Derek James

There are many tactics that go into a solid social media marketing campaign, but tactics are just theories unless they're put into action, right? Even then, you need to ensure that these tactics become habits so that you maintain a level of consistency with your social media presence. Wondering which habits you should be forming, exactly? Well, for starters, here are three that artists who have built up strong social media followings all have in common. 1. Embrace new social

Post originally on Sonic Bids. Just about every independent musician has worked his or her butt off promoting a show or writing an album, only to get paid a small, small amount back in comparison to the amount of effort put in. Oftentimes, we have to dig into our own pockets to do the things we want, like record in a proper studio or buy new gear. And while music might not be lucrative in the beginning, there are plenty of ways to invest your limited funds wisely from the get

The good news: it's still early enough in 2016 to get a jumpstart on those resolutions. Here are nine tips that you might want to include on your shiny new to-do list that come straight from the mouths – er, fingers – of our expert Sonicbids contributors. 1. "Find someone who's constructive to your career and knows how to work his or her connections. Choose these people wisely. While contracts aren't forever binding, they are a pain in the ass to get out of." – Shawn Cohen an

It's natural to predominantly listen to and study the genre of music you play. We always hear the old question, "When am I ever going to use this?" when studying things irrelevant to our goals. But with music, there's always something to learn from other artists – even ones that don't play music like yours. One of the best things an artist can have is an open mind. Here are a few key benefits of going outside of the box and into the music of various genres, regardless of whet

This article originally appeared on CD Baby's DIY Musician blog, and was written by Alex Andrews of Ten Kettles Inc. . What's the frequency of C, and why should you care? It's 261.6 Hz. Why would we ever need to know this? Well, there could be a few different reasons, but one has to do with mixing audio. When equalizing (EQing) an audio track, one common challenge is filtering out background noise – especially if the track was recorded with a microphone. Here's what the mic m

If you're only working on music when you're in the studio or in your band rehearsal space, you're missing out on tons of opportunities to become a better musician. Sneaking in little moments throughout the day really add up and make a difference over time. But how and when can you take advantage of those opportunities? Try incorporating these six little hacks in the pockets of time you have, and watch yourself gradually become a better musician. 1. Make use of commutes, lunch

This article originally appeared on Soundfly. As a former writing major, I know all too well the faults of bad criticism. It makes the writer feel bad, it makes the commenter look inconsiderate, and it doesn't help the writing improve. In songwriting, something you've poured your heart and soul into, it's especially uncomfortable to receive harsh criticism. The wrong things get attacked, and the songwriter feels discouraged. Here are four tips for giving better feedback to us

So you finally finished the last of your last holiday gigs and the New Year is here, which also means that it's tax season. You may soon be receiving a number of forms you'll be expected to use when filing your taxes before the April 15 deadline. But in case you think that the titles of the forms piling up on your desk sound more like a phone book than a way to get a refund, here are some basic explanations of the most common tax forms for musicians and when you'll need them.

An attorney’s advice could make the difference for you between a successful and a nonexistent music career. Legal fees aren't cheap, but they're a worthy expense in your career progress. The cost of attorneys does vary due to a variety of circumstances, so as you plan your budget, you should keep the following factors in mind. How are lawyers' rates determined? 1. Experience A lawyer with more years of experience will typically be more expensive than someone who is newly lice

Are you getting the most constructive feedback you can on your music? Maybe you've just been sending your tracks to family and friends, who mean well, but might not know how to articulate what could make your music better. Or maybe you have a reputation for getting defensive when you receive negative feedback. Whatever the reason is, there are few things more important to an artist's growth than getting honest and informed feedback. When someone points out a hard-to-swallow t