SMART MUSIC BUSINESS: TuneCore vs. CD Baby music distribution - video

SMART MUSIC BUSINESS: TuneCore vs. CD Baby / CDBaby music distribution - video

GOOGLE PLUS: I found 2000 new followers in only 2 months!

Indie musicians, find new fans at Google+. I found 2000 new followers and achieved 125K views in only 2 months! You can too!!! Set up an attractive Google+ page with interesting content, then add music lovers who won't be able to resist wanting to support you.

Twitter has low fan engagement. You get more return for your efforts with Google+! Don't ignore entire population of 500 million users at Google+, a.k.a. potential fans.

I found 2000 followers @google+ in only 2 months! That's a lot more than @twitter in 1 year. https://t.co/xK9OVv94du pic.twitter.com/nuZZbyHLmG
— find new indie music (@luvindiemusic) October 26, 2014

Twitter's efforts to improve user engagement & growth rates taking longer than expected, stock affected: http://t.co/x8aX5Y1nBA
— Yahoo News (@YahooNews) October 28, 2014

BBC NEWS: On the tracks of Australia's last record maker

Our mates at Zenith make the BBC News - On the tracks of Australia's last record maker http://t.co/2FZcY7SMxD

— sound of melbourne (@soundofmelb) October 20, 2014

@ariherstand 3 guesses which album I'm listening to on my brand new turntable 😄 #vinyl #music pic.twitter.com/9LpCDVfdww

— Melissa Somers (@RISEABOVE_Media) October 17, 2014

PASTE MAGAZINE: There Are No Platinum Albums From 2014

There Are No Platinum Albums From 2014 http://t.co/bPnXANeTAr

— Paste Magazine (@PasteMagazine) October 17, 2014

There Are No Platinum Albums From 2014 http://t.co/DQdxwIgMMK

— BLBC (@RobertSLoughry) October 22, 2014

@PasteMagazine @BrianDuffield Wow it's almost as if the mainstream music industry has been regurgitating the same stuff for 20 years

— JonathanDanielBrown (@JonathanDBrown) October 17, 2014

.@PasteMagazine that's good news. Means indie musicians are getting larger piece of pie & deserve more in 2015. Major labels losing control.

— find new indie music (@luvindiemusic) October 25, 2014

ARI'S TAKE: 10 Things You’ll Never Understand About Musicians

10 Things You'll Never Understand About Musicians http://t.co/NqfKkvTPs6 (my latest on @digitalmusicnws)

— Ari's Take (@ArisTake) October 14, 2014

HYPEBOT: What are the odds of succeeding without a record deal?

Note: Too many bands get dropped shortly after signing with major labels (arguably one big conglomerate) and feel humiliated and deflated so I don't agree with major label signing as the answer, although a true organic indie label (not the ones stemming from major labels) is a good alternative. However, I thought some comments were interesting and at least this gives good info on what goals you want to reach with number of downloads, gigs, etc. as an independent.

MTT Weekly Recap: What are the odds of succeeding without a record deal? http://bit.ly/kZABA3

— hypebot (@hypebot) June 25, 2011

Do Social Networks Really Help Musicians? http://bit.ly/lvQ3Dz

— Music Think Tank (@musicthinktank) June 9, 2011

Do Social Networks Really Help Musicians? Revisited http://bit.ly/j2qv1U

— hypebot (@hypebot) June 14, 2011

Think for yourself

— SPEAK (@speakz) October 3, 2014

Nobody own my publishing either. That's the shit that I'm on

— SPEAK (@speakz) October 3, 2014

I'm just tryin to get my syncs up ...real song writer shit. That's where the $$ at

— SPEAK (@speakz) October 3, 2014

@speakz and with no major label signing

— Alan vanzzini (@Innov8dthoughts) October 5, 2014

I'm a lot of things . Fake is not one.

— SPEAK (@speakz) October 10, 2014

I wanna do everything creative. Whatever makes me happy. Just gonna do it on my terms & not allow myself to get boxed in.

— SPEAK (@speakz) October 3, 2014

It's not just about rap for me.never been.It's about feeding the insatiable appetite to make the cool weird shit I see in my head real

— SPEAK (@speakz) October 3, 2014

I like when I see people stopped at the light or driving by and they're singing along to the music in their car loud as fuck.

— SPEAK (@speakz) October 10, 2014

It's healthy to sing. Even if you suck at it and sound horrible. It's good for the heart.

— SPEAK (@speakz) October 10, 2014

Any other life questions? I'm here to help

— SPEAK (@speakz) October 5, 2014

Here for no reason at all is a picture of me and Warren Buffett. #richgang pic.twitter.com/cL0UPdUSqX

— SPEAK (@speakz) October 6, 2014

One word that all musicians should know and live by...... PERSEVERANCE

— Gabriel Ayala (@ayalaguitarist) April 23, 2014

ARI'S TAKE: This Company Will Print, Label And Ship Tour Posters

This Company Will Print, Label And Ship Tour Posters http://t.co/q2OSSioBRQ

— Ari's Take (@ArisTake) October 11, 2014

DIGITAL MUSIC NEWS: SoundCloud’s Major Label Negotiations Crumble…

SoundCloud’s Major Label Negotiations Crumble… http://t.co/224Q4K63zK

— Digital Music News (@digitalmusicnws) October 10, 2014

Negotiations between the three major labels and @SoundCloud have halted. http://t.co/r6vwmsxR0n pic.twitter.com/GTEd58EP73

— Dancing Astronaut (@dancingastro) October 9, 2014

important read for #musicians http://t.co/wIz7RTJ04Q

— Lou Plaia (@LouPlaia) October 10, 2014

This is getting ridiculous. @LookasMusic has his @SoundCloud taken down for two old bootlegs. http://t.co/CseCMatL0p

— Dancing Astronaut (@dancingastro) October 9, 2014

ARI'S TAKE: Why You Haven’t Been Getting Your iTunes Match Mechanical Royalties

Why You Haven’t Been Getting Your iTunes Match Mechanical Royalties http://t.co/2amkF8ukp9

— Digital Music News (@digitalmusicnws) October 10, 2014

Why You Haven't Been Getting Paid Your iTunes Match Mechanical Royalties http://t.co/1YwZz6PNKh (my latest on @digitalmusicnws)

— Ari's Take (@ArisTake) October 10, 2014

What to do when CEO stands for Chief Ego Officer http://t.co/vT9CBCNWnj

— Fortune Magazine (@FortuneMagazine) April 26, 2014

When your CEO turns into the awful Chief Ego Of... http://t.co/NE2vJwJPQG

— Enzo Calamo (@EnzoCalamo) April 27, 2014

A @thumpthump Guide to Music Publishing... http://t.co/5PD890e4kn

— Digital Music News (@digitalmusicnws) October 9, 2014

DIGITAL MUSIC NEWS: Jimmy Buffet Asked Spotify for a Raise. Here’s What They Said.

Jimmy Buffet Asked Spotify for a Raise. Here’s What They Said. http://t.co/qFBUvWSBIm

— Digital Music News (@digitalmusicnws) October 9, 2014

GRATEFUL FOR 3 INDIE MUSIC CHAMPIONS: 1) First Amendment 2) Ari Herstand 3) Sheldon Snow

1) First Amendment of U.S. Constitution

we can be heroes... just for one day

— SPEAK (@speakz) October 10, 2014

2) Ari Herstand / Ari's Take / Digital Music News

I'm here for the unspoken and unheard. I seek truth. I'm a fucking musician who speaks up and speaks out! We're all in this together 💪
— Ari's Take (@ArisTake) October 9, 2014

UPDATED: CD Baby, Tunecore, Ditto, Mondotunes, ReverbNation, DistroKid or Loudr: http://t.co/iAuVWWf7fR

— Ari's Take (@ArisTake) September 1, 2014

3) Sheldon Snow / NewUSB / 365 Radio Networks

And many more...

I have to unfollow Live Nation because they jam my feeds w/ posts about Ariana Grande & Christina Perri. There is so much more than them.

— Lou Plaia (@LouPlaia) September 7, 2014

Bully employees & ex's @Dittomusic, if you keep it up,I will report it directly @Sheldon_Snow @LouPlaia @ReverbNation pic.twitter.com/8EfMfAn95G

— find new indie music (@luvindiemusic) October 13, 2014

"Most people are paralyzed by fear. Overcome it and you take charge of your life and your world.” ~Mark Victor Hansen

— Madalyn Sklar (@MadalynSklar) October 2, 2014

Free! Ask about BuyMyMusic the digital store for the Indie Musician. If you like what you hear, buy it at BuyMyMusic! http://t.co/MBhaDwgI0p

— Diane Marie (@DianNewusbRadio) October 8, 2014

Did you miss last Saturday's show? Or just want to listen again? Thank you and go here! SoundCloud Catchup: http://t.co/KqYTpiEtCe

— Diane Marie (@DianNewusbRadio) October 7, 2014

MUSIC ARTISTS OUT THERE! I'm looking for new interviews to feature on @PopWrapped! Shoot me a message if interested: jfrahmwriter@gmail.com

— Jonathan Frahm ♫ (@JNoodles_) October 2, 2014

@EdHarrisMusic @matt_kay @ambrosialetudes @Stefan_Laurell @JFourcroy @luvindiemusic #Gratitude - Hope your day and week are going well.

— stan stewart (@muz4now) October 14, 2014

@luvindiemusic Thanks and keep the #indie love flowing...

— stan stewart (@muz4now) October 14, 2014

I Love Indie Internet Radio is a music discovery service like Pandora, with music coming from independent musicians. http://t.co/ckAHpOKoEa

— Chris Bishop (@chrisiloveindie) June 27, 2014

The Future of Indie #music? The Looplay Team Talks to @Startacus http://t.co/8OAiOBzJEg

— Looplay (@looplay) September 10, 2014

We'd love to listen to them on Looplay! @boogwiggin

— Looplay (@looplay) September 30, 2014

DITTO MUSIC DRAMA (continued): Are these 2, Mike & Michael (from UMG), the same person?

Are these 2, Mike & Michael (@UMG / former Ditto Music employee), 
the same person? 

If that is the case, we should be concerned & question 

as to why major label hacks against indies are 

getting involved and defending Ditto Music here???!!

Click image to enlarge

Maybe I got my answer right here:

@CEOleeparsons @luvindiemusic @ceomattparsons @digitalmusicnws seriously though does anyone know where I can find some new indie music
— Michael Townsend (@townsendyesmate) October 9, 2014

.@townsendyesmate yes, you should ask your fellow major label mates who follow me @google+! @CEOleeparsons @ceomattparsons @digitalmusicnws
— find new indie music (@luvindiemusic) October 9, 2014

.@townsendyesmate ask @LouPlaia @ReverbNation who wouldn't appreciate major label hacks harassing indies fans @CEOleeparsons @ceomattparsons
— find new indie music (@luvindiemusic) October 9, 2014

.@ArisTake @digitalmusicnws it's very telling when ex-employee @Dittomusic goes on to your site & TRASHES indies SMH! http://t.co/OvTAkuN3Xa
— find new indie music (@luvindiemusic) October 10, 2014

@luvindiemusic guys this is absolutely unacceptable, please follow so I can DM, thanks.
— Michael Townsend (@townsendyesmate) October 10, 2014

.@ArisTake @digitalmusicnws maybe if customer support lady spent less time online bullying & more time help customers http://t.co/f3vrLuP4og
— find new indie music (@luvindiemusic) October 10, 2014

.@ArisTake @digitalmusicnws ex-employee @Dittomusic requests follow to DM, but quickly erases it...why?Too observant? pic.twitter.com/vzHPD3R7aC

— find new indie music (@luvindiemusic) October 10, 2014

One word that all musicians should know and live by...... PERSEVERANCE

— Gabriel Ayala (@ayalaguitarist) April 23, 2014

Listen to indie promoter Sheldon Snow (NewUSB / 365 Radio Network) recent Music Talk show with co-host Bob Noel Barr discussing what games major labels are playing. Find past interviews in Catch Up to arm yourself with knowledge in the music business. Sign up for his Facebook group to receive important notifications on new shows, etc.

BUYMYMUSIC / ILOVEINDIE / LOOPLAY: Avoid corporate music distribution drama by going with smaller discovery sites

After seeing all the drama unfolding after indie musician advocate Ari Herstand from Ari's Take / Digital Music News asked Ditto Music a question, I can't help but revisit my posts introducing you to 3 other smaller, kind & gentle music distributors.

What to do when CEO stands for Chief Ego Officer http://t.co/vT9CBCNWnj

— Fortune Magazine (@FortuneMagazine) April 26, 2014

ARI'S TAKE: You're (Ditto Music) the only distributor who freaked out on me of all the ones I sent identical emails to

. @CEOleeparsons I asked a private question. No blackmail. Identical email to every distributor. You're the only one who freaked out on me.

— Ari's Take (@ArisTake) October 9, 2014

. @CEOleeparsons and here's the definition of blackmail. Check your English. pic.twitter.com/rFO8CL8nvD

— Ari's Take (@ArisTake) October 9, 2014

. @CEOleeparsons I reprinted the emails. I only omitted your accusation of an individual. It wasn't chopped up." http://t.co/e4q3B21ecW

— Ari's Take (@ArisTake) October 9, 2014

. @CEOleeparsons You're the only distributor who freaked out on me of all the ones I sent identical emails to. You threatened to sue me.

— Ari's Take (@ArisTake) October 9, 2014

. @CEOleeparsons I'm in pursuit of the truth. I don't have a dog in this fight. It's awfully suspicious you got so defensive though.

— Ari's Take (@ArisTake) October 9, 2014

. @CEOleeparsons All I wanted was an answer. "Harry Fox does this for us" would have been sufficient. Others said that. You went off on me.

— Ari's Take (@ArisTake) October 9, 2014

you can catch up on what happened between @CEOleeparsons and me here: http://t.co/e4q3B21ecW

— Ari's Take (@ArisTake) October 9, 2014

. @CEOleeparsons what authority? Why were you the only distributor who responded this way? Same email to every company.

— Ari's Take (@ArisTake) October 9, 2014

. @CEOleeparsons I confirmed with HFA that you have never paid until you enlisted them to help. So my source was correct.

— Ari's Take (@ArisTake) October 9, 2014

@CEOleeparsons Jeff Price's comments will be in my upcoming report as well.

— Ari's Take (@ArisTake) October 9, 2014

@ArisTake Awesome article on Ditto Music allegedly not paying publishers. Brightened my day to see journalism combat assholery so well.

— David Cline (@DavidClineMusic) October 8, 2014

@CEOleeparsons is a prat.

— Teriq Newton (@teriqnewton) October 9, 2014

.@digitalmusicnws comments under article addressed to @CEOleeparsons @Dittomusic are priceless! Calling spade a spade pic.twitter.com/Y9bUXtnQd2

— find new indie music (@luvindiemusic) October 9, 2014

.@digitalmusicnws here's my advice to rude CEO bros who don't know art of apologizing & repairing damage they caused: pic.twitter.com/maLZ3uBNMa

— find new indie music (@luvindiemusic) October 9, 2014

What to do when CEO stands for Chief Ego Officer http://t.co/vT9CBCNWnj

— Fortune Magazine (@FortuneMagazine) April 26, 2014

When your CEO turns into the awful Chief Ego Of... http://t.co/NE2vJwJPQG

— Enzo Calamo (@EnzoCalamo) April 27, 2014

Anti bullying campaigns are trash...the world is full of bullies...bosses,co-workers, land lords..corporations. You gotta fuckin fight

— SPEAK (@speakz) October 2, 2014

ARI'S TAKE: We Asked Ditto Music If They Pay Mechanical Royalties. This Is What They Said...

We Asked Ditto Music If They Pay Mechanical Royalties. This Is What They Said... http://t.co/Z4y9zw7TBu
— Ari's Take (@ArisTake) October 8, 2014

We Asked Ditto Music If They Pay Mechanical Royalties. This Is What They Said… http://t.co/TFcdsLsP63
— Digital Music News (@digitalmusicnws) October 8, 2014

.@CEOleeparsons @Dittomusic I wouldn't expect anything less from somebody who compensates by adding "CEO" to his @twitter..NOT impressed!
— find new indie music (@luvindiemusic) October 8, 2014

As you can see, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree when you meet the other CEO of Ditto...shame on these guys for disrespecting Mr. Herstand who works tirelessly to help others:

I'm feeling left out here. Can SOMEONE write a made-up article about me and then blackmail me? PLEASE!!?? I hate cats. How about that?
— Matt Parsons (@ceomattparsons) October 8, 2014

What cats have to say to haters

.@digitalmusicnws those who want to have nothing to do with rude CEO's can boycott their affiliates @iTunes @Spotify: http://t.co/BtEPBZO1bi
— find new indie music (@luvindiemusic) October 9, 2014

.@digitalmusicnws more customer-friendly music distributors @cdbaby @Bandcamp @amazon @TuneCore who arent going to sue u for asking question
— find new indie music (@luvindiemusic) October 9, 2014

What to do when CEO stands for Chief Ego Officer http://t.co/vT9CBCNWnj
— Fortune Magazine (@FortuneMagazine) April 26, 2014

When your CEO turns into the awful Chief Ego Of... http://t.co/NE2vJwJPQG
— Enzo Calamo (@EnzoCalamo) April 27, 2014

One guy Oz responded to him
And I happen to find this coupon online if anybody needed it