It’s a start of a new year…and while we all like to make our little resolutions and what not, in addition to that, I thought I’d share with you what I though was a killer approach to recharging and starting anew.

This article on Zen Habits really spoke to me…check it out here.

Not sure I’m brave enough to implement all of these, but I’m gonna give a lot of them a try…need to cut out the clutter a bit and refocus on the tasks at hand.  There’s far too many distractions in my hand at any given moment that can eat up my time and be wildly unfulfilling.

Instagram is my current fascination, but Facebook can occupy it’s hold as well.  Email is a constant distraction and never ending it seems…

Clearing your plate and starting anew is a good thing to do from time to time…and no time like the present…

What are some of the things that pull you away in unhealthy ways these days?

Class starts Monday June 25th, sign up here.

I urge you to spend a moment with it, you can do so here.

In it he touches on the balance between the desires of being an artist as it relates to today’s modern music industry.

Would love the hear your thoughts and perspectives on this as music marketers.

Do you believe in the power of sharing (or giving away) music in exchange for the opportunity to cultivate a longer relationship?

Or is the need to continue to monetize in the moment more important to you.

This week’s episode with Scott Rodger is stellar….check it out here

These deals are being done with the labels…who only have their own interests in mind.  The artists are left to pick up what little piece of the pie that’s left based on, quite often, not so artist friendly deals cut with said labels.  Don’t get me wrong, I feel for the labels and their need to find ways to make up lost revenue from CD and download sales, but until there’s more equality in how the label shares this sort of revenue (streaming) with their artists, it’s a mirror of what’s happened to artists time and time again in the past.

All that said, the benefit for artists comes in the opportunity for potential new fans to come into your world, to sign up to your email list or attend a show, so there’s a benefit even if it comes at a lost sale.

In the end, the fan will consume based on what their natural habits develop into.  If that’s buying the CD at a store or a show, that’s great.  But if it’s simply a casual first listen on Spotify, that grows into an uber fan over time, that’s a huge win for the artist (and anyone involved with them).

While it started by outlining the historical paper and touching upon the impact that it’s had over the years, it quickly shifted focus and began to poise the question of how “traditional media” tackles the undeniable power of “new media” in this day and age.  As it unfolded, I couldn’t help but think of how the struggles of the printed world (be it a newspaper or book publisher) parallel the record industry.  At the heart of it, the user or consumer will make the ultimate choice, and based on that choice, the industry will have to adapt and respond to the changes that come with those choices.  I just hope, that regardless of where technology takes us in the future, we don’t loose sight of the need to have some level of professionalism and filters involved in that process.  Hopefully there’s a business model that can be supported within it as well.  That’s where the true challenge lies.  Go watch the film and let me know what you think.