I have said it over and over, using free tools on the Internet is fine if it is something that enhances your website. However, you do not base your core tools on something free.

A recent article explains how “Law enforcement officials” just shut down Burstnet client, Blogetery.com which offered free and paid services for more than 73,000 blogs. If you read the small print on their site they have every right to do this if they feel it warrented (and apprently this is that case).

People may have lost YEARS of information, and now when your fans go to yoru website they will find nothing. They will have nothing that says “We’ve moved – find us over here.” They will find nothing. Welcome back to square one.

Instead you can get website hosting for $10 or less (if you muy more up front it’s cheaper – going all the way down to $4.95). Your website is THE backbone of your music career. Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, all should be pointing to your website where people can sign up to your mailing list, buy your CDs, check your calendar, and contacnt the band.

If a booking agent see that your band won’t invest $10 a month in your band, do you think they’re willing to invest in you?

I understand FREE is great. I love free. I just won’t rely on, or put anything super important on a free service (and you shouldn’t either).

The domain name price increases announced back in December by VeriSign
are finally upon us. Effective July 1st, .COM domains will increase 7%
and .NET domains will go up 10% as required by VeriSign’s agreements
with ICANN. As a result, registrars will also begin to pass along the
increases to their customers.

You can avoid these increases by renewing your .COM and .NET domain
names today with the godaddy coupon code cooler10 (for .com names). cooler8 for 10% off your order (for .net names). cooler9 gets you $5 off orders of $30 or more.

Hurry now to www.godaddy.com

While I’ve often loved to poke fun at his lyrics (In the light of the night, in the dark of a shparkkkk), no one could ever take away the talent and the voice of Ronnie James Dio.

He died of stomach cancer at age 67. He started his career with Rainbow, took over for Ozzy in Black Sabbath, and later launched “Dio.” Two of my favorite albums are Heaven and Hell by Black Sabath, and Holy Diver by Dio.

When you see people waving the “Devil Horns” at concerts, you can thank Dio. However, this symbol has nothing to do wit Satan and everything to do with being Italian. His grandmother made this jester (malocchioo – pronounced “Maloik) to “Ward off” evil spirits.

He will be missed.

Rumors of my death have been highly exaggerated. Currently my main computer is “Dead” for all normal purposes. I am using my laptop (which gives me “low on disc space” errors about ever 10 minutes). Bottom line, geteting a new podcast up is a bit of a challenge. Hand in there, I’m on my way back.

Dave

There is a movie out called “It might get loud” that came out in 2009 which features Jimmy Page, The Edge, and Jack Black (which reminds me of the Sesame Street game “One of these things doesn’t belong here..”).  The movie points out that none of these men are the best guitarists ever, but they all have their own style. It Might Get Loud offers some interesting insight into the soul and inspiration behind some of pop’s best and most popular music

The other thing it points out is that from a distance (without my glasses) Jimmy Page is starting to resemble Ben Franklin.

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When it comes to starting a band, you need to have a clear picture for those people you are recruiting. With this in mind, you should be able to explain the style of music you want to play. You should have at leas t 10 songs selected that you want to play. This way people can clearly see the style of music you want to play.

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Today we have a chat with Miata Edoga the President of Abundance Bound a great website that teaches artist how to manage their money. It’s got great free resources, as well as many different packages and best of all Payment plans to make them all affordable. Unlike other “financial gurus” who provide a “one size fits all” Abundance bound features financial advice specifically for musicians/artist.

Today Miata talks about taking that first step and the thrill of discovering exactly where you are (so you can figure out how to get to “there” (financial prosperity) from where you are (not financial prosperity). She also discusses how “co mingling” your money can muddy the waters of your financial picture.

Save 10% with Abundance Bound Coupon Code Cooler10

If you’re interested in their free reports like their “Five Things Every Actor Must Do: Critical Steps Towards Success” Report or webinars check out Abundance Bound.com be sure to use the coupon code cooler10 to get 10% off your purchase. They have online classes, take home studies, boot camps, and one on one coaching. One of the great things about their programs, is they have payment plans. In some cases you are done taking the classes before you’re done paying for it. That is how much they know you’re going to love the information presented. You will also find the skills you learn will more than help pay for the class.

Don’t forget to use THIS LINK, and use the coupon code cooler10 to save 10% off your order (or just check out their free reports).

Sponsors and Support

Godaddy coupon code cooler10 gets a .com domain name for $7.49

Budget.com/musician saves 30% off a weekly rental or $10 off any rental.

Buy Dave’s Book “Get your band out of the basement – and keep them out of the asylum” available at musicianlibrary.com Order now and get the bons ““10 Stupid Things That Bands Do”

Green Day just released a new album and you can purchase tracks from the album in Rock Band. This game is now seen as a way to get your music to your fans.  Indies have been shut out of this service, but that will come to an end very soon.

Harmonix and MTV Games are opening access to all artists via a newly created Rock Band Network, a platform that gives musicians and record labels the ability to author their own original recordings into gameplay files and sell their music as playable Rock Band tracks through the newly-created Rock Band Network Music Store.

Artists can set their own price  from 50 cents to $3 per track and rwill eceive 30% of any sales.  But there enough technical hoops to jump through that most artists may want to let their distributor or other third party do the heavy lifting. The  new platform will launch in open beta in late August.

Musicians/Publishers will be able to submit their tracks for playtesting and peer review via a specialized Web site, Creators.RockBand.com. You will also need (here is the catch) a membership in Microsoft’s XNA Creators Club Online in order to test and publish game content. The service will only be available to those who purchase a premium membership to Microsoft’s XNA Creators Club for four months at $49.99 or for a year at $99.99.

There is a video showing some of the tools.

The service will launch to only Xbox and PlayStation users, but other platforms are expected to be supported soon.

Full Story

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Paypal Micropayments

I’ve known about paypal micropayments for a while, but when I first heard about it, I didn’t think you could switch from an “old” paypal account to a new micropayment. Now you can. What’s the difference?

Standard Paypal Fees

PayPal charged a minimum transaction fee of 30 cents plus 2.9%.

Paypal Micropayment Fees

The Mircopayment option raises the percentage to 5% but lowers the fee to just 5 cents . That changes the net profit on a  $.99 cent direct sale to $.89 cents vs. $.66 under the old PayPal option.  Sell  just one hundred two or three song bundles and the total PayPal transaction costs drop from $36 to $15.

To find out more about Paypal micro payments go to https://micropayments.paypal-labs.com/

This is show #238 originating from www.musicianscooler.com

Amazon.ccom One Off CD’s with Create Space

It costs you $4.95 for one CD, but if you only need a few CDs this beats ordering hundreds and turning them into coasters. If you sell your music via download they charge 15% and if you sell the Cd at amazon.com they take 45% (ouch). As some people completely trust amazon.com they may purchase off of amazon.com when they may not off a lesser known website. For more information go to www.createspace.com

Sponsors

Save on renewals and new domains at www.godaddy.com using the coupon code cooler10

Budget Rental car – www.budget.com/musician Get 30% off a weekly rental or $10 off any rental at Budget Rental Car

WaTunes  has announced that it will no longer charge artists for digital distribution to iTunes and other online retailers. The company hopes to generate revenue from ads on a new music social networking site.

I’m not sure why company after company keeps going back to the free business model. Eventually if you don’t make money, you go out of business, and while advertising revnue is up for online advertising, it is still a tough road to go.

For more informattion go to http://www.watunes.com/