Just recently I started asking many music artists some very important questions and the answers were stunning. Many of them have not really ever thought about some of the questions I asked. A lot of the questions where on music marketing!

I wondered if you would take a few minutes to take a really quick survey me and my friends put together to kind of get more of a glimpse as to what are the key areas musician’s struggle with. I wanna know where most of you are in your struggle with making music work for you whether it’s in music marketing, songwriting, protecting your music, producing a CD.

Go now and take this survey: >>> Artist Help Survey!

I promise this is quick and painless!

Regards,

Isa Agape.

This FREE Call gives you foundational techniques on songwriting.

Here are some highlights:

- Discover 2 Misconceptions About Songwriting so that you are not hindered in your writing!
- Learn 8 Ways to Help Develop Your Songwriting Skills.
- Find out what the Best Thing You Can Do as a songwriter.
- How to Mature Your Writing and grow as a songwriter and so much more!

Because of where I am at in my music journey, I’ve been asking the question:
Why do so many people tune into shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Lost, etc? What is it about those shows that acts like a emotional magnet that people tune in every week for?

I know that once I answer that question, that I would have tapped into a goldmine!

You maybe asking why a goldmine…

Well because once you know what your audience is wanting/thinking/experiencing then you can tap into that in your songwriting. You are then creating this sort of “hook” in your song. A hook in my opinion is not just a catchy melody that sticks to people (although that is what a hook is known for…) But I also believe it’s an emotional ride you take your listeners in. Something they can identify with!

The thing that I’ve discovered in asking these sort of questions, is that in all reality, I think or used to think the same way.
So no, you are not compromising yourself or your music for writing about someone else’s experience or emotion. The contrary!

There’s nothing wrong with doing a little homework to get to know your audience… THAT’S ONLY IF the people you want to reach is in a more grandeur scale, outside of your box. If not, if you want to stick with the norm then this assignment is not for you.

A few weeks ago I posted something on my social networking sites: Twitter and Facebook.

Some people got it and others did not.

Here was the post:
many of u r still recoverin from the aftermath of Finales this wk, namely #Greys. the show is my ‘unplug’ from reality. ha. another reason y i watch-cause of writers like @shondarhimes (& her team). I luv reading her blogs b/c it gives me a glimpse of what ppl, unlike me, think about. (task 4 songwriting). check this out (don’t if u haven’t seen the finale. there i warned u): http://www.greyswriters.com/

When you click on the link you will be taken to a blog that one of the most successful writers in TV wrote!
I read it, and it dawned on me… I’m reading why she writes the way she writes… And I am also reading why people tune in every single week on Thursday nights to view Grey’s Anatomy. It was profound for me. I got a glimpse into the minds of millions of people. And in doing that I got some ideas for songwriting material that I would not otherwise thought of. What I noticed is that in a lot of ways I have or had a lot of the same thinking as Shonda Rhimes. Crazy right?

So read the blog here >>> http://www.greyswriters.com/… Get a glimpse of yourself and millions of others… Reach the influencers.

Isa Agape

The last couple of days I’ve been looking into this avenue for music. At first I thought it wasn’t a good one cause it takes away from CD sales. But the more I looked into it the more I was sold on the idea. Pandora is a great place to get more exposure. Just like iTunes, Amazon.com, and other sites that stream a portion or all of your music. If you are about getting your music out there then this is just another tool to use.

There are some things you’ll need to do in order to get your music on Pandora.
Check out these links for more details:
http://blog.pandora.com/faq/contents/31.html

Isa Agape.

Monday, May 3, 2010– Isa Agape, best known for her raw passion and fresh lyrics gave an intimate performance at the IndigO2 in London April 24th, 2010 . The people, the passion and the pursuit for “more” that fills the country inspire and draw many.

IndigO2 has witnessed show-stopping sets from the legendary Prince after-show parties, The Eagles album launch, The Who and Chaka Khan to today’s chart-toppers, Ne-Yo, Usher, Estelle, T-Pain and Busta Rhymes to name a few..

Isa was no exception when it comes to drawing people to the arena when a sold out crowd came to the hear her perform such hits as “Stay” “Forever” “The Real Me” and “War”. The new CD “Of Love and War” has been featured through out the United States to sold out crowds from Texas to Hollywood and has sold over 50,000 downloads and 15,000 physical copies without any marketing, touring, or label support.

True to her lyrics she sings with passion to her audience, “I will love you forever. If you told me the truth, I would stay. In the night I hear the sound, the sound of my heart beating.”

A recent tour to London included a special training clinic where Isa reaches out to other musicians. She teaches how artists can market themselves, find prominence in the industry and brand themselves to be a permanent fixture in their audience’s heart.

Marketing has taken a whole new direction with such stars as Lady Gaga, best known for her business mind and edgy musical passion. Agape is no stranger to the business world having worked with an Internationally known marketing and training company for the last 5 years.

For more information on her coaching and mentoring programs visit: http://www.letmusicplay.com/

Isa Agape was born in the city of Philadelphia. All she ever wanted to do in life was music. Growing up in the inner city, Isa’s parents gave her every opportunity to pursue her dreams by purchasing her first drum set, getting her a keyboard and exposing her to music.

After Isa Agape went through a list of instruments she finally stuck with the guitar purchased by her mother, which she has had ever since. Being in the music scene over the last 10 years playing at various different venues like Ichthus Festival, New York Flushing Meadows, Titans Stadium, coffee shops, and small theaters, Isa Agape has performed on the same stage with notable bands as RED, Third Day, Jars of Clay and Family Force 5.

Back with a vengeance from a 2 year sabbatical, Isa Agape has released her brand new CD called, “… Of Love And War”. You can get Isa Agape’s music on her new website and is selling tens of thousands of CD’s through iTunes.

If you need a fresh sound of inspiration, courage from within and a passionate voice that declares love no matter what the culture, nation or times suggest, check out Isa Agape.

http://www.isaagape.com

You maybe asking why does one need to BRAND OR NAME?

Well in the music profession branding is so important.

What is Branding/Naming?

My definition of Branding/Naming is a genre, identification, style, stamp, earmark, imprint… It tells your audience WHO YOU ARE, WHAT YOU’RE ABOUT, etc.

Here’s an example of what I’m talking about.
When we think U2, some think of The Edge. WHY? Because of his guitar sounds. He “BRANDED” the band with his electric guitar licks. We also think of Bono’s voice… It’s very much recognizable… branded! You know what else…Bono’s sunglasses. He wears a pair all the time. Rarely do we see Bono without sunglasses.

I didn’t realize I was branding myself when I placed a photo of myself on the first record In The Waiting. I had my dread locks and guess what, people associated me with my dreads. So I branded myself without knowing it.

I promised you 3 Key Components when you start to brand or name your product. In some cases, your product is YOU! Your voice is your product, your music is your product, your message is your product.

#1 Key Component is:

1 – Prominence

Your brand has to stand out, make a mark. It has to be bold enough to get people’s attention. That’s what you want to do is get people’s attention. Get them to want to know who you are, what your style is, why you sing, write, play. So STAND OUT!

When putting a record out, one of the smartest thing an artist can do is put a photo of their face on the cover. It gives people a person behind the voice. It makes it personal. It gives the touch feeling for people. I personally do not like putting my face on the covers of my albums. But it has helped my career tremendously.

#2 Key Component is:

2 – Simplicity

Your brand has to be simple, at least when it comes to a phrase, brand name, stage name.

There are many ways to brand yourself. I’ve already mentioned a few but let me go back and list some for you. You can brand yourself is by name. A band name or stage name. Another way to brand yourself is by a design. Kind of like Prince…the artist formally known as Prince (label/symbol design). I know its weird but he rebranded himself with a symbol. You can too.

Here’s another thing with branding. There’s the brand within the brand. What do I mean by that? Well, let say that you brand your name. Say your name is Joan. That happens to be your “stage name”. My stage name is “Isa” not my full name which is Isaminely. Do you think Isaminely would be a good stage name??? I would say NOT. The reason why is because the name is complicated to say, not at all easy to say and the last thing you want is people getting frustrated over trying to pronounce your name. So simple is KEY to branding yourself or your album/product.

Okay back to brand within a brand. Let’s say your stage name is JOAN. And on the record you have a symbol attached to your name…let’s say that symbol is a willow tree or something like that. Now you have a brand within a brand. You have your first brand which is your stage name (JOAN) and attached to that is a willow tree. That is what I called a brand within a brand. So many people do this and don’t even realize they are doing it. If you play on this marketing strategy well, you could stir a lot of attention towards you which means more sales.

#3 Key Component is:

3 – Consistency

Consistency is also a very important element to this marketing strategy. Keep it consistent. Don’t change your stage name after you’ve branded yourself, put your name out there. I’ve made this mistake. I put out an EP called Isa. Then I put out a full length record with the name Isa Couvertier instead of Isa. Bad Idea. Make sure you are sure about your name, cause after its out there its hard to re-brand yourself. It can be done but its like changing the name of McDonald’s to McD’s or something like that. Another example is changing Kmart to Macy’s. People have the name Kmart stamped in the minds. Hope this makes sense. Stay consistent!

Ok. That’s all for now. Have fun coming up with a brand/name.

To your results,
Isa

BIRTHRIGHT from Sean Mullens on Vimeo.

This video is for those that have a dream and are willing to pay any price to see that dream fulfilled. WOW!!!
Let me know what you think.

Isa Agape.

Hmmm…

Check this article out that was in my inbox this afternoon.

Let me know what you think!

Click Here to READ NOW!

Cheers,

Isa Agape.

Hello LMP Folks -

Just ran into an article I wanted to pass along to you. Take a read and let me know what you think!

Love Well,
Isa Agape.

CLICK HERE and Check It Out!!!