SXSW

Becoming part of professional associations is key to promoting any kind of brand in the music industry.  Whether a band, singer/songwriter, etc. an organization can add just that: organization to a promotional campaign.

As many of you know, the Internet has brought a means to an end. However, it has been that same end that has brought many other strategies to the music business. A great example that although has been around since the late 1980's and traces its conceptual roots to several hundred years ago is that of SCSW.

Their history mentioned the following:

"The classic problem facing Austin musicians was being isolated from the rest of the world here in the middle of Texas. SXSW was a way to reach out to the rest of the world, and bring them here to do business. To do that successfully, SXSW needed to appeal to people other than local artists whether they were from Austin, Ft. Worth, Chicago, Toronto, Munich or Tokyo."

I plan, as an independent musician, to become part of such a culturally rich niche event. It has clearly received national and international recognition and its neighboring state lines is a factor that musicians in Florida should consider.