First Day of the last 30 days

Today was absolutely beautiful outside.  80 degrees in the Valley.  I was singing up a storm at the house and was pretty happy to find out that day light savings was over and we had all gained an extra hour of sleep.  The baby had gotten up alittle later than usualy, which was great, but again, she didn’t sleep that fantastically through the night.  She’s definitely teething, growing all four qudrants of her first molars at the same time.  So after being up with her by myself, the hubby came and relieved me and gave me an extra hour and half to sleep.  I had originally planned to go to church with my Mom, to the church that we grew up in, but that didn’t happen.  We had watched Bishop T.D. Jakes earlier in the morning and had started to watch Joel Osteen, but I had seen that sermon before.

Well, I ended up singing like crazy today, belting out “If I Could”, several times, before calling it quits and letting my voice rest.  The baby was so tired that she fell asleep in my arms while while I was singing…that’s crazy…she must have been really tired.  Her sleep time finaly gave me a chance to wash my face and comb my hair.  Wow, the things mommies do…I was looking ragedy for real.  But finally got it together. 

I also had the opportunity to speak with my best friend.  I am so proud of her.  She is on a mission to lose weight and she is doing it.  We were talking about her weight loss cerimony.  She wants to have a “memorial service” for her fat clothes.  Something only “girlfriend’s can relate to”…I love the idea.  Of course I’ll be singing. 

Well, i’m back to blogging like crazy and I really am going to get some videos done.  I saw a girl on YouTube who just video taped herself a capella who totally inspired me.   So, I’ve charged my Flip camera and am I definitely going to tape myself tomorrow, Monday, Novemebr 2nd.  You read it, so I am accountable to you regarding this committment.  Nichole Ayanna, signing out!

90 Day Challenge To A Better You

OK.  I heard about a 90 day challenge where you post your blog comments or a YouTube video blog everyday for the next 90 days, from September 1st to December 1st.  These posts are documenting your commitment  to improve your life in some way.  I am going to take the challenge and go full force with it.  The post can be about anything that documents areas of your life you would like to change and improve.  I can’t say that I stuck to blogging over the past months and half, due to analysis paralysis ( I was trying to figure out how my blog actually worked instead of just doing it) but I am committed to doing it now.

My focus of, course is on singing, health, and family and spiritual health.  I want to take you on the journey with me for the 90 days.  You can do it with me too.  My goal is to, each week, put up at least one video performance of some great songs I always wanted to learn and perform or those that I had written myself.  Singing makes me happy, it uplifts my spirits.  I just feel an overall sense of fulfillment when I sing and that happiness translates into every aspect of my life.  Some say that music resonates in your being and can actually change the cell make up in your body from rigid and sharp to rounded and harmonious ( I think it was in the movie “What the Bleep”).

I also still need to work on my weight loss.  So that I keep myself accountable, I am announcing to the world that I am committed to an exercise routine and cutting down on my food intake.  I also need to work on getting my baby to sleep through the night so that I can get enough proper rest to be my best in all areas of my life…which aint been happenin’ with my little 14 month old. 

So, let me know if you are down to go through this journey with me…what are your commitments?  I have an accountability partner  and  we state our specific commitments for every 30, 60, and 90 days.  Even if we don’t reach every commitment we just re-adjust, acknowledge each other for all that we have accomplished and keep going.  You would be amazed at how it really keeps you on track with your goals and gives you clarity in the direction you want to take in life.

I want to sing…I love to sing…so watch me sing like crazy over the next 90 days.

5 Great Tips for Street Team Marketing-Music Ideas for Hiphop R&B Artist

1. Paper the Heck Outta Major Events – Make some great black white fliers of your band on semi-glossy paper. It cheaper than doing the post cards so you can paper( “papering=pass them out) the heck out off all kinds of great events where you know there will be a crowd. Make sure it has A Photo of the band or great graphic, your website, your myspace page, and dates and venues of your coming shows. We did this at the Greek Fraternity and Sorority Fest one year. A few of our friends were going and they said that would pass out fliers. We had people saying they saw us everywhere and we weren’t even there…crazy.

2. Tell Everyone About Your Music – word of mouth is still a great way to “get the Word Out”. Tell your friends, family, co-workers, just tell them. Verbally invite them to your gigs and ask that they make a commitment to bring a few of their friends with them.

3. Promote At Radio Street Team Events – Show up at local spots where there will be a radio station promotion and pass out CDs or fliers. You know you’ll hear on your favorite radio station anounce where their street team is going to be, and at what time and day. Plan to be there, too. Give a CD to the Radio Street Team, and pass out fliers and free CDs to the people that showed up for their promotion. It’s like having free radio advertising for the crowd type of crowd that likes your type of music IF the radio stations music fits your style.

4. Email Blast – Your street team should each have a list of friends and family that they can send emails too regardining upcoming shows, or just about you as an indie artst in general. These should not be spammed messages to people they don’t know but warm contacts of their friends and family. They are just “sharing” with them information about you, their favorite artist, and what they are doing with you, and here is what you look and sound like…

5. House Concerts – Perform at one of the Street Teams members’ homes, or the home of one of their friends. You’ll be able to really connect with your warm market, people who know they are coming to hear and see you perform, and are open to having a good time. They also may know a little more about you and your indie music because they probably visited your website before coming to the show. This is also a great opportunity to ahve street team members gather people in the audiences email address for you mailing. You can also set up to sell them your CD and other merchandise.

Next, contact any local or regional newspapers or entertainment type papers in your area. Most of these newspapers have weekly band listings in their entertainment sections. Email or call the papers until you find the proper contact and send them all the info they request. Usually you’ll want to send Show Place, Date, Time, Band Name, and Cost of show (if applicable).

Lastly, search for concert calendars on the internet for free listings in the city or regional area your playing the gig. Many concert calendars will list your shows for free. Find some of the more popular ones that may get more internet traffic. Do a search on Concerts listings, events listings, free band listings or something of this nature, and add the city to the search.

Above are a few ideas for inexpensive or free self promotion of your band. Try to use all or most of these tactics for every show you self promote. Remember, the more fans you get to the show the better the chance you’ll have of getting booked there again and building a career in that city or region of interest. Good Luck, and get out there and self promote your indie music.