Introducing the New Rock Star Life Lessons Logo!

TA-DAA!!! Thanks to all of you who voted and helped me choose, I’m happy to unveil my new Rock Star Life Lessons logo! This logo was designed by Adi Ramdhan, a talented graphic designer from Indonesia, who submitted original designs to my logo contest at 99Designs.com. The logo contest attracted 177 entries, and it wasn’t easy to choose (which is why I needed your help).

Over the next few months, this blog will become less about me, and more about YOU, the indie musician. The podcast will soon be launched, as well as a few new books and courses. I’ll be moving more of my personal stories to another blog (Yes, another blog! ) to have more of a separation of church and state, so I can refocus on my music activities. After all of my internet marketing lessons and experiences, I’m whittling everything down to two blogs and newsletters. This will enable me to organize my music and music marketing activities into a better experience for you.

I want to do another CD, but I feel like I have to get my online house in order first. But now that the new logos are ready, and my new indie musician list is building quickly, I know that I’ll soon be done with this particular overhaul, and return to making and performing music the way I want.

Thanks so much for your support for the past few months. I couldn’t have done this without you.

I also have to give a shout out of thanks to Chris Wright, my sound editing whiz for the upcoming RSLL podcasts, as well as my marketing interns Courtney Bernat and Andres Moreira. I’ve learned the hard way that I cannot (and should not) do it all myself, and I’m grateful for their help, dedication and hard work.

I also have to give a special shout out to Jeffrey Paul Bobrick, my ace, for honest feedback, and hooking me up with those interns. Geno Talerico gets love for all the support and hugs he gives unconditionally. Much gratitude goes to my spiritual mastermind partners CharLena Pearson-Fulcher and Shelia Hutson who have lovingly held my vision, and helped pray it into reality.

Last, but not least, Ariel Hyatt gets Super Kudos for being an awesome role model, peer mentor, client, friend, and all-round cool person.

I’d also like to thank the Academy… sorry, getting carried away there! Seriously, there is no such thing as a self-made success, and I am grateful for everyone who helped me get this far. THANK YOU!!!

Let me know how you like the new logo, and which music marketing topics you’re interested in. I’m ready for you!!!

Popularity: 2% [?]

Staples “Most Wonderful Time of the Year” – Back to School Commercial

“The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” – Back to School Commercial for Staples

I love this vintage Staples “Back to School” commercial for so many reasons.

From a music licensing standpoint, using the Christmas tune “Most Wonderful Time of the Year” for a Back to School promotion is absolutely genius. From a comedy standpoint, this is simply a hilarious commercial.

Kids that celebrate Christmas are usually happy and excited (and well-behaved), while parents are often stressed and stretched to the limit due to holiday demands. In this commercial, the dad is jumping for joy that his kids are going back to school after the summer, and the kids are depressed. It’s an ironic switch, not to mention, very clever.

This video is dedicated to all my parent friends out there!

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Please Help Me Choose My Podcast Logo by 2pm Today!

I just finished recording and producing my first Rock Star Life Lessons podcast for independent musicians, and I’m very excited! This first podcast featuring my interview with Mary J. Blige is ready to be submitted to iTunes except for one thing – the podcast needs a logo.

Today is the day that I have to decide on a logo – by 2pm TODAY! – and I could really use your help.

If you would please visit https://99designs.com/logo-design/vote-yipr9y by 2pm today, and leave your vote or comment, I’d appreciate it very much.

Thanks!
Carla

Photo Source: The lovely model Tanaya from SheWearsYourTee.com

Popularity: 2% [?]

Local Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for Musicians

Local SEO for Musicians
by Carla Lynne Hall

Hundreds of people go to search engines like Google every day seeking musical talent in your hometown. While they might not be looking specifically for you or your band, they are using music-related keywords to find a local band or music teacher. By optimizing your band’s website or blog for certain keywords, you can attract new visitors to your site.

After learning this little-known technique, I couldn’t wait to test it out. To find my own local keywords, I began by brainstorming musical categories related to my local area…

Click here to read the rest of my article as a guest blog post on Greg Rollett’s Gen-Y Rockstars Blog

Popularity: 4% [?]

“Your Music Career Gameplan For The Rest Of 2010!” – FREE Teleclass on Aug 19th:

So how is 2010 working out for your music career so far? I know how the beginning of the year can start out powerfully, when we’re filled with New Year’s resolutions, but by the time summer hits, life often gets in the way, and we find ourselves distracted.

If you haven’t already, NOW is the time to revisit your original plans for 2010, to note whether you are still on track, or if you need to adjust your plans in order to end your year on a strong note.

One of my music biz mentors, Kavit Haria from London, has asked to interview me for his teleclass this Thursday, August 19th at 8pm EST. The title is “Your Music Career Gameplan For The Rest Of 2010!” and I’m looking forward to sharing as much free info as we can within an hour. Some of the topics we’ll cover include:

* How to get more exposure as a musician using cheap, free methods to build a
following and interact with your fans

* How to write and sell songs as an artist

* The biggest mistake musicians make promoting themselves

* How to get yourself more money (and faster) from your music

Kavit has reserved 500 seats for this teleclass, which is being offered to over 12,940 musicians on our database so reserve your space now.

http://insidermusicbusiness.com/teleclass

Don’t worry if you can’t make the call because it’s not an appropriate time or you miss the call. If you sign up for the teleclass, we’ll make the recording available for you to enjoy at your convenience.

Popularity: 4% [?]

What Are Your Burning Music Marketing Questions??

I’ve been working on a new music marketing course, and I need your help.

In order to find solutions to your burning questions, I’ve created a survey at:
Rock Star Life Lessons Survey

Do you want to know how to:

* Sell more music?
* Market your music on Facebook and other social media sites?
* Build your fanbase?

Please visit Rock Star Life Lessons Survey and let me know. It’s only 10 mostly-multiple answer questions, so I promise that it will be quick and painless.

Thanks so much for your time!

Popularity: 7% [?]

The New Music Seminar Meets David and Goliath!

Last week I attended New York City’s New Music Seminar, and even wrote a little wrap-up article about it. I called it The New Music Seminar Meets David and Goliath.

The ever-resourceful Greg Rollett has posted it as a guest blog on his Gen-Y Rockstars Blog, and I’m totally excited!

Click to read The New Music Seminar Meets David and Goliath.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Rock Star Life Lessons is Expanding!!!

As some of you know, for the past few months, I’ve been focusing on my music marketing consulting business. After much thought, I realized that I have two audiences: friends and fans who like my music, but who aren’t necessarily interested in music marketing info, and musicians who enjoy my workshops and articles, but aren’t necessarily my music fans. I’ve finally made peace with this

Tooth and nail, I had been resisting the part of me that is, in fact, a teacher (“I don’t see Beyonce teaching music marketing!”). But teaching runs in my family; it’s in my blood, and I’m damned good at it. So for my clients and musicians who enjoy my music business writings, Rock Star Life Lessons will soon become my second newsletter. This will also enable me to keep both audiences happy, which makes me happy!

I’ve also started working on my first Rock Star Life Lessons (RSLL) podcast, which will be available on iTunes in the fall. The first episode will feature my interview with the fabulous Mary J. Blige, and I can’t wait for you to hear it. I’m also working on a Rock Star Life Lessons Online TV Series, and other cool projects that you’ll be hearing more about in the upcoming months, so stay tuned!

But don’t worry, I’m still making music, and I have a bunch of gigs coming up starting next month. I just needed to get my house in order!!!

Popularity: 10% [?]

Soulflower Summer Sale!

Perhaps I’m a little nutty from the heat (okay, I’m nutty all year round!) but I’ve decided to offer a special summer sale of my very first CD, Front & Center. Many of you know, or already own, my Soulflower CD, but you may not have even heard of Front & Center, which I’m selling this month only for $7.

Front & Center is the live CD that I recorded live in NYC from 1995-1999. At the time, I had just moved to New York City, and had no recording studio budget. So I recorded almost every live show I did, and created a CD from my favorite cuts. Because of my unauthorized rendition of Jimi Hendrix’ “Little Wing”, I was previously forbidden to sell the CD on iTunes. Thankfully, I’ve since worked things out with the Hendrix Estate, but before I re-release this last batch of CDs, I’d like to offer it to my Rock Star Life Lessons readers for the special price of $7!

To make things even more intriguing, if you buy Front & Center, I’ll also add my unreleased live EP, Dirty5, for no charge! Dirty5 is another live CD of mine, slightly naughty in nature, once even referred to as “A one night stand with music”. I don’t know about all that, but it was a lovely gig recorded during the last days of NYC’s CBGB’s Gallery – it was springtime, and I was feeling free!

Anyway, if you’re interested in this special offer, you can take advantage of my
Soulflower Summer Sale via PayPal. This price also includes shipping and handling! And if you want one or both CDs autographed, just let me know in the “special instructions” section of PayPal’s order form.

I only have a batch of Front & Center CDs left, so get ‘em while we’re all hot!

Popularity: 10% [?]

Music Success in Nine Weeks by Ariel Hyatt – Week 1

My friend Ariel Hyatt has launched the 2nd edition of her Music Success in Nine Weeks book! To celebrate, she’s starting a new Blogging Challenge today, July 5th, which ends September 6th.

Although I’m one of the contest judges, I still couldn’t help creating my own blog for my upcoming Rock Star Life Lessons internet TV show! Music Success in Nine Weeks is an invaluable guide for any musician wanting to learn about social media, and I highly recommend it!

Check out Music Success in Nine Weeks by Ariel Hyatt

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