In piecing together these goals, it became very clear how synergistic everything is. Accomplishing one goal will enable me to accomplish many others at the same time. I’m thinking the key is to break it down by tasks that I can accomplish one at a time and have dates set aside for each task. So, that being said, my first goal is SALES:
ONE YEAR SALES GOAL: TO SELL 500 CDS AND/OR DOWNLOADS BY OCTOBER 31, 2011.
This goal is obviously not about the money. If I sold just 500 “single” downloads, that’s not even $500. At best, if I sold $500 cds for the max, that’s still only $5000 and I spend more than that on a single project. What this sales goal is is a tangible measuring stick of how I’m increasing my brand, my fan base and my audience which are critical components of meeting my BHAG. I plan to reach the goal by focusing on the following:
1. Driving online sales through I-Tunes, my website, other digital media via CDBaby . Thus far I-Tunes has been my biggest sales outlet, so getting my new album on I-Tunes as soon as possible is going to be ciritical. Also, website optimization, driving more people to my site and having a clear call to action, which are part of other goals, will also help drive sales.
2. I’m going to release a music video. I will get national airplay on LOGO as well as various other websites and bar/club video compilations. This will increase awareness which will also ultimately drive people to point of sale websites and help increase sales. My goal is to get my music video for “Oblivion” on LOGO no later than February 14, 2011.
3. Performances – the number 1 way to sell cds is to do it at a show when people can make an emotional connection to the performance and the music. I have not performed my music since 2007. So, I just have to get out there, performing whenever and wherever I can. And since I travel for my job, this will give me the opportunity to also perform in different cities across the US if I plan properly. I will start booking a minimum of 1 performance a month by January 4, 2011. I will get performance tracks from the studio for all of the songs on my latest cd by January 4, 2011. I will send press kits to 20 Pride markets by February 2, 2011. I will book my CD Listening party and CD release shows (San Francisco and Baltimore) by December 31, 2010. I will find back up dancers and a choreographer for the CD release shows and other shows throughout the year by January 20, 2011.
4. Music Blogs – Ariel stresses the importance of tastemakers. I don’t really follow blogs, so the first step here is to identify ten music blogs that I both like and that would be a good fit for the the type of music I produce. I can then reach out to them to help increase awareness. I will research and identify 10 music blog sites by December 5, 2010.
5. Media – determining my pitch, my niche and my audience will help with this and they are part of other goals. Reviews, appearance and interviews also help build awareness and draw traffic to point of sale websites. Well, good reviews anyway. So, we’ll see! First, I have to address the artwork issue I’ve had and get my latest CD pressed so I can send it to reviewers . I will do that by November 7, 2010. I will submit my CD to 20 reviewers by December 31, 2010. I will also look for opportunities to do more interviews in local and regional media outlets. I will develop a plan and list of outlets by March 1, 2011.
Wow. I have my work cut out for me. That’s just 1 goal of 5. I'll post #2 tomorrow.
My successes today:
1. Writing this blog
2. Beginning Chapter 2 of Ariel Hyatt’s book
3. A very productive and exhausting 12 hours of work!
ONE YEAR SALES GOAL: TO SELL 500 CDS AND/OR DOWNLOADS BY OCTOBER 31, 2011.
This goal is obviously not about the money. If I sold just 500 “single” downloads, that’s not even $500. At best, if I sold $500 cds for the max, that’s still only $5000 and I spend more than that on a single project. What this sales goal is is a tangible measuring stick of how I’m increasing my brand, my fan base and my audience which are critical components of meeting my BHAG. I plan to reach the goal by focusing on the following:
1. Driving online sales through I-Tunes, my website, other digital media via CDBaby . Thus far I-Tunes has been my biggest sales outlet, so getting my new album on I-Tunes as soon as possible is going to be ciritical. Also, website optimization, driving more people to my site and having a clear call to action, which are part of other goals, will also help drive sales.
2. I’m going to release a music video. I will get national airplay on LOGO as well as various other websites and bar/club video compilations. This will increase awareness which will also ultimately drive people to point of sale websites and help increase sales. My goal is to get my music video for “Oblivion” on LOGO no later than February 14, 2011.
3. Performances – the number 1 way to sell cds is to do it at a show when people can make an emotional connection to the performance and the music. I have not performed my music since 2007. So, I just have to get out there, performing whenever and wherever I can. And since I travel for my job, this will give me the opportunity to also perform in different cities across the US if I plan properly. I will start booking a minimum of 1 performance a month by January 4, 2011. I will get performance tracks from the studio for all of the songs on my latest cd by January 4, 2011. I will send press kits to 20 Pride markets by February 2, 2011. I will book my CD Listening party and CD release shows (San Francisco and Baltimore) by December 31, 2010. I will find back up dancers and a choreographer for the CD release shows and other shows throughout the year by January 20, 2011.
4. Music Blogs – Ariel stresses the importance of tastemakers. I don’t really follow blogs, so the first step here is to identify ten music blogs that I both like and that would be a good fit for the the type of music I produce. I can then reach out to them to help increase awareness. I will research and identify 10 music blog sites by December 5, 2010.
5. Media – determining my pitch, my niche and my audience will help with this and they are part of other goals. Reviews, appearance and interviews also help build awareness and draw traffic to point of sale websites. Well, good reviews anyway. So, we’ll see! First, I have to address the artwork issue I’ve had and get my latest CD pressed so I can send it to reviewers . I will do that by November 7, 2010. I will submit my CD to 20 reviewers by December 31, 2010. I will also look for opportunities to do more interviews in local and regional media outlets. I will develop a plan and list of outlets by March 1, 2011.
Wow. I have my work cut out for me. That’s just 1 goal of 5. I'll post #2 tomorrow.
My successes today:
1. Writing this blog
2. Beginning Chapter 2 of Ariel Hyatt’s book
3. A very productive and exhausting 12 hours of work!