As an entertainer you need to take advantage of certain resources.

Lets focus on one resource that you can't afford to be without.

"People"

To more specific, people that you don't know personally.

Your fan base will include people that you know but more than likely, most of them you won't know personally.

The good thing about it is that people are everywhere, and its easy to reach them.

But before you start posting your music in chat rooms, MYSPACE and internet groups you may need to concentrate on building basic relationships with people that are accessible to you. The internet is a great tool for marketing your music but you must become successful in marketing yourself outside of cyberspace. These mediums become a more effective tool once you have fans that want to visit your webpage and stay updated on your progress. It's not likely that a person will see your link, browse and instantly become a fan. It doesn't work in that manner. I'll revisit using the internet to promote more effectively in a future email. Right now lets focus on a group of people that you have immediate access to and they would probably back you if you gave them good reason.

"Your neighbors"

These are the people that will become your cheer squad and encourage you the most when you need it.

Ever notice how most rappers have the crew from the neighborhood they lived in as there die-hard fan base? The people you live around and see on a daily to weekly basis will more than likely support you without ever hearing a lick of your music...which is a good thing, (so don't ruin it by giving them your wack azz CD)..lol. Truthfully you don't want to get in the habit of giving away CD's if you don't have to...save your money and sell them when it counts. But if you give them something, make it a flyer to one of your shows instead. Trust me that even if your stage performance is lacking they will support. Don't mess it up by giving them a CD with music they may not feel.

The flyer can be simple with your contact email and your webpage. People with internet access will be quick to listen to your music online as suppose to you giving them a CD that they may not play at all. This is really another subject to be addressed later.

The reason why neighbors support you is because you have a basic relationship with them or common ground. Take the time out to know your neighbors by name. If you ever walk though your neighborhood take note at where the young people or your target audience have residence. Get to know their face at least so that you feel comfortable giving them a flyer about your music. Once you have established a good relationship with a few of them they will continue to support your music. Get consistent with this grass roots type of marketing in your "hood". Imagine if you were able to get 2- 4 different people every week from your neighborhood to support your career by at the very least telling their friends and family about you. Your buzz will start to grow right from home.

You don't have to worry about getting really chummy with the neighbors if you don't want, for those of you who want to have the neighbors as a fan base, but want to keep them out of your personal business...consider throwing a few small listening parties. You could do this at the neighborhood playground or park. But make it simple so that the focus is not lost. The whole purpose is not to play cards or some other BS, it's for you to promote your music. It could be something as simple as offering them chips & soda to putting dogs on the grill and asking them to listen to a few tracks from your new CD. Ask them for their opinion and be prepared to hear it. Believe me this works because they feel like they had a hand in helping you. When you hit the radio and the other media, they will be proud and just as excited for you. This is a really effective way to gain your neighborhood as your die hard fan base.

Okay enough for now....I'll try to give you some info on great internet marketing in my next email. I'll also talk about how you can get the club crowd to listen.

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