#Artist Management

14 Jun 2010
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Performance Series Part Two – Connecting With An Audience

Performance Series Part Two – Connecting With An Audience

by Sass Jordan – Artist, The Lowry Agency

Why Did You

Ahhh … the eternal question – how to connect with an audience?

For me, and audience is a collective energy. It ceases to be a bunch of different personalities, as it is impossible to relate one to one in a gathering of more than 3 or 4 individuals. So the audience is ONE person – a bunch of individuals that become ONE, kinda like the Borg on Star Trek. The thing about it is that each collective has a unique ‘personality’ that is created by the combination of all the individual personalities participating, including the performers.

So, the way I look at it is, how does this collective feel to me? Is it happy? Is it melancholy? Is it full of energy? Is it bored, or distracted? Is it aggressive? Is it drunk? Does it have a youthful feel, or an older feel? The feelings are subtle, but they are always there. As a performer, your job is to sense the atmosphere, and to guide it to wherever you want to go. I personally feel that my objective as an artist is to help people to express their feelings in a safe environment, and to feel uplifted by doing so. It is impossible to articulate how that happens in words, but the intent that you have makes a huge difference. You, as a performer, are in a powerful position to influence a collective ‘mood’, and it is therefore your responsibility to take that seriously. You can incite a riot, or a love – fest, and anything in between. You can also leave everyone utterly un-touched.

The primary  thing to remember on a stage is that the impression you give off is how people will interpret you. This includes your clothing and the way you hold your body. Confidence makes a massive difference to the collective’s interpretation of your abilities. It you feel a lack of confidence, it will show, and it will make people uncomfortable for you. They won’t know why they are feeling so uncertain and unsure themselves, necessarily, but you can be sure they won’t be enjoying themselves!

Finally, the more you believe in the song you are singing, and relating it to your OWN emotions, the more the collective will feel the same way. Emotion is the most powerful thing in the Universe, in my opinion, and it’s what makes music a Universal language. Music IS emotion. Singing IS emotion. Brilliant playing of a musical instrument IS emotion. The audience wants to be moved, to forget their troubles and tribulations, and to be assured that they are not alone in the feelings that they have. We are all the same underneath our skins and our belief systems. We all want to feel a part of something. When you, as a performer, connect with those feelings inside of yourself, you will communicate them to the collective. Connecting with an audience is as simple and as difficult as connecting with your own feelings and emotions.

That is what makes the difference between a great performer and an average one.

07 Jun 2010
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Performance Series Part One-Preparing For The Show

Performance Series Part One-Preparing For The Show

by Sass Jordan – Artist, The Lowry Agency

“Make You A Believer” From the CD “Racine”

In the great and glorious world of rock shows, there are a million ways to prepare for tonight’s show, but only a couple that guarantee you play your best game. Having been performing on stages in every kind of venue known to man and beast for the better part of 34 years, I have a tip or two for you …

Let’s start with the assumption that you are doing a one – off, as tours are so few and far between these days that the majority of the people reading this are likely to be doing the ‘showcase’ type gig, one where you have that one show to prove yourself and to interest the people that might matter in your near future, including agents, managers, sponsors and of course, more than anything else – fans. You have to turn all those people who might work with you into fans, or they will never have the motivation to do their best to get you and your work out there in a big way.

I like to make sure I have the tightest set list possible. If there are songs you have that are known in any way, those will be your feature songs – your set ‘hi-lites’, so to speak. You want to open super strong, because quite honestly, it’s like a comedian – if they don’t make you laugh in the first 15-30 seconds you will have a tepid reaction at best. If they can make you laugh immediately, it’s like it sets up your psyche to laugh at the rest of the stuff, even if it isn’t that funny. A comedy routine is front -loaded for a reason .. and it’s psychological! A rock show has to be the same way .. there is a flow that has to happen … come on super strong .. stay up …dip in the middle … and then build back up to a super strong finish.

You have to pace yourself, and you have to be ready to give everything you’ve got, every time you do it. Some days you’re gonna have more than other days, but no one else ever needs to know that. Physical prep for the show is pretty individual, but I’ll give you a run down of what I do ..

Start the day with a HEALTHY BREAKFAST .. this includes whole grains, eggs, nut butters, fruit, or my personal favorite, a green smoothie! Tons of vitamins, minerals and fiber PLUS a delicious taste .. what more could you ask for? Do your regular workout, or at least get in a brisk walk – you want to get the blood moving and the oxygen flowing through the system.

You’ll be doing a soundcheck, possibly traveling some distance, and perhaps some interviews, so you’ll be using your voice quite a bit day of show- something to remember in the weeks prior to the show. You want to have your voice on a work out schedule, just the same as your body. Try singing four of the songs that will be in the set every day for a couple of weeks prior to the show … this will train your vocal cords and get the songs deeply embedded into your subconscious, so that there will be no recall effort whatsoever.

Next, make sure you have your stage clothes ready to go- decide what you’re gonna wear the day before, try it on, make sure it looks good and is comfortable enough for you to move around in. Image is truly half the battle, or MORE! As Eddie Izzard says …”10% how you sing, 90% how you look doing it”!!! That is of course an exaggeration, but it’s something to keep in mind. There are a lot of huge stars today that are more about a look and a style than about great singing.

Get something light to eat about 2 hours before you play .. you want to have energy for the show – and drink a good amount of water through out the day, just to keep the vocal cords hydrated. Forty five to thirty minutes before show time,  clear the dressing room so you can do your voice warm up routine, and talk through the set with the band – let them know if you are going to talk to the crowd and certain points, or if you are gonna move anywhere they need to know about – (like into the audience etc) and when.

In the last couple of minutes before you go onstage, think about why you are doing this. Ask yourself why people should bother coming to see and hear you. Why you, and not one of the other billion acts out there these days? These are the moments to gather up all your energy, bring it up to your heart center .. fill it with the love you have for what you do, and the service you are providing- and then bring it up to your throat center – run onto the stage, and SING!!!!!

01 Jun 2010
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Self Promotion – Why It’s a Must

Self Promotion – Why It’s a Must

As I work with entertainers of all kinds, it amazes me how they have all this stuff going on and they don’t tell anyone.  I have them on my radio show and instead of creating a buzz and letting people know ahead of time, they maybe put one tweet out or do it just before they actually call in to the show.  The fans most likely missed the notification and couldn’t attend or listen because they weren’t forewarned and didn’t have enough time to tell their friends or plan to listen in. In this situation, the artist loses an opportunity to engage with the fans, and the fans lose out on hearing the latest and greatest from their favorite artist.

Part of growing your fan base is keeping on top of the updates regarding what you are up to.  The buzz is critically important to get people interested in you. This is especially true if you are looking for your big break.  The artist needs to find the time to take advantage of promoting any opportunities that come and promote it before AND after the event scheduled.  Be sure to send updates after the show so that people who missed it can get a chance to check it out.  This should be done for weeks before and after the scheduled event.  This not only makes you look busy which is key, but it also helps the people who are promoting you on their show, interview or magazine.  It boosts their ratings and numbers as well.  This is a win-win for both parties.  If you get good numbers for the people who showcase you, then they will be more than happy to work with you again.

Artists/entertainers need to seriously manage their PR opportunities and use it to the maximum advantage. You are only as relevant as the buzz around you.  Get your act together and promote what you have going on to the fullest extent!

Take note entertainers, if you aren’t paying someone to do this for you, it’s your responsibility to keep the buzz alive.  It’s a responsibility to your career and the fans who love you.

22 May 2010
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Branding – Have You Thought of Everything?

Branding – Have You Thought of Everything?

A couple weeks back I called a voice over artist that was approaching our agency as representation for them.  I called the number provided and got a cell phone with a plain as day message saying “You have reached {insert first name here}, I am not around, but leave a message and I’ll get back to you!” It was a very casual message with very bad audio left on the business phone of a voice over artist.  This is a perfect example of not taking an inventory of all the opportunities to showcase yourself and your abilities.  It is always amazing to me to see the opportunities we miss and sometimes the most obvious things that get by us!  Who would think a voice over artist didn’t think of doing a voice over for their own business phone, which in many cases is the first thing a prospective client hears.  This happens all the time in some way shape or form. I know I have certainly been guilty of missing something.

Everything, and I mean everything is a billboard for your professionalism and competence in your craft.  Every business/entertainer needs to take an inventory of everything they have put out to represent themselves and every possible opportunity to show their professionalism and capabilities.  Make sure you take the time and really evaluate where you are at and where you need to go and set the marketing/branding plan to get there. Leave no stone unturned.

Once you have done this, take the time to go through and enhance, correct or plan what needs to be done in the future. Make sure that you are showcasing yourself in the best light possible.  Does your branding campaign hurt your or help you?  Success takes time and a lot of effort. If you want to be successful, be diligent, detailed and surround yourself with a team of experts that can help you build your brand and help you make sure you didn’t miss anything.

Good Luck!

12 May 2010
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When Do You Need a Voice Over?

When Do You Need a Voice Over?

Guest blog by The Lowry Agency voice talent Dave Courvoisier

My barber gets it.

My barber… a small businessman…an entrepreneur, a guy who runs a tight ship when it comes to comes to finances.  He understands running a quality operation, and putting forth a successful brand at all levels, means professionalism at all levels.  That’s why, with scissors and comb in hand, me sitting in his chair, he asks, “would you be willing to voice my phone answering system?”

I was willing to do that and we even worked out a barter for the transaction.

I’m regularly shocked at some of the presentations I see explaining the virtues of almost anything — new software and hardware, videos on sales proposals, presentations on the advantages of social networking, informational YouTube videos — and how they can appear so bush league because they chose to use the voice of someone — anyone — rather than spending a few dollars more to hire a professional voice talent.

Much like you would spend a lot of money to do a professional-looking graphics representation of your product or to set up an elaborate website for your services, you should also think about hiring a professional voice talent to complete the package.

I challenge you to think of any business or industry… any marketing or branding campaign… any website, that wouldn’t benefit from the services of a professional voice actor to polish up the presentation.

The following is a list of genres that regularly fall into the realm of voice acting jobs almost any voice actor would love to get.  No specific order of importance:

Radio and TV spots (yes, many of us do on-cam too!)
website welcome messages
instructional videos

How-To videos
product demonstrations
phone menu-on-hold messages
client/customer role-playing
Power Point presentations
employee manual narrations
website sales pitches
white-paper narrations
informational documentaries
online catalog descriptions
movie theatre listings
restaurant menus (online or on the phone)
iPhone apps
Camtasia screen captures
software explainers
automated help menu systems
political phone messages
appliance installation DVD’s
self-help videos
videogames
inspirational readings
exercise videos
audio-books
store overhead announcements
radio promotional campaigns
public service announcements for charitable organizations
assembly instructions for military hardware
Homeland security training lessons
slide shows
employee safety videos
human resources explainers
Christmas party spoof tapes
animated-graphics productions
convention exhibit-booth looping displays
Video memoirs for funerals
Gala fund-raiser videos honoring the awardee
Entryway messages at conventions and conferences
website animations
Do I need to say more?

The applications of a trained human voice are only limited by your imagination.  I’ve even seen voice actors lend their services to party audio that plays in a limousine while it carts a birthday-girl around town with friends.

Voice-actors love the challenge.  They like to be treated as serious professionals as much as you do.  But that doesn’t mean they aren’t willing to get into the spirit of whatever project you have in mind.  I once narrated a 5-minute eulogy for a friend at his father’s funeral, ‘cause he knew he couldn’t get through it himself.

The next time you want to demonstrate the latest fishing lure guaranteed to catch large-mouth bass at Lake Wappapello, consider how much more effective it would be with the capabilities of a professional explainer: a voice-actor.

Too embarrassed to deliver the litany of accomplishments your sales team made during a recession?  The trained human voice is a powerful, compelling instrument…use it.

19 Apr 2010
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Writing a Cover Letter and Submitting a Press Kit

Writing a Cover Letter and Submitting a Press Kit

Before you write a cover letter to someone in the entertainment industry, please make sure you research the company to learn all you can.  This will give you a solid understanding of what they do.  The information will help you decide whether or not you actually need the services they offer. Your letter should explain why you would be a good fit for their company.  In previous blogs I have written, I have given details in which an artist can determine if they would need management at the particular point they are at in their career.  An artist should try to figure out through research and phone calls if they are truly ready, or in need of the types of services they are inquiring about.

When writing a cover letter to someone in the entertainment industry, you must first understand a few things about what you bring to the table for them to consider you.  The idea behind the cover letter and press kit you are submitting is to make it as easy as possible for them to review the information about you or your band and to give them the “WOW” factor.  If they have to dig around to find information and if your press kit isn’t attention grabbing and compelling, then they are more likely to pass on it and throw it away.

Your cover letter should be professional and list your strengths. Ask yourself a few questions:  Why do you think you are ready for their services? What is it about you that is unique?  What do YOU have to offer that would make you be worth the investment of time, energy and hard work? Be truthful and positive about what you bring to the table.   The artists represented by the company are a direct reflection on that company, so they want to make sure the artists they work with are professional and understand the business part of the entertainment industry.  Make your letter short, to the point and friendly.  Talk about your experience, fan base, reviews, touring experience and number of upcoming shows.  Go through your material with a fine-tooth comb and be as accurate and professional as possible.

Image is everything and that goes for your press kit!  So make sure it’s professional, complete with a professional CD, photos, one-page bio and other materials listed in my blog titled “The Promotional Kit” http://wp.me/pu8Se-v

Good luck on achieving your dream!

08 Apr 2010
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Getting Started in Voice Overs

Getting Started in Voice Overs
Guest blog by The Lowry Agency voice talent Dave Courvoisier

At least once a week I get an e-mail or phone call from a total stranger…but someone who is no stranger to a similar feeling I had almost  five years ago…the feeling that making oodles of money in Voice-Over work was gonna be a cinch…practically effortless.

I’m not exactly sure where or how they find me, but their query is getting predictable:

“Hi, I’m Bill, and all my life people have told me I have an incredible voice.  Right now I’m a __________ (mechanic, accountant, DJ), but I want to do voice-over work.  I ran across your name, and was wondering if you could help me?”

‘Been there, done that…however paying it forward has its merits, and many have mentored me along the way, so I believe it’s my responsibility to offer that helping hand, too.

Hence, the following is straight talk for “great voices” hoping to get into the business of voice-acting:

1)  A good voice is not good enough.  It’s not even a basic criteria anymore.

2) Can you read out loud, and make it sound like you’re just talking to someone — and say it in 20 different ways?…10
different dialects?…and PERFORM at the drop of a hat?

3)  This is a business.  You need a business plan, investment capital, passion, and stick-to-itiveness.

4)  Voice-acting is 9 parts marketing, 1 part voice-talent (well maybe 80/20…but not a percentage point more!)

5)  You need better-than-passable computer hardware/software/networking skills, and a fast internet connection.

6)  Are you willing to accept criticism, swallow reality, and keep coming back?

7)  How well do you handle rejection?…even when you know you’re better than your competition?

8)  Eventually, you may have to invest $3,000 – $5,000 just for passable start-up equipment and marketing materials.

9)  You’ll need to be your own accountant, PR person, web-author, and self-promotions guru.

10)  Get ready to go back to school. Voice-Over 101.  Coaching and education is an on-going necessity.

11)  Accept that growing opportunities are counter-balanced by declining compensations, and increasing competition.

12)  How enterprising are you?  Work well alone?….for weeks on end?…with no one but yourself for encouragement?

13)  Is your spouse/significant other/POSSLQ* on board with this?….we’re in for a long haul!

14)  This is a huge, varied industry, what segment do you want to target?  AudioBooks? TV Imaging? E-Learning?

15)  You have to like more than the sound of your own voice…you have to like the feel of headphones on your
noggin….A LOT!

Now, far be it from me to discourage anyone’s dreams.  However, I have found no quick way to answer the question of what it’ll take to get into voice-overs.  Meaning the answer itself is getting fairly involved AND time-consuming.

My latest tack is to just ask for the neophyte’s e-mail address and bury them in resources so deep it takes weeks to get through it all.  Then, if they come back, I’ve got at least a qualified candidate to talk to.

Hence, the following list is my preferred set of links to voice-over nirvana for n00bs.

http://www.voiceoveruniverse.com

http://www.vo-bb.com

http://www.edgestudio.com

http://www.audioconnell.com &  http://www.peterdrewvo.com

http://www.voices.com

http://www.voiceoverextra.com
http://voiceoverresourceguide.com
http://www.voicebank.net

Voice talent Bob Souer publishes everybody’s favorite VO blog:
http://www.bobsouer.com/blog

You’ll also find an occasional flash of brilliance-wanna-be on my daily blog: “Voice-Acting in Vegas”
http://CourVO.biz

And, another close friend of mine (Bobbin Beam) who also blogs, wrote
her own version of advice for starters which is excellent:

http://blog.bobbinbeam.com/2007/08/30/advice-for-voiceover-hopefuls.aspx

http://blog.bobbinbeam.com/2007/08/30/advice-for-voice-over-hopefuls-part-ii.aspx

http://blog.bobbinbeam.com/2007/08/30/advice-for-voiceover-hopefuls-part-iii.aspx

http://blog.bobbinbeam.com/2007/04/02/just-beginning.aspx

John Florian of VoiceOverXtra sends THIS link to his site esp. for beginners:
http://www.voiceoverxtra.com/newcomers.htm

Also, there’s a thread on this very topic on the VO-BB which is one of the resources noted above.  But the specific link to the newbie thread is here:

http://www.vo-bb.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=6908&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

FROM DAVID HOUSTON:  EXCELLENT ARTICLE:
http://davidhoustonvoice.com/blog1/2006/08/getting_started_my_take.html

From WAYNE JUNE: Another top-notch resource in this area:
http://www.waynejune.com/where_to_start.html]

05 Apr 2010
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The Importance of Branding Yourself Properly as an Entertainer

The Importance of Branding Yourself Properly as an Entertainer

This morning I had the pleasure of having a pleasant initial phone conversation with an author and public speaker.  This particular conversation inspired me to write a blog on a very important subject:  Branding Yourself.  One of the benefits of being artistic is that you can promote yourself using your own unique creativity.  However, without proper structure, sometimes the creativity you use can also limit the effectiveness of your own branding.

Social media has given us the opportunity to reach out farther than we ever have before. This is a great thing It’s also a bad thing if not done right.  The artist has such a heavy desire to get their career moving that it often causes the artist to rush through creating a solid plan, which can mean costly mistakes. Haste really does make waste. In general, artists also tend to take advice from people who really aren’t experts in the field they need, but may have had more success than we they have, and so out of respect the artist will listen to them and try to emulate them.  This could be a devastating move to a career.

In order to maximize a career opportunities, the artist should always strive to build a solid team around them who is driven and knowledgeable in whatever area they specialize in. The artist should make it a priority to brand themselves as best as they can until they are able to build that solid team of professionals around them.  Branding is something that involves creativity, consistency and most important, discipline.

When building a brand it is critical that the artist has a game plan to market the brand.  Make sure the image is completely in tact, and by image I mean making sure the photos are professional, the logo communicates your brand effectively,  the website and social networking pages are all consistent in imagery, message and so on.  Don’t confuse the brand with things that don’t showcase who the artist truly is what is unique to them. The artist is the focal point and product. People purchase what they like and understand.  Anything else is a waste of time and effort and ultimately leads to nowhere.  Artist websites should be a giant advertisement of the artist and not of anything else.  Artists need to learn how to position themselves in a way that leads to people noticing them. The “buzz” is what the artists should be looking for, and that doesn’t happen with ill prepared branding.

In short, take time to develop a brand that IS you, be strategic in the planning of launching and marketing it, and above all else, be disciplined and diligent in executing it and maintaining it!

01 Apr 2010
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How to Approach Managers in the Entertainment Industry

How to Approach Managers in the Entertainment Industry

As I continue to try and understand how people who claim to be artists refuse to research the career they say they want, I remind myself of my original intention in writing these blogs:  helping people understand what they need to do to attract the professionals they need to build a team around them, which is vital to succeed.

I am constantly approached by people who use the Internet or call me to inquire about what I do and how I can I help them.  As an entertainer, you are a self-employed business and should treat yourself as such.  You must be just as professional as the people you want to surround yourself with.  If you can’t take the time to visit the website of the people you are contacting to learn about them and find out what they do, why are you contacting them? It’s a waste of time and energy.  It shows the entertainment professional that the artist doesn’t care enough about their career to actually work on it.  The artist needs to take the time and initiative to research the entertainment business and care enough about their careers to take the right steps to understand what they are getting into.  If the artist blindly contacts entertainment professionals without doing their homework or developing a relationship, they will most likely be ushered out the door.

Please take the time to use the Internet or any other tool you can find to research the career you supposedly want to be a part of so badly.  Find out exactly what a manager, agent and PR person do for the artist so that you can figure out whether or not you need them.  Doing this research will educate you and empower you as an artist.  It will also help you to avoid wasting your time, and the time of the entertainment professional you are approaching.  Be professional and respectful towards us and we will be respectful in return.

Once you have done the appropriate research, assuming you learned what a press kit it is and what it consists of, you can find out what that is in my blog “The Promotional Kit”, make sure all the data is current and make sure you are thorough. Write a cover letter explaining to the professional why you think you would be a good fit for them and explain your strengths.

If you are contacted, you may have an initial meeting together.  You can then take this time to interview the professional to see if they are a good fit for you.  Just remember, don’t behave in such a way where you exhibit a sense of entitlement, unless you bring a lot to the table, and even then I would put the ego in check.  You aren’t “all that” until you actually are.  Artist development & creating a name for the artist so that the career can flourish is a tough job.  The professional needs to believe you, as the artist, are worth the investment.  If you haven’t already created a name for yourself as best as you can without the help of a professional, then you are not in a position of power.  In my experience, the best attitude to have is to be confident but humble.  A good team is a team that is a good fit for each other.  This kind of relationship is the foundation for a great working one!

Do your research, know what questions to ask, and then, if they accept you, be prepared to work your butt off with no excuses.

Remember, this business is all about networking, building relationships and doing your homework to make it happen.  Once you’ve done that, you can shine!