Ariel Publicity

By Cassie Petrey – CrowdSurf.net

How To Set Up Your YouTube Channel

Anyone can set up his own channel on YouTube.  When you register an account on the site, you are automatically given your own page.  The URL for your channel will be www.youtube.com/username.

When you go to set up your own channel, be sure to keep these ideas in mind:

Step 1. Think About Your Channel Name

Make your user name something that is easy to remember.  It would be ideal to make your user name your band’s / artist name.  If that name is unavailable, add something like “music” or official” into your user name.  This lets YouTube users know that this is an official account, and it makes it easy for your fans to find you.

TIP: Your YouTube name should match your URL & your MySpace

Step 2. Specify “Musician” Account.

To do this, all you need to do is:

- Login to your account

- Click on “Account” in the right top corner

- Select “Edit Channel” – this is located in the “Overview” tab

- Go to the “Channel Type” section & select “Musician”

Step 3. Design Your Channel!

Go into the “Account” section and click on “Channel Design.”  This will give you the option to select different colors, upload a background image, etc.  It’s really easy to use, and within a few clicks you can spice up your Channel’s look.

Here are a few channel design tips:

- Try to make your channel look somewhat similar to your website & your MySpace, Twitter etc.  You always want to keep your artwork consistent on all of your sites so people can recognize that its you all over the net.

- Make sure that you make the text and links on the page easy to read.  I would recommend keeping the table colors white, text color black, and the links blue or another dark, readable color.

- Don’t add too many sections (i.e. Group Links, User Uploads Box, etc.) if you currently don’t have any activity on your page.  Having these blank sections on your page will make it look cluttered.  If you decide to start using these options, you can always come back and add them later.

Step 4. Text Populate Your Channel

Did you know that you can add information to your YouTube Channel just like you do to your MySpace and Facebook pages?

Here are tips for text content to your channel:

- Click on “Account” and then select “Performer Info.”  This will give you the option to fill out basic information about yourself/your band.

- Be sure to include website and MySpace links.  You can’t use HTML in the performer info section, but you can create a hyperlink by using the full URL (this must include http:// before your website address).

- You will be given three spots for album images and buy links in your profile – use them!  Don’t have three albums out yet?  That’s OK, Create an icon that links out to your merch page or website.

- Add your tour dates to the page by selecting the “event dates” tab in your account backend.  You have the option to include a buy link for each tour date – be sure to use it if you can to sell tickets to your shows if they are available online.

Step 5. Upload Your Videos

I know, it seems simple, but there’s more to uploading videos to YouTube than just clicking the yellow “upload video” button in the top left corner of the screen.

Title Properly

Make sure that the title of each of your videos includes your artist or band name, song title, and any other relevant information.  The title of your video is the first thing that will be seen in the search results, so make sure it’s easy to identify.

Use the Description!

You have a lot of space here to describe your video in depth, so if you couldn’t put everything you wanted in the title, you will have the opportunity to add it here.

TIP: Remember, you can put URLs in the description as well, so be sure to add links to your: MySpace, Twitter, Facebook, CD Baby etc.  You have to include the full website address for the link to be clickable i.e. http://www.arielpublicity.com

Select a Proper Video Category

This will more than likely be “Music.”

Tag Thoroughly

Use as many different tags as you possibly can.  Be sure to include your artist/band name, song name, any related artists names (especially if you add a cover), similar artists (so that when people type in an artist they like they will come across your video), genres of music, hometown, names of all band members, producer, themes in the video and anything else that makes your video more searchable.

Broadcast Options and Sharing Options

Don’t change these options. `They are already set for maximum viral exposure.

Uploading the Actual Video File is The Easiest Part

YouTube pretty much accepts all video formats.  You just need to make sure your video is under 1000MB and you are ready to go.  However, I would recommend that you keep each video under 200MB if possible.

Step 6. Become a Frequent YouTube User

A lot of people don’t know this, but you can interact with other users on YouTube.  It’s actually very similar to the way people interact on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc.  And it’s an effective way to get more people interested in your videos and channel.

TIP: This is something that will need to become a part of your daily online marketing routine.

TIP: Use Precaution

Please be careful, YouTube moderates user activity and spamming very closely.  Everything will have to be done in moderation, and if you receive a notice to stop sending messages, adding friends, etc. – PLEASE STOP or else your account will be deleted.

Subscribe to Channels

This can help you go a long way:  Start off by subscribing to channels of similar artists or artists that you like and sound like. The easiest way to do this is to type in the artist’s name in the search engine, and related channels will be the first ones that pop up.

After you have subscribed to your favorite artist’s channels, start subscribing to their to their fans’ channels by going to the artist’s channel and locating the “Subscribers” box.  This will be a good place to start adding friends.

Watch Videos

This is how you get the word out about your own channel.

A Few Things to Do While Watching Videos:

Rate Videos

All you have to do is click on the stars under each video. It literally takes 1 second.

Add Videos as Favorites

Love the video?  Just click on that little heart.  Keep in mind that these videos will be added to your “Favorites” section on your channel.

Comment on Videos

And respond to other people’s comments.

Rate the Comments

You can click on the “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” – this also takes one second for each rating.

Make a Video Response!

Feeling really compelled?  Make a video response!  Just click on the link right underneath “Statistics & Data” to post it.   Sometimes making your own acoustic cover or just a speaking response to a popular video can bring traffic to your own channel.

Add Friends

You can add people as friends just like you can add friends on MySpace and Facebook.  Add you need to is visit their channel and click on the “add as friend” link in their contact table located in the left column.

Comment on Channels Too

Not only can you comment on videos, but you can also comment on people’s channels as well.  The comments section is generally located at the bottom of the right column on a user’s channel.

Step 7. See How The Pros Do It & Emulate!

Here are some recommended artist channels to look at

Ariel Publicity – www.youtube.com/arielpublicity

Ashley Tidsale – www.youtube.com/ashleytisdale

Blake Shelton – www.youtube.com/blakeshelton

Greg Holden – www.youtube.com/gdholden

Jonas Brothers – www.youtube.com/jonasbrothersmusic

Lady Antebellum – www.youtube.com/ladyantebellum

Luke Bryan – www.youtube.com/lukebryan

Savannah Outen – www.youtube.com/savannah7448

Simple Plan – www.youtube.com/simpleplan

SouljaBoy – www.youtube.com/souljaboy

The Black Year – www.oyutube.com/theblaqkyear

Tokio Hotel – www.youtube.com/tokiohotel

Subscribe to Ariel’s Sound Advice Weekly Video series –

http://www.YouTube.com/ArielPublicity

And of course come comment and friend us too!

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http://www.greenarrowradio.com

Green Arrow Radio is an open forehead music show. The show offers a bit of something new with a mixture of world beat and fresh jazz. Also, included is some soulful funk. The entire show is landscaped to change each week.

Q:  How long have you been broadcasting/blogging?

A:  I have been broadcasting in  community and college setting for over 6 years now and i have been “blogging” for about 4 of those years.

Q:  In your opinion, what does a good song need to consist of?

A: A good song needs to play well with others!

Q: What is your favorite band or favorite genre of music and why?

A: Such a difficult thing to narrow down since the desired sounds change constantly based on so many uncontrolled factors.  I don’t care much for assigning “genres” to art..either its for me or it isn’t….I guess if my life depended on answering this I would without hesitation say that Club d’Elf would be the band I call my favorite since they mix and blend so many varieties of sound into everything they do live or otherwise.

Q: What changes in content laws, broadcasting rights, etc. have affected you most?

A: You know, I think I just don’t like the meddling of authority on what I am supposed to form my own opinions about.  But as I pay attention to what is going on and follow it to the edges—-I just appreciate the opportunity to introduce people to new sounds that I just play along nicely to be able to share.  But ask me again some other time and I’m sure to have a different answer.

Q: A recent study found blogs to be more effective than MySpace in generating album sales, do you feel that that is a true statement?

A: Well, I hope that my efforts on greenarrowradio.com help generate listening ears which will turn into trying to find out more about the artist..including purchasing some of their art.  I see myspace for me as a great avenue to get people over to greenarrowradio.com and for me an easier way to check out music with the intention to purchase it … even if it is one tune at a time. More power to all these ways of supporting that something that does seem to unite many.

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http://www.erkfm.com

Weekly music podcast called “Erk FM” is dedicated to music and features about an hour’s worth of music per episode. It is produced in Sydney, Australia. It features a wide range of music from across the world. Erk FM is a proud member of the Association of Music Podcasting Erk also hosts a talk podcast called Erk Pod which is weekly as well.

Follow the podcast feeds on Twitter: http://twitter.com/channelerk

Q:  How long have you been broadcasting/blogging?

A:  I’ve been podcasting since May 2007. I’ve grown over the time adding a co-host to my original show, doing live shows and now I do 4 podcasts. I have a talk podcast (Erk Pod), music podcast (Erk FM), outdoor/mobile podcast (Echo Romeo Kilo) and Erk’s Blast From The Past (family/personal history). I’ve combined all 4 podcasts into a single site and feed (Channel Erk) as well as each site/feed. I even have my mum involved as a host on a new show as well!

Q:  In your opinion, what does a good song need to consist of?

A: A song for me has to be catchy. Usually the more guitar featured, the better! Maybe not to earworm level but if it is an earworm, it must be catchy!

Q: What is your favorite band or favorite genre of music and why?

A: I love rock, the more guitars the better.  However since I’ve been doing Erk FM, I’ve been listening to a wider range of music more often and have tried to mix it up for the Erk FM audience.

Q: What changes in content laws, broadcasting rights, etc. have effected you most?

A: As a podcaster approaching 2 years in the space, I understand what my limitations are. I know that I won’t be able to play Top 40 artists of today or yesterday. However people who aren’t in the space or are dedicated music podcast listeners probably assume that we can play those mainstream artists.

The artists I have played are very talented and need to be heard. I might not be able to hear them on my local radio station or buy them in my local store but thanks to music podcasters, they can be heard around the world.

Q: A recent study found blogs to be more effective than MySpace in generating album sales, do you feel that that is a true statement?

A: I know there is a lot of music on Myspace but myself and others have found the Myspace experience very frustrating. I’d rather find my music to play on a podcast with a company like Ariel Publicity/Cyber PR rather than Myspace. I hate referring people to Myspace as a band’s only web presence.

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The Winner of the Twitter Pitch Contest Is: The Divorcees!

Their winning pitch:

The Divorcees are the hard liquor sandwich of Americana 1 shot Jagger (Cash) 1 shot Tequila (Willie) 1 shot Whiskey (Waylon)

Here is some more about them: “Those who prefer their roots music raw with a little lap steel twang   on the side really need to check out New Brunswick outlaw country hooligans the Divorcees. The Johnny Cash- and Waylon Jennings-inspired   tunes on their You Ain’t Gettin’ My Country (Haysale) should give you a good idea of what these shit-kickin’ hombres are all about – hardcore honky-tonkin’ and haulin’ ass.”

- NOW Magazine

Congratulations guys!  

We are looking forward to working your May 2009 release “Last of The Free Men”

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The Story Of The Divorcees resonates with a lot of younger music fans   who have made a return to their country roots. Alex Madsen, Danny Roy, Denis “Turtle” Arsenault, Brock Gallant, and   Jason “J Byrd” Nicholson  came up in the maritime music scene having   played in rock, punk, funk, grunge, and even metal bands. But their love of country was always just under the surface. Like many of their maritime friends and family, the back porch was a   prime spot to dig out their flattops and belt out the songs of their honky tonk heroes at the top of their lungs. It was only a matter of time before the five like-minded small towners gravitated to each others gigs, parties and barbeques.

By 2005, that coalesced into what is now the The Divorcees. In a matter of months, rock and roll friends and more than a few die-  hard country folk started filling the bars they were playing. Before   long, they were at The East Coast Music Awards, bringing their brand   of “country” country to an even larger audience. In the making of their first album (You Ain’t Getting My Country) they   had re-discovered a precious part of themselves and were eager to   share it. So, the band hit the road. The same thing happened;   generations of country fans as well as rock and rollers packed in to   see their rowdy, old-school outlaw country show from coast to coast. Before they knew it, they had crossed the country numerous times,   sharing stages with people like George Canyon, Johnny Reid, Tim McGraw   and Faith Hill, Tim Hus, Corb Lund, Aaron Pritchett, and a host of new   found friends. Casey Clarke was wearing their tour shirts on CMT…and   playing The Divorcees first video for “Red Haired Red Blooded Woman”. Then, in 2008, the East Coast Music Association awarded them Country   Album Of The Year in Alex Madsen’s hometown of Fredericton – a   grateful moment of validation after three years of hard work and hard touring.

As of 2009, The Divorcees have completed and are preparing to release   their sophmore album, titled “Last Of The Free Men”, produced Josh   Finlayson (The Skydiggers) at the Tragically Hip’s Bathouse. They were   also thrilled to have their second record mixed at the legendary   Blackbird Studios in Nashville (using components originally found at   Abbey Road) and mastered by Richard Dodd, associated with artists such   as Johnny Cash and Tom Petty. The Divorcees love the road, so it’s no surprise that they’re   currently on a Western tour of Canada for the month of March,   immediately followed by an April tour through Ontario. When that winds   up, they’ll head home for regional touring through New Brunswick, Nova   Scotia, PEI, and Newfoundland. The group’s excited to tour their way to the Canadian Country Music   Awards in Vancouver at the end of the summer and are raring to cross   the border to bring their brand of outlaw country to their American   friends. For The Divorcees, the next show always beckons.

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I recently launched a new Sound Advice Series 2 feature the band Making April: which details How To Sell 1,000 tracks a Week on iTunes. I interviewed them and in 14 segments and they spilled the beans on how they have become top independent sellers on iTunes using mostly MySpace.

But MySpace isn’t the only way to the top of the charts at iTunes…

A Musicians Guide to Promoting On iTunes

How One Artist Became a Top Seller in His iTunes Genres

I have a friend in Brooklyn who is an accomplished artist/producer, doing astonishingly well selling his music on iTunes. Since iTunes is where the vast majority of online music is purchased I asked him if he would sit down with me and explain to me how he promotes himself exclusively from within the walls of iTunes.

I was astonished at what he had to say. It turns out being a top seller on iTunes is not just a random thing that occurs. You must promote yourself within the walls of iTunes just like you have to promote yourself everywhere else.

My friend asked not to be named and so it is not revealed (it turns out the top indie promoters on iTunes are very competitive).

He took me on a step-by step breakdown on how to get started effectively promoting yourself on iTunes. This is a labor-intensive process but it yields fruitful results as he earns hundreds of dollars a month from iTunes sales.

Step 1 – Sign up to iTunes & Buy Some Music!

I am always surprised at how many artists I meet who have their music available for sale at iTunes but they themselves have never purchased anything from the site. The first thing you should do is sign up and buy some music (yours and your friends) so you are familiar with the buying process. This will come in handy when you ask your fans to buy later!

Step 2 – Create 5 Separate Profile Accounts

Did you know that with each credit card that you register with iTunes you get 5 separate accounts? iTunes designed it this way so families in one household can all use one card.

These profiles are totally separate and they are not interconnected so this gives you five individual profiles that you can register and you can use each one to help promote your music. One of the profiles you create can be you but the other 4 will be created to help you promote yourself.

TIP: While you are creating these profiles: Think about your target audience – who are they? Older dudes that like prog rock, or teenagers that like Britney Spears?

Create profiles that would fit the types of people who like your music. Choose a name for each profile so they each have an individual personality. Give them distinct personalities and even imagine where they might be from.

Step 3 – Review Other Artists

With each profile – individually begin to review other people’s music. You definitely want to review three or four other artists that have nothing to do with you or your genre so choose some of the artists that have influenced you or artists that you like and create some reviews.

Step 4 – Create iMixes

You will create 2 catagories of iMixes

1. iMixes that have nothing to do with you and your music

Examples:

A jazz essentials list, Best of Madonna, Great local bands from your hometown, Best of Bob Marley, The essential Simon & Garfunkel, Best of the 1970’s

2. iMixes that INCLUDE YOUR OWN MUSIC

Create mixes that include your own tracks with other complimentary tracks (artists you get compared to and who you are influenced by that sound good when played next to your songs). When you create iMixes think of yourself as a DJ or a curator and piece together thoughtful lists.

TIP: Add some of the top sellers from each week in your genre and style as buyers will already be looking for the top sellers when they come to iTunes.

TIP: You should create an iMix at least one time per week per account.

Step 5 – Vote for iMixes

Next you will use your accounts to vote for the iMixes you create and also vote for other iMixes that you like. Vote for your own iMixes using your other profiles.

COOL: iMixes that begin to pick up votes rise to the top where other buyers will begin to respond to them and purchase your iMixes.

A Note about iMix voting:

People who are key users who are also heavily promoting their own music sometimes can be competitive. They may try to vote your iMixes down so that the iMixes that they have created rise to the top.

What my friend says about this: Being malicious on iTunes is awful. Don’t give other people bad reviews. Stay away from this type of negative behavior. Just focus on your own voting and contributions.

Step 6 – Master iMix Sandwiching

When you create an iMix, you want to sandwich yourself between hot chart-toppers in your genre, and add artists that already have five-star reviews.

For each iMix, make it at least 20 songs, but you can go to 40 or 50 songs. To stay on top of the charts for your iMix, you must get the most votes and the most stars.

TIP: Don’t forget to vote for other people’s iMixes so it looks like you are well-rounded.

This is where registering different credit cards and different personalities so you can actually log in and vote for yourself comes in handy.

TIP: Ask Your Band Members & Street Team For Help

So, if you had four credit cards (or if you have one and 3 of your band members or essential street team members each help you out), you can have 20 profiles total, five per credit card, and you can have those profiles voting too.

Step 7 – Remove Unpopular iMixes & Update Them

If your iMix falls below three stars you should take your iMix down from iTunes, add some new tracks to it, and then add it again as an updated iMix.

It will take a few hours for your updated iMix to show back up into the iTunes profiles, but you don’t want to have a poorly rated iMix sitting in the iTunes system with your music in it.

How To Update an iMix

In order to update an I-Mix: Click on the arrow on iTunes. Then click on “update,” and add some new tracks,

TIP: Don’t rename your iMix

iMixes are good for a whole year, so you want to make sure that you start voting, when it goes back up. It takes between 6 to 12 hours for a newly edited or a new iMix to show up.

Here’s The Wrap Up:

For each profile you create: Their iMixes to match their personality:

1. Create then wait for your iMix to show up.

2. Log in as each of your different reviewers and users.

3. Vote five stars from each of the people.

4. Start watching your music sell

5. Go in two times per week and create new iMixes.

6. After a while to stay in the most recent, you must continue to make new iMixes. Vote, vote and vote.

7. Remember, you must log in and submit votes for each of the iMixes with each of your separate accounts and many separate times. This is the most time consuming part of the process, but if you do this, the rewards and the sales will pay off deeply

8. Log in and vote for: Was this review helpful? And click yes per account. This will help your iMix move up the charts.

9. When you make an iMix, don’t only include the chart toppers, but also include what appeals to you as a listener and what the fans of this iMix might actually like.

10. Remember, you are creating a useful contribution to the iTunes community. The key is make iMixes on Mondays because on Tuesdays the new release schedule will kick in and that’s when your iMixes will show up

I can’t wait to see how this works for you!

Please send me your feedback to ariel@arielpublicity.com

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