tech stack

How to Build Your Ideal Tech Stack

How to Build Your Ideal Tech Stack

Guest post by Leonard Patterson, Indie Band Coach

Before you get bogged down in any tech, just remember that the point of all of this is to connect with our audience. So don’t get so obsessed with any one piece of gear or new application that you catch that “bug”, you know….. shiny object syndrome. Yes, it’s a thing.

What is a tech stack?

By definition, a “tech stack” is typically used by software companies referring to “the set of technologies an organization uses to build a web or mobile application.” It usually refers to things like programming languages, servers, and software.

For our purposes though, we’re going to be looking at it a bit differently. Your tech stack will be made up of apps, software, and hardware used to run your music business. With that, we’ll look at those technologies in two ways — front end and back end.

What The Fans See (Front-End)

Front end applications are quite simply, everything in your tech stack that your fans are going to interact with. Social media platforms aside, this would be your website, email provider, and of course your livestreaming tools and applications.

Choosing the right front end apps really depends on what type of experience you want your fans to have; how you want to engage with them. There are differences in experience depending on what applications you’re using as well as if they’re desktop, mobile, iOS, Android, etc.

Example: Livestreaming Platform

Streaming live directly on Facebook with your phone is probably the best, least techy way to get your “live on”. You won’t have any barriers in your way except for time. 

However, using a livestreaming app like StreamYard or OBS, you’ll also be able to customize the look and feel of your broadcast and even build in interaction and engagement.

++ Livestream Resource Roundup for Musicians

Examples of Front End Apps You Might Consider

  • Website Builders — WordPress, Shopify, Wix, Squarespace
  • Email Providers — Mailchimp, Convertkit, SendinBlue, GetResponse
  • Livestream Tools — StreamYard, OBS, ECamm Live

What It’s Built On (Back-End)

Back end applications are just as important as what the fans will interact with. These tools and apps you use will determine HOW WELL your fans’ experience is when engaging with you on some platforms. It’s what your music business is built on.

Examples include your website hosting, internet provider, file storage, video editor, or maybe gear or hardware. Even though your audience may not actually interact or see this gear, it can have a direct impact on how they see you and your brand.

Example: Internet provider

A slow or unreliable internet service provider could directly impede your fan’s ability to enjoy your content.

Examples of Back End Tools You Might Consider

  • Website Hosting — Hostgator, BlueHost, GoDaddy, SiteGround
  • File Storage — Dropbox, Google Drive, Box, iCloud Storage
  • Internet Service Providers — Verizon, AT&T, Spectrum, XFinity

For internet service providers and upload speeds in your area, click here and enter your zip code: https://www.highspeedinternet.com/view-plans

One of the first decisions you’ll want to make is how you’re going to create and deliver your content. Some of the tools are better for mobile, but if that’s not your jam, you should consider that as well.

++ Product Update: Gig Booking Calendar

Here’s an example of a basic tech stack. 

The goal of doing this, it’s to help you define your systems. This will help you avoid some of those dreaded “shiny objects” that come your way, plus, it’ll allow you to budget. 

Other Stack Options

  • Scheduling tools like Later, Hootsuite, and Planoly can help you manage your social media content. 
  • Appointment apps like Calendly or Accuity make it easy for your audience to schedule time with you.
  • Content Design tools like Canva, Stencil, and PicMonkey can really help your brand shine through.
  • What video editor(s) do you use? Final Cut Pro, iMovie, and Adobe Premiere make it easy for you to crank out professional video content for your fans.
  • In terms of organizational tools I like to use Trello, but tools like Asana, Monday.com, and Proofhub could work just as well.

The list could go on, of course. But your challenge isn’t only to find the apps that work for you, but to define the ones you NEED. Each tool or platform will have an actual cost associated with them (unless of course, they’re free), but also an opportunity cost. 

How long will it take you to learn the app you want to use? Is there one that could get you up and running sooner and more profitably? Or is there a virtual assistant on UpWork or Fiverr that could have it done in 3 hours vs. the 3 days it may actually take you?

Yes, this may be mostly “technical” in a way, but don’t forget the purpose behind your stack, whatever it is. Your fans, your brand, and how they engage with you is the name of this game.

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Leonard Patterson is an avid fan of all things New Edition, an indie-focused booking agent, a frequent hi-fiver, and a certified digital marketer. Since stepping off stage as a band manager/front man of a 6-figure party band, he launched Indie Band Coach with a mission to help indie bands reach more fans and book more gigs. When he’s not working, he’s most likely at a live music event, analyzing Marvel movies, or soaking up vitamin D at the beach with his wife and son. 

Want more fanbase and social media tips? Subscribe to the Indie Band Coach YouTube Channel .

social media marketing

How to Succeed on Social Media with Consistency

How to Succeed on Social Media with Consistency

Originally published on Indie Band Blog (IndieBandCoach.com)

Whether you are posting the latest link to your music, uploading pre-recorded video, or livestreaming this week’s concert, there are a few things to consider to help your content stand out.

I believe that the most basic three things that will help you develop an awesome online brand are — being engaging, being consistent, and being yourself. In this blog post though, I want to highlight ˆconsistency” and what that looks like.

“If content is king, then consistency is the key to the castle.” 

— Leonard Patterson

CONSISTENT MESSAGE 📣

What’s your personality? How do you communicate in person? Often your band (i.e. brand) will be an extension of your own persona. Not always and by no means is it a rule, but just be sure your messaging is clear so that you are attracting the right audience.

If you’re a naturally warm and welcoming indie folk artist who performs acoustically at fairs and festivals, you probably have a similar vibe when posting. It might be a little jarring to see you using profane language on comments or promoting with overly-aggressive messages.

Think about your music, your personality, and the words you use to communicate them both.

Looking for some inspiration? 

Visit Words-to-Use.com for some ideas. You’ll see a set of tabs at the top of the music menu. Click on phrases and adjectives and explore!

++ 7 Virtual Tip Jar Options You Need to Know

CONSISTENT AESTHETIC 🎨

Almost as important as the words you type, are the visuals you use. How many high-end restaurants do you know who’s decor is bright yellow and red? Until “McDonald’s McSteakhouse” opens up, I’m not sure there’ll be one! 😜 Take some time to think about and be conscious of your visual branding – font, logo, color scheme, emoji’s, etc.

Outsourcing: If you need some work done, don’t be afraid to check on sites like Upwork.com or Fiverr.com. As a word of caution though, do some research. Sure the newer contractors may have lower rates, but without a good sampling of reviews to read, it’ll be hard to assess what you’ll actually be getting.

Before you potentially get started or hire someone, one thing you might consider would be creating your brand kit. A brand kit is a short, easily digestible guide to your brand’s visual identity. It’s a quick reference to understanding the logos, colors, fonts, and messaging that represent you and are usually shared as downloadable PDFs.

Don’t skip over color meanings, or color psychology. You may not think of colors as sending specific messages in your brand, but they do. Again, it’s not a hard rule, but looking at the hidden meanings behind colors may help inform some of your branding decisions.

What visual message are you sending? What psychological triggers occur with each color? Take a look at this infographic to see examples of big brands.

image credit: huff post

You can use a site like https://coolors.co/ or http://colormind.io/ to help you create your color scheme. 

Other visual considerations could be anything from the font you use for your logo, the way you dress on stage (or online), the layout of your website, to the filter you choose for Instagram photos. 

++ Turn Your Audio Into Visuals with Wavve App

CONSISTENT SCHEDULE 📅

Social media is ALL ABOUT showing up. The more consistently you show up, the better. But notice that it doesn’t say FREQUENCY. The frequency in which you post is a little less important than the schedule you keep. If your fans respond to 1x/day on social, 1x/month in email, by all means, milk it. 

Most social channels have insights that will let you know approximately when and how many of your current audience is online. Use that as a starting point and don’t take it for granted.

If it looks like 3PM on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are when most of your audience is showing up, be sure to schedule some value-added content for those times. Give your posts the best chance at success.

It’s the difference between consistency and convenience.

Want some help coming up with ideas on what to share on social? Maybe this will help…

We recently shared a blog post: How to Get More Fans Tuned In To Your Band. In that blog post, we shared 6 things to consider when planning out your series or weekly content with your audience.

There was such a good response from the blog that we created a free Recurring Content Checklist that will help you put your new, consistent posts to the test. For example – is your content easy to make? Does it inspire you (i.e. are you motivated to create)?

If you’re not excited about your content, it’ll be that much more difficult to maintain interest and keep a schedule. 

++ How to Start Streaming

FACEBOOK’S CREATOR STUDIO ⚙️

Want to keep a consistent schedule and not have to post every day? Watch the YouTube tutorial on Creator Studio and plan your Facebook and Instagram posts from one place.

Creator Studio brings together all the tools you need to effectively post, manage, monetize and measure content across all your Facebook Pages and Instagram accounts.

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Leonard Patterson is an avid fan of all things New Edition, an indie-focused booking agent, a frequent hi-fiver (currently practicing safe “air fives”), and a certified digital marketer. Since stepping off stage as a band manager/front man of a 6-figure party band, he launched Indie Band Coach with a mission to help indie bands reach more fans and book more gigs through livestreaming and social media. When he’s not working, he’s most likely at a live music event, analyzing Marvel movies, or soaking up vitamin D at the beach with his wife and son. 

Help Gigmor Find Musicians Paying Gigs

I hope you’re staying safe during this crazy time. 

Gigmor is raising money in a GoFundMe campaign. We’re taking this unusual step because Gigmor is more than just another business affected by this crisis: our platform can help thousands of musicians and venues get back on their feet. So with your help, Gigmor can make a big difference.

We’ve been working hard during the lockdown to be ready when venues and restaurants reopen:

  • Local gigs at small to medium sized clubs will come back long before tours and larger venues. 
  • Our new one-click booking feature is an easier way to make multiple offers for bookers filling an empty calendar. 
  • Our Gigmor Live streaming channel has grown fast and we know now that live-streaming will always be a viable service we can offer to independent artists. Artists are making $100 for a one hour stream from their living room.

Depending on the city and state, booking activity is likely to resume in May and June. At that point we hope to resume the strong growth we saw in Q1 and will have more options for fundraising. Right now, we’re asking for your help to fund operations for the next 3-4 months.

How You Can Help

1. Donate to the Campaign

2. Share Gigmor’s GoFundMe campaign on social media.

This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal.

Toni Morrison

Keep live music alive!

Gratefully, 
David Baird & Team Gigmor