Is your website set up to help you pitch your songs or even sell your songs? Sure you probably have the songs listed with the CD cover photo. And, you might even have those songs set up for streaming audio so anyone can get a sample or even the whole song. So how’s that working for you? Is it selling those songs? Many of my songwriting clients have a wealth of songs ready for other artists to record or publishers and producers to use in a project; but the songs are just not set up so they can access them quickly.

I’d like to share 4 steps to help you pitch your songs more effectively and get your songs licensed more efficiently.

Step 1. Gather your songs from all those that are now recorded and available for purchase on CD or purchase by download, and organize them according to category. For instance: Love songs, ballads, songs of loss, uplifting songs, travel songs, work songs, songs for weddings or special occasions, patriotic songs, holiday songs, songs of triumph and victory, spiritual songs, etc.

Step 2. Now further organize those again into categories for tempo such as hard driving, upbeat, slow, medium, quiet and mellow. Add further information like, predominant instrumentation on each song such as soft strings, electric guitar, heavy drums, horns, piano, etc. I think you get the idea.

Step 3. Create a new page on your site with a new link button on the navigation bar. Give it a title compatible with your site and marketing style, but one that specifically invites and calls out to those who might be searching for songs. Some possible titles might be, Songs for Your Project, Songs by Category, Songs for Pitching, Your Project-My Song, Publisher’s Paradise, Producer’s Paradise or Record These Songs, etc.

Step 4. Design your web page with the various categories of songs, with links to streaming audio for immediate listening, (don’t make them wait for the download), a link to the lyrics for reading while listening and a link to your licensing policy, publishing and performing rights information and contact information to the appropriate person who would be making any deals on your behalf or directly to you.

Now your website is making it easy for those looking for songs to record, or for a project needing songs. They know that you have them available on your site. If they are looking for a specific type of song, they can find it quickly without having to listen through all of your material. You have helped them zoom in on a potential song just right for their project. They can easily determine the category, the tempo, read the words, get all the necessary deal-making information they need to use your song.

What is more important in today’s music business?

A.) Having a great sound?

B.) Executing a great marketing strategy?

If you chose "B", you may be on your way to stardom. In today’s music business, having an effective web marketing strategy can make the difference between you being a local, national or international music star.

A key element in your web marketing strategy should be the selection of your bands name. Why? Because your bands name will also become your bands keyword on the Internet.

I’m sure you’ve heard of references to AOL Keywords, but AOL isn’t the only place where people use keywords for search. Google, Yahoo, MSN, ASK and many other search engines use keywords to help millions of people find what they are looking for on-line.

If someone is looking for information about your band on the Internet, they are most likely, going to type your bands name into a search engine. When the search engine returns the results, you’ll want your website, or your myspace page to be in the top of the listings.

My suggestion is to choose a crazy (or very creative) keyword. A crazy band name, when used as a keyword, will help your listings in search engines beyond your wildest imagination.

For example, let’s examine two keywords for two music acts - "Panic At the Disco", a rock band and "Algebra" a soul and r&b group.

When I Googled Panic at the Disico, Google returned 10,300,000 results. On the first page of Googles search results, every listing led me to information about the rock band, Panic At the Disco.

The very first Google listing, for Panic at the Disco, was for the bands video "It’s Better If You Do".

The second listing for Panic at the Disco was their bands website, panicatthedisco.com.

The third result was Panic At the Disco at purevolume.com.

The fourth result was Panic at the Discos’ myspace page.

Fith was Panic at the Disco lyrics.

Get the picture? The first page in Googles’ search results was all Panic at the Disco. Panic at the Disco is on an Indie Label.

Now let’s briefly look a Algebra, a R&B Group on a Major Label.

I Googled Algebra, and you can guess my results. The term "Algebra" returned 86,000,000 results in Google. Algebra, the R&B Group wasn’t listed anywhere in the first 10 pages of results. Most people doing searches will not dig past page two - in any search engine. The likelihood of the R&B Group Algebra, having any success on the Internet (from a marketing stand-point) is very slim.

So the lesson to be learned here is: choose a crazy or creative keyword and band name. With a crazy keyword people can find you easily on the Internet and that can improve your on-line marketing efforts by over 100%.

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If you want to learn how to sing better, the key lies with larynx control. If you can learn to control your larynx, you will be singing like a pro in no time. Larynx control will help you improve the range and quality of your singing voice.

Your larynx, also known as a voice box, is a group of ligaments, muscles and cartilage in your throat. It is responsible for making your voice sound the way it does. If you want to be singing like a pro, you need to understand larynx position.

As you use your voices, your larynx moves up and down. That is why some people sound clear and crisp and others make a sort of nasal sound when they sing. It is all in the larynx control. If you want a better singing voice, you need to learn to keep your larynx in the best position. What is the best position? Well, your voice will sound best if you keep your larynx centered.

The problem is that, when you sing, the muscles which are in charge of raising and lowering your larynx have trouble relaxing. So, particularly if you are trying to sing high notes, your tone will suffer.

To begin learning how to sing better, you first need to learn some larynx control exercises. Start by yawning intentionally while resting your finger on your adams apple, the uppermost of two small notches on your throat. As you let the air out when you yawn, say "Ahhhhhh!" You should notice that your throat feels relaxed, your tone is richer and you can feel your larynx being gently pulled down. By doing that, you are actually going to cause sound to have to travel a greater distance. The extra distance helps to amplify the sound waves and give you a better singing voice.

If, on the other hand, you were to say the word "nay" in a nasal tone of voice and feel your throat, you will notice that your larynx is forced upward. That will reduce the distance that the sound travels and cause you to lose voice quality. So, it is important to both understand how your larynx works and practice relaxing your larynx muscles, if you want to be singing like a pro.

There is a technique called speech level singing, which can help you learn larynx control. It helps you to train your voice to be less tense and more relaxed. Your tone will gradually become richer and you will be able to sing better than ever before.

The bottom line is that your larynx is an important part of your body, especially if you want to sing better. So, learn to control your larynx muscles and you’ll be singing like a pro in no time at all!

Author: Wincent Loh

Today, music is bigger than ever! Making it big in the music business or even being in the spotlight is more attainable than ever before. With American Idol and other competition shows begging for your participation, this country has finally come up with a unique way to bring forth dozens of talented people into the limelight.

So what does this have to do with CDs? Well, not everyone can be selected for American Idol. Just because you don’t win a spot on the show, doesn’t mean you don’t have talent. There are many ways to exploit your music and vocal ability. If competition shows aren’t your cup of tea, then making a CD is the next best thing in showing off your talent to the public.

Of course, the first process is to record your music. In the past, recording studios used to be so darn expensive that you nearly had to take out a loan to get your project done. But now with all the new technology for home studios and hungry studio owners, you can get your music recorded at reasonable prices.

Once your master CD is recorded and ready to go, your next move is to check out CD duplication companies. With all the different avenues for getting duplication, this may be harder than you think. Looking for CD quotes on the internet is a grueling, time consuming and sometimes a confusing ordeal. Bargain shopping and finding a good deal with top quality, just doesn’t happen in a day.

For most new bands, they start off their advertising campaign by giving away their CDs to everyone they know. They generally choose 5 or 6 tunes and make a demo CD that is sometimes referred to as a pre-release "EP". The most economical way to make this type of CD is to buy a "fast demo pack" or "promotional CD". This consists of a silver CDR with black thermal printing on the face, slipped into a slim line jewel case. It’s an easy and economical way of putting your music out there, without breaking the bank. Handing out the promo when your band plays at different venues helps introduce your music and gets the word out.

After your demo is exposed, you may want to create what the music industry calls a "Retail Ready" CD. This is the real deal that can make you money. This CD consists of your artwork, maybe even your picture or your band’s picture placed on the front cover of your CD with a detailed song list on the back. You see this form of packaging mostly in music stores or wherever you buy music CDs. Once you have a real professional CD in hand, you can sell your product at live gigs, on amazon.com and many other places on the internet or on your website.

So what do I look for in a CD duplication company? Well, first off, you need to know that the duplication process is about the same no matter who does the work. The only thing you may want to make sure of is that the duplicators have the ability to verify errors on CDs. This feature can detect any scratches, flaws or imperfections prior to being duplicated. So listen closely to your CD. Make sure your master is free of any pops or unfamiliar sounds to avoid making a bunch of bad copies. If you give a bad master to a company to duplicate, chances are you will probably be stuck with a batch of defective copies.

Of course, your artwork is certainly more subjective. The cost for your artwork can fluctuate in price depending on the company. A lot of companies may have a rate sheet on their website for Retail Ready prices. So you’ll have to do a lot of digging. If you are looking for a person to design the front cover of your CD, don’t assume that paying a high price means better quality. Remember, you can always ask for a "proof" after the design is done and see for yourself if that is the right company for you. Some companies might charge for printing a proof, but it may be worth it. Don’t disregard companies that are more affordable, thinking that the quality of the work is sub par. Their work could be great, while you save tons of money.

So, do your research to find the best deals out there. Once you find the company that’s right for you, it becomes real easy to do another run of CD’s or get through a new project with very little hassle or questions.

If you want to learn how to sing better, the key lies with larynx control. If you can learn to control your larynx, you will be singing like a pro in no time. Larynx control will help you improve the range and quality of your singing voice.

Your larynx, also known as a voice box, is a group of ligaments, muscles and cartilage in your throat. It is responsible for making your voice sound the way it does. If you want to be singing like a pro, you need to understand larynx position.

As you use your voices, your larynx moves up and down. That is why some people sound clear and crisp and others make a sort of nasal sound when they sing. It is all in the larynx control. If you want a better singing voice, you need to learn to keep your larynx in the best position. What is the best position? Well, your voice will sound best if you keep your larynx centered.

The problem is that, when you sing, the muscles which are in charge of raising and lowering your larynx have trouble relaxing. So, particularly if you are trying to sing high notes, your tone will suffer.

To begin learning how to sing better, you first need to learn some larynx control exercises. Start by yawning intentionally while resting your finger on your adams apple, the uppermost of two small notches on your throat. As you let the air out when you yawn, say "Ahhhhhh!" You should notice that your throat feels relaxed, your tone is richer and you can feel your larynx being gently pulled down. By doing that, you are actually going to cause sound to have to travel a greater distance. The extra distance helps to amplify the sound waves and give you a better singing voice.

If, on the other hand, you were to say the word "nay" in a nasal tone of voice and feel your throat, you will notice that your larynx is forced upward. That will reduce the distance that the sound travels and cause you to lose voice quality. So, it is important to both understand how your larynx works and practice relaxing your larynx muscles, if you want to be singing like a pro.

There is a technique called speech level singing, which can help you learn larynx control. It helps you to train your voice to be less tense and more relaxed. Your tone will gradually become richer and you will be able to sing better than ever before.

The bottom line is that your larynx is an important part of your body, especially if you want to sing better. So, learn to control your larynx muscles and you'll be singing like a pro in no time at all!

About Author:
Wincent Loh - Learn how to sing better like a Pro at http://www.singinglikepro.com

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American Idol is unquestionably the greatest marketing (and money making) machine in the history of the music industry. Their uncanny ability to position, promote, and transform obscure talent into household names before they record or release a single, is unparalleled and unprecedented. Some hate the show, others love it, but everyone has an opinion about it. With the American Idol 5 tour grossing 35.2 million dollars in only 59 dates and the Nielsen ratings for the debut of the sixth season coming in at a whopping 37 million viewers, it's more than just a show; it's a franchise with a show - and the show is a runaway hit with no signs of slowing down.

This article sheds light on five invaluable lessons that are imparted upon music artists who watch the show with dreams of one day becoming a commercial music success, or the next American Idol.

5.) MAINTAIN UNDERDOG STATUS. Taking tons of voice lessons, having a previous record deal, a famous family member, or great looks should be downplayed. America loves to root for the underdog in general - and on this show in particular. The show's viewers recognize that there's a thin line between confidence and cockiness. Chris Daughtry (season five contestant) crossed that line and walked into a brick wall of humility and exited from the show wearing a genuine expression of shock and dismay on his face that was perfectly captured by the cameras and re-played constantly by the media. Lesson learned: The minute you display cockiness, people pick up on it and are less willing to help you.

4.) USE THE FEEDBACK. Simon, Randy and Paula provide "constructive feedback" to contestants after every performance for the purpose of correcting flaws and improving future performances. Some use it. Some don't. Every American Idol winner does. This feedback (as entertaining or critical as it can be) often proves to be the tipping point for contestants on the edge like Elliott Yamin, who was advised to loosen up. Had he taken heed to that advice, the American Idol title would not have eluded the competition's best male vocalist of season five. Lesson learned: Use the advice offered by those with experience to your advantage.

3.) BE HUMBLE. Justin Guarini (a crowd favorite among the show's coveted female viewers) fell from grace and front-runner status in the first season during an egotistical exchange with Simon Cowell (while he was getting constructive feedback) in which he pronounced, "I don't care what you think...they like me," he said, pointing to the crowd and being rooted on by their cheers. "That's all that matters." He apologized the next week...but it was a mistake that would haunt him and inevitably cost him what appeared to be a certain victory. With one ill-timed (and ill-advised) exchange, he displayed cockiness and arrogance, which allowed Kelly Clarkson to surge from behind and clinch the victory. Lesson learned: Don't cheer for yourself; let the voters do it for you.

2.) BE LIKEABLE. Taylor Hicks (winner of season five), ingratiated himself with his animated personality and off-beat dancing. The light-hearted sassiness of Fantasia (winner of season three), the mild-mannered southern charm of Ruben Studdard (season two winner), and the wholesomeness of Carrie Underwood (winner of season four), exemplify the endearing qualities that American Idol viewers relate to and vote for. Lesson learned: We are motivated to do things for those we like - voting is just one of them.

1.) CHOOSE THE RIGHT SONGS. Ruben Studdard did a masterful job of choosing songs that not only showcased his vocal talents and strengths, but also his versatility. His rendition of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" distanced him from the pack and assured his victory. Fanatasia's rendition of "Summertime" assured her of a record deal, and Kelly Clarkson's courageous cover of Aretha Franklin's "Natural Woman," helped to position her as a true vocalist. In each scenario, the consistent selection of the right song and its perfect marriage with the singers' voice, vocal range, and performance skill, proved to be the winning formula for American Idol winners, and it's also the formula for a successful career as a commercial recording artist.