Post Once, Publish Everywhere
February 22, 2009
So, you understand how RSS feeds work, don’t you? (Please, say that it’s so.) If not, get to Googling. You’ve got some things to catch up on. Not a Googler? Here is the just of it:
A RSS feed outputs posted content from a site and lists it in reverse chronological order using standard tag elements. Take a look at my site’s feed. Users can subscribe to with their preferred feedreader and, just like subscribing to a magazine or newspaper, new content will be delivered when it is made available. For bands, a RSS feed allows readers to subscribe to your news, event announcements, tour updates, photos, and/or podcasts and receive any new information as it is posted.
In a perfect world, there would be no mailing list email to fans or press releases to reporters. Fans and members of the media would just subscribe to my feed. In an even more perfect world, I would post my content once and it would automatically appear everywhere.
If you are in the music, film, or media industry and post content online, wake up! Your a content creator. Make it your business to understand the world of content syndication and keep up with the evolution of online content distribution and delivery.
Create Newsletter from Your RSS Feed
Mailing lists are so 2008 (OK, I still use mine, but wish I didn’t have to). Some will argue that your mailing list is gold, but what if you didn’t have to focus on the gold and could just offer a solution that was easy for everyone. Rather that paying for a mailing list service and spending hours writing emails that end up in your subscribers’ junk mail folders, allow your fans and readers to subscribe to your feed via email instead.
FeedBurner – In addition to providing a slew of services to optimize, publicize, and monetize your feed,Ă‚Â FeedBurner will provide you with the embed code for an sign-up box for your site.
Other services include Mailchimp and ZapTXT.
Post Once, Update Everywhere
How often do you copy and paste content from your site to your MySpace or Facebook page? Have you spent hours adding the same event listing to 23 different event sites? What about video? Have you spent an entire weekend uploading the same video file to YouTube, MySpace, Revver, Vimeo, and every other video sharing site that is available? Work smarter, not harder.
WidgetBox Bligets – Widgetbox offers a zillion widgets that you can put on your site, but it also allows you to create your own widget box that will display the contents of your RSS feed. Just create your account, click the “make widget” button, follow the instructions for making a blidget (short for blog widget), and embed the code into your MySpace page. Anything you post on your blog will automatically appear anywhere the blidget is embedded.
MySpace and Facebook Apps - Visit the Apps store through your MySpace or Facebook account and search for “RSS.” You’ll find a variety of widgets that, just like the blidget, allow you to enter your feed URL and showcase your post within your pages. Anything that you post on your blog will automatically appear on your MySpace and Facebook profiles within minutes.
ArtistData -Ă‚Â (I love you ArtistData!) – Got an event coming up? After you have posted your event details on your site, one of the two resources above will syndicate the information to your MySpace and Facebook pages. But what about all the event listing sites and online band profiles like Eventful and Purevolume? Using ArtistData’s service, you can post your event details, and ArtistData will syndicate the information to all the mainstream event sites. Current sites include MySpace, Facebook, Purevolume, Virb, Jambase, ReverbNation, SonicBids, Eventful, and others. If your posting more than 14 days before the event, ArtistData will also notify your local press about the show. The site has been in and out of beta. But subscribe to their RSS feed to get updates on availability.
Gigblastr – Not as robust as ArtistData, but will get your events out to some of the larger event listing sites.
TubeMogul – While YouTube will get your video in front of the largest audience, there are other sites that will get your videos to the RIGHT audience. You can do like I did and spend an entire weekend uploading your videos to all the video sharing sites that exist, or you can just upload your video once and let TubeMogul do the work. In addition to posting your video in your name to sites like YouTube, MySpace, Metacafe, DailyMotion, Revver, and Vimeo, the service also offers a reporting feature that will track your video’s popularity and let you see which site is giving you the most views. (You’ll be surprised when you realize that YouTube isn’t always the winner.)
Syndicate Your Feed
If you are only posting band news and events on your site, move along… nothing to see here. But, if your smart, your writing about everything that influences your life and art and allowing your readers to connect with you on a personal level. (Yes, we know you have a show. Every band does. What else is on your mind?) If you are creating original content that presents a unique perspective about the world around you, you may find a few content syndication platforms that would be happy to present your post to their readers. These platforms typically envolve an editorial review process, so if your just posting YouTube clips of Chad Vadar episodes, don’t bother.
Outside.in – Outside.in tracks news and events that are specific to a particular region or neighborhood. After signing up as a contributor and adding geo-tags to your posts, outside.in with syndicate your posts to their readers. Got a show in New York, add a [where:] tag to your post. Disgruntled about the laws surround noise ordinances in your city? Write a post and geo-tag it with your zip code.
MOG - Similar to the music listening habit tracker Last.FM (but better), MOG also aggregates posts about bands, music, and artists and matches them to the respective artist and song profiles. If you are accepted, you also get to participate in MOG’s advertising platform which only works with ad providers that cater to the music and film industry. You must be a legetimate music blog to join the network, so don’t bother the moggers if your just looking to promote your gigs with no intention of joining in on the fun.
BlogBurst – (Disclosure: I’m involved) BlogBurst syndicates blog content to mainstream media partners like Reuters, Chicago SunTimes, USAToday, and FoxNews. In order to join, you must post a minimum once a week, present a unique perspective, publish only original content (no lifestreaming), and have been blogging for at least three months. If accepted, your content is also available for extended syndication through Pluck On Demand.
Aggregate Your LifeStream
In addition to posting on your personal blog platform (or whatever your using to fuel your feed), your probably posting content on various sites such as MySpace Blogs, YouTube, Flickr, Twitter, and Eventful. You can combine all of these content stream into one master feed and use an app or widget to showcase your lifestream on your Facebook or MySpace pages. Don’t have a feed for your site? Check out Feedity.
FriendFeed – Automatically aggregates your activities around popular content sharing platforms and provides you with a consolidated feed. In addition, your FriendFeed is promoted to other FriendFeed users.
Since FriendFeed only allows you to combine activities from a set list of partners, take advantage of services such as Yahoo! Pipes, Feedbite
, or Feedcombine to combine multiple RSS feeds into one.
Phew, this post was a doozie. Did I leave something out? Comment section is down below. Do tell.
Moving Matter in 3D with Fatty Lumpkin, Toast, and Funkatron
February 21, 2009
Now this is what I am talking about! Done are the days of static stage positions and tanning bulbs disguised as stage lighting. Considering the pace in which technology evolves, we’ve all been more than patient in waiting for something new to break open the live show into a full showcase of visual and auditory wizardry. And it’s nice to see a band from Austin lead the charge.
On Friday, February 27th, Moving Matter takes the stage with fellow funk-starters Fatty Lumpkin, Toast, and Funkatron for a evening of live, groove-infected jams and improvs at The Parish. The Blender will be painting live throughout the evening with Skapple providing 3D projections and lighting effects.
Let me repeat that… Skapple providing 3D PROJECTIONS and lighting effects.
That’s right. Not a typo. And the giant “3D” in the center of the beautiful flyer at the left is no joke either. Glasses will be handed out a the door for your viewing pleasure. Admission is only $10 ($12 for under 21 crowd) with doors opening at 8pm. The Parish is located at 214 E. 6th St. in downtown Austin.
Moving Matter is the 4-piece Austin-based live jam outfit comprised of bassist Chris Holland, guitarist Josh Pearson, drummer Dan Mcgreevy, and Bozarth on the Hammond organ and synths. The band has shared the stage with artists such as as The Disco Biscuits, The Roots, Thievery Corporation, Sound Tribe Sector Nine, Particle, and Big Head Todd & the Monsters and has rocked legendary venues including The Fox Theatre in Boulder, Antone’s and the infamous Stubb’s BBQ in Austin, the Granada Theater in Dallas, and Wakarusa Music Festival in Kansas.
Have a listen to Moving Matter’s live recording of Running Walls, recorded during their performance at Gregos in 2007.
Click here to download (Thanks for the share, Dustin!)
You can also subscribe to the bands feed to keep up with all the moving matters, or just give them a follow on Twitter.
Click here to see who else likes this event and to win merch and tickets from Do512.
Homegrown Chill with Govinda, OHN, and Shuttle Debris
February 16, 2009
101x and Chillville have put together an amazing showcase for Wednesday, February 19th at The Parish with some cool surprises in the works.
From the crew at 101x & Chillville:
“So this morning on Chillville, the bands were announced for the first edition of “Homegrown Live – Chillville Edition”, or “Homegrown Chill”. No matter what you call it, I can assure you that you’re in for a wonderful night. Local bands Govinda, OHN, and Shuttle Debris will be providing the entertainment at The Parish on February 18. Doors open at 8:30, and it is only $5 for over 21 & $8 for under. We have supported these three bands since the early days of Chillville, and are honored to have them play this ground breaking event. If that is not enough entertainment, then you will be pleased to know that The Parish is also hosting the final round of “The Fastest Bartender” competition. All of the Tom Cruise/Cocktail action will take place before the first band, and in-between sets. So come on over and join us for this fantastic event. ”
About Shuttle Debris:
Performing a hybrid of indie, pop and electronica music, the members of Shuttle Debris coined the genre Laptop-Pop. Offering the highest quality product possible to satisfy the world’s Laptop-Pop needs, Shuttle Debris utilizes notebooks, desktops, and the most current music technology available to write, record, produce, mix, master, package and promote their projects and products.
About OHN:
OHN is a band that defies categorization; an interesting amalgam of diverse artists and genres that converge so seamlessly and well that you can easily convince yourself that they are together, playing, rehearsing, and recording 24/7.
They are not—although they do rehearse more before a live performance—but their ability to find the same sonic groove is no accident.  Each of the members brings an impressive musical pedigree to the stage and studio and, more importantly, an attitude that pushing the boundaries outward and upward is good.
About Govinda:
Govinda fuses beautifully spooky melodies inspired from across the planet with sexy beats and crunchy, ambient atmosphere. Govinda has played with Thievery Corporation, DJ Spooky and Cheb I Sabbah and been featured in compilations such as Buddha Bar II, Asian Travels II, and Nirvana Lounge.
The Govinda live show features professional dancers and live projections. The mix of freshly cut vinyl beats, hauntingly seductive violin melodies, emotive dance expression and visual video feast makes for a truly multi-sensory experience.
Wild is the Wind – Tribute to Nina Simone
February 16, 2009
Bemba Entertainment has yet, another original event coming up, a little less than three weeks away. February 21st, 2009 will mark Nina Simone’s 76th birthday.Ă‚Â Even though she left us several years ago, we will celebrate her birthday knowing she’s still with us in spirit.Ă‚Â Capacity is just 100, creating a very intimate evening at The Historic Victory Grill.Ă‚Â Prepare to be captivated by performances by Suzanna Choffel, Laura Scarborough, The Tiny Tin Hearts, Blues Mafia, Sarah Temple, The Jitterbug Vipers, and special guest Chandra Washington.
Save Austin Music's Big Meeting (Rescheduled)
February 16, 2009
Save Austin Music (SAM) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the Austin Music culture. The organization tackles some pretty big issues on behalf of Austin musicians and artists. But they can’t do it all alone. Get involved! SAM is holding their “Big Meeting” on February 16th February 24th from 7-9 pm. Can’t make it to the venue? Tune into the webcast and dial in to contribute to the conversation. You may opt to stay on the couch and squabble about how the scene is going down the tubes, and that’s your right as a free-thinking anti-establishment artist, but by tuning in and getting involved you’ll get the chance to feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Do it! Oh, and there’s free beer (also known for causing warm and fuzzy feelings).
From Troy at SaveAustinMusic.com:
Hi Everyone,
We want to remind to you attend our monthly BIG MEETING tonight from 7-9pm. We’ll be discussing the launch of our PSA Campaign, we’ll introduce you to our new Board of Directors, and we’ll have special guest speaker Bobby Garza (a musician, member of the Live Music Task Force, and staff leader for Councilmember Mike Martinez).
If you are unable to attend, you can still see the meeting via. webcast at SaveAustinMusic.com/webcast.html (if we get the technology figured out in time). You will be able to email and text questions too.
To sweeten the deal, there will be free beer (while it lasts)…
Thanks for your help and support to make Austin Music better for your spirit and your wallet!
Save Austin Music’s headquarters are located at 3708 Woodbury Dr. in Austin, TX. Click here for a map
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