The Amplifier Blog

In this article, I’m going to share with you 5 steps you can use to start building your fanbase. Whether you’re just starting from scratch or have a ton [...]

In this article, I’m going to share how to promote your music on social media. Of course, it's never as easy as everyone on social media makes it look, [...]

When I hear live performing musicians complain about low gig payment guarantees and a lack of gigs overall, the cause is usually pretty easy to identify: they’re typically not [...]

DISCLAIMER: This may not be the advice you were looking for when you searched "how to book my band", but know that this approach is going to make you [...]

In today’s rapid content, easy-streaming/consumption-from-the-cloud climate, what’s a better music release strategy: albums or singles?   Music Release Strategy #1: The Storytelling Nature of Albums Albums are still important when you [...]

Having a digital “home base” that you own (not borrowed, like your Facebook Page or Instagram) is vital. Your band website is an "always on, always available, always working [...]

I had a wonderful opportunity to sit down with Roy Elkins, CEO of Broadjam.com (one of the internet’s leading sites for artists to submit their [...]

As a band, writing a band bio is probably one of the least favorite things you will do. Just your luck, it is also one [...]

What’s the secret to connecting with an audience? If you’re a solo performer, how do you give the people gathered to hear you a meaningful experience? [...]

Today we come to the final article on DIY DVD production. If my first two articles didn’t scare you away – congratulations! You’re an official [...]

In our last article, we talked about the video aspect of creating a live DVD for your band. Now we’re going to talk about something [...]

All right all you insatiable DIYers out there, I’m about to hit you with the ULTIMATE in DIY projects for your band. No, not a [...]

Here’s what I want to know: Are CD sales and digital download sales really where musicians are going to make their money now and/or in [...]

What image is conveyed when you read this description: “We play ska-country-jazz, have purple hair, and wear corduroys.”  […]

Manners. Etiquette. Remember those things your mother tried to teach you? “No, honey, that’s the SALAD fork.” Turns out they’re actually pretty important in the [...]

Here’s a quote from Richard Branson’s book, Business Stripped Bare: “In an era of digital downloads and headphones that tune out the rest of the [...]

This month’s article continues on some of the lessons I’ve learned from former NIN drummer, label owner, and all around awesome-haired-British-dude Martin Atkins. Last month’s [...]

I’ve been fortunate enough to have a chance to work with one of the top names in the business side of band management – Martin [...]

You remember this one– the blog post about the recent survey results indicating the #1 thing a band or artist needs to do in the [...]

Dreaming about getting your band on a festival ticket where your music will get heard by those in the industry who may be able to [...]

There’s a recent music-related survey (Yes, ask anyone who knows me, I actually enjoy tearing apart the results of almost any type of survey) and [...]

Picture your favorite five bands at the heyday of their popularity. Now, for the sake of argument, let’s put them all in a big bowl, [...]

You want publicity for your project? It starts by thinking about your band, not as just a group of amazing musicians, but as a “brand.” [...]

It’s almost March, and if you’re in the music industry, you know what time it is: South by Southwest (SXSW) time!  As many bands make [...]

There’s no shame in taking inspiration from tried-and-tested music. […]

So you’re a newer band on the Madison scene, and you want to start making a name for yourself. You’re going to want to let [...]

As an instructor, consultant, journalist, and personally active-user of social media of all types, I am often asked if posting to Facebook or sending out [...]