Hi Niteshift,

Checked out the blog, looking pretty good.

I hope there's only 10 songs in that player cause I could only see 9 and a half...lol

I have noticed lately that seems to be a trend, the musicians conglomerating their efforts and resources, thus making it easier for all involved. A shared expense, group effort, everyone contributes, and everyone benefits. I think we will see more and more of that type of thing as individuals begin to understand that the DIY model is almost, I won't even say almost, it is too many hats for one person to wear.

You just can't be everybody, doing everything, and get anything done completely, or efficiently. I don't believe any one person or even a band can stay in that mode for long. Sooner or later your gonna wear yourself out, and find you just can't do it. It's a place to start, but sooner, or later, you realize too many things are hurting.

Even if you had the knowledge in every area you have to have to function properly, it would be a difficult task. I don't know anyone that has that much knowledge or experience in one brain, so then you have to take time to learn what you don't know, and that slows you down , and things fall further behind.

Think of the number of things that have to be done for you to be successful.

Write the material... you have to be a songwriter.... takes months to get done

set it to music.....you have to be a musician...take years to learn

Find other musicians you can afford if you don't have a band...takes a several weeks at least to line everyone up.

Record it ..... you need to know something about recording programs.... take a couple weeks reading the manual, and help sections,to even begin to understand the interface if you have never used a DAW or recording program.

add the effects... you need to know about sound effects, gateways, how to set a phaser, or delay so the timing is right.
Months of reading and learning.

Mix it down...you need to know what sounds right, does everything sit together properly, and how to fix it if it doesn't .... months of reading and learning

Master it... I could count the number of people I know on one hand that actually even understand what that's all about....this can take a couple years to really grasp.

( and well your doing all that you need to start thinking about the CD art work, how you gonna package it? How are you going to produce the CD's, CD burner, or do you need a lot of copies very quickly, and if so, who are you gonna get to do them? What's the cover gonna look like, whats the CD label gonna be like? what color scheme is best? Do you even own a good graphics program like Photoshop or the likes? Do you have any any training in the area of graphic presentation? All the while your making these decisions you have to find out where to procure the products at you need to have to get the job done, you just became the Graphic Artist and the company buyer too!)

The list of jobs is way too long to even post here. You have to build a website, start a Blog, plan a tour, copyright the material, figure out how to distribute the CD, promote it, Market yourself and the CD, do the radio shows, contact the Dj's, be the accountant, answer all the emails, the street team, get posters made, build your fan base on myspace, facebook, twitter, Youtube, oh, and who is doing the video? Do a promo photo shoot, find some wheres to get your fan's products to buy like T-shirts, and the likes, be the manager, and the booking agent.The list is never ending.

Believe me if you try it, it won't take you long to learn why the labels had an army of people to promote just one artist.

The point here is some where along the line you learn it's about more than just you. Your going to have to involve others if you are going to be successful. Make up your mind to that before you burn yourself completely out.

I know I got off the main idea in this thread, but I think it's important before you even start worrying about promotion and marketing, to realize it can be a long haul on the highway to no wheres, prepare for that, involve others you trust, learn to do the research, and delegate accordingly. Take it one small step at a time, and always take time to take gratification in the little accomplishments along the way.

Ok. I'll shut up...lol

Billy Darnell

http://www.billydarnell.com

http://www.songwriterservices.biz