Elles On The BMI / Billboard Industry Insider Series Panel | The Gibson Showroom, NYC | 4.8.2008
During SXSW a few weeks back, I was asked by our friend Samantha at BMI Publishing to be a panelist for one of their upcoming Industry Insider Series events. The panel was very professional, well organized and a really cool experience from other panels I’ve been on in the past.
Between 100-125 people jammed into 2 studio spaces last night to hear how we help and support artists at our respective companies. Independent artists, managers, record labels and bloggers accounted for the bulk of the audience. We fielded a variety of great questions and listened to details of different marketing and PR challenges many people are currently facing.
A common theme I noticed and quickly brought up was related to ‘making friends, activating fans and asking for help from your network’. So many people were forgetting to self-promote and have neglected asking others for help to promote themselves or their product on a DIY level. This concept related to the musicians (strengthening relationships with other musicians / asking passionate fans to help promote them with specific tasks) to podcasters (asking listeners to share and spread the word on myspace pages or blogs) to internet radio stations (asking other sites and people they interview to post and trade links).
Sometimes the most helpful “tricks of the trade” are quite simple since they’re part of “the basics”. But anyone in any profession knows the basics can be easily ignored or mistakenly forgotten. Bringing importance and a priority to driving home the basics will hopefully help some to take action. It’s really fulfilling to lend helpful insight and words of encouragement to those who are just a bit stuck yet continue to strive for success in the entertainment industry. We here at The Syndicate do it every day on many different levels with bands we manage, clients we consult with, Synners we mentor and even with each other.
From several conversations after the panel, the audience seemed as if they were walking away with some useful knowledge from all the panelists. If you were there, thank you for coming! For upcoming BMI events, workshops and showcases, check out their events.
BMI / Gibson / Billboard present:
The Industry Insider Series
Tues April 8 – 6:30 – 8:00
Gibson Showroom
421 W. 54th Street, NYCMarketing & Publicity: How To Be Heard
Artists achieve breakout success and career longevity through exposure to large groups and target audiences.This seminar will cover proven marketing tips and publicity strategies designed to introduce independent music to consumers. Topics will include the importance of online and street team marketing, how to obtain key press coverage and the ideal organization of promotional events.MODERATOR
Bill Werde (Billboard Magazine)PANELISTS
Susan MacGuire (Powerhouse Entertainment)
Ariel Hyatt (Cyber PR)
Chris Elles (The Syndicate)
