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Friday, November 22, 2013
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Thursday, October 3, 2013
How to Create an Online Presence
How to Create an Online Presence
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INCREDIBLE RESOURCES:
From the blog: http://sarahpopejoy.com/musicians_empowered/
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
How to Make An Amazing Electronic Press Kit EPK
CLICK HERE FOR THE EMPOWER NETWORK BLOG BEAST:
http://www.blogbeast.com/?id=americansongbird
Monday, September 30, 2013
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
Timing is Everything
In a few days, October 11th, 2013, Empower Network is going to be releasing a blog platform called the BlogBeast. Right now there is a wave of momentum that is being created because of this and timing is everything. If you are a musician or business owner, there is no better timing than right now to get all in. In a few days you'll be able to market your music/business for little money and maximum impact. Unlike other systems that are currently being used, (and I've used most of them) you will be able to quickly connect with your listeners and target market from you're mobile phone. This launch I believe will be the biggest impact on musicians since twitter. But the great thing about this platform, you'll be able to connect in a much more engaging way than twitter. For a much smaller percentage than you spend on things like Reverbnation, Sonicbids, and Press Kits, musicians are going to be able to create a greater reach and more professional presence than the current platforms we have available. I've created a youtube video and a link below that youtube video that will show you how to be a part of this great opportunity to get your music or business out there and really finally get heard. Timing is everything so don't miss out on this amazing opportunity. Because waiting on the sidelines, may cost you really breaking free and getting to the next level!
Timing is Everything
Hope to See You There!
Sarah, Timing is Everything
Timing is Everything: GET IN NOW
Thursday, September 26, 2013
MUSICIANS: THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED BY
MUSICIANS, THE REAL STORY BEHIND THE SONG
Being a musician can be rough at times. Sure it's a blast performing and creating. I mean, they call it a "gift". What a lot of people don't see though is the ugly road taken that musicians take to find their way. Sometimes that includes spending all your hard earned money to make a cd that never recoups. Sometimes it includes sleeping in your car to get that one last gig in and save on the hotel room, or staying up until three in the morning to send hundreds of press kits out the next day. It may include knocking on doors and having people tell you you suck, when they've never even heard your music. Or even driving 10 hours to play to a room with 5 people in it. Yeah, being a musician is definitely not for the timid of heart, and I have no doubt that there are those with even worse war stories than that. It's not like becoming a doctor where you have the road laid out in front you, and you either pass or fail. No being a musician is much, much different. There are suggestions, but no sure signs. And you are never really sure if you ever pass or fail because, other then getting a record contract, (which you soon find out could still be failing), there are no clear road markers. There are really only two types of musicians. The ones who keep plugging away and doing it and those who go home and quit. The only other distinction is who makes a full time living at it, but even that changes from season to season for some. I don't have all the answers, but the one thing I've learned is that as long as you're playing and getting your stuff out there, you are a musician. And so my goal here with these notes I've been writing is to encourage musicians as much as I can, and everyday if possible. Because, Lord knows, that we need it. And my other goal is to help give you the tools you need to be a better musician and get your stuff heard!
Hey Musicians, Check out these sites for some awesome tools:
Musicians be empowered!
Sarah, EASY MONEY
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
- Robert Frost
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
- Robert Frost
https://www.empowernetwork.com/americansongbird/?p=159
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
A NEW AND COST EFFECTIVE WAY TO PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC
MUSICIANS COPY AND PASTE THIS LINK: http://blogbeast.com/?id=americansongbird
Monday, September 23, 2013
HOW TO WRITE GREAT LYRICS
How to Write Great Lyrics
Definition of Lyrics
Wikipedia defines lyrics as "a set of words that make up a song, usually consisting of verses and choruses."
How to Write Great Lyrics
There are six things that I believe helps make good lyrics great. Whether just putting together a story or writing straight from your creative brain these will help bring your lyrics up a notch.
1. Senses - Try to use all five senses when writing lyrics.
§ Sight
§ Sound
§ Touch
§ Hear
§ Smell
Mary Chapin Carpenter "I am a Town"
2. Slant Rhyme - By using slant rhymes in conjunction with other rhymes you can really open up the vocabulary of your song and not be confined to straight rhymes. Dictionary.com defines a slant rhyme as a "rhyme in which either the vowels or the consonants of stressed syllables are identical, as in eyes, light; years, yours."
Nanci Griffith "Love at the Five and Dime"
3. Oxymoron - like before and after, empty and full. Using these in lyrics together can really catch the listener's ear.
Alanis Morissette "Hand in My Pocket"
4. Alliteration - Merriam Webster defines alliteration as "the repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words or syllables (as wild and woolly,threatening throngs)". This is a great ear catcher for your lyrics.
Ani Difranco "Buildings and Bridges"
5. Repetition -If done right repetition can create interest and help keep the listener's attention.
Lucinda Willimas "Are You Alright"
Patty Griffin "Every Little Bit"
6. Format of the Song - There are many types of formats to different songs. The most common is ABABCB and ABABB. But you can pretty much place a song in any type of format you want. The lyrics usually drives the format for me when I'm writing. Another fun tool is what's called an outro. It's kind of like a big finish to the song, or really it could be a small finish too, just depends on the song. You can also skip the chorus entirely. This works well when you've got your hook already in the verses.
§ A=Verse
§ B=Chorus
§ C=Bridge
Sheryl Crow "If it Makes You Happy" (outro)
Shawn Colvin "Poloroids" (no chorus)
7. Descriptive Color - Lyrics are much
§ Red - flaming, cherry, ruby, blood, crimson, burgundy, brick, cardinal, magenta, maroon, strawberry
§ Orange - apricot, peach, beige, tangerine, sun
§ Yellow - lemon, golden, canary, blond, amber, chrome, sand, cream, gold
§ Green - forest, kelly, irish, spring, olive, chartreuse, peacock, lime, grass, jade, emerald
§ Blue - navy, indigo, cobalt, sky, marine, aqua, royal, sapphire, teal, turquoise, azure
§ Purple - violet, grape, mulberry, lavender, lilac, mauve, plum, wine, orhid, amethyst
§ White - ghost, pale, lily, ivory, milky, snow, frost, chalky, alabaster, bleached, achromatic, transparent, pasty
§ Black - grey, ash, charcoal, coal, ebony, raven, slate, onyx, jet, sooty, shadowy, starless
§ Brown -tan, hazelnut, honey, mocha, caramel, carmel, camel, sienna, copper, bronze, terra cotta, burnt, rust, cinnamon
§ Pink - rose, blush, clay rose, roseate, flushed, salmon, flesh
Gillian Welch "I Dream a Highway"
Links to Find Lyrics
Music and Lyrics,
Sarah, "Wooden Chair"
HOW TO MAKE MONEY BLOGGING
How to Make Money Blogging
So you're wanting to know how to make money blogging. Maybe you love to write. Maybe you're looking for extra income, or want to market your current business. You've definitely come to the right place. I'm going to share secret strategies with you that will help take you to where you want to be.
How to Make Money Blogging - Sources of Income
There are three main ways people make money from blogging:
1.) Advertising - There are multiple ways to setting up advertising campaigns on your site. Google AdSense is one quick and easy way to set up a revenue system. The problem is you have to have a ton of traffic before seeing any money from them. Individual campaigns with other companies relative to your field may have an interest in advertising with you as well. Again, huge traffic is the key to getting companies to advertise with you.
2.) Product/Service Sales - By informing your market, you can become a strategic leader and go to person. This increases traffic and trust which of course can also increase sales. Wedding photographers are a great example of a blogging sales strategy. Brides come to their site to see their work and can make an informed decision to buy based off of past weddings.
3.) Referral Sales - There are many companies out there who will give you money by linking to their site if the link becomes a sale.
What's great is that these three types of revenue can be used simultaneously and create for you multiple streams of income from your blog site. Now that is how to make money blogging!
How to Make Money Blogging - Write a Great Blog
Four tips for writing a great blog
1.) Make Your Blog Personal - When you pretend to be someone you're not, people can see right through it. I believe that women have an extreme key sense in this department. Be the fun or crazy person that everybody else loves. People want to not just be informed, but they want to see your personality. It's what separates you from just another wikipedia post. It's also what will bring people back to see what else you have to say.
2.) Write About Your Passion - When you write about something you're passionate about it shows. Passion is what makes you put in extra hours and extra effort to make something great. And even the strongest discipline cannot recreate the power behind passion.
3.) Keep the Dialog Going With Your Audience - If someone leaves a comment, especially a polite one, tell them thank you! Show them that you care and that you do want to hear from them. This will help you create a loyal audience that loves you!
4.) Do Your Homework - To inform others you must be informed. Study your industry and your passion to give you're readers the most bang for their buck. This will help position you as a leader in your industry.
How to Make Money Blogging - Spread the Word
If nobody knows about your blog, nobody will know how great it is. Take the time to spread the word about your blog through social media and search links. Creating traffic is necessary for making money blogging. If you really want to make your blog a primary or additional revenue stream or just want to get your business out there then CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO lLINK NOW. http://socialmediabar.com/musiciansempowered
How to Make Money Blogging,
Sarah, Make Money Blogging
From Sarah's Blog, http://socialmediabar.com/howtomakemoremoneyblogging
Thursday, September 19, 2013
How to use Thunderclap Effectively
THUNDERCLAP ~ HOW TO USE IT EFFECTIVELY
So What is Thunderclap?
Thunderclap is a crowd-speaking platform that creates an amplification of your message through social media. You have a suggested number of days to reach your goal amount of supporters. For example 14 days to get 100 supporters. If you reach that goal within the allotted time. Then Thunderclap will send out a timed Facebook or Twitter post to create momentum so that all your supporters receive the post at the exact same time. The idea is that this will create greater awareness through the power of numbers.
Thunderclap Guidelines
Before you can send out a Thunderclap, it has to be approved. Follow the guidelines and you'll be on your way to reaching more people. Thunderclap is built to create awareness and change. There should be some kind of social cause, information, or just be geared toward benefiting others in some way. The example Thunderclap website gives is "from supporting the Violence Against Women Act to giving a shout-out to your city's basketball team." Your campaign should be beneficial in other ways than financial, therefore contests and giveaways are not accepted. And of course, (this should be a no-brainer) no foul or hateful language is accepted.
Thunderclap Categories
Book, Cause, Charity, Community, Creative, Digital Content, Education, Environment, Film, Health, Music, Other, Politics, Product, Publishing, Sports, Technology
How You Can Make Thunderclap Work For You
So since you can't directly promote your business there are other ways to make Thunderclap work for you. If your business is involved in a charity. Use your business's name and encourage people to support it with you. Lets say you are a songwriter and you are very passionate about domestic abuse and you have a song or two about the subject. Make a campaign pushing that song but with the focus on supporting that cause. Most everyone has something that they are passionate about. Take that passion and support it while creating your brand awareness.
After you create your campaign, post it to Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr then e-mail your list about your campaign. Be sure to push your campaign and reach your supporter goal or your scheduled shout out will not be released.
Organizations and Businesses Using Thunderclap
MUSICIANS EMPOWERED, ASCAP, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Micheal J. Fox
Be Amplified and ThunderClap,
Sarah, Sarah's Blog
References: Thunderclap
Other Articles on Thunderclap
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Don't watch this unless you're serious about making more money.
Don't watch this unless you're serious about making more money.
http://socialmediabar.com/musiciansempowered
Monday, September 16, 2013
TOP 100 SONGS IN COUNTRY MUSIC
TOP 100 SONGS IN COUNTRY MUSIC
This list of Top 100 Songs in Country Musicis compiled of the Top 100 Songs from the most famous Artists in Country Music along with one of their most popular hits of all time. The order of Top 100 Songs in Country Music is not in order of importance.
TOP 100 SONGS IN COUNTRY MUSIC
1. Carrie Underwood JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL *The first artist on Top 100 Songs in Country Music is Carrie Underwood. She first premiered as a season winner on American Idol. Her first album went double platinum and this hit single won a Grammy as Best Country Song of the Year.
2. Kenny Chesney BOYS OF FALL
3. Florida Georgia Line CRUISE
4. The Band Perry IF I DIE YOUNG
5. Luke Bryan I DON'T WANT THIS NIGHT TO END
6. Miranda Lambert KEROSENE
7. Taylor Swift WE ARE NEVER EVER GETTING BACK TOGETHER
8. Blake Shelton BOYS AROUND HERE
9. Lady Antebellum NEED YOU NOW
10. Sheryl Crow/Kidd Rock PICTURE
11. Big and Rich SAVE A HORSE RIDE A COWBOY
12. John Anderson STRAIGHT TEQUILA NIGHT
13. Nitty Gritty Dirt Band FISHIN' IN THE DARK
14. Garth Brooks THE DANCE
15. Trisha Yearwood THE SONG REMEMBERS WHEN
16. Tim McGraw IT'S YOUR LOVE
17. Alan Jackson CHATTAHOOCHEE
18. Hank Williams HEY GOOD LOOKING
19. Hank Williams Jr. FAMILY TRADITION
20. Dolly Parton I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU * The number 20 Top 100 Song in Country Music is "I Will Always Love You" by Dolly Parton. Before Whitney Houston belted out this chart busting hit, Dolly Parton sang this self written song about her affair with Porter Wagoner.
21. Patty Loveless BLAME IT ON YOUR HEART
22. Suzy Bogguss ACES
23. Patsy Cline CRAZY * This song was one of Patsy Cline's biggest hits and was a must for the Top 100 Songs in Country Music. Written by Willie Nelson, Crazy was sung by her friend Loretta Lynn when she was sick in the hospital at Ernest Tubb's Record Shop in Nashville.
24. Loretta Lynn COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER
25. Willie Nelson MY HEROES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN COWBOYS
26. Kenny Rogers THE GAMBLER
27. Brooks and Dunn BOOT SCOOTIN' BOOGIE
28. George Jones HE STOPPED LOVING HER TODAY
29. Geroge Strait THE CHAIR
30. Aaron Tippin YOU'VE GOT STAND FOR SOMETHING
31. Pam Tillis MAYBE IT WAS MEMPHIS
32. Gretchen Wilson REDNECK WOMAN
33. Gretchen Peters ON A BUS TO SAINT CLOUD
34. Alabama SONG OF THE SOUTH
35. Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys SAN ANTONIO ROSE
36. The Judds GRANDPA
37. Wynonna Judd NO ONE ELSE ON EARTH
38. Randy Travis FOREVER AND EVER AMEN
39. Reba McEntire FANCY
40. Holy Dunn DADDY'S HANDS
41. John Micheal Montgomery I SWEAR
42. Merle Haggard OKIE FROM MUSKOGEE
43. Johnny Cash RING OF FIRE * The man in black is an obvious choice for the Top 100 Songs in Country Music list. His fan base just keeps growing as time goes on. In 2005 a blockbuster movie called "Walk the Line" was released starring Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash.
44. Rosanne Cash SEVEN YEAR ACHE
45. Chris Christopherson HELP ME MAKE IT THROUGH THE NIGHT
46. Billy Ray Cyrus ACHY BREAKY HEART
47. Vince Gill WHEN I CALL YOUR NAME
48. Forester Sisters MIDNIGHT GIRL IN A SUNSET TOWN
49. Crystal Gale DON'T IT MAKE MY BROWN EYES BLUE
50. Don Williams I BELIEVE IN YOU
51. Jason Aldean HICKTOWN
52. Linda Rhondstant IT'S SO EASY
53. Terri Clark BETTER THINGS TO DO
54. Buck Owens TIGER BY THE TAIL
55. Sara Evans I COULD NOT ASK FOR MORE
56. Dierks Bentley LOT OF LEAVIN' LEFT TO DO
57. Leann Womack I HOPE YOU DANCE
58. Keith Witley DON'T CLOSE YOUR EYES
59. Allison Krauss WHEN YOU SAY NOTHING AT ALL
60. Darius Rucker WAGON WHEEL (ROCK ME MAMA)
61. LeAnn Rimes BLUE *This song which was rumoured to be written for Patsy Cline had only one other person who could pull off this crooning song, LeAnn Rimes. With incredible vocal ability at the age of 13, LeAnn Rimes stole our hearts with the song which is why it made it to the Top 100 Songs in Country Music. Amazing!
62. Clint Black KILLIN' TIME
63. Charlie Daniels THE DEVIL WENT DOWN TO GEORGIA
64. Trio TO KNOW HIM IS TO LOVE HIM
65. Shania Twain FROM THIS MOMENT
66. Glen Campbell RHINESTONE COWBOY
67. Sunny Sweeney FROM A TABLE AWAY
68. Tanya Tucker TWO SPARROWS IN A HURRICANE
69. Anna Kendrick CUPS
70. Lucinda Williams CAR WHEELS ON A GRAVEL ROAD
71. Blackhawk EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE
72. Hal Ketchum SMALL TOWN SATURDAY NIGHT
73. Doug Stone IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT
74. Trace Atkins ARLINGTON
75. Lori Morgan I GUESS YOU HAD TO BE THERE
76. Travis Tritt HERE'S A QUARTER CALL SOMEONE WHO CARES
77. Diamond Rio MEET IN THE MIDDLE
78. Mary Chapin Carpenter I FEEL LUCKY
79. Keith Urban SOMEBODY LIKE YOU
80. Toby Keith SHOULD'VE BEEN A COWBOY
81. Raskel Flatts GOD BLESS THE BROKEN ROAD
82. Martina McBride INDEPENDENCE DAY
83. Dixie Chicks WIDE OPEN SPACES
84. Tr acy Lawerence TIME MARCHES ON
85. Lone Star AMAZED
86. Ricky Van Shelton KEEP IT BETWEEN THE LINES
87. Paul Overstreet MY FATHER IN ME
88. Highway 101 WHISKEY, IF YOU WERE A WOMAN
89. Tammy Wynette D.I.V.O.R.C.E.
90. Eddie Rabbit I LOVE A RAINY NIGHT
91. Charlie Pride KISS AN ANGEL GOOD MORNING
92. Little Texas GOD BLESSED TEXAS
93. KT Oslin 80's LADIES
94. Waylon Jennings LUCKENBACH, TEXAS
95. Chely Wright SINGLE WHITE FEMALE
96. KD Lang and Roy Orbison CRYING
97. Deanna Carter STRAWBERRY WINE
98. Juice Newton ANGEL OF THE MORNING
99. Kathy Mattea WHERE'VE YOU BEEN
100.. Mel McDaniel LOUISIANA SATURDAY NIGHT
Well I hope you enjoyed this Top 100 Songs in Country Music list and found some new music to listen to as well! Look for more song lists to come!
Sarah Popejoy, WOODEN CHAIR
http://www.sarahpopejoy.com/musicians_empowered/top_100_songs_in_country_music/
The Power of Decision
One of the most powerful and greatest gifts we've been given as human beings is the ability to make decisions. Many times it is described as "our will". Every moment of our lives has consequently been effected by the decisions we make. And although we can be effected by the decisions of others for a moment in time, these are of less value than the decisions we make for ourselves. You can either let this become a frustration in your life or let it empower you. Imagine this moment, right now envisioning the person you want to become. What does that look like? Would you be more loving? Would your wallet be a little more padded? Would you spend more time with your loved ones? Would you worry less? Now that you see that person, your improved self, you have an opportunity to become that person right now! How? Simply by the act of decision. Let your mind, God, and life itself find a pathway. Your job is the act of decision. Decide this very minute that nothing is going to stop you from being the person you long to become. Know that by changing and improving yourself you are changing and improving your world around you. Then decide every minute, every hour, every day to be that person. One of my greatest decisions I've ever made was to ask Christ into my heart and deciding to follow him. And although receiving his blessings was an initial commitment to Him, it is still a daily decision to follow Him. So what are you going to decide today?
Decide Today,
Sarah Popejoy
http://www.empowernetwork.com/almostasecret.php?id=americansongbird
- See more at: http://www.sarahpopejoy.com/musicians_empowered/the_power_of_decision
Friday, June 28, 2013
The Importance of Song Lyrics and their Meaning at the Wedding
As a songwriter, over the years, I've learned that every listener is different. Some like songs with great beats and some like songs with great lyrics. So I find that those who are not use to putting importance on what a song says, but the beat, have a harder time telling you what a song is about and the meaning behind the lyrics. In a wedding lyrics and meaning are very important. Sometimes a song that sounds like a love song is not really one or may say things that are not really telling the story of your love song. For example, I love Adele's remake of "To Make You Feel My Love". But if you listen to the lyrics there is a line that says, "I know you really haven't made your mind up yet.", may not be where you want to be headed for the first song. Now if you already had your heart set on this song don't let this change your mind, because you already have your own meaning for the song. But those who are still putting together the set lists, especially for those pivotal songs (First Dance, Father Daughter, etc.), pay attention to what those songs are really saying. ~ Sarah Popejoy, AmericanSongbird.org
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