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some meandering thoughts...useful??

Israfel	Date: March 30, 2007 @ 9:07 PM Thoughts on DM Dm has long been a great community and a great place for musicians of all levels of talent to upload and get feedback on their music. Given the fact that most of the musicians on DM seem to be those who make music for the sheer love of making it, it might make sense to try to define what DM is all about and enhance it's scope. DM could have a great impact on those artists using the site if it was to offer some opportunity for growth and learning about all aspects of music. Recently, there has been some talk in the forums about having a DM chatroom. While I appreciate that DM members would be able to chat easier in a chat room than by using their shout boxes or note system, it would be a shame to let the opportunity to use a chat room for some higher purpose go to waste. DM might consider enticing interested professionals and/or experts in certain instruments, recording gear, production techniques, song writing, vocal training, etc. to come and have a live, monitored chat with members who are interested in learning more about whatever area of expertise is being talked about. The chats would have to be time limited and scheduled, of course, but I think it would be a great feature to see at DM. We laugh sometimes at the number of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" covers there may be here at DM, but, when you think about it, a young musicians first try at something should be applauded and their talent nurtured. Naturally, we can't compare that to a finished piece by a more accomplished aritst but since there is no discernable way to target the young learners from the more seasoned artist, DM could create a "tier" of features that would give each group something that would entice them to join DM and allow them to get something back. Not that DM doesn't have a lot to offer right now but I mean something even more present on the site which could go a long way to keeping the music in the forefront of DM. For example, for the more seasoned artist, promotion of their music outside of DM may be important. If DM could reach an agreement with an online independent radio entity with a good fan base maybe then it would be able to offer seasoned artists the opportunity to submit a song to a panel of listeners who would determine by consensus which song would be submitted for airplay. Using a panel of listeners and not just general public comments or votes would make the competition for the airplay more difficult to achieve and make it have more significance than the usual listener comments. The panel could be comprised of a select group of current subscribers or admins or outside interested parties. There could be a radio link on DM that would play the submitted songs so the general listeners could hear what artists have submitted and what songs are in the running. Linking the promotion to the performer and back to DM would mean good publicity for both! For someone just starting out, DM could create a mentoring program. For example, a new artist, just a learner, could sign up for a DM program stating what instrument or gear they are learning. If a seasoned artist was willing to "take them on" so to speak, the two could then work together with the young learner sharing files of their work or pratice sessions and get valuable tips from the seasoned artist based on what he or she hears. Participation in the program could be based on 1. subscriber status and 2. the number and diversity of seasoned artists who would be willing to take some time to listen. There would have to be some commitment on both artist's part. But, it could work and it would make new young first timers feel more welcome and let them learn from people who are out there making music on a daily basis. It could also be time limited...say, they share three files or it lasts only 90 days. That way no one would have to commit for too long of a time. Of course the artists here could do this on their own but if DM set up the mentoring program and promoted it as a feature, it could also entice people to come and subscribe. Can you imagine a new learner, just learning the first chorus of some song, and getting valuable advice and how to's from, say, Gene Hilbert? That would be great! My last thought is about the contests held here on DM. Quirk and Cover Contest aside, DM should have an official annual DM awards each year. I know that it is a ton of work but people get really excited about it and it does so much to further bring the community together. And it gets a lot of people listening to genres they would not listen to otherwise because if they want to vote they have to listen to the nominated songs. It's important that artists time and talent are recognized and it is a nice thing to have the website you use for your music recognize that as well. Maybe the nominated artists could get a badge on their page stating they were nominated and the winners could get a winner badge so that anyone visiting their pages would see it and know that 1. this artist was worthy of a nomination or win and 2. DM recognizes their achievement. The awards should be held at the same time every year and a big deal should be made out of it on the main page. People just coming to the site see that and it lets them know right away what kind of place the DM community is. A good thing! These are just some ideas I had. Thought I would share them for what their worth!
HenriRoger	Date: March 30, 2007 @ 9:19 PM Very interesting ideas
moam	Date: March 30, 2007 @ 11:02 PM Definitely great ideas If these were possible, we'd have a perfect DMusic The way I see it, nothing is impossible...but arranging people to coach people through music and stuff would be a lot of work, not sure who would be up for the challenge But I definitely support what you're saying.
ShadowMom	Date: March 30, 2007 @ 11:15 PM Great ideas.... but we would need volunteers willing to give their time. Even a simple contest like the Quirks was a lot of work for two people... and we need people to step forward and say they will. Therein lies the rub, as they say.
evansorchid	Date: March 30, 2007 @ 11:33 PM I don't even wanna ask what the catalyst for this was.
ShadowMom	Date: March 30, 2007 @ 11:37 PM If you stand still, you will get left behind? Evolution is a wonderful thing-- scary, but wonderful. I like the way she thinks. And if I have to beat the bushes for volunteers, I know where you are...
Israfel	Date: March 30, 2007 @ 11:37 PM There was no catalyst. I was just thinking. Always a dangerous thing! haha! And, yes, of course, none of this would be easy and it would take people and time. But it would be a way to bring music and the love of making music and the strength of this community to the forefront. That's all. Like I said, meandering thoughts... And I know that there were plently of people who were willing to volunteer to count votes and be responsible for the different categories for the Awards. My point was that it should be more organized from the management side of things too...and promoted in a way that rises it above the other fun contests we have here. Give it a little back bone, so to speak.
ShadowMom	Date: March 31, 2007 @ 12:39 AM I particularly like the mentoring idea. It would be a great idea to introduce some of our seasoned veterans to the neophytes. Teaching is also learning. And it would help the n00bies get acquainted with our site and the protocol involved in becoming a member of the family, not just a name on the site.
DaveWL	Date: March 31, 2007 @ 2:57 AM My feeling is that the beauty of DMusic is that it has been a perfect balance between being a social site and a music site. This sounds a bit like saying we can’t really compete with the other more sexier social sites anymore so we will go the music way. It’s not a bad idea to define or maybe redefine DMusic in this way if it gives us some focus and more importantly an edge. My feeling though is that to date DM’s best musical achievements have been it’s artists output and particularly collaborations. However the musical forums have never really come to life. The really good insightful musical discussions come around once in a blue moon and for me that is the biggest single pointer to how tricky this change in focus would be. But I’m all for the music and for DMusic surviving, so give it a go.
GTOriginal	Date: March 31, 2007 @ 1:05 PM Seems like a few decent ideas here. All musical artists are different. Myself, I just like to share my little tunes and hang out, but if I were just starting out I would be very excited about the "mentoring" idea. Big commitments involved in something like that I guess. If I were trying to start a musical career, I would be excited about any idea that involves radio airplay & exposure as well. Far as contests go, I would love to see some type of regulated & structured contest - I am not much of a competitive person where music is concerned, but would definately be involved in that and would certainly give up my time as a volunteer if needed on any of it, no bush beating required (unless it's the president and I get to do the beating). Good ideas & thread.
GTOriginal	Date: April 1, 2007 @ 12:22 AM Oh hey here's something. I would like to see artist compilation CD's every so often, like every year or 2. Would be a cool way to keep a history of the D-Music.
Rodrica	Date: April 2, 2007 @ 5:50 AM I think more promotional activity outside DMusic for artists is a great idea Radio Selection for external radio play would, in all fairness, have to be by the radio station themselves. Any selection process which includes DM subscribers and/or admins is likely to raise the same problems we've had regarding the selection process in the past. It would have to be neutral and unrelated to DM members. Could we obtain an agreement with a terrestrial station? In marketing terms, for an artist to have been played on terrestrial radio will often carry more weight and credibility than being on an internet radio station (sorry folks, but this is a fact). This is a real "must have" for your promotional portfolio. There are a number of terrestrial indies out there (I know of one in Australia who kindly played my music a few years back). Mentoring If I need advice, I currently just note the person concerned - so it kind of exists on a voluntary basis already, which is great! Mentoring however, would involve a lot of commitment on both sides. And we must also remember that some members here teach music for a living - I just want to make sure nobody feels pressured into giving free advice, or that they feel they are being forced to lose revenue from potential pupils - that may put members off DMusic altogether! DM Awards These are a great feature - especially if some kind of prize can be given (even if it's only a small prize!). But again...we really do need to look at the selection process to ensure that the song and not the popularity of the artist is being voted on. We have, in the past, received a significant level of criticism about this to make it a necessary consideration. This problem is not unique to DM...it would affect any interactive music site. Is there any way that songs could be submitted anonymously for the purposes of a competition? (I.e. only the administrator of the event knows which song belongs to which artist - songs would be coded by numbers or something?). It wouldn't prevent canvassing for votes, but it may help to cut down on tactical voting, especially if voting time was restricted. Subscriptions The main way to encourage more subscribers is to offer it at as lower rate as possible - and make the features clear! Complicated subscription packages are a real turn off - and everyone loves a bargain. Cumulatively, a lowered price could actually result in an overall increase in investment. We mustn't fall into the trap of milking the golden goose, so to speak. Perhaps we could also introduce (at a slightly higher price) a lifetime membership rate too. Let's work on the basis that some people may be happy to make a one-off payment, but may not continue those payments over a number of years. If anyone suffers financial hardship then monthly or annually paid subscriptions always get cancelled. Worth considering? Volunteers I may be able to help out sometimes - just ask! I don't usually enter competitions, so I'm in a better position to help count votes and stuff.
HenriRoger	Date: April 10, 2007 @ 7:27 PM Usefull ??
Distilled1	Date: April 10, 2007 @ 7:55 PM I do and would volunteer for all the above
DeadraveN	Date: April 12, 2007 @ 1:14 AM I'd be all for mentoring. 'course, I wouldn't have much to teach, except the way of the lobster
Mojosnake	Date: April 12, 2007 @ 1:19 AM can gary be my mentor ?
leedsquietman	Date: April 12, 2007 @ 8:35 AM I think healthy thought/debate is great for improvement at Dmusic. I think Dmusic needs to spend some time and money advertising elsewhere to pick up some new members. The issues regarding the redesign are mostly over now and we need to recapture some of the great contributors musically who have deserted us. We need charts that actually work, that allow at least a top 50 (not a measly 20) and which can't be rigged by people self-streaming as is presently the case. We also need to focus on the music genre page featured artists, some of those have not been changed in months. The main dmusic/music page may be changed regularly but go into a specific genre and you'll find the same old, same old have been there for ages. For me, Dmusic needs to allow people the OPTION to sell music online (such as soundclick, broadjam), we were told that this would be available for subscribers a while ago but has not been implemented yet. Some artists do feel a need to at least have the option for selling digital downloads. before anyone questions my motives, I am not interested in this feature at the present time! I am not a fan of competitions, but cannot deny that they draw people in and motivate and agree with Rodrica that there should be a prize. Perhaps we need to have more admins on the site specifically to organize and run these contests and awards. We have members who are home most of the day through disability/retirement or work from home, who could probably dedicate time to this. I don't blame TDUBB for the collapse of the Rap battle, this was a prestigious event for Dmusic and should have been handled by an admin, not a busy working volunteer and now Dmusic is looking pretty foolish within the Hip Hop/Rap community which used to be so strong here. We need to get our positive image back. Rodrica is also correct in saying that subscriptions should not be over milked. I think the pricing is fair and we do now offer a 'lite' subscription at a fair price offering many things. However, we don't have enough subscribers and I think (look at Broadjam's model etc) http://www.broadjam.com/newsignup/broadjam/signup.asp that giving people the right to sell musio for subscribers is one way to increase subscriptions. I'm not saying this is the best model but merely something to think about and I think that only subscribers should have the option to sell digital downloads. We have an amazing site at Dmusic. I'm happy to pay my sub for all the extra file space and features but we are getting left behind by some who need stuff like proper charts and option to sell.
ChillinBuzz	Date: April 15, 2007 @ 12:19 AM For me, Dmusic needs to allow people the OPTION to sell music online (such as soundclick, broadjam), we were told that this would be available for subscribers a while ago but has not been implemented yet. Some artists do feel a need to at least have the option for selling digital downloads. before anyone questions my motives, I am not interested in this feature at the present time! I still have the option from my beta testing days on the digital download sales, along with nine others... I recently sent a ticket asking if this feature still works, I have an album very imminent and I want to sell it that way through here... Otherwise it's 128kbps cack over at Soundclick or twice the price at other places. Charts & Featured Artists definitely do need looking at As for the subscriptions, I think when the time is right (hopefully soon) we could do what a few other sites do and offer even more levels, say for people with low incomes who want a little bit more, to those lucky sods with dosh who want a lot - 2 levels right now is good though I'm not saying this is the best model but merely something to think about and I think that only subscribers should have the option to sell digital downloads. I agree, unless of course non-subs wanting to sell digital downloads or use DMusic as an advertising point for selling their material from other sites pay some kind of premium for the option. I think maybe everyone should get the chance to use DM as a shop but the subs should definitely pay less for the privilege.
mattbanx	Date: April 15, 2007 @ 12:25 AM I can't say from being at different sites for the last 3 years that it's anything the site needs to do. Oh, they can add here and their, but what's truely better? Internet music has mostly been something of weekend warriors, people that have their local acts and club around to promote their music. The net is mainly a marketing tool to get the word out. Nothing is going to replace the club though. There are some exceptions with strictly internet artists. Video technology has come a long way. As well as getting a spot on films and commercials. I want to learn the fundamentals of playing and recording to do that, and with home equipment. Also stuff like doing rolling slide show videos that look cohesive and not tacky. And make them odd sci-fi, sky type of videos. Even cheap digital cameras can move almost as fast as a running video. People new at it though seem to have to dig for information on how to better their music or video production. I found the most useful knowledge is from people dispaying their musical or video presentation and saying what they did to create that. There are sites exclusively for that. The good thing with even the digging and the vaguness of it though is someone no longer has to pay good money for a college now to learn much of everything nowadays. But if a kid thinks they can be rich on web sites, that is'nt going to happen, unless the kid was real lucky. There have been studies by top news organizations of the sales from independent distribution chains on the net. The sales amount to 1/2 a cd sold per artist. The only real threat to record companies is already established artists with wide followings that have turned to the net. Anyone remember Radiohead? Sites everywhere have their dry spell, and too much changing has a tenedency of wrecking a good thing. I know many here are not here to promote themselves. But if people want to make the site more useful, there are already the tools in place.
jefflynn	Date: July 26, 2007 @ 5:49 PM I like the contest idea. A chatroom would be cool too.