Resources
How to Start a Rabbl: Tell Your Favorite Bands Where to Play, and When
With the advent of various personal music-creating and editing programs (from Audacity, to Garage Band, to Logic Pro) it has become increasingly easy, and more popular for individuals to dive into the independent music industry. Success stories of amateur musicians, making it big from small, at-home “studios,” are rolling in daily.
Girl Talk and Pretty Lights are two recent examples of established artists who “sample” their own music through independent editing, but the method extends all the way back to Dr. Dre. Today, the growing number of “independent artists” and the increase in popularity of underground music is creating fiscal problems for hopeful musicians. Due to widespread legal and illegal music downloads, many musicians have opted to release mix tapes and albums free of charge, using these releases as a sort of promotion for live tours.
The trend of releasing free music in the hopes of generating ticket sales raises new concerns for aspiring artists with small but growing fan bases, such as: Where should I perform? How much should tickets cost? Who will come? Will I make money? In essence, these questions boil down to just one: is performing fiscally worth it?
Enter Rabbl, a new service for hopeful musicians that seeks to “Help Bands Play to the Crowd, Long Before the Show.” Rabbl describes its services in 6 steps: create, vote, reach your goal, find a venue, book the show, and perform. These steps allow artists to choose a town or city and set ticket prices, with a specific goal of selling enough tickets to cover expenses. Fans cast their yes-or-no vote by reserving rights to a ticket. If enough fans “purchase” a ticket, everyone is charged; if not, the show is cancelled. If the gig secures enough attendees, the band moves on to locating a venue, booking the show, and performing. Rabbl holds the money obtained from ticket sales until the performance of the show is verified- by fans, again, on Rabbl- at which point the band acquires the ticket sales revenue.
Rabbl combines a “crowdsourcing” survey machine with the services of Ticket Master, resulting in a promotional database and management tool for aspiring musicians. By equipping emerging musicians with a promotional platform integrated with business analytics – and enabling fans to cast their votes – Rabbl has provided the perfect way to accelerate the growth of “up and coming” independent artists.
Keep your eyes peeled for their success stories – we just might start seeing more of them.
Until next time,
Kelli Richards, President, CEO of the All Access Group, LLC
PS: Subscribe to my FREE All Access Group Newsletter https://bit.ly/AAGNewletter
PSS: Listen to an entire library of intimate discussions with industry visionaries https://bit.ly/AllAccessPodcastSeries
Freddie Ravel
Dave Jaworski
Carol Pepper
Linda Ronstadt
The Short Lifespan Of Twitter’s Ill-Fated Music App
Music has been the lifeblood of many social media services, but it appears that Twitter will not be one of them. Social media music sites have prospered, with CNET reporting that Spotify recently topped $500 million in revenue. At the same time, however, Twitter has decided to fold its hand in the music business and get out of a hashtag-based sound promotion service. What proved to be the sour note in this social media foray?
In The Beginning
Launched in April of 2013, the Twitter #music platform hoped to connect users to music through hashtag searches. With this app in hand, Twitter allowed users to track Tweets from artists as well as search for popular tracks with hashtag searches of label, record, song, or lyrics. Stating that half of all Twitter users follow at least one musician, Twitter launched the mobile app with the hopes of gaining ground on their social media music competitors like SoundCloud. The app allowed musicians to promote new riffs and tracks with a simple update, while users could directly Tweet songs to followers. Twitter never owned any music itself, drawing its tunes from iTunes, Spotify, or Rdio, but allowed free promotion and distribution.
The High Note
Twitter’s music app enjoyed a brief spell of popularity when some celebrities picked up on the promotion. The New York Times reported that Ryan Seacrest hyped up the app as a means of finding new followers and contacts, going so far as to have a dance party with the streaming music function. Twitter #music peaked at number six on Apple’s downloaded app list, but quickly fell down into the mid-thousands. Competitors like Vine, which allow users to play short videos (including music) within a Tweet, enjoyed steady popularity between the 10th and 20th spot of the Apple app rating.
Lessons Learned
Why did Twitter #music prove to be a bust rather than a boom? Several factors contributed to the downfall. First and foremost, social media users preferred to stay with their established music platforms, and social music sites like Spotify never flinched from the release of #music. Users with slower Internet services can load Twitter easily, since the site has a bare minimum of graphics to slow down the latency, but it takes a stronger Internet service to launch the streaming music function. Some people need satellite Internet to stream videos if their local provider cannot keep up. By comparison, DSL and cable Internet may not reach peak efficiency needed to load Flash programs.
Twitter’s Next Venture
Though Twitter took a blow to the chin, the company is sure to bounce back. Mashable reports that Twitter founder Ev Williams has begun to spend “98%” of his time in development of a new site called Medium, a publishing platform with about 30 employees. Whether this new venture does better than #music remains to be seen, but since Alexa pegs Twitter as the 9th most popular site on the Internet, the social music app’s failure to launch will not keep the company down.
Until next time,
Tim Douglas, Blogger for All Access Group
Tim is a music producer and father of 3 young boys. He runs a studio out of his home (which he also calls his sanctuary).
Related Reading: 8 Ways Technology Is Improving Your Health
Kindle Matchbook: A Blazing Digital/Print Marriage
From records to mp3s and photo albums to photo streams, your hard and soft cover books were just another item to be digitalized. Even better, the books you have on your bookshelf can now be coupled with the digital copy.
Amazon’s newly launched program, Kindle Matchbook, has teamed up with publishers and authors to create bundled packages, which allows you to buy the digital version of the books you own or purchase in the future for a discounted price. Amazon states, “For thousands of qualifying books, your past, present, and future print-edition purchases now allow you to buy the Kindle edition for $2.99, $1.99, $0.99, or free.”
The service includes over 70,000 book titles from publishers including HarperCollins, Macmillan, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Amazon Publishing, Wiley, Chronicle Books, and Marvel, as well as, many independent authors.
By using the Amazon database, readers can search past book order history to see which of their books are available for the Kindle Matchbook version. Kindle promises to continually add more books from more publishers to the database. Russ Grandinetti, Vice President, Kindle Content stated, “MatchBook enrollment has grown from 10,000 to 70,000 titles in just a few weeks and we expect it will keep expanding rapidly in the months ahead.”
Kindle also boasts that the Kindle Matchbook titles will have all of the same features as regularly priced digital books including Whispersync, Popular Highlights, and X-Ray. Kindle users can also use Matchbook using a free app on smart devices such as the iPhone, iPad, Android tablets and phones, PC or Mac.
Although this revolutionary program will allow more people to access digital versions of their books, the question rises, what does this mean for print editions? Will this program encourage more people to buy the print version of their favorite title, with the incentive of it being coupled with an eBook? Or will this program just replace customers existing print libraries with digital versions and wipe out print editions all together? Please share your thoughts in the comments section.
Until next time,
Kelli Richards, President, CEO of the All Access Group, LLC
PS: Subscribe to my FREE All Access Group Newsletter https://bit.ly/AAGNewletter
PSS: Listen to an entire library of intimate discussions with industry visionaries https://bit.ly/AllAccessPodcastSeries (Priceless)
The War of Superiority: Technology vs Manpower
Video games not only act as a watermark, illustrating modern technological advancement, but may also be a platform to launch further innovation. In the past, we had Nintendo’s revolutionary Wii device that allowed for interactive video game play; today we have Xbox’s Kinect, Playstation’s Move, and Nintendo’s most recent installment of Wii, all allowing the user to step into the virtual video game world and react to simulations with real life movements. In a similar way, scientists have attempted to utilize video game-esque technology to explore, or destroy places and things miles away. From computer simulated and controlled Mars rovers, to the US military’s use of unmanned drones, “video game technology,” may be more vital than you realize for modern advancement. But are wireless, unmanned, technologically driven devices the answer, or is the man behind the toy more important?
In 2009, Spirit, a Mars rover, drove over an unstable top layer of Martian soil and plummeted to its shallow grave, unable to maneuver itself free. But Karl Iagnemma from MIT, researchers from Washington University in St. Louis, as well as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, have developed Artemis- a program which analyzes the physical rover movement in accordance to soil composition to aid the safe travels of such rovers. Such a model is eerily similar to video games, as the user gives commands, and reacts to movement and stimulus through a screen, as a simulation analyzes every conceivable variable. This invention places more responsibility into the “hands,” calculations, of the program, rather than the “pilot.” 1
In contrast, the United States operates over 7,000 drones, more than 40% by the Department of Defense, many of which are controlled remotely from several thousand miles away. While such technology is so closely related to video games (the “pilots” even control the drone with a joystick,) drone pilots have declared, “It’s irrelevant where you are physically sitting. You’re attached to the airframe, you’re attached to the view that you see, and you’re attached to the laws of armed conflict ……The plane cannot start, cannot fly and cannot release a weapon without us coin it. Human beings are in the cockpit… We just happen to be 8,000 miles away from the plane.” While I don’t doubt the skill and experience it takes to “man” a drone, such proud defiance that the pilots’ skill rather than the drone technology which makes it so deadly overshadows the incredible technological feat that is unmanned drones. 2
So while it may still be up for debate as to whether or not technology or manpower is superior, we can all agree that technological advancements are driven by various mechanisms, one of which is definitely videogames.
Kelli Richards, President, CEO of the All Access Group, LLC
PS: Subscribe to my FREE All Access Group Newsletter https://bit.ly/AAGNewletter
PSS: Listen to an entire library of intimate discussions with industry visionaries https://bit.ly/AllAccessPodcastSeries (Priceless)
Footnotes:
1. Chu, Jennifer. “Terramechanics Research Aims to Keep Mars Rovers Rolling.” MIT’s News Office. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2013.
2. Blackhurst, Rob. “Drone Pilots Say Their Job Is Not Like A Video Game.” Business Insider. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2013.
Steve Turnidge
Google and YouTube: Making Beautiful Music Together (for You to Buy)
Google has its eye on the music industry, and as we all know, Google usually gets what it wants. This time, Google wants to conquer the music industry completely, using YouTube as its foot soldier.YouTube is already owned by Googleand attracts more viewers in that all-important 18-34 age demographic than MTV, as ArtisanTalent.com points out. It’s the perfect vehicle for a music industry takeover, and Google is already setting the pieces in place to make its move. Here are Google’s plans for becoming a major music industry player through the power of YouTube.
The YouTube Music Awards
This is a major part of Google’s strategy to achieve music industry domination. This is a brand new awards show that will debut November 3, 2013 and is expected to rival the 30-year success of the MTV Video Music Awards (VMA) on its first outing according to Mashable,. Once MTV’s VMA is conquered, Google will amp up its promotional efforts to achieve bigger ratings for the YouTube Music Awards in future years than industry award show staples like the Grammys.
Attracting the Interest of Advertisers as Well as Music Industry Executives
The YouTube Music Awards is expected to attract the attention of advertisers and music industry executives alike. It’s been heavily promoted for months, and it is backed by Google’s endless ocean of money. Add to that the fact that YouTube is already creating legitimate music stars of its own who don’t have record company contracts, and it’s easy to see Google’s strategy for changing the music industry’s hierarchy to put itself at the top as a leading producer, as Business Week explains.
Advertisers are already expressing interest in being a part of the YouTube Music Awards. It’s the perfect opportunity for them to put themselves in front of young adults with disposable income. Kia has already signed on as the show’s title sponsor and Google is courting other big-name advertisers to the show. No word has come out as to what Google will be charging advertisers who sign on for the YouTube Music Awards, but according to Div8.net, it’s expected to be up to 25 percent higher than regular advertising rates for a web-broadcast program.
Taking a Leadership Position in Music Production
Google has been putting a lot of time, effort, and money into making the YouTube Music Awards a show to remember. It will be a 90-minute live show with plenty of star power. Lady Gaga, Eminem, and other big name acts have already signed on to perform. The fact that these big music stars are willing to perform and their labels have given their permission for it are both indicators that the awards show is expected to be a big deal. Industry executives are going to watch how Google handles the show to know what kind of competition the company may give them going forward.
The show will be live streaming from YouTube. Cable companies like Direct TV offer HD DVR receivers to customers that allow YouTube to be shown on TV screens for more comfortable viewing. Because it will be launching Google as a respected music producer, it promises to be must-see viewing.
Google has seen the potential to discover and promote new music artists just like Netflix grabbed a piece of the television industry by creating and airing original programming. Now that solid plans are in place and a big kick-off event is scheduled, there’s no stopping Google’s forward momentum in this area. The YouTube Music Awards is Google’s way of telling competitors it’s serious.
William Martin
William Martin knows a thing or two about video marketing.
Chances are, you’ve seen the work he’s done for his clients on YouTube ads.
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iPhone: Hover Technology Coming Soon?
While the idea of the phone reading my eyes is cooler than my fingers, I found this technology to be far more practical. Imagine having dirty or wet hands, not wanting to touch your phone, but still needing to use it- you can. It takes new phone anxiety and consequent over protection to a whole new level. But beyond aiding neat freaks in protecting their phones, this technology has immense potential, and really left me wishing that my phone could do the same cool new tricks. Well iPhone users, the wait for such technology may not be too long as Apple has recently obtained patents for such hover technology, but also includes technology meant to better analyze accuracy and better understand unwanted touching of buttons or typing.
Eye recognition software and finger hovering technology: would taking your eye away from the screen result in the pausing of the video? Would you be able to scroll through documents with your eyes instead of your fingers? The finger hovering software will allow you to click and scroll without touching the screen, rather just by hovering your finger above the glass.
The new Apple technology also involves software for analyzing users’ heart rates. And in a day and age with countless advancements in health and fitness applications, this could result in amazing innovation. Analyzing heart rates can take workout apps like Nike+ to a whole new level, and can also greatly influence health applications to better aid physicians in treating patients from a distance. Patients with high blood pressure can check their heart rate from the comfort of their phone, and relay such results to their physician. And with the FDA’s recent installment of laws regulating healthcare applications, the future reliability of such technology will be trustable. Such regulation will extend to applications focused on the tracking of medications, health records, dieting and exercise.
And if dirtying your screen causes you too much stress wait it out, the App Store may soon have an app for that.
Jesse Hoppenfeld, Blogger for the All Access Group
Until next time,
Kelli Richards, President, CEO of the All Access Group, LLC
PS: Subscribe to my FREE All Access Group Newsletter https://bit.ly/AAGNewletter
PSS: Listen to an entire library of intimate discussions with industry visionaries https://bit.ly/AllAccessPodcastSeries
Peter Hoppenfeld
Live Viewing Services for YouTube Verified Users?
In a day and age largely defined by the creation and expansion of social networking, and sharing, YouTube’s expansion of live video services to all verified users, may not seem so revolutionary or even like a new idea, but it will no doubt prove its versatility. The live viewing services offered by YouTube have slowly been released to the public. The minimum YouTube followers needed to use live feeds has been decreased from its original 1,000, to 100, and now to all verified users. Becoming a verified YouTube user requires the release of various personal information and access to your past YouTube activity, but such data releases seem to be a common practice at this point- used in large part to supplement your user interface, making it a more personal experience. (But this is also a very appealing source of information for marketers attempting to target specific audiences, which can be determined through internet and YouTube use.)
Besides the business arena, on the personal level the options for live sharing on YouTube seem endless: High School football game, Reunion, Graduation, Holiday Dinner? You can share live feeds of all these life and family events with everyone who is unfortunately unable to attend. But such live sharing can extend far beyond the family sharing dynamic. The potential for such streaming was previewed by Red Bull Stratos Mission, which saw a man free fall from the edge of our atmosphere. The event drew 8 million viewers.
Live sharing on YouTube may have just solved problems that die hard sports fan, music fans, and over protective parents have had for years. Is your favorite sports team’s game blacked out, or not being aired while you’re away? You will be able to Tube it. Who needs Slingbox or similar services when you can YouTube it? It is music to the music fans ears; all those who can’t afford concert tickets, or have to work the one time Beyonce is in town? They can Tube it. The point is that YouTube’s live streaming really brings YouTube into a different genre of entertainment; one that may at some point rival television, or if not supplements television, like Xbox One’s new interface, or Google’s attempts at Google TV.
However, perhaps the most immediately useful aspect of YouTube’s live streaming application is that it can work with Google+ Hangout which brings the live streaming to a two-way video broadcast, making meetings, marketing events, or interviews accessible from all over the world, live.
YouTube has put something really special together with its new live streaming service, I don’t want to pay for similar devices but I would definitely spend the extra 30 seconds to verify my YouTube account and reap these awesome benefits.
Until next time,
Kelli Richards, President, CEO of the All Access Group, LLC
PS: Subscribe to my FREE All Access Group Newsletter https://bit.ly/AAGNewletter
PSS: Listen to an entire library of intimate discussions with industry visionaries https://bit.ly/AllAccessPodcastSeries (Priceless)
Coin: Access to All of Your Cards in One
Meet Julie. She is in the grocery store check out line with bags of food piled high on the counter and the cashier says “$51.05.” She takes out her purse and balances it on the very small ledge by the card-swiping machine so she can dig through it to find the family credit card. Julie finds her business account card, the gas card, her Macy’s credit card and even the Barnes & Noble rewards card, but her personal card is lost within the shuffle. After a few more minutes of frantic searching, while the line behind Julie inevitably grows longer, she finds her personal card, swipes, and leaves the store flustered and annoyed.
What if finding your credit cards could be easier…because they were all in the same space. No, I don’t mean just in the same physical space or pocket in your wallet –what if you only had one card, for all of your accounts? Coin, the all-in-one credit card is the solution to Julie’s (and your) frustration.
Coin is a new type of credit card that stores all of your accounts on one card. How can this be possible, you ask? Coin works just like any other credit card and you can swipe it in any machine, only this card comes with out hassle. To choose which account you want to use for each particular purchase, simply click the round button on the card and scroll through each account on the small display screen until you find the correct account.
You’re next question: How do you get all of your cards on Coin? Simply swipe each card using a card reader that plugs into your smart phone and works with the Coin app. Then take a picture of each card so you can keep track of them all.
As for security, Coin is constantly in sync with your phone using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and if you leave it behind, the card recognizes its distance from your phone and will notify you. Doesn’t get much more convenient, does it?
TheVerge.com states that, ”Coin is up for pre-order today for $50, but will cost $100 for new buyers when it ships in summer 2014.”
Will you be taking advantage of Coins simplicity and ditching all of your credit cards that just take up space in your wallet? I know I will. Do you think Coin will be a game-changer for the credit card industry? My guess –in years to come, many more companies will jump on this idea and managing your accounts will become second nature.
Until next time,
Kelli Richards, President, CEO of the All Access Group, LLC
PS: Subscribe to my FREE All Access Group Newsletter https://bit.ly/AAGNewletter
PSS: Listen to an entire library of intimate discussions with industry visionaries https://bit.ly/AllAccessPodcastSeries (Priceless)
4 Unique Gatherings for Thought Leaders in 2014
We live in a rapidly changing world, and it’s not about to slow down in 2014. Here are four exciting events in the coming year that will keep you on the bleeding edge of innovation.
International CES “It’s a lab. A social hub. A marketplace. And a few things they’ve yet to create words for.”
If you thrive on what’s happening at the frontier of consumer technologies, the International CES is where you want to be. Held in Las Vegas every year, it has served as the proving ground for innovators and breakthrough technologies for more than 40 years—the global stage where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace. Far more than a tradeshow, CES showcases more than 3,200 exhibitors, including manufacturers, developers and suppliers of consumer technology hardware, content, technology delivery systems and more; a conference program with more than 300 sessions; and more than 152,000 attendees from more than 150 countries. In 2014, will you be one of them?
SXSW Music & Interactive Anyone who gives a damn about music has to make it to SXSW Music at least once in their lives. Now in its 28th year, South By Southwest Music is the largest music festival and leading music industry event in the world, with more than 2,200 official performers and bands playing in more than 100 venues in Austin, TX. By day, attendees explore the future of the music industry through panels, talks, the Trade Show, and Music Gear Expo. By night, enjoy an amazing selection of musical performances from over 2,200 regional, national and international acts.
If you’re more of a technophile, check out SXSW Interactive, an incubator of cutting-edge technologies and digital creativity, featuring five days of presentations and panels from the brightest minds in emerging technology, scores of exciting networking events hosted by industry leaders and an unbeatable lineup of special programs showcasing the best new websites, video games and startup ideas the community has to offer. From hands-on training to big-picture analysis of the future, SXSW Interactive has become the place to preview the technology of tomorrow today.
SXSW’s Latest Addition, V2V If you march to the beat of an entrepreneurial drum, SXSW has a spanking new offering just for you. V2V is the newest addition to the SXSW family of events, an extension and re-imagining of the legendary SXSW experience with an emphasis on the creative spark that drives entrepreneurial innovation. This 4-day event brings the startup and venture capital communities together with the creative industries that have helped to make SXSW so special. V2V serves innovators and entrepreneurs from across all the industries at the core of the SXSW Family of events – technology, music, film, fashion, health, education, sustainability, and more – as they learn the skills, make the connections, and find the inspiration to take their ideas and talents to the next level.
IGNITION: Future of Digital If you’re an executive in the world of technology, media, entertainment, investing, finance, or the Internet, you want to be at the annual IGNITION event to explore the emerging business models of digital media.
A major land grab is occurring for the digital consumer, and it’s rapidly disrupting longstanding business models. Mobile and social are reconstituting our media experiences. “Media” no longer encompasses just content, but also commerce, payments, mobility, and platforms. Big data, user content, and cord-cutting, always-on: these are key elements defining the emerging web economy.
At IGNITION you can expect a thrilling discussion of the innovation that matters, who will win, and what you can do to keep ahead.
Hope to see you there!
Until next time,
Kelli Richards, President, CEO of the All Access Group, LLC
PS: Subscribe to my FREE All Access Group Newsletter https://bit.ly/AAGNewletter
PSS: Listen to an entire library of intimate discussions with industry visionaries https://bit.ly/AllAccessPodcastSeries
1. International CES – The Global Stage for Innovation
Jan 7-10, 2014 Las Vegas, NV
Register here: https://ces.itnint.com/2014/regonline/RegLogin.aspx
2. SXSW Music, Film & Interactive
March 4-10 Austin Convention Center Austin, TX
Register here: https://sxsw.com/attend
3. SXSW’s Latest Addition, V2V
July 13 – 16, 2014 The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV
Register here: https://sxswv2v.com/attend
4. IGNITION: Future of Digital #IGNITION2014
November, 2014 New York City
Learn more: https://www.businessinsider.com/event/ignition-2013
Mike Koenigs
Chip Schultzman
Roger Hodgson
Anthony Cordova
Jeffery Weber
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Kelli is “In the Hot Seat”
“In The Hot Seat” with Larry LeBlanc for CelebrityAccess. “In the Hot Seat” profiles entertainment leaders from around the world in a Q&A form. It was very exciting, and AAG invites you to click over and read the interview today!
This week In the Hot Seat with Larry LeBlanc: Kelli Richards, CEO and president, The All Access Group.
Today, as president and CEO of The All Access Group based in Cupertino, California in the heart of Silicon Valley and host of All Access Radio, Richards strives to create alliances between large content and technology companies, major artists, and consumer brands.
Richards guides her clients through the maze of leading-edge technologies and connections in order to get their products to more people. According to this savvy, fast-talking entrepreneur, her focus is on “strategic rainmaking, and creating opportunities between innovative technologies for digital distribution, and branded entertainment content.”
Digital Music East, Justin Timberlake, MySpace TV, and Where it’s All Headed
MySpace TV will still encompass the site’s library of 42 million songs and 100,000 music videos, and it will enable instant communication and huge search-ability around them between friends.
Who knows where MySpace TV will go from there? “As the plot of your favorite drama unfolds the joke of your favorite SNL character plays or even the last-second shot of your favorite team swishes the net, we’re giving you the opportunity to connect your friends to your moments as they’re actually occurring. This is the evolution of one of our greatest inventions, the television,” said Timberlake.
Thousand-Mile View of Life
One of my highlights for 2011 was a thousand-mile-high ride on a Zeppelin. Yes, one of those huge dirigibles that float over concerts and sporting events. Riding in a Zeppelin is a rare opportunity – in fact, there are only two airships in circulation for passengers – one in Germany and one in Silicon Valley. Rumor has it that the reason there was a free seat for me was because Mark Zuckerberg’s sister backed out at the last moment. I literally had only moments to make the decision and clear my calendar (no easy feat).
A Fireside Chat with Jack Buser, Director of PlayStation Home
I recently interviewed my good friend Jack Buser on my weekly online radio show. Jack Buser is the Director of PlayStation Home, which is a 3D virtual world and social game platform on the PS3. Home recently underwent a major redesign, and we were eager to hear about the new benefits and features. PlayStation Home is filled with hundreds of games – everything from pool tables and dart boards to full-on space shooters like Novus Prime: Escalation and massive online racing games like Sodium 2: Project Velocity. With Jack Buser at the helm, Home is leading the virtual world in community based user experiences, and doing an amazing job of it!
Fankix: The New Wave in Social Entertainment
I am thrilled to share that I’m now the VP of Artists & Brands for Fankix. Fankix delivers music to fans around the world with a unique social experience, deeper interaction with musicians and first-rate authentic content at no cost.
Cool or Not Cool? Bandzoogle and it’s Cool Connection to Direct-to-Fan
I recently inteviewed Dave Cool, the “voice” of Bandzoogle. Dave Cool writes the Bandzoogles blog, well known for inspiring and supporting Bandzoogle’s #1 mission: To make Direct-to-Fan a very real accomplishment for artists and bands everywhere. You can get a complimentary digital copy of “What is INDIE?” when you sign up for Dave’s mailing list at: https://bit.ly/hs4uk6
VIP Breakfast for Apple Alumni at the Silicon Valley Capital Club, San Jose, CA
I’m thrilled to invite you to join me for a VIP Breakfast for Apple Alumni at the Silicon Valley Capital Club in San Jose, CA on Thursday, December 8th, from 7-8am. I look forward to hosting an intimate breakfast and discussion exclusively for present and former Apple employees. This 1-hour Power Breakfast is about re-connecting & networking with Apple colleagues. We will explore how to take our businesses and our lives to a whole new level of success in the next year by building on the synergy of Apple alliances. The focus of this breakfast club will be my forthcoming eBook “The Magic & Moxie of Apple: An Insider’s View”. VIP Breakfast and a copy of the eBook (valued at $37) are limited to the first 12 people who respond.
A Fantastic Freebie from Fanatic.FM
To celebrate Fanatic.FM and their great contribution to DIY brand building for artists, Fanatic.FM is offering a special bonus for Kelli’s tribe. Click here for a free subscription to The Fanatic and enter to win a 1-hour session with the Fanatic.FM social media tune-up experts. Deadline: December 5.
We did it! #1 on Amazon in Music!!!
A HUGE thank you to everyone who supported the Amazon Launch for “Taking the Crowd to the Cloud – Social Media for the Music Industry” – an eBook that raises the bar and demystifies social media marketing, helping musicians, agents and anyone in our industry to THRIVE. Not only did we spend all of last weekend at #1, as I write this, we’re STILL top ten!
Hypebot Promotes “Taking the Crowd to the Cloud”
I’ll write a separate blog about how my eBook went all the way to #1 on Amazon this weekend, but I wanted to take a moment and offer a special thanks to Bruce Houghton – a powerful voice in the music industry – who writes for HypeBot. He made an exception to his SOP to review the book, and his observations are spot on and very important to me. Because of the holiday weekend, I made the executive choice to leave the eBook at the launch price just until mid-week, giving all of the artists out there a chance to grab it (and use it!). MANY thanks to Bruce and to everyone who supported our effort to offer a hands-on, simple, DIY look at social media for the music industry. ~ Kelli Richards
11/11/11 eBook Launch! Help me hit #1 on Amazon!
Taking the Crowd to the Cloud – SOCIAL MEDIA for the Music Industry Kelli Richards’ new eBook, “Taking the Crowd to the Cloud – SOCIAL MEDIA for the Music Industry,” teaches you to run your content, your revenue, your merch and your fan base ANY WAY YOU WANT TO. It’s easily the best eBook on Social Media for Musicians, ever. Today is the ONLY day you can get the book on Amazon at $3.99. https://amzn.to/eBook-Crowd This eBook raises the bar and demystifies the social media process. It will help you THRIVE in this tough economy and transform your online presence and your marketing mindset. It provides an overview of the top 10 online spaces and gives a brief look at how to maximize your social media presence to build and keep your audience – and turn them into your own personal sales force. MORE FANS! The ultimate end-game! BRAND TRANSFORMATION! (Yes, trust me, you are a brand!) MORE MONEY! That’s an easy one, more fans + more content = more sales. SIMPLE! Written in easy-to-follow language with easy-to-implement instructions. FAST! You’ll learn about 8 no cost Resources to build your brand and your fan base! STOP WORRYING! No more worrying about missing the opp for social media success. No Cost Online Business Tools and List Building Tools worth 10X’s the cost of the book. FR EE DOM! How about turning your work into a business that does not depend on a label, a manager or ANYONE. Do what you WHAT you want, WHEN you want, and WHERE you want… You can set your own hours… You can live anywhere… All you need is an internet connection… The sky is the limit. Kelli Richards’ new eBook, “Taking the Crowd to the Cloud – SOCIAL MEDIA for the Music Industry,” teaches you to run your content, your revenue, your merch and your fan base ANY WAY YOU WANT TO. It’s easily the best eBook on Social Media for Musicians, ever. Today is the ONLY day you can get the book on Amazon at $3.99. https://amzn.to/eBook-Crowd.
A Digital Insider Scoffs at Townshend
As an industry insider – on way more than one level – it’s hard to take Pete Townshend’s comments as anything more than another great artist railing at the system. Look, in the end, we all have to admit that the system is broken. That’s one thing that Townshend got right in that interview. After that? Well, it’s all up for debate. But the fact that the debate was called to the floor again, that’s a good thing.
The Future of Content, by Futurist, Gerd Leonhard
Gerd Leonhard’s intent to publish this eBook via Amazon Kindle, exclusively, at this very low price, is to make these ideas and concepts as widely available as possible while still trying to be an example of what digital, paperless distribution can look like, going forward. Definitely a GREAT investment at $2.99.
The Pandora Box of Mobile – The Sky’s the Limit
If you were at the Web 2.0 Summit in San Francisco last week, you probably heard Pandora Founder Tim Westergren share that SEVENTY PERCENT of their usage is through mobile venues. Yes. 70%. And having created a super-successful digital space for themselves, Pandora doesn’t see Spotify, iTunes, or any other competition eating their lunch any time soon.
Celebrity Wrangling.
When it comes to celebrity wrangling, helping a corporate client or event organizer secure the right celebrity to support their event or product campaign is definitely more art than science. The most important part of the process is bringing my 25 years of listening and experience to a discussion about the objectives of the client. Is it a company celebration? Is the event or campaign about supporting their employees (internal) or their brand (customers)? Is it to thank their sales team? Or perhaps an industry conference with VIPs?
Billboard.Biz – “Music-Industry Characters You Need To Follow”
In our recent one-on-one chat, thought leader Thomas Reemer shares about the application (and implication) of watermarks and how they effect digital distribution. (For those who don’t know, Thomas Reemer is the CEO of 88tc88.com – an online service that, among other things, translates western titles and artists, enabling access for Western Music to the vast Chinese mobile market.
Complimentary Access to NARM Webinar Thursday 9/22
I will be offering a 45 minute presentation with NARM this Thursday 9/22 at 1pm PST.
The team at NARM has graciously given me 15 free “seats” at the Webinar to share with my followers and colleagues. The topic will be “Taking The Crowd to The Cloud – Social Media for the Music Industry,” which was the focus of my recent eBook.
An Intimate Fireside Chat with Video Music Director and Producer, Robby Starbuck
This month’s Fireside Chat is an informal Q&A with Music Video Director and Producer, Robby Starbuck. Robby Starbuck is an artist who’s willing to take huge risks to walk the walk and paint his unique voice on his own private canvas — film. He’s directed music videos for such amazing artists as: Snoop Dogg, Smashing Pumpkins, Escape The Fate, Metric The Sounds, Pierce The Veil and dozens of others and has, to date, almost 28 million views on his YouTube channel.
An Intimate Fireside Chat with Thomas Dolby and Kelli Richards
Best known for his hit, “She Blinded Me with Science,” Thomas Dolby is much more than a recording artist. In fact, he’s STILL leading the tech revolution with his interactive game, Floating City, which reacts to player contributions, eventually granting access to Thomas’ newest music. This is digital technology meeting music at its best!
The Gifts of the Digital Age – Remember 9/11
Because of the advances in digital technology, we are able to keep alive the memories of those who lost loved ones on this day, ten years ago – and even more, to broadcast those memories to our nation and to our world. They do not remain locked in a vault somewhere, for eternity, they are instead broadcast to the far corners of the universe through social media.
VIP Breakfast at Digital Music West – Redefining Social Media for the Music Industry
I’m fortunate to lead a complimentary VIP breakfast kicking off the start of Day 2. This is an informal roundtable discussion focused on my newest eBook “Taking the Crowd to the Cloud – Social Media for the Music Industry” on Friday, October 7th, from 8:00-9:00am. The VIP Breakfast includes a vibrant discussion, great company, and a printed copy of my eBook, for the first 20 people who reserve their seat by Tuesday, October 4th (to do so, contact my team at sandy@allaccessgroup.com). The breakfast will coincide with the formal Amazon publication launch of my eBook on 11/11/11.
VizLingo – The Newest Gadget for Gen Z
Yes, the tech revolution has produced an endless stream of new gizmos, gadgets and tools. Some of these are vital to our day-to-day existence, like email, and some are simply a fun and entertaining distraction (Angry Birds anyone?)…
Not long ago, entrepreneurs Todd Younggren and Azeo Fables created hatched the idea to use the latest revolution in tech, mobile, to create a new way to communicate, and VizLingo was born.
Big Brother has Landed, and his name is Foursquare
Kelli Richards, technology futurist and consultant and CEO of the All Access Group shares her thoughts about Foursqure and their recent alliance with Groupon, BuyWithMe, Zozi, Gilt City, Living Social and AT&T Interactive — as well as finance giant, American Express.
CEO of All Access Group Invited to be in Alan’s Gang
Kelli Richards, a thought leader in digital music and entertainment, and one of only a few select members of Alan Weiss’ Master Mentor Program and Thought Leadership Summit, has recently been invited to participate both Weiss’ new Summit Global Network and also in the collaborative “Alan & the Gang.”
Alan & the Gang is an online destination where both aspiring and veteran entrepreneurs and business people can access thought leaders from around the globe. Kelli Richards joins a limited group of elite international experts in both process and content who contribute their intellectual property and expertise.
Chatting with Brenden Mulligan, Founder of OneSheet, the One Stop Solution for Artists
For a long time now, artists have been asked to create profiles on all of these different services, and one problem I felt was there was that there wasn’t necessarily an easy way to weave these together. What I wanted to do was make it incredibly easy for an artist to create a maintenance free web presence, something that would take them only a few minutes to do and be totally affordable.
Legacy and Celebrity Wrangling
One of the most important aspects of my career has been creating high impact collaborations between artists, celebrities and corporations, and sometimes between artists and charities. I call this celebrity wrangling. There’s no shortage of passion in the world surrounding celebrities and musicians; in fact, it’s rare to find one that doesn’t crave the opportunity to create lasting change and global/societal impact. Connecting the right artist for the right purpose – or simply being part of event production as a talent producer for award shows & charity events involving great artist/celeb talent, well, those are definitely career high points.
Kelli Richards Hosts a VIP Breakfast at the Bandwidth Music | Technology Conference
On Tuesday, August 16th, at 8am, industry thought-leaders, Kelli Richards, CEO of the All Access Group, will host an intimate breakfast and discussion to kick off day two of the annual Bandwidth Music | Technology Conference. The focus of this “breakfast club” will be Kelli Richards’ newest eBook “Taking the Crowd to the Cloud – Social Media for the Music Industry.” VIP Breakfast and a printed copy of the eBook (valued at $37) will be available to the first 20 people who respond. Please RVSP to reserve your VIP seat at the event. sandy@allaccessgroup.com
Taking the Crowd to the Cloud – Social Media for the Music Industry
My new eBook, Taking the Crowd to the Cloud – Social Media for the Music Industry, is an insider’s view on how it all comes together. It raises the bar and demystifies social media marketing, helping musicians, agents and anyone in our industry THRIVE – it empowers and transforms the marketing mindset.
Is Mobile Advertising Over Before it Began? One or Two Standouts Still in the Game
In the end, this forum also demands a new level of creativity, collaboration and UE, user experience. If Angry Birds can become a phrase and experience that 78% of mobile users know and have participated with, then Angry Birds who drink Dr. Pepper makes perfect sense.
Tech + Media – The Honeymoon Between GoogleTV and Logitech Ends, but the Marriage Continues
The marriage of tech and media is definitely a rocky one at times, and Web TV is no exception. The latest tech / media couple in trouble appears to be Logitech and Google. With the rocky start to Google TV, Logitech is also hung up in every way possible. Why? They supply the tech end of GTV with the Revue Google TV set-top box.
Spotify ….Finally
Spotify ….Finally. Well, after all this time, what’s left to be said??? Except let’s give credit to the artist. Tallulah by Tobias Norberg
Social Media Wars – How Wide Do We Open the Kimono? Google+, Facebook, Etc.
It is very easy to see why they don’t want to do battle with megalith Google over anything more than ad sales. One has to wonder, however, where the users come into play. Although diligently trying to evolve every single day, there’s absolutely NO guarantee that Facebook will not become the MySpace of tomorrow. (Meaning that they become a great neighborhood that nobody lives in or even visits any more – sort of the Three-Mile Island of Social Networks.) Simply building walls and creating friction will not protect them.
3 Best Practices for Working with a Coach
This is an easy task to throw out there and probably one of the toughest decisions we can make at any given time. The notion that the right teacher will show up at the right time in our lives is only partly true. We have to actively participate in our search with a clear picture of what we want in order to attract the right people, no matter what role they are to play in our lives – and also to be open to them when they appear. Having a crystal clear image of what you need in a coach – what their area of expertise is, how they resonate with who you are & your vision, and how they work with their clients are all vital ingredients in your process.
An Intimate “Fireside Chat” with Million-Dollar Coach and Author, Alan Cohen
Alan Cohen: I love coaching because it’s a really fast way to make progress. When I work with coaches, I find that each one has a unique passion, talent, interest and vision. Half of the game of becoming a coach is telling the truth and getting in touch with where your unique path lives… for you, you’re an expert and master in connecting people and in the media – nobody else does that like you.
Facebook + Skype = Hyper-Connectivity …. Or Virtual Un-Reality?
What does it mean that Facebook has partnered with Skype to offer video calling? Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, has focused on the “social infrastructure” that’s been created by the Facebook team (and other social networks) and the Orwellian openness that’s become our lives (which he calls sharing). Is he right? Is he wrong?
Data is the new Oil – By My Colleague, Media Futurist, Gerd Leonhard
Data is the new Oil: paying with attention is the future of media View more presentations from Gerd Leonhard
Best Practices for the New World of Live Music
But if you’re playing in Rhode Island or Flint, Michigan, you have to seriously consider what the market can bear. A lower ticket price doesn’t have to mean you’re eating PB&J for a week either, it means you have to get creative, so that those who want more contact or have more expendable income, can choose to participate on a higher level. Consider a paid meet & greet before you go onstage, or an after party with some free merch to go with the separate ticket price.
An Intimate “Fireside Chat” with Hollywood Producer, Gary Goldstein
An excerpt of Kelli’s Q&A with Hollywood Producer, Gary Goldstein, an inspiring voice in the film and music industries. Gary Goldstein produced one of the most iconic cultural expressions of the last generation: Pretty Woman. He has gone on to mentor many of the leading creative voices in music and film. He is an accomplished film producer, an author, a speaker, an innovator, a philanthropist, and a great guy.
Connectivity – A Vision of the Future
Digital goes far beyond songs and iTunes and singles and lockers, it goes past movies and downloadable books and content, it’s way bigger than anything we could have imagined five years ago, and I have no doubt that five years from now will showcase something else that’s beyond what we might imagine today.
Cloudy Weather at Apple, Then and Now
It will come as no surprise to anyone that Apple’s stock will rise the moment Steve Jobs takes the stage later today. By any estimate, Apple is worth billions – with or without Steve Jobs – but like it or not, apple is not a democracy. It is an autocracy. It is a company carrying out the vision and changing the world, all according to the dictates of its leader, Steve Jobs.
Join Me in June for a “Fireside Chat” with the Leading Minds in Branding, Coaching and
I’m pleased to share with all of you that my weekly “All Access Radio” Show has developed a strong and loyal following! Over 20,000 downloads in just a few months. I’ve been graced to interview some of the top digital visionaries and leading voices in the music and technology industries, as well as some great voices in the music and entertainment industries.
Can MySpace Save itself by Porting into Facebook? Social Media & Digital Music.
Yes folks, Myspace Music has finally brought in an app that will let artists transfer their content from Myspace into Facebook under a new “Music” tab. You can check out the program here.
God Only Knows. Minefields and Memories…
Adopt-a-Minefield benefit concert given by Sir Paul McCartney and Brian Wilson, where they joined together and sang, “God Only Knows.”
The concert and the song definitely live in my mind as one of the most moving and inspiring events that I ever participated in. Although there isn’t any video from the event to really speak of, there is a snippet of it in an Access Hollywood interview, speaking with Sir Paul and host, Jay Leno, about the event.
Karma-Chameleon. The Fast-Changing Metrics of Digital Music
The changes in the digital music world continue to inspire a lot more than fear – they’re creating connections on every level, minute by minute. It’s great to see the Billboard Music Awards getting so much attention on traditional media, but the truth is that their rankings simply don’t mean what they used to. Long recognized as the industry standard, it’s no secret that the on-demand player and purveyor of music (and ranking) is now YouTube.
Personalizing Lyrics – One Amazing, Creative Way to Personally Rock The Fan Base
As a true lover of technology, as well as a coach in both the business world and in the digital music space, when I come across a tech solution that changes the course of a musician’s business and revenue stream, and builds a better fan base – well, let’s just say it’s always a reason to celebrate. As the music industry has been pummeled over the last decade, hit with punches from outside and inside of itself, creativity has turned out to be the number one solution to surviving – and thriving – the ever changing landscape.
Google’s Music Locker … All it’s Cracked up to be? Or Just Cracked?
Music Beta by Google went live with more details about licensing and features on May 10th of this week. VentureBeat’s review said it was, “a web of confusing programs without a lot of instruction as to how to actually get to the music you want to hear.”
3 Best Practices for Digital Distribution & Audience Building in an Ever Evolving Online World
Over the last decade, the shift from physical media to digital distribution is a trend explored literally in front of us every single day. From the music industry, videos and movies, to information and gaming, television and radio, there’s no aspect of the media world that has not been completely transformed.
Michael Robertson Talks about DAR.fm, MP3tunes, Amazon and the Cloud Music Industry…
Excerpt of Kelli Richards’ Q&A with Michael Robertson, the Bad Boy of the Digital Music Industry. Michael Robertson is a longtime provocateur of the music business and the founder and former CEO of MP3.com, one of the most popular Internet music sites ever. His newest startup, DAR.fm, is a centralized Web-based TiVo for radio. Users can search the programming schedules of over 600 music and talk-radio stations and schedule DAR.fm to record up to 4 hours of any broadcast.
Peter Rafelson – A New Chapter in a Long Hollywood Legacy
Growing up surrounded by Hollywood royalty, like Jack Nicholson, The Beatles and Bob Dillon, and being immersed in the renegade, independent film business of the 1960’s, Rafelson was blessed with a myriad of artistic role models. He shared this thought with me in a recent interview, “Growing up in that environment, it was very
Google kills SEO – Stay Alive with Social Media
I don’t know how many of you saw the news, but Google is changing how SEO is formulated. What? Yes, they’re tossing the algorithm out the window and writing a new recipe for how page ranking works. While some of the formula will remain as it is, a huge new piece will be based on what they’re calling a “social media grid.” What that means is if …
Join Me for a “Fireside Chat” with the Leading Minds in Tech and Digital Music / Media
Please join me each Monday evening at 5pm Pacific Time, as I host an intimate “fireside chat” with some of the leading minds in technology and digital music and media. You can find my entire library of recordings on my website as well as some personal interviews where I share about my own experiences over a twenty plus career in music and tech.
Making a Mark at Digital Hollywood Spring
I’m very excited to share with everyone that I will be moderating a panel session at Digital Hollywood Spring at the Ritz Carlton in Marina Del Rey on Wednesday May 4th. Here are the details on my panel, and some more information on the event itself.
Jeff Brandstetter – Thought Leader in Digital Music and Entertainment
Jeff Brandstetter is a digital music and entertainment lawyer with over 20 years of experience in film, TV, music, literary, new media and entertainment financing matters. He is also the co-author of the highly acclaimed book “The Music Business Explained in Plain English.” He appears frequently as a speaker and moderator on entertainment law matters and Is also the Co-Founder and CEO of IndiePlaya, a revolutionary online film distribution platform optimizing the marketing and distribution of independent films.
The Futures Agency
I was recently invited to be part of The Futures Agency by my good friend and colleague, Gerd Leonhard. For those of you who do not know, The Futures Agency is the name of Gerd’s company, but he’s also created an online industry think-tank of friends and colleagues. I’m super excited to be part of this think-tank and elite group of leaders in the digital industry.
An Interview with Dave Kusek, of the Berklee School of Music, and the Co-Author of “The Future of Music”
I recently interviewed Dave Kusek, of the Berklee School of Music, and the Co-Author of “The Future of Music.” Dave Kusek is a digital music executive and is responsible for helping to create the market for digital music as an entity. He created a hugely successful online music school berkleemusic.com for the prestigious Berklee College of Music. Berkleemusic has become the world’s largest music school teaching over 15,000 students a year globally.
Duran Duran – All You Need is Now
Highly collaborative and innovative, Duran Duran has spent thirty years fusing pop music with art, fashion and technology, bringing music videos from a marketing tool in the 80’s to one of the music industry’s most valued creative assets.
6 Ways to Build Your Brand and Grab Your Audience
In today’s world, the connection to your customer is your number one asset. The path to communicating most effectively to your “fans” literally becomes the yellow brick road. If you’re not giving your fan or client a myriad of choices through which to connect, you are missing out not only on revenues, but also on building your army of loyal brand advocates. Here are 6 best practices to implement immediately to forge a solid, long-standing relationship with your best audiences and clients.
An Intimate Q&A with Tom Silverman, CEO of Tommy Boy Entertainment
Tom Silverman, CEO of Tommy Boy Entertainment and the Force Behind the New Music Seminar Speaks with Kelli about where the Music Industry is Headed. Tom Silverman, CEO of Tommy Boy Entertainment and the Force Behind the New Music Seminar Speaks with Kelli about where the Music Industry is Headed.
Here are a few excerpts of my interview with Tom Silverman on my All Access Radio Show. To hear the entire interview, please visit my website at https://allaccessgroup.com.
Hot Stuff from Hot Caramel – Excerpts from my Interview with Irene Cara
Being able to support great artists and entrepreneurs as they break away from past successes in their lives and embark on the new is one of life’s biggest highs for me. Few performers have had the amazing success and influence of Irene Cara – I had the chance to interview Irene recently and to hear about her new group, “Hot Caramel.”
Gregg Allman – Somehow You’re Still on the Run
Gregg Allman has always been a guy who colors outside the lines, in my opinion. There’s no question that The Allman Brothers Band has serious staying power. Probably best known for “Sweet Melissa,” Allman is a bluesy, jam-band pioneer who practically invented Southern Rock. As most followers of Allman Brothers music probably know …
Remembering John Lennon – 30 Years Later
It’s honestly hard to believe that thirty years have passed since he was taken from us in a single moment’s insanity. In fact, most of the time, it’s hard to believe that John’s really gone at all. His was far more than the voice of a generation – it was often the voice of our hearts and our conscience.
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