Digital Music News posted an overheard at CMJ 2010 round up for musicians and the advice tallied a whopping 40 tips!

They’re all good and worth a read. But if you’ve read The New Rockstar Philosophy Book, or have been stopping by the website, then some of the tips maybe old news. But below are some things that we all need reminding of.

(10) After the show, the time to connect with fans is the next day – not a week later (Hogarth).

An email list is not something new, but connecting right away is key to the whole process of converting a jazzed fan to a real fan. The next day after your awesome show you will be fresh in their memory. A simple thanks for coming out can do wonders.

(25) It takes about 7 years to get a substantial amount of traction. “It takes forever.” (Hyatt)

Perhaps there should be a religion devoted to those who follow Malcolm Gladwell. We would be called Gladwellians and all have ridiculous hair cuts. The guy said 10,000 hours. The Beatles got to that milestone within a 2 year period in Hamburg, for most bands that tour, jam, and record together casually, that 10,000 hours could come of the course of 7 years. If they stick together that is.

(31) There’s more value in super-serving a specific niche or scene. That goes for the broader, hit-driven approaches of old.  “If you’re a generalist, you’ll have a tougher time.” (Chenfeld)

Animal Collective anyone? A niche in the begging and the standard now. They didn’t pander, they didn’t change, they just kept making there music. Strange to some, but beloved by AC fans. Now after they’ve been praised as game changers the mainstream has caught on (kinda). If you try and please everyone you’ll end up pleasing no one. Stay niche-y.

(33) If you’re going to create a persona, then you need to own it. Otherwise, they’ll know it’s a sham – so be yourself, be your persona, but don’t waffle in between. (Jeffrey Rabhan, Trifecta Consulting)

Lady Gaga had a product placement deal with Wonder Bread. No one cared. She is Lady Gaga a creation of her own making. Not super original, but original in for its time. People believe it, try and discredit it, but she stays firm. But seriously Wonder Bread. Yeah that’s my sellout line. But I’m not her fan base, going back to the earlier point about niche. Her niche doesn’t care, so neither should she.

(39) If you can write a hit, you can still get rich (Ron Perry, Songs Music Publishing).

Fuck You, Billionaire, other pop nuggets, and Bruno Mars drug arrest prove this point time and time again. People will buy music, money is still being made, talk of this industry’s death was greatly exaggerated.

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