Google Reader is My Music Marketing Apprentice

Recently I’ve noticed alot of questions from musicians wanting to know how and why they should use Google Reader and I wanted to give a couple of reasons I find it so helpful. Google Reader is a great tool for organizing your music marketing campaigns. I began using it because it was recommended to help surf my favorite sites and keep updated to when they write new posts. If you have a Gmail account you can use that as your login to Google Reader. The set up is quick.

Visit Google Reader. Sign in or sign up if you don’t have a Gmail account. Now you can start importing your favorite websites and organizing them into their own folders.

Most browsers let you know if a site has a RSS feed so you can import that address into Google Reader. This is the blue button that is to the right of the address, in the picture above. I know Firefox and Safari display this Rss Feed Icon in their browser. You can click on that icon in your browswer and it will take you to a page where you can add this address to your account automatically.

Click and save

Once you add it to your account you can later organize them into specific folders. For instance, I have a some of my favorite music production sites in one folder and some of my favorite tech sites in another folder. The organization will allow you to absorb valuable information all in one place.

Why Do Musicians Need Google Reader

1. Discover the importance of a good Headline: when your blog is stripped down, how is your content going to grab your reader. What stands out? Do you need more pics?
2. Google Alerts: create a folder with your band name keywords or any keywords you want to track, delivered to your reader folder. Great way to monitor your brand and do research at the same time. I set some keyword alerts for my emcee name and one for “music supervisors” to keep informed on music licensing opportunities, getting closer contact to better music submissions. Job opportunities are always on the mind.
3. Keep Updated with Music Marketing Sites: learn FREE tips from music marketing bloggers around the web. Find sites you enjoy reading and keep updated with the latest marketing techniques for promoting online. I have at least 30 music marketing sites I enjoy reading. I go to articles I like and it makes my commenting increase while learning. Mix and match techniques from various blogs and keep your marketing vision active(feel free to sign up to my RSS feed).
4. Subscribe to some Blogging sites: Great way to rejuvenate your blog, learn from the pros. Discover free advice from professional bloggers helping your band gain more visitors, keeping your business alive by implementing techniques to increase your unique visitors. Learn from those who are good at what they do and keep teaching yourself. Sometimes we just need a little direction
5. Subscribe to Indie Music Blogs for your Genre:
   Introduce yourself to these bloggers and let them know you have signed up to their RSS feed, might help opening lines of communication. Subscribing will keep you updated on new opportunities to submit your music for review, you will never miss an article. Build your press out, increase your band backlinks, find better ways to get your music reviewed and increase your monthly visitors

Use Google Reader to your advantage. Time is valuable and Google Reader keeps me informed every day by quickly visiting my favorite sites and keeping updated on news around me and my music operation.

DIY musicians are getting information overload on a daily basis, this way you can keep a hold on your favorite sites. With social bookmarking, social networking, and tons of valuable blogs out their, we can organize our thoughts and filter to relevant information we choose.

Their is an argument that some don’t like the fact that some RSS readers don’t visit your website, they just view your articles in the reader. I think these subscribers are very valuable because they have shown interest in your website and are looking forward to new content. I keep the faith alive that these users will eventually click links that we want to direct them to, such as Album landing pages and merchandise.