Tamra Engle of Oakland, California writes:
“I’ve worked for over 25 years as a musician. But the ‘rock star’ in the mirror is now in her late 40s, but still able to crank out tunes that TV, films and new media are willing to pay me for. I write songs to pitch to the few TV/film folks I am establishing relationships with.
“So my publicity focus is to that very small behind-the-scenes group of music supervisors and film producers who can give me the work, as well as any other company that needs music for their corporate presentation, video game, or whatever. What, pray tell, are the best publicity tactics I can use to convince those people I’m their gal? I have gotten on to blogs like The Muse’s Muse and ProBlogger, I have a monthly newsletter that I send out to my fan base and have generated a few press releases to industry trades.
“Your Hounds can read about me and hear samples of some of my personal as well as TV music at my website if that helps them formulate some suggestions.”
I would suggest trying to get to the agencies that choose and license songs, or to management companies who handle songwriters looking to sell for commericial use. You should have a demo reel available to give to potential agents/managers/purchasers. These services may be helpful –
http://www.rumblefish.com/
http://www.pumpaudio.com/
Don’t forget to network through “official” organizations like ASCAP, BMI, and NARAS – they can all put you in touch with other people who can help. I see you have been in music for quite some time, so I’m sure you have lots of relationships already with venue owners, mangers, labels, other musicians – let them know you are interested in this new career path and send them some demos and ask for their feedback – basically, make sure that if THEY are asked for recommendations, they recommend you!
I run a music industry online marketing company and the key is niches. Find the hundreds (or more) of websites that cater to niches you fit into. This includes music, lifestyle, social networks, and more. It isn’t always easy to make an enormous instant splash, but a lot of coverage across many niche sites can add up to something big.
Best,
Jason Feinberg
On Target Media Group
http://www.otmg.net
You might want to push writing (and recording) scores for independent movies. The indie dirctor/producers often eventually go mainstream. Some of the indie organizations include FIND and ifp (and I believe they both produce magazines). There are also other magazines that promote independent film/video production. Low budget movies might not pay a whole lot (compared to big budget production), but you’d get additional exposure.
An even lower production level exists with student productions…your local film school has students making short movies as class projects. Your talent could raise their projects to a whole new level.
A third approach would be to work with a political campaign that will be producing its own TV commercials.
Has she thought about starting her own blog with samples of her music? What better way to communicate with your market on a daily basis?
-Shama
Might try a youtube type tactic to get some pub.
Release songs for film and tv then make them copyright free to the entertainment industry.
Release songs on a blog or you tube that are focused
on a single theme.
It could be songs only about Laura or Jenna Bush, songs only about Britney Spears, songs only about the Justices of the Supreme Court, songs about Katie Couric. You get the idea something quirky and offbeat that may get passed along by media and internet circles.
One other thing I noticed about web site. You might think about blasting your site with lots more fan testimonials. I think it would enhance your cred as a top artist. Also maybe start another site soley geared toward your efforts on selling your song writing talents to the entertainment executives.
I always liked Mark Mothersbaugh’s approach to this kind of work. As I would expect from a Punk pioneer, he thinks of this as a multimedia experience and does lots of promotion. Check out his site at:
http://www.mutato.com
Is it too late to give Tamra Engle of Oakland, California a forehead-slapper of a tip for her guitar playing and songwriting?
In fact, any aspiring songwriter on the West Coast needs to know about it: West Coast Songwriters, a low-cost, member-run, non-profit that brings the
song-seeking commercial publishers to her.
Begun by a husband-wife songwriting team and a Lawyers for the Arts attorney in the 1980s, it has grown steadily till it now runs myriad
song-pitching events in seven cities from Seattle to Los Angeles.
Publishers come from LA, Nashville and New York to monthly songwriter showcases. One is at the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley, next door to Oakland, the third Monday of each month.
Not only will Tamra get the ears of song buyers, but she shares her passion with peers and prospective collaborators. WCS also delivers contacts with music studios, backup singers/musicians, copyright
attorneys, and other music industry pros including established pro songwriters, some local.
WCS also holds an annual weekend conference, total immersion in song pitching for two days, at Foothill College near WCS’s birthplace, Palo Alto CA, 25 miles from Tamra’s home.
For a $75 annual membership, Tamra will be in songwriting heaven. Check out their Web site, westcoastsongwriters.org; then drop by the
Freight & Salvage Nov. 19 for the real thing.
Dale Mead
El Cerrito, CA
I think Jennifer Bill and Jason have nailed it. Good to know of these places myself who is in the same boat.