How to Use the Search Console Sitemaps Report
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlamLfyFjTA&t=253s
Hi, I'm Daniel Waisberg, Search Advocate at Google. And today, I'll talk about how to use the Search Console sitemaps report. By the end of this video, you should be able to understand what a sitemap is, decide whether you need one or not, and learn how to submit a sitemap and track its status using Search Console.
What is a Sitemap?
A sitemap is a signal about which URLs you would like Google to crawl on your site. It may provide information on URLs that were recently created or modified, and give us some extra information about them. Google supports four main ways for you to provide additional information.
You can extend a URL with images included in it, you can also extend a URL with videos included in it, you can include information about alternate languages or country versions with hreflang annotations, and, finally, for news sites, you can use a special variation of sitemaps, to give us information about the most recent updates. Note that this information won't necessarily be highlighted on Search Console. But you can still provide it in your sitemap.
Do You Need a Sitemap?
But if I don't have a sitemap, will Google find all my pages? I'm glad you asked, John. Usually, if you have a relatively small website, and your pages are properly linked, Googlebot can discover your content. So, you don't need to worry about the sitemap. However, if your site meets one of the following criteria, a sitemap might help Google decide what and when to crawl your website.
If your site is really large, a sitemap will help Google prioritize the URLs to crawl. If your pages are isolated, or not well linked to each other, a sitemap might help Google find those pages. If your site is new, or it has a lot of quickly changing content, such as a news website, a sitemap will help Google discover your content.
Please, remember, that using a sitemap doesn't guarantee that all your pages will be crawled and indexed. But in most cases, your site will benefit from having a sitemap. And there is no disadvantage for having one. In addition, sitemaps don't replace normal crawling. And not including URLs in a sitemap, won't result in those URLs no longer being crawled.
How to Create a Sitemap
Hmm... interesting. I might need a sitemap. But how can I create one? Another great question, John. Ideally, the system running your website will make sitemap files for you, automatically. For example, you can find a WordPress plug-in, or a Drupal extension if you use those content management systems.
Check the documentation from your provider, as every platform is slightly different. We recommend finding a way to automatically generate sitemaps, rather than creating them manually. Usually, this will involve running code on your server, so if you're not a developer, you might need help from one. There are limits to the number of URLs and the maximum size of a sitemap file.
If you need more space, you can make multiple sitemap files. You can also submit all of these sitemap files together, in the form of an index sitemap file. Doing that makes it a bit easier to track them all together in one place. To learn more about sitemap's formats and guidelines, check our Help Center.
Using the Sitemaps Report in Search Console
Before I go into Search Console, please note that the sitemaps report shows only sitemaps that you submitted using Search Console. It does not show any sitemaps discovered through a robot.txt reference or other discovery methods. However, even if we already discovered a sitemap through other means, you can still submit it using this report, in order to track errors and warnings.
So, let's look at the report. Open Search Console and find the sitemaps report. If you have already submitted one or more sitemaps, you'll find the following information about each sitemap that you submitted: the sitemap URL; the type or format of sitemaps, such as XML, TXT, RSS, or Atom; the last submission date using this report; the date it was last read by Google; the crawl status such as Success, Has errors, Couldn't fetch, and others; the number of URLs discovered in the sitemap.
You will note an icon next to each successful sitemap. Clicking it will lead you to the index coverage status report for the specific sitemap. I'll talk about this report in the next episode. But sitemaps can also be partially read, even if they have errors.
If your sitemap status is Success, good job! If you have any errors in the status column, click the specific row to see more details. You'll find a complete list of errors, and what to do in each case in the Search Console Help Center.
If you want to submit a new sitemap, simply open the sitemaps report, and submit the URL.You will need owner permission for a property in order to submit it. If you submitted a sitemap but it's not relevant anymore, you can delete it from Search Console. But know that deleting a sitemap, removes it from this report, but doesn't make Google forget the sitemap or any URLs listed on it.
In order for Google to forget the sitemap, just remove it from your site and return a 404. After some attempts, Google will give up and completely stop refreshing the sitemap. But this has nothing to do with the URLs in the sitemap. If you truly need Google to stop visiting the URLs listed in a sitemap, you will need to return a 404 or use a robot.txt rule for the URLs that you want to block. This is what you would do in order for Google to stop crawling this page.
If your goal is to remove the URL from the Google index altogether, you should either use the noindex directive or require HTTP authentication for users to see your page.
Conclusion
I hope this video helped you understand when you should use a sitemap, and how Search Console can help you. In the next episode, I'll talk about how to use Search Console to check which of your pages have been indexed, and any problems found during that process.
And, by the way, check out the Ask Google Webmasters series, where John Mueller, our guest star today, actually answers lots of questions submitted by the Webmaster community. And don't forget to subscribe to the Google Webmasters YouTube channel, where we'll be publishing lots of Search Console videos.
Read More: Can Digital Marketing Business Be Successful
Write comment (0 Comments)Normalizing Conversations About Death, Dying, and Funerals
Today, I was moderating a conversation about death, dying, and funerals in an attempt to normalize this conversation that we all should be having with the people we love. It's really uncomfortable for a lot of people to talk about death, dying, and funerals, right? Who wants to confront their own mortality and openly say, "Hey, I'm going to die one day"?
LOCATION DETAILS.
Evergreen Memorial Gardens
16102 Fort Road R.R. #6, Site 2, Box 20, North Edmonton, Alberta, T5Y 6A2. (780) 851-4152
I think people have a hard time talking about death because they don't want to think about their own mortality. They don't want to think about leaving those they are close to and those they love. Do we think that in our reluctance to talk about it, we could be making things more difficult? I know that I wouldn't want to leave my children with any questions to struggle with if I were to suddenly be gone.
Starting the Conversation in Bite-Sized Pieces
Rather than making it such a big deal and a very formal occasion, let's sit down and talk about death. I think the way to do it is in little bite-sized pieces and just start having smaller conversations. Maybe talk about someone you know or perhaps a funeral you attended, and just plant the seeds for the bigger conversation. Talking about what you want is also a good way to open up the conversation with others about what they would like. You could go home today and say, "Hey, I was talking to somebody..."
End-of-Life Planning
What I found most interesting about today's session was the fact that most of the people in that room had really not thought about or considered end-of-life planning. So, I'm just curious, how early on do people start having conversations with you about planning a funeral? I mean, I've personally never planned one before, so I'm not really sure. I think once they call us and are able to have a conversation with us, it naturally leads to them coming in and meeting with us. We have an open discussion about their thoughts, and then we're able to guide them with our knowledge. People do have some really great ideas about how they'd like to do that.
Personal Preferences for Funerals
For my funeral, I would probably insist on loud music, lots of food and drink, and I would want people leaving like they leave my house after a party, saying, "What a good party, what a good funeral." At my funeral, you can definitely expect a churro bar. I think it's really important to have those conversations about what you want, but I also think it's important to have conversations with your family about what they might need. There are a lot of people, for instance, who have this tendency to say, "You know what? I don't want to make a fuss."
Breaking the Taboo
Death has not been a topic of conversation that I've normally discussed. My parents come from a generation where it's still considered a little bit taboo, and my son is our youngest, so it's really up to me to change that and start the conversation. When I get home, I will definitely be initiating a conversation about my end-of-life wishes because today really made me hyper-aware that it's not just about me; it's about who I'm leaving behind.
Family Conversations
I've heard the conversations today, and I'm definitely going to go home and chat with my husband about my end-of-life wishes. I think it's really important because we have a newborn, and I am now thinking beyond myself and about our family as a whole when it comes to these decisions. I think it's also important to know that while we're talking a lot about celebrating and making it somewhat uplifting, someone has died, and that's sad. A really good funeral allows space for all emotions to be felt. That's what that day is for—it's a dedicated day to honor, celebrate, and just feel.
End of life planning Sherwood Park
End of life planning St Albert
Write comment (0 Comments)The best TikTok Advice For musicians by far
By / September 7, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_798SPiLmFo
Why Your TikTok Viewers Don’t Stream Your Songs
This is why your TikTok viewers don’t stream your songs. I hear from musicians all the time, “I had a viral video where I played my song, and only 3% of the people streamed it. I thought TikTok was how you promote music.”
Sure enough, when I check their profile, they have no link in bio. Half the time, even when they have a link in bio, it doesn’t say to stream the song at the top. It says it after a link to buy their favorite scented candle. Also, at the top of your link in bio, you should say to stream that song, have a link to your Spotify, or have the line from the song that’s going viral on TikTok in that link in bio.
Seriously, I suggest link in bios from Koji since they look sick like this, and you’ll get way more clicks than those boring Linktrees.
Optimizing TikTok Videos for Music Promotion
Musicians are always asking me, “What’s the optimal length for a TikTok where they’re lip-syncing their song or clipping a part of their music video?” Since every lame influencer person is always running around saying, “eight seconds is the optimal time,” but here’s what matters when it’s music. Figure out how much of your hook needs to be in your TikTok to get in someone’s head. That is really what matters when making an intriguing video.
But if the melody repeats twice in your hook, you can try making two versions, one with a longer and one with a shorter hook, and see what works best. Putting up many versions of your song is often what drives them going viral, and we really can’t tell unless we experiment.
Leveraging Instagram for Music Promotion
Instagram exists to fill in TikTok’s flaws. Straight up, one of the biggest complaints musicians have about TikTok is when they announce their album or tour, you know, the big events that these musicians really care about, those posts do way worse than when you dunk your head in a toilet or any other type of TikTok you make. And yes, I see this for the hugest artists on here. You can often see a hundred times disparity between announcement posts and their more viral content.
But you have to remember, TikTok only cares about spreading the most engaging content. So unless you make your news fit in that format, it’s going to fail to spread. But this is why you should also not give up on Instagram since TikTok lets you link that in your profile. And the grid stories are still the most effective way to keep fans up on your latest news, and they can complement each other if you have them feed each other.
Gaining Followers on TikTok
Want to get more follows on TikTok? You need to remind people who you are with more cues than just your face. Having a background, particularly with a signature item in the background, or wearing something that is recognizable and consistent like a hat, a certain hairstyle, glasses, or style of dress goes super far. Having some sort of visual signature where people will think, “Oh, it’s that person with the thing,” will do wonders for how effective you are at gaining follows.
The Earworm Era of Music
We are no longer in the TikTok era of music; we are now in what I’m calling the earworm era of music. What’s working is odd TikToks to get songs to blow up. Artists are pushing their own music by making tons of TikToks to the hook, as opposed to the TikTok era when it was other users and influencers making videos of artist songs. Now the power is in the artist’s hands to break their own songs, which is a big deal.
I keep talking to musicians who are blown away by other musicians making 30 to 60 TikToks to finally make their song go viral. And well, you can’t really argue that it is working for some people to do numerous clips of their music video and tons of lip-sync videos to push their song until it blows up.
Why This Strategy Works
But why does this work? Well, think of it this way. Songs aren’t like normal TikToks. We all have had an earworm of a hook. It took a few listens to get into our head, and if you hear that hook a few times, you may be prone to watching the next video even more. And if you start to like the hooks of the song, then it drives up the playthrough rate on the TikTok, and it gets spread more to more people. So making tons of videos with the same hook of your song over and over, well, it seems to make sense why it keeps being TikTok gold.
Optimizing Your TikTok Strategy
This is why your TikTok earworm isn’t working. One, you need to be hashtagging micro-genres of music. Hashtagging hip hop or EDM is too big. Find niches on TikTok and study other similar users’ hashtags. Two, your song isn’t clearly labeled in your TikTok, or TikTok doesn’t recognize it. Add your song using CapCut from the song library to make sure people can look it up. A recent study showed 64% of TikTok users rarely have a clue what they’re listening to. Three, capture the lyrics on the screen since it increases watch time. And lastly, make sure your video has motion in it. Tell a story in it. People get engaged by storytelling.
Engaging with Your Audience
If you’re having trouble growing on here, this is a nice trick. Right before you make a post, go through all your recent videos and reply back to any comment or like them. That way, when you put up your next video, if the user has recently interacted with you, well, they’re way more likely to get you in their feed with your new post and keep building a relationship with you.
Improving Your TikTok Views
So many of you can’t get your TikTok, reels, or shorts past a couple hundred views, but here’s how to fix that. Stop using big, crowded, broad hashtags. You want micro-genre and niche hashtags. Instead of emo, you want things like elder emo or Midwest emo. For the love of God, don’t use hashtag musician or FYP. The reason the big TikTokers can get away with that or not using hashtags is the algorithm understands who to show them to, but they don’t know what to do with you, which is why you have no views.
Next, unfollow your friends who aren’t musicians similar to you and follow them from a personal account. Only follow musicians in your community. Now comment, like, and bookmark their TikToks that you really like. And if you don’t know how to find those musicians you’re similar to, you should watch this video I made on how to find them here. But one last thing, you should also duet, stitch, or repost the artists that are similar to you and that you’re friends with. After that, things should start going better for you.
Developing Effective TikToks
A lot of musicians ask me what they can do to promote their music on TikTok. This is real easy. I have three questions you could ask yourself to develop TikToks that could help you grow. The first question is, what’s something you hear in someone else’s music you think other people aren’t noticing? TikTok is all about pointing out those hidden parts of music we all love and getting a deeper understanding of it.
Next, what’s something you’re doing musically you think people may not know about? Explain to the audience a part of your song and show them how you did it. This is a prime advertisement for them to go to your song and go deeper with it after they watch this. What’s a lyric or an emotion you made musically that you could explain to the world? Explain what a line or two of your lyrics mean and get vulnerable and allow people to connect with you. Tell the story around it and give fans and new listeners a greater understanding of your music.
Optimal Length for TikTok Videos
Musicians are always asking me, “What’s the optimal length for a TikTok where they’re lip-syncing their song or clipping a part of their music video?” Since every lame influencer person is always running around saying, “eight seconds is the optimal time.” But here’s what matters when it’s music. Figure out how much of your hook needs to be in your TikTok to get in someone’s head. That is really what matters when making an intriguing video. But if the melody repeats twice in your hook, you can try making two versions, one with a longer and one with a shorter hook, and see what works best, since putting up many versions of your song is often what drives them going viral. And we really can’t tell unless we experiment.
Creating Compelling TikToks
So many of you are wondering why your TikToks or shorts aren’t hitting, and what so many of you miss is that it’s way more compelling to say why you did something that’s happening in your video since a lot of the time, well, the what is pretty obvious and you’re not adding much context or even sometimes embarrassing yourself by saying you wrote the song of the summer. But if the why is vulnerable or relatable, you open up a bonding moment with the viewer that makes them way more likely to enjoy your song. So popping a sentence or two of why on top of a lip-sync video or something else could be what helps make your video pop off.
Effective POV TikToks
POV TikToks are really driving songs into the TikTok algorithm lately, but there’s a trick to make them really effective. As I’ve told you, the best way to get people to stream your songs is to tell them the emotion they would feel if they listened to your song. So if it’s an EDM banger, make a POV showing the club getting wild. If it’s a sad ballad, show someone bawling their eyes out. You can make numerous POV videos for the hook of your song reiterating the emotions that’ll make the audience feel if they hit play on it, and it will get them to jump to Spotify or YouTube and stream the song to hear the full thing if you show them an emotion that they’d rather feel.
Self-Promotional TikToks
For so long, self-promotional videos weren’t blowing up on TikTok, reels, or shorts, but now they’re really doing numbers for so many musicians. But there are a few tricks you should know. All the TikToks you make should use the same hook. So even if the footage is from your music video and you’re playing a different part of the song of the music video, you should still use the hook as the music for that TikTok. Second, if the lyrics are strong or hard to make out, use the app captions to make captions of the lyrics to draw people in and make sure the song and video loop perfectly on beat so that it’s more likely to be played repeatedly.
Using TikTok Stories
How should musicians be using TikTok stories? TikTok is rolling out stories to users, and so many of you are asking me if you should just put what’s on your Instagram stories here. And the truth is, the feature isn’t really fully fleshed out yet. It isn’t functioning the same as Instagram stories or Snapchat stories used to, but for now, I would focus on putting whatever news and announcements you have here on a regular basis, especially if you have a TikTok going viral so those who are new to your profile could see what you’re up to.
The Importance of TikTok Influencer Marketing
I feel like at any point in time there’s an obvious trend happening that most people are in denial of. In every single genre, TikTok influencer marketing is the hidden hand making songs popular. It’s where people are blowing up by putting very little money. If you look where the music business is spending its money, it’s here. I haven’t seen musicians changing their strategies to incorporate it. Admittedly, I’ve been experimenting on a few campaigns, and it’s been crazy to watch how few dollars we spend to get so many people to listen to a song.
I’m consistently shocked how many musicians complain when they have quick viral moments, or their song gets a lot of streams, but then no one follows them on Instagram or whatever social media. But what most of these musicians have in common is they either don’t have many other songs out that people rinse or they haven’t made a music video. The reason music videos are important is they build relationships with audiences that get them curious to know more about you. And you know who gets followed on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok? People who’ve generated curiosity fans want to know more about and build a relationship with, and music videos are the ultimate way to do that.
Read More: 10 Steps to Develop the Best Digital Marketing Strategy
Write comment (0 Comments)20 Music Marketing Ideas to Boost Your Career
By / September 7, 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QO_RLqitEI
Sometimes it’s fun to do a quick video to stimulate your brain and give you some ideas on what else you could be thinking about. In this video, I’m gonna give you 20 music marketing ideas that I think are a little outside the box in under 18 minutes. I hope you enjoy it!
Seriously, you have to stop telling people to just stream your song. This is some of the most concussed lazy music marketing. The only reason people listen to music is it makes them feel a way they’d rather be feeling. So anytime you’re encouraging someone to listen to your music, tell them how they could be feeling if they put on your song as it’s a way better sell. Try things like this:
Sink into the sadness abyss with my new song “Longing for Timothy Chalamet.”
Get ready to topple the capitalist system with my new track “Radicalized by a Hulu Doc.”
It’s time to rock the party and turn up with my new track “Dabbing on the Way to Death.”
Embrace the loneliness with my new song “Beer Pong with Myself.”
Every one of these prompts will get you more listens than just telling people to listen to a song they have no clue how it will make them feel. Think of the emotion your song brings and tell them how they could be feeling if they listened.
Take Advantage of YouTube Premiere
One of the most under-discussed opportunities musicians don’t take advantage of is the YouTube Premiere. With the click of one button and the length of your song, you can really up your stream numbers. The YouTube Premiere has two advantages:
First, it goes into the subscription feed, so when people are browsing through their subscriptions, they could see you’re releasing a song and even click to get reminded about it. This allows your single to create awareness before it’s out in the feed and afterwards, increasing the chances it gets heard. It also sends notifications to subscribers who have them enabled when it’s actually out.
Second, the real advantage it gives is that you can have a chat in the premiere and do bonding with fans, starting to create deeper bonds with them so they talk to their friends about you and spread the word about your music. Just be sure to let your followers know you will be hanging out in the chat during the premiere. You can even lengthen your video with outtakes to entice people to come and then trim them out in YouTube’s back end afterwards.
How Often Should You Release Music?
A lot of people ask me how often you should release music. Since the number one thing that could pluck you out of obscurity is Spotify playlist placements, you can only submit to one of those at a time. Spotify themselves recommend giving at least one week notice at minimum. So releasing any more than bi-weekly is dumb since you’re losing out on that free potential lottery ticket you could win if you get on a big playlist.
But then we get into the balance of being the little musician who cried song. If you release music too often, it becomes uneventful. This is why you see most of the artists blowing up today releasing a song every two months. You can continually remind them to listen to it and build a relationship with it, but most of all, it makes it important and not disposable. In a world with 60,000 songs being uploaded every day to Spotify, you need people to feel a song is important from you to want to give it a chance. Putting out 20 to 50 songs a year just doesn’t do that.
Go Beyond the Mirror
Okay, let’s get this straight: whether it’s a song, your music video idea, or marketing for your song, the execution’s important. But the reality is the ideas are usually safe and boring and they don’t go far enough, which is why they fail. The key to getting the best ideas is to have a blue sky period. I learned this technique from the writing room of “The Office” which they use to come up with all their crazy ideas.
It’s where you call out ideas and no one’s allowed to call them dumb. Instead, you’re only allowed to move past them or build upon the idea to make it as imaginative and beyond what anyone would normally think of. Meaning you can take the idea further, but there’s no negative commentary allowed during this period since we want creativity rewarded, not discouraged. You want to encourage the most out-there ideas and then once the period’s over, then you reign them in—or you don’t if the out-there idea is the right one.
Make a Credits Post
One of the most easy posts you can make that I see so many musicians sleep on, which will improve the reach of your song and get you shares along with getting your song in front of the people most likely to listen to them, is a credits post. Simply make a carousel on Instagram or a TikTok where you list off the credits of who worked on your song and be sure to tag everyone using the tag function on either platform.
On the screen now, you can see the way FKA Twigs did this on her last album. You could also make a tweet and do the same and use the image you used on Instagram as a picture in the post. When you make the TikTok of the song, be sure to mention something special about each person’s contribution and increase the likelihood of them sharing it to their audience. This is a perfect release date post that is likely to have the people you worked with share it, and when they share it, their fans will likely listen to your track since they are fans after all.
Surpass the Mirror
One of the reasons people aren’t connecting with what you’re doing musically is you’re doing what I call “the mirror,” which is the minimum expected effort required. All of your favorite artists go beyond the mirror in songwriting, performances, and their creative endeavors, which is why you enjoy them. But you are probably doing what you see as passable, aka the mirror.
Here’s a real-world example of the mirror: if you’re making a music video, you may say, “Ah, I only have to film for one day and then maybe do five hours of editing,” but if you go past that, that’s often what makes exceptional content. Here’s some examples of surpassing the mirror:
OK Go in their classic viral videos were all cause no other group of awkward white guys was going to learn to do those dance routines to get attention. The whole sad boy rap genre loves to do these really sick videos all made with drones and high-def cameras, but Echo 2k’s video for “Peroxide” took it where the competition wanted—a goddamn wind farm in the sea. Guppy and Fraxium aka Food House’s video for “Thoth Moser” went further than all the people trying to do the extremely online thing when they took it to a whole other level and went way past the mirror.
Stop Teasing Your Music
Teasing your music is killing your progress and growing your fan base. I know a lot of you probably think it helps your music to write the cringy posts of “10 days” and I know you see your favorite artists do this and want to pretend you’re important to millions of people just like them, but you’re not. Let’s remember every time you make a post you’re balancing annoying people versus giving them value, and they unfollow you when you don’t give them any value after too many posts of worthless drivel.
You have to hope every time you actually get someone’s attention and they are willing to click a link and grow their relationship with you, you can deliver them something they enjoy, which a teaser never does. This is why you should never promote your songs in advance. Instead, entice them to listen to something that if they click it, it may actually have them listening over and over again. No one’s marking their calendar to hear your song in a few days, so give them immediate satisfaction.
Quality Over Quantity
When you’re thinking about how often you release music, the first consideration should be: do you have enough good material worth putting the effort into promoting it? Since the most important thing is consistently sustaining your promotion, if you do have a handful of songs ready to go in advance, then we have to remember the instinct can be to just drop one every week. But the problem is that doesn’t make people feel any of those songs are important, and they don’t seem important to you since you just keep dropping them without making a big deal out of them.
You’re not making a music video, you’re not going on and on about the story of the song. My data, as well as experience, as well as what I see with artists blowing up, is releasing a song every two months by making a music video, a lyric video, and continually telling stories. It makes people feel like they should be paying attention since you’re making a big deal out of it. Putting out a song every seven days? Well, that feels like you’re just throwing [ __ ] at the wall and desperate. Sorry.
Don’t Get Discouraged by Initial Numbers
One of the main ways musicians make themselves miserable for no good reason—and trust me, there’s plenty of reasons to be miserable—is they get depressed when their streams don’t blow up on day one. When the fact is, if your song actually bangs, the numbers will be way bigger a week later. I mean, even Spotify said this in a recent slideshow: 53% of releases peak more than seven days after release.
Even though there’s this myth that songs blow up on TikTok overnight or blow up on the same day, instead they blow up from consistent sustained promotion where you’re continually reminding people to listen to your music. So many people reach despair when it’s not going well, but allow me to remind you of the horrible fact that Lil Nas X has recorded the most popular song of all time and it did nothing the first day it was out. But he kept pushing it and telling stories around it until it did.
Remember, the difference in how big your fan base will always be is how much you push and sustain promotion for nine to eighteen months. This is the most determinative factor. So don’t get down when things aren’t changing on release date and keep pushing. Take the temperature after a week of really pushing hard, not a few hours.
Release Singles in the Right Order
You’re not releasing singles in the right order. You ever notice how often times when your favorite band comes out with a new song, it’s just kind of mids, not particularly your favorite song of theirs? But then single two and three and then four just keep getting better and better. That’s called focus tracks, and as you keep releasing them, you’ll hopefully be picking up more followers and getting a more and more engaged audience.
So when you get to your best material, it has the highest likelihood of blowing up and putting up big numbers on the board and then igniting interest in it along with all that material you were releasing before. While we can’t ever fully tell what songs will blow up, it makes sense to try to order them in the order of the one with the most potential coming later in the cycle. This is also helpful since if the audience keeps hearing about you, it improves the chance that they’ll give this one a shot.
Promote Old Songs with New Releases
New songs are the best way to promote your old songs. So many of you write me or comment on my YouTube videos that you really want to promote songs you released that you really don’t feel got their due. And I get it, you pour your heart out and believe in them and you want to see those numbers go up. Well, aside from re-releasing them and hoping the algorithm and playlist placements along with a new splash of attention will help you get them noticed, the thing I tell everyone is the best way to promote your old songs is releasing more songs.
I see it constantly that an artist gets attention for one song, but then the fans find that song that didn’t take off, and all of a sudden that song starts to get its due. Tons of artists and probably some of your favorite artists got a new push to an old song when audiences found it, but they find them because you draw attention to yourself with the best marketing tool possible: a new song.
Stop Seeing the Music Business as a “Shoot Your Shot” Situation
Whenever I’m talking to musicians, they’re talking about getting an opportunity for a manager to listen to them or an A&R or a booking agent who wants to talk to them. They mention shooting their shot. This is totally the wrong mindset. When I’m out with friends in the music biz, we always talk about that we will often meet an artist and they’ll ask to work with us and we say no at first, but then we come around.
Hell, every band I ever managed asked numerous times before I said yes. This is because once you’re on our radar, we want to see you doing cool things, working hard on your own, and most of all, continuing to make good music. It’s not a shot, but instead, we want to see you play a game for a while to develop a relationship with you and make sure you’re not insane. So keep us updated when you meet us, and as you keep growing and ascending, let us know. And remember, it’s not just one shot, it’s about developing a relationship.
How to Get More People to Your Shows
So many of you wonder how you can do one of those shows that finally gets you in front of the right people so you can finally start building a local audience. Here’s a trick I’ve done with a few artists over the years. Even if you’re in a small town, they have events where large groups of people gather. Convince a local bar or club near the event to let you do a show that’s billed as the after-party for this event or the pre-party.
This works especially well if you find it around your audience niche. Like, if you do prog rock, doing this for after the Renaissance Fair. If you make 2000’s emo, do it at the Hot Topic sale. If you make Imagine Dragons-style cringe rock, do it around a sporting event. You get my point. Build your event as the pre-party or after-party and flyer that extensively, especially if it’s a multi-day event. Get there the day before. People are always looking for where to turn up and keep the party going. Be that party and enjoy the rewards.
Spotify Music + Talk DJ Sets and Artist Playlists
This is why Spotify Music + Talk DJ sets and your artist playlists matter to grow your music. Okay, so by the reaction to one of my latest YouTube videos, a lot of you didn’t get that the only way an algorithm can learn to recommend you is by seeing similar users listen to you or share you and tag you. One of the ways you can get massive growth is to find a bunch of artists that are similar to you in sound but slightly bigger and one week put them on your Spotify artist playlist.
Then tweet and share on Instagram you updated that playlist while tagging those artists so they hopefully share it themselves. Then the next week, do a Spotify Music and Talk DJ set and share it the same way. This will hopefully get the fans to tune in and like you and then start getting the algorithm to see you as intertwined with them and recommend you. Just don’t go tagging huge artists and think that will help. Leave Drake alone, please.
Post Content Throughout the Day
Social media doesn’t have a perfect time. There are people who read social media in the morning, the afternoon, the evening, and even at midnight. Which we all also have to remember, if you’re on the East Coast, is the evening for California. You need to post content about your big announcements all through the day and across multiple days so your audience actually sees it.
This feeds at midnight when your song drops. Make a post and interact with the night owls. Then rise and shine in the morning and get up and post first thing. Then around lunchtime, you need to remind again. And then around dinnertime, it’s time to give that crowd one more reminder. Whenever you do something big, these reminders can be reposting the story of a fan listening to it or a retweet of a compliment onto just retweeting your own posts and making what was a grid post on Instagram now a story.
So many musicians concern themselves with being annoying and that’s smart, but for your big announcements, take a day or two to really make a big noise so everyone hears it. And if you’re tasteful normally, you’ll keep the follows.
Using TikTok Sounds
Using TikTok sounds is crucial to getting you in front of potential fans’ eyes. Sounds are just as good as hashtags in getting your TikToks in front of potential fans who love your micro-genre of music. If you notice a sound trending that’s similar to a sound you should start putting in your videos as soon as possible. This also goes for if a song is really popping off in your genre right now. Even if the song is only being used a little, TikTok takes the songs people have liked before and continuously serves it to them, targeting the potential fans with the most susceptibility to liking your music.
If you click on that little revolving vinyl-like button down in the corner, you can click and see how many people are using this song. And fun fact, even if you don’t want the song to play in your video, you can use it as kind of a hashtag thing by turning it down so it’s inaudible and still get the same benefits from it.
Focus on Spotify
Spotify is the only streaming audio platform you should be concentrating on. On my YouTube channel, I just put up my annual free thorough video on how to promote yourself on Spotify. And there was one thing I said that shocked a lot of viewers. A lot of musicians talk like spending time promoting their music on Apple Music or even worse,
Read More: 10 steps to Develop the best Digital Marketing Strategy
Write comment (0 Comments)
Dwight Heck
| Best-Selling Author | Podcaster | Lifestyle & Finance Coach | Entrepreneur | Speaker
I am passionate about helping people live more fulfilling lives by embracing a positive mindset and taking action towards their goals. In this article, I want to focus on the importance of developing resilience in the face of adversity.
Resilience is a crucial trait for achieving success in any area of life. It allows us to bounce back from setbacks and failures, to adapt to changing circumstances, and to persevere in the face of challenges. Without resilience, we may give up too easily or become overwhelmed by obstacles.
One of the most effective ways to build resilience is to develop a growth mindset. This means approaching challenges as opportunities for learning and growth, rather than as threats to our self-esteem or abilities. By adopting a growth mindset, we can reframe setbacks as opportunities to improve and become stronger.
Another key aspect of resilience is the ability to manage stress effectively. When we encounter stressors, such as difficult work projects or personal conflicts, it’s important to have healthy coping mechanisms in place. This might include exercise, meditation, or talking to a trusted friend or therapist.
Finally, building strong relationships and social support networks is also essential for resilience. Having people in our lives who we can turn to for support and encouragement can make all the difference, especially when facing tough times.
As you work to build your resilience, remember that setbacks and challenges are a natural part of life. By embracing a growth mindset, managing stress, and building supportive relationships, you can develop the resilience you need to thrive.
If you’re interested in learning more about how to build resilience and live a more fulfilling life, be sure to check out my book “Give a Heck” and visit my website at www.dwightheck.com. Remember, you have the power to create the life you want – so go out there and Give a Heck!
financial planning edmonton, financial coach edmonton,financial services edmonton,financial advisor edmonton,best financial advisor edmonton,wealth management edmonton,High Level Wealth Management,Best wealth management edmonton,financial planning services edmonton
Write comment (0 Comments)Comprehensive Guide to Cemetery Pre-Planning in Seattle, WA
Introduction to Cemetery Pre-Planning
Cemetery pre-planning is a thoughtful and practical approach to managing one’s end-of-life arrangements. It involves making decisions about burial or cremation, choosing a final resting place, and documenting one's preferences in advance. This preemptive planning can bring immense peace of mind, not only to those making the arrangements but also to their loved ones who will otherwise be faced with difficult choices during a time of emotional distress.
By engaging in cemetery pre-planning, individuals can ensure that their wishes are clearly outlined and adhered to, reducing the likelihood of disputes or misunderstandings. Financially, pre-planning allows one to lock in prices at current rates, potentially saving families from rising costs in the future. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to make informed choices without the pressure and emotional burden that comes with making decisions during a time of grief.
Seattle, WA, with its diverse population and unique landscape, underscores the relevance of cemetery pre-planning. The city’s limited land availability and increasing population density can make securing a desirable burial site particularly challenging. Moreover, Seattle's progressive values often influence its residents to consider environmentally-friendly burial alternatives, which can be more easily organized and assured through proper pre-planning.
Pre-planning greatly eases the emotional load for surviving family members. In stressful and sorrowful situations, having a clear plan can provide comfort and clarity. It ensures that the end-of-life process honors the individual’s preferences, while also providing an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the life and legacy of the deceased.
In Seattle, where the natural scenery and environmental considerations play a significant role in lifestyle choices, cemetery pre-planning emerges as a vital practice. It aligns with the city's ethos of forward thinking and preparedness, reinforcing the community’s commitment to honoring personal wishes and sustainable practices.
Benefits of Cemetery Pre-Planning in Seattle
Pre-planning a cemetery arrangement brings numerous advantages, particularly for Seattle residents. One significant benefit is the ability to lock in current prices. Given the rising costs associated with burial and memorial services, securing today’s prices can lead to substantial savings over time. By pre-planning, individuals can avoid future financial burdens on family members, ensuring that the costs are managed effectively and in a timely manner.
Another notable benefit is the peace of mind that comes with knowing that one's specific wishes will be respected. Pre-planning allows individuals to make decisions regarding their final resting place, burial methods, and memorial services in advance. This ensures that personal preferences are honored, subsequently alleviating any family conflicts or uncertainties during an already difficult time. For Seattle residents, this could involve specific choices related to eco-friendly burial options or culturally significant rituals that are integral to the diverse communities within the city.
The ability to personalize services is yet another advantage of cemetery pre-planning. Seattle offers a variety of burial options that cater to different preferences, from traditional in-ground burials to cremation services. By pre-planning, individuals can tailor their arrangements to reflect their own beliefs, values, and tastes, from the type of casket or urn to the specifics of the memorial service. This customization can create a meaningful and respectful tribute that aligns with the individual's life and legacy.
Lastly, pre-planning ensures that all necessary arrangements are in place, which can significantly reduce the emotional strain on loved ones during their time of grief. With decisions already made and documented, family members don’t have to navigate these challenging choices amid their mourning. This process provides both clarity and direction, which can be immensely comforting and beneficial during an emotionally charged period.
Legal and Financial Considerations
Pre-planning a cemetery arrangement in Seattle, WA, necessitates a thorough understanding of the legal and financial considerations involved. One of the foremost steps in this process is the establishment of a will. A will is a legal document that ensures your final wishes regarding the distribution of your assets are respected. It is essential to include specific instructions about your cemetery arrangements within your will to avoid any potential disputes among your survivors.
Another legal instrument to consider is a trust. Trusts provide a more detailed level of control over your estate, enabling the bypass of probate and possibly minimizing estate taxes. They can be structured to direct funds towards specific cemetery pre-planning needs, such as securing a burial plot or covering funeral service expenses. Trusts are advantageous for those seeking to ensure their estate is managed per their exact wishes and can provide significant financial stability for your heirs.
Life insurance policies also play a crucial role in cemetery pre-planning. The proceeds from a life insurance policy can be designated to cover various end-of-life costs, including burial or cremation services, memorials, and other associated costs. This financial preparation spares your loved ones from the burden of immediate out-of-pocket expenses during a difficult time.
When managing the costs associated with cemetery pre-planning, it’s advisable to explore different payment options offered by cemeteries. Many cemeteries in Seattle offer prepaid plans which can be paid for in installment agreements, lessening the financial strain. Assessing these plans carefully to ensure they meet your needs and fit within your budget is essential.
Compliance with Washington state regulations is another critical component of cemetery pre-planning. Washington has specific laws governing burial practices and cemetery operations. It is advisable to consult with an attorney who specializes in estate planning to ensure all legal considerations are appropriately addressed. This step minimizes potential legal complications and ensures that the wishes of the deceased are honored in full compliance with state laws.
Choosing the Right Cemetery in Seattle
Selecting the appropriate cemetery in Seattle requires thorough consideration of various factors to ensure that you make an informed and satisfying choice. One of the primary factors to consider is the location. Proximity to family and friends can play a significant role, as a conveniently located cemetery fosters ease of visits and maintenance. Additionally, some may prefer a cemetery in a serene, picturesque setting, which can provide a tranquil environment for reflection and remembrance.
When choosing a cemetery, it is essential to consider the types of plots available. Options typically include traditional burial plots, mausoleums, and columbariums for cremated remains. Each type comes with its own pricing structure and specific regulations, which need to be weighed against personal preferences and budgetary constraints. It is advisable to inquire about any special sections within the cemetery, such as those designated for specific religious or cultural groups, which can accommodate particular customs and practices.
Amenities offered by the cemetery are another critical consideration. Modern cemeteries may feature amenities such as chapels, reception areas, and perpetual care services, which ensure the ongoing maintenance and beautification of the grounds. Knowing what amenities are available can enhance the overall experience and provide an added layer of convenience for family members and guests during memorial services.
Religious considerations also play a pivotal role in the cemetery selection process. For those with specific religious requirements, it is essential to ascertain whether the cemetery can accommodate certain rites, rituals, and regulations. Many Seattle cemeteries have dedicated sections or policies in place to respect and adhere to various religious traditions.
Lastly, the growing awareness of environmental sustainability has led to an increased interest in eco-friendly burial options. Some cemeteries in Seattle now offer green burial sites, which minimize environmental impact through the use of biodegradable materials and sustainable burial practices. These options allow individuals to align their final resting place with their environmental values, contributing to a reduced ecological footprint.
By considering these factors—location, plot types, amenities, religious considerations, and eco-friendly options—you can make a well-informed decision that respects both practical needs and personal values when selecting a cemetery in Seattle.
Types of Burial Options Available
When considering cemetery pre-planning in Seattle, WA, it is essential to understand the various burial options available to make an informed decision that aligns with personal preferences and cultural or religious beliefs. Seattle offers a range of burial options, catering to diverse needs and expectations. Below, we explore the primary types of burial options available in this region: traditional in-ground burials, mausoleum entombments, cremation, and unique options specific to Seattle's cemeteries.
Traditional in-ground burials remain one of the most common choices for many families. This option typically involves selecting a burial plot within a designated cemetery, where a casket is interred directly into the earth. This method offers a sense of permanence and a physical location for loved ones to visit, often marked by a headstone or monument. In-ground burials can vary in cost depending on the chosen plot's location and the cemetery's amenities.
Mausoleum entombments provide an alternative to in-ground burials by allowing the deceased to be placed in an above-ground structure known as a mausoleum. These structures can house multiple entombments in individual crypts. Mausoleums offer a more climate-controlled environment, protecting remains from environmental elements. Additionally, they often feature enhanced landscaping, seating areas, and architectural elements that create a serene atmosphere for visitors.
Cremation has become increasingly popular due to its flexibility and lower cost compared to traditional burial options. In Seattle, families can choose to place the cremated remains in a columbarium, a specialized structure designed to house urns, or opt for scattering the ashes in a memorable location. Some cemeteries also offer designated scattering gardens, providing a tranquil space for this purpose. Cremation allows for various memorialization options, such as keeping the ashes in a decorative urn or incorporating them into a piece of memorial jewelry.
Seattle also offers unique burial options that reflect the city's progressive values and ecological concerns. Green burials, for example, focus on environmental sustainability and minimal impact. This approach involves using biodegradable caskets or shrouds and forgoing embalming fluids, allowing for a natural decomposition process. Natural burial sites in Seattle are specifically designed to preserve the surrounding ecosystem, often integrating with conservation areas or nature reserves.
Overall, Seattle's cemeteries provide diverse burial options, ensuring that families can find a solution that honors their loved one's memory while respecting their cultural, religious, and personal preferences.
Working with Cemetery Staff and Funeral Directors
When embarking on the journey of pre-planning a cemetery arrangement in Seattle, working closely with cemetery staff and funeral directors proves immensely beneficial. Understanding their roles and how they contribute can streamline the process, providing both peace of mind and clarity during a potentially emotional time.
Cemetery staff are essential partners in the pre-planning process. Their extensive knowledge of the cemetery’s layout and policies helps in selecting appropriate burial plots or niches. They are adept at navigating the local regulations and can offer guidance on any specific requirements tied to the cemetery of your choice. Additionally, cemetery staff can provide insights into available services and amenities, such as perpetual care options, memorial marker regulations, and internal policies regarding maintenance.
Funeral directors play a pivotal role, acting as a bridge between families and cemetery staff. Their expertise spans various facets of funeral service, including the coordination of ceremonies, transport, and interment logistics. Funeral directors in Seattle are trained to assist families in detailing their wishes and ensuring that these preferences are meticulously documented. They mitigate the burden on families by handling paperwork, securing necessary permits, and liaising with cemetery staff to ensure seamless execution of all planned arrangements.
Moreover, funeral directors often act as empathetic counselors during the pre-planning phase. They help families explore and decide on options that best reflect their values and cultural or religious beliefs. This preparatory work reduces stress for loved ones by ensuring every detail aligns with pre-determined choices, providing solace in knowing that the decedent’s wishes are being honored.
In summary, collaborating with cemetery staff and funeral directors during pre-planning in Seattle enhances the entire experience, offering an organized and supportive framework. Their combined efforts ensure not only compliance with all legal and procedural requirements but also the creation of a thoughtful, personalized commemoration that honors life's final journey.
Personalizing Your Final Arrangements
Personalizing cemetery pre-planning is an essential aspect of making final arrangements in Seattle, WA. One of the most significant ways individuals can tailor their plans is through the design of headstones and selection of epitaphs. Headstones can vary greatly in terms of material, shape, and design, allowing people to choose an option that best reflects their personality or the legacy they want to leave behind. Whether opting for a traditional granite headstone or a more modern, artistic plaque, these choices greatly influence the appearance and ambiance of the final resting place.
In addition to headstone designs, the selection of appropriate epitaphs serves as a meaningful way to commemorate a life well-lived. Epitaphs can range from a simple statement of love or remembrance to a favorite quote or poem that held special significance to the deceased. Crafting a carefully chosen epitaph allows families to convey sentiments and memories that words alone may not fully encapsulate.
Memorial services are another pivotal element that can be personalized to reflect individual preferences. These services can be as traditional or unique as desired, serving as a celebration of life that honors the individual’s personal journey. In Seattle, a culturally diverse city, incorporating specific cultural or religious customs into these services can be particularly important. These adaptations ensure that ceremonies resonate deeply with the deceased's heritage and spiritual beliefs, offering comfort and connection to grieving families.
Culture plays a significant role in personalizing final arrangements. In Seattle's diverse community, it’s crucial to accommodate various traditions and rituals to ensure respectful and meaningful ceremonies. Whether it involves specific rites, musical selections, or religious symbols, respecting these cultural nuances adds a layer of intimacy and significance to the service.
By focusing on these key areas—headstones, epitaphs, memorial services, and cultural customs—individuals can create pre-planned cemetery arrangements that genuinely reflect their values, preferences, and the essence of their lives. These personalized choices not only offer peace of mind to those planning their own final arrangements but also provide comfort and clarity to loved ones left behind.
Steps to Begin Your Cemetery Pre-Planning Journey
Embarking on the cemetery pre-planning journey can be a thoughtful and organized process, ensuring peace of mind for both you and your loved ones. The first actionable step in this journey is to research cemeteries within Seattle, WA. Start by identifying cemeteries that align with your personal or family preferences, whether they cater to traditional burials, green burials, or offer other unique services. Visiting their websites and reading reviews can provide valuable insights into what each cemetery offers.
Next, it is crucial to consult with your family. Engaging in open, honest discussions will help you understand their thoughts and preferences. This step ensures that your final resting place and the associated arrangements resonate with the shared values and expectations of your family.
Once initial research and consultations are complete, proceed to document your preferences. This documented plan can include your desired type of burial, specific cemetery options, and other personal decisions like the type of headstone or memorial service you envision. Detailed documentation will serve as an invaluable reference for ensuring your wishes are respected and adhered to.
Meeting with legal advisors is also a crucial component of the pre-planning process. Legal advisors can assist in drafting a legally binding document that clearly outlines your pre-planning decisions. Additionally, discussing these plans with your attorney can help integrate them into your will or estate plan, providing further legal clarity and control.
Finally, finalize arrangements with cemetery staff. Scheduling an appointment to discuss your documented preferences ensures that all aspects of your pre-planning are properly understood and recorded by the cemetery. Professionals at the cemetery can guide you through available options, costs, and any other considerations that need to be addressed.
By following these comprehensive steps—researching, consulting, documenting, meeting with legal advisors, and finalizing arrangements—you can efficiently navigate the cemetery pre-planning journey in Seattle, WA, providing assurance and clarity for all involved.
Write comment (0 Comments)
