More Social Media Leads with Creative Twitter Tag lines

As part of my job I analyze contract riders for major acts coming into venues we book. Some of these riders get long and tedious, but to promote a great show we have to painstakingly adhere to every requirement set-forth by the artist's management.

After looking over hundreds of these documents I can see why some promoters (not our amazing company) may miss a few items. And this is quite common and evident in the famous bowl of green M&M's clause, which was used as a litmus test by one smart manager.  He knew that if his group arrived in a greenroom and were welcomed by a big fat bowl of M&M's, all the other deal points were probably adhered too.

Back to my point.

Last week one of my co-workers was laughing as she read through one of those riders.  I had to ask her what was so funny, so she started to read me some of the passages. The manager had written the rider in the artist's voice with humorous quips such as "I am serious about this, it will really make me mad, so please don't do it" and "I know this sounds like it doesn't matter, but it is really important for me." My favorite "we need six loaders, not three and two friends, and don't lie and say you have six when you only have five because that's not cool."  Under food selections he gave choices such as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches "Meh", turkey sandwiches "eh", and grilled cheese sandwiches "wohoo!"

My point is because the manager took the time to write this usually boring document in a unique humorous light, we read through it. Not once, not twice, but many, many times.  The outcome, this artist will receive all the best deal points for sure from most of his promoters. 

So how does this apply to you artists who can't get a rider, much less a contract, much less a paying gig?

Well, let me tell you.

I get hundreds of people requesting to follow me on Twitter every month. Most of them are artists with the hopes that I can help break them into the industry. When I get a notification in my email that they have decided to follow me it includes their name and their Twitter tag line.

Man, you would be surprised at how many artists say, or claim, the same thing. "Award winning artist for X band", or "Music Producer, Artist, & Engineer", or my favorite "Free download at...please take your time to go to another website sign up and download it."

I will admit, my tag line "Agent with Mike Moloney Entertainment • B.S. Music Business Management • MBA in Marketing Candidate" is not any better.

But here's the thing I am aiming at a different demographic, so my tag line meets the objective I have put into my branding and marketing plan. Musicians need to think differently for a number of reasons, but I will give you a couple.

1. You are supposed to be creative, so sell me on your creativity right out of the gate. If you show me that you can be unique in a Twitter headline, chances are I will listen to your music as well.
2. There are far too many artists competing for a limited number of gatekeepers, who have limited amounts of time. You need to differentiate yourself and give them a reason to check out your profile.

Think about the contract rider I spoke about at the beginning of my post. Because the person chose to write it in a unique way it was given much more attention at a very busy office. Now think about this. Your Twitter tag line allows you to capture someones attention, but you have a limited amount of time to do it. If everybody else is claiming to be the best producer, the best artist, the greatest musician ever, what would happen if you claimed to be the "best sloppy Joe maker" or will give a free concert to support diabetes if you get so many followers.

In short. You have a small window of opportunity to grab your Twitter audiences' attention and motivate them to action. You are already creative, so do what your good at.

The thin line between music and religion

On July 3rd I had the opportunity to travel to Seattle to offer assistance for my company, Mike Moloney Entertainment, in producing the first show in Snoqualmie Casino's Summer Concert Series.

Let me tell you. If you have never been to Snoqualmie for an outdoor show, you are missing out. The 2,000 seat outdoor theater overlooks the beautiful Cascade mountains in a way only pictures can show.

 

For the inaugural 2013 concert we had a unique line-up. First on the bill was Eric Burdon and the Animals.  Burdon became famous for that small hit "House of the Rising Sun." At 72, Eric still knows how to rock and brought in the Woodstock generation of music lovers who were on their feet after every song.

The second half of the bill was held by Ziggy Marley.

I already know what your thinking.  How can a show like that work?  Aren't those two very different artists, with two completely different groups of fans?  

Well, let me tell you. It did.  And it was one of the greatest testaments to the power of great music that I have ever seen.

During Eric's show you could see youngsters in Bob Marley t's, clad in yellow, red, and green singing along. When the songs ended many were on their feet with the elder music statesmen beside them. But, that is something you would expect from the youth.  They are there for a good time, and alcohol certainly helps.

Then after a short change, Ziggy hit the stage, and to my surprise I watched as many of Eric's fans stayed.  But they didn't just stay. Within minutes of that Reggae drop on three many where up and dancing.

As I watched the crowd I witnessed people of all races and colors dancing. Some danced with people they never met. My eyes became fixated on a lady in her mid eighties. She was clad in red, white and blue for the holidays in one of the "high roller" boxes, and she was up and dancing through the whole show. She danced with the youngsters besides her, she danced with her family, by herself, and even pulled her husband up for a few numbers.  She was "into the reggae mon". 

And when it was time to close the show, Ziggy did it with absolute class. He performed his dad's tunes, which seemed to bring his fans, Eric Burdon's fans, and the spirit of his father into the cool mountain air.  And he left with a rousing applause.

As humans we always seem to be looking for something spiritual. Some find it in Jesus, others Buddha, and some Allah.  We are all looking to be connected. Connected to the earth, to the spirit world, and to each other.  On July 3rd I witnessed as music did just that.