5 Tips for Musicians from Clayton Studio

5 Tips for musicians from Clayton Studios

1. Work hard!  The music business is not just a stroll through the park. Be prepared to work hard to promote your music and don't expect to become a star overnight. It takes dedication to be successful with your music.

2. Know your limits. Don't be afraid to hire a professional.  If you are an excellent guitarist and singer, don't play the drums on your own tracks. Hire a professional! Use professional producers, engineers and mixers to help you achieve the best sound possible. Hire a manager to help with some of those duties that are distracting you from writing that big hit!

3. ALWAYS Copyright your music. If you do not register your music with the US Copyright office, than you have no legal way to prove that a piece of music is yours.  The poor man's copyright ( mailing yourself music) does not legally protect your music. Use the Electronic Copyright office online for the fastest and easiest processing. You can even upload digital files and save some cash at the post office.

4. Protect your hearing. Hearing loss is very common among musicians who work in loud environments regularly. Cheap ear plugs will help save your hearing, but if you want to spend 100$ you can get custom made ear filters that don't sound bad like regular ear plugs. Check with a local ear doctor to get custom made ear protection and save your hearing!

5. Have fun. Music really is about having a great time and bringing people from different races, classes and creeds together. Enjoy yourself and your fans will be more likely to enjoy your music. 

Hurry! Contest deadline is July 6th

Watch this video for a "Best Commercial Never Made" sample.

It's the Best Radio Commercial "NEVER" Made $500 Challenge.

Here are some of the comments we’ve heard from the St. Louis advertising and marketing community….

   "I'm busy laughing out loud at my latest script idea, will send it soon."

   "I never win anything."

   "Just waiting on client approval…Oh yeah I don’t need client approval."

    "Contest, what contest?"

    "I have a fabulous idea…If only I could talk my client into taking a risk."

Don't Delay!

Send in the radio commercial you've always wanted to produce.

We don't care how you send it.  It could be anything from a rough draft to a finished product.

Just send it to  clayton@claytonstudios.com or drop it by 1126 S. Big Bend

Anyone is eligible to submit.   Hurry! the entry deadline, July 6^th is fast approaching!

Get your idea to us and see if you win $500 in studio time!

The Best Radio Commercial "NEVER" Made $500 Challenge

Clayton Studios has worked with a lot of writers and producers over the past 34 years. And if there's one thing we've learned, it's that almost everyone has a commercial they've always wanted to produce, but for some reason or other, never have. Maybe you couldn't convince a client to try something new. Maybe you always wanted to produce a parody spot for a joke or get an idea out in the open but didn't have time or money. Now is your chance to get it out of your system, produce that radio commercial and win $500 in studio time.

Competition details....
*1) Submit your spot. In writing, a rough computer recording, even on cassette (whatever gets your idea across).
2) Our pre-selected judges (creative professionals) will select what they believe to be the best 3 commercial ideas. (entries will be based on creativity, execution of your idea and penmanship)
3)The 3 top entries will receive up to 2 hours to record their spot at Clayton Studios.
4)From those 3 entries, our judges will then select the overall winner, who will receive $500 in studio time at Clayton Studios.
5)Deadline is Tuesday July 6, 2010

*Ways to submit your spot:
Email: clayton@claytonstudios.com
Fax: (314)781-0524
Stop By Clayton Studios
1126 S. Big Bend
St. Louis, MO 63117

Let The Contest Begin!

On-Hold Advertising Can Make A Difference

After graduating from the University of Missouri in radio, TV and film I knew getting my first job was not going to be easy. I just needed to get my foot in the door somewhere. I started an internship at Contemporary Productions promoting rock concerts across the country, and eventually got hired full time. That job introduced me to Dick Ulett owner of Clayton Studios who was kind enough to hire me after Contemporary laid me off due to the slow holiday concert schedule. The year was 1983 and I have been here ever since.

When I started at the studio Dick had come up with the idea of on-hold marketing for phone systems and needed someone to sell the concept. I thought the idea was terrific. I spent some time learning the industry and found there was not a lot of competition around. R&R Phone Productions was born and through the years we have seen a lot of changes and a lot of competition in our industry. Currently the biggest change has been the drop in listeners of local radio stations. How effective is radio for people who listen to ipods and satellite radio? Where do local advertisers now go to get effective returns on advertising dollars? We have found the phone system to be a perfect advertising tool.

That's right, if you have a message you want to get to a local listener, the one way you can always reach them is when they call. If you place them on-hold, they won't be listening to ipods or satellite, they'll be listening to your message. With radio commercials you’re using the "shotgun" approach. You may reach thousands of listeners, but how many of them need or want your product?

R&R Phone Productions believes, if you use on-hold messaging, make every minute count. Don't waste time with stale meaningless messages, when you have the opportunity to give your customers a reason to select your company. Here are two important suggestions that can make a difference...

1) A personal endorsement of your company is the strongest form of advertising. Let us record your best customers and include them in your on-hold marketing. Let them tell your story, and why they think others should choose your company. There's believability that you can't get any other way.

2) Incorporating a company spokesperson/employee is another special consideration for your on-hold marketing. It's a real opportunity to talk directly to your customers. It helps build a level of trust that connects the customer with you and your company.

Is on-hold advertising working for your company? If so, share your story. If not, let us know…I am sure we can help your business. Want more information? Visit our website at www.randrphone,com. Or better yet, call us…R&R Phone Productions 314-781-8009.