety, also known as stage fright…

But you’re not alone.

From the artist who plays more than 800 takes of the same part trying to get the perfect one, to the singer who gets sick before walking on stage, thousands of people deal with stage fright every day.

Listen now if you want to learn how to cope with stage fright in front of live audiences as well as in a studio setting, so you can put on the best performance possible.

What you’ll learn:

• You’re not alone: everyone faces stage fright to some extent
• How to grow relationships with your fans by being genuine
• Why PMA is a major player in defeating performance anxiety
• How to avoid recording 800 takes of the same part
• How you can go into the studio with confidence
• Why dressing for success isn’t limited to the white-collar business world
• How backup plans can reduce performance anxiety
• The number one thing to do to ensure good mental health

For full show notes visit https://bandhive.rocks/45

In a time when music seems to become more and more of a commodity, one group is fighting back.

Led by Aaron Zimmer, Leesta Vall Sound Recordings works with artists to create one of a kind, lathe cut records for fans.

The records capture a unique moment in time, created specifically for each person who ordered a copy.

Selling a copy of a song that only one person will ever have might seem counterintuitive, but look at it this way: you’re nurturing your relationships with fans who are willing to spend money on a physical copy of a single song.

These are your most valuable fans, so anything you can do to grow that relationship is a leap in the right direction.

Learn more about nurturing your relationship with your fans and how you can create one of a kind records as a unique piece of memorabilia for your fans!

What you’ll learn:

• How you can capture a unique moment in time for your fans
• What Aaron and his team are doing to help artists during lockdown
• How to release one of a kind records for your fans (without buying a lathe and cutting 5,000 practice records)
• Why your music shouldn’t be your main selling point
• What the two most important habits are for an artist
• Why Leesta Vall considers artists their customers, instead of the fans who purchase records
• How creating memorabilia for your fans helps you grow a relationship with them

For full show notes visit https://bandhive.rocks/44

Typically when we hear about habits, it’s in the context of breaking bad habits.

But there are good habits, too – habits that improve your life, business, and skills.

The key to this is relying on habits rather than motivation.

Motivation means you’ll end up doing things when you really need to, but only sporadically.

Habits let you get into a groove so it’s not a question of if you’re going to do something today – it’s when.

Start forming good habits today. Listen now to hear some examples of what you can and should work into your daily routine!

What you’ll learn:

• Why you should practice your instrument every single day
• How to keep learning by watching artists who inspire you
• Why it’s good to post content on a daily basis
• Why you need to work on your business every day
• How to stay up to date on music news
• How you can find practically every new mention of your band on the internet
• Why giving yourself time to do things you want to do is vital
• How habits keep you going even if you’re facing burnout

For full show notes visit https://bandhive.rocks/43

When it comes to being in a band, one thing matters above all else: your audience.

Unfortunately, growing your audience isn’t easy.

Keeping that audience engaged is even more difficult, but just as important as having the audience in the first place.

An unengaged audience isn’t much more than numbers on a screen, but a highly engaged audience is pure profit – financially as well as for your soul.

Listen now to learn how you can nurture your audience into a massive, engaged social media following and turn your business into a well-oiled machine.

What you’ll learn:

• How to harness the power of the largest marketing platform in the world
• Why an artist needs to have multiple products (aside from music)
• How to build a relationship with your audience
• Why you need to have a platform for fan discussions
• How to nurture discussion
• Why hashtags are incredibly important – and how to use them
• Why you are not better than your fans
• How you can become more relatable to your audience
• What steps to take to grow your Instagram following

For full show notes visit https://bandhive.rocks/42

OK LISTEN UP

I've seen WAY too many people freaking out about Facebook banning artists from live streaming.

Facebook is doing no such thing.

Artists will still be allowed to play shows.

You will be fine.

It has to be said: fact check before sharing anything these days.

Keep calm and get on (the virtual) stage.

Christian James of James and the Giant Sleep is a multi-talented songwriter, musician, and videographer on a mission.

Christian’s passion lies in creating a lasting legacy with their music… But video is the key to making that happen.

It’s important to have your priorities set straight, and that’s one of the many things Christian understands – and you should, too.

Listen now to hear from Christian how you can focus on your career, create videos on a budget, and set your priorities realistically. 

What you’ll learn:

• How Christian learned their music and video skills – and you can too!
• How to tell when your music is ready for release
• Why it’s important to focus on what other artists are doing
• How DIY artists can create a high-production-value video
• What you should expect as a realistic music video budget
• Why you need to invest in yourself and your business
• How to set your priorities for success
• How you control your own trajectory in the music industry

For full show notes visit https://bandhive.rocks/41

Finding an amazing cover of a song is always a highlight of my day when it happens.

Hearing a new, unique twist on a song I already enjoy just carries a special meaning to it somehow.

But, even though lots of artists release covers only a small handful of them become successful…

It can be really tough because not only do you have to compete with other artists, you have to compete with the original version of the song.

Listen now to learn more about releasing covers so you can harness their power to grow your audience!

What you’ll learn:

• How to harness the power of covers to grow your band
• Why you should only release covers if you can do the song justice
• Why original covers beat carbon copies every time
• How live or acoustic covers differ from studio releases
• How some artists build their entire careers on covers
• How to release cover songs legally
• What potential pitfalls releasing a cover can run into
• Why expecting a song not to go viral is the worst attitude to have
• Where you can find an entertainment lawyer

For full show notes visit https://bandhive.rocks/40

If you’re just starting your musical career, it can be overwhelming to get out there.

In fact, you’re probably being pulled in a million different directions.

“Do I release a song? Play a show? Start a mailing list? Set up a website?”

Let us help you make that a bit easier for you: in this episode we’re talking about booking a show as well as red flags to look out for when dealing with venue talent buyers, promoters, and others.

The best part is, most of what we’re discussing applies to live streams too, so even during the pandemic this episode will be helpful to you!

Listen now to learn how you can find a show that’s a great fit for your music and the audience so you blend right in, while avoiding common rookie mistakes.

What you’ll learn:

• How you can get your first show booking
• What makes talent buyers want to book your band
• Why you should focus on a few shows rather than taking any show you can get
• What to look out for when working with venues and promoters
• Why you should have the money talk before confirming a show (even if you’re playing for $0)
• How live show principles apply to live streaming during the pandemic (and anytime)
• Why you need to promote shows and live streams to build your audience

For full show notes visit https://bandhive.rocks/39

Technology is a beautiful thing.

It allows us to complete work and communicate from thousands of miles away, as if we are in the same room.

Even in the past ten years, technology has come a long way from where it was.

Unfortunately, a lot of artists are still doing things the hard way: scheduling social media posts manually, communicating on many different platforms and letting messages slip through the cracks, or making merch sales manually via PayPal.

There are tons of apps out there to help businesses grow and succeed, and there are even quite a few designed specifically for artists.

Listen now to learn about nine types of app every band should have a grasp of, and how you can get started with easy to use digital tools.

What you’ll learn:

• What areas every artist should invest into to be taken seriously
• How you can make your social media management 10x easier
• Why mailing lists are vital to a band’s business, even in 2020
• How you can reliably sell merch online
• Why you should consider several different distribution channels before choosing one
• How to get a branded band email for just $6/month
• Why using multiple systems for file transfer is a terrible idea
• What tools you can use to effectively communicate with your band and third parties

For full show notes visit https://bandhive.rocks/38