Welcome to "The New Digital Music Biz". This blog focuses on the latest trends in the technology that are changing the music industry as we once knew it.
Please send all technology or digital music marketing questions to askmrshadeed@gmail.com.      

The year 2009 is off to a good start. If I can manage to stay focused and continue to challenge myself to reach my goals, this will be the most successful year-to-date for myself and the team I surround myself with.
This is also the part of the year where most of the events that you will see me make speaking and filming appearances at are scheduled. Based on the emails and feedback I receive, many of the readers of this column are artists, promoters, managers, and independent label heads.

I wanted to provide you with some tips on how to effectively set-up your "presence" and ensure outstanding marketing/networking opportunities at any music conference using the internet.

The Internet and Music Conferences

Networking is a priority for anybody currently in or aspiring to break into the music business.

Music conferences provide the opportunity to get out of the studio and travel to a city and focus on moving your career forward.

The question is "What are your goals for attending a music conference?"

The hip-hop industry has to move beyond high school reasons of "Just being seen" or "Because everybody will be there".
Hip-Hop has had examples of artists and independent labels doing real business and changing the music business and the world as a result.

Discovery

Using the internet is a great way to discover who will be there at the conference and how that will benefit your current album project or label.
Once you find out who will be there, take action by obtaining their contact information and attempt to set up a meet/greet in advance of attending.

Build Your Itinerary

When I attend a conference, I’m not just attending the conference. I’m getting involved in every opportunity that exists in that city.
Find out who all the local bloggers, internet radio shows, DVDs, public access tv shows are in that city including contact info.
Find out where the local after-parties, clubs, radio station DJs,

Meet the Press

I do not rap, sing, dance, or act at this point in my life, yet whenever I visit a city, I do more interviews than most gold artists on a major label. Why is that? Because I make sure that I make contacts with the press in the cities that I’m traveling to. This is an area that I only see very few independent artists taking advantage of. In fact, this is one of the main ways a good publicist earns their money.
Here’s a few tips:

Send out a Press Release

I have provided an actual example of the press release used to announce when I was a guest panelist at the 3rd Hood Hard Day Conference in Charlotte.
Link to Press Release

Set Up a Media Day

Again, if you are a rapper, you’re supposed to generate news wherever you go. As an independent, MTV is not going to come hunting for you in your neighborhood, unless you’re really talented. So, if you’re attending a conference where "everyone" will be, why not make it easier to invite the media attending the conference to one place and conduct various interviews?

Bonus Tip:

If the conference is being held in a hotel, book your room in that hotel.
Set up the times for interviews starting around 9am and go until finished or until the major events for the conference starts.
This can all be arranged before you get to the city you’re arriving using a simple email blast to media contacts and/or press release announcing your Media Day.

Wrapping Things Up

About Me

I am a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist and New Media Architect which means I spend the majority of my time testing and evaluating the latest and greatest advances in technology and designing marketing strategies for companies in the entertainment industry that are looking to take advantage of technology to build and strengthen their brand names.
My thoughts and strategies on technology can be found on:

http://collaborpedia.com/blogs

I am the Program Director of the world’s first Digital A&R Indie Planet Television:
www.theindieplanet.com