German · Tips

8 Quick Tips For Your Band Website

  1. Be up to date-Nobody wants to read things you posted two years ago

    -Keep your readers up to date about gigs, tour dates and CD releases

  2. Relevant information-Readers visit your website because they want relevant information

    -A website is not a diary

  3. Contact information-You should give your readers the possibility to conctact you

    -Also useful for business enquiries

  4. Photos for journalists and bloggers-Offer photos for journalists and bloggers

    -This makes it easier for them to promote you

  5. Sharing function-A sharing function is very useful, because readers can share your website, a special post or a song with their communities

    -This might help you to get new readers

  6. Videos -Let your readers watch your newest music videos

    -This is entertaining and – if they share the videos – a very good promotion for you

  7. Newsletter-Offer a newsletter to inform your readers about new posts, videos or events
  8. Design and usability-Don’t overload the website

    -Keep it user-friendly

    -Design is a matter of taste but the usability should be good and easy

    What are your tips?

by Sara Shirazi

English · Interviews

Interview with Chalam

Music2Deal: Chalam, you are actually a painter and a doctor. How come you are now writing songs?

Chalam: I continue to be both.My journey as a songwriter has just begun,it just happened. Words have become my best friends.

Music2Deal: Where do you get your ideas from? What inspires you?

Chalam: I generate ideas with intent, sometimes unintentionally.I do believe my subconscious mind works when I am at work,when asleep.The human mind is a marvel,so full of ideas.All you need to do is tap.Inspiration?I draw inspiration from dawn and dusk,cloud and rain,joy and tear,voice and whisper,birth and death,trust and betrayal and life around me.

Music2Deal: Can you tell us something about the collaborations you already had?

Chalam: I collaborate with professionals who believe in team work.To name a few,I have had the pleasure of working with and for Raylan Cooper,Jurgen Geyer,Michael Keintzel,Oliver Kramer,Burak Celic,Viola Scheer,Manuela Rauser,Rolf Christl,Kai Fiefstuck;all members of music2deal.I work with other friends from far reaches of this small planet.

Music2Deal: What are your future plans concerning to music?

Chalam: Plans?”Any idea, plan,or purpose may be placed in the mind through repetition of thought.”

-Napoleon Hill. One more idea,one more song,several re-writes and fine tuning.I repeat this thought several times every day and sit down to write.It’s about endless enjoyable hours to leave behind a song or two of worth for fellow travelers.

Music2Deal: Is there something you would criticize about the music industry? Which changes would need to be done to improve the situation?

Chalam: Criticism?I happen to be a healthy critic.Good communication and patience can do wonders for collaborators.It’s pretty sad to notice some professionals do not value both. Friends,open out, reach out.Join hands to make great songs “together.”

Listen to Chalams songs here.

by Sara Shirazi

English · Tips

How free hosts can help you working on your music with people around the globe

Music2Deal is a platform for producers, songwriters and artists around the world. But what happens if you decide to record a song with somebody who lives at the back of beyond? I would like to present you some platforms and possibilities which make it easier to exchange big music files.

1. Dropbox

Dropbox is a very easy and effective way to share and exchange your files with others. It is a free service and non of your files will ever be lost, even if your laptop is totally damaged.
You can work from any computer, no matter where in the world you are and this makes it very easy to work on a song with others.

Pros: It’s free; 2GB free storage space; easy and quick

Cons: You need to register as a user

www.dropbox.com

2. File-Upload

File-Upload is a free service. After a quick registration you will have access to unlimited storage space. If you don’t want to register as a user, you will only be able to upload 200 MB per upload.

Pros: Unlimited storage space; it’s free

Cons: You need to register as a user if you want to use the unlimited storage space

www.file-upload.net

3. Rapidshare

Rapidshare is a free hosting platform. You need to register as a user to use the service. One negative aspect is that your files will be deleted after 30 days.

Pros: It’s free; no upload limit

Cons: You need to register as a user; your files will be deleted after 30 days

www.rapidshare.com

Other free hosts you can use:

-mediafire.com
-4shared.com
-mongofiles.com
-hotfile.com
-filefactory.com
-gigasize.com

If you know other good hosts, feel free to let us know!

by Sara Shirazi