Selling Circus takes a musical approach with Monk

The challenges of marketing, promoting and branding affect more that just merchants, it is a hurdle for musicians as well. The big name stars have a slew of people handling that for them, so well that they can be arrested and still come out smelling like a rose and making money. But what about the Indie musicians? Many do not have the funds to hire an entorage of high dollar PR people, so they end up doing this on their own, much like the small sellers.

Tonght on the Selling Circus, you can hear how Monk, an Indie Musician, has been doing just that.

Monk has released his Debut CD, 'Damaged Music for Damaged People' this month, and will be discussing not only the creative aspects his music, but the business end of it as well.

AuctionWally has given me the honor of co-hosting this special show with him. Although I have been a guest of the Selling Circus as well as Brainstorming Bonanzle, this will be the first time I will be asking the questions instead of answering them.

Since Monk is also one of the Indie Musicians on my website, I have released the following Press Release. It too is a first for me.

Don't miss this unique broadcast that will bring a fresh look to an old problem for us all.

For Immediate Release
Contact: Susan Leak
Renagade's Relics
www.renagadesrelics.com
renagadesrelics@gmail.com
Monk talks music and business on the Selling Circus
Fort Payne, AL - Barre, MA - Munich, Germany

November 8, 2009:
Renagade's Relics is pleased to announce that one of it's Independent Musicians, Monk, will be a guest on the Selling Circus podcast, hosted by Walt Kolenda, aka 'AuctionWally.' Special co-host is Susan Leak aka 'Renagade' of renagadesrelics.com. This live broadcast is on Monday, November 9, 2009 on the talkshoe.com platform.

Monk, from Munich, Germany will discuss the making of his debut CD, 'Damaged Music for Damaged People'. This album was a three year solo project, with Monk writing, performing, mixing and producing.

The show will also cover the way Monk has successfully implemented the Internet to market his music and establish his brand of 'Monk.' Monk and Susan have built a working partnership for marketing Monk's album and have done so strictly via the Internet. This show will be the first time they have had the opportunity to speak directly to each other.

The Selling Circus podcast is hosted by Walt Kolenda of Barre, MA on Talkshoe. The focus is on eCommerce selling and the issues the sellers face in todays ever changing marketplace.
To have a Musician come in an address how the music world faces the same problems of marketing, promoting, and branding, offers a fresh new angle many will be able to learn from.

“ I look forward to being able to share my experiences with The Selling Circus listeners” says Monk. “I have tuned into the show myself. I have found all the guests to be knowledgeable and the platform of Talkshoe a good one. The fact people can ask their questions with ease of just typing in the chatroom or calling in on the phone is great.”

The live broadcast is at 8:00pm EST on Monday, November 9, 2009.
You can tune in by going to:
http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp?masterId=53449&cmd=tc

The show will also be available for download on the site, or at http://www.renagadesrelics.com/ later in the week.

About Monk:
Monk is a singer/songwriter/musician residing in Munich,Germany. His debut CD is available on his website http://www.monk-music-monk.com/ as well as http://www.renagadesrelics.com/ .
Monk now has a band and is working towards live performances to help promote his album.

For more information contact:
Susan Leak
Renagade's Relics
Fort Payne, AL
256-844-8429

Howl with the Wolves....2wolves actually!

2Wolves Music and Audio is my other venture I am trying to get branded. Branding this has be easy in some aspects and a lot more difficult in others. 2Wolves Music and Audio is a DJ/Karaoke service my Husband and I started after providing the music and karaoke for just about everyone's party we have ever been to. After some upgrading of equipment and expansion of our already huge music library, we started to advertise and get our brand out there.

The 2wolves brand is a simple one. The logo is as seen above. Two wolves howling the music...hence the tag line, "Come Howl With The Wolves". And as in Renagade's on Bonanzle, customer service is top priority. Great music, Best prices, and a "Howling" good time.

There are some others in the area that have the same service. So what is going to set 2Wolves apart from the rest of the pack? The 2Wolves Brand! You see the others are larger, have a couple of DJs and although you might talk to the owner to book them....they may or may not be the one you actually get on your big day. With 2Wolves Music and Audio, you meet with us, book with us, and WE are the ones that come out and DJ your event. Personalized service from start to finish. THAT is what will make 2Wolves the leader of the pack.

The competition is tough, but we are tougher. And by working on our Brand, we will do well. As I said before...branding is and ongoing process...and we are just getting started on branding the 2Wolves .

......listen........you can hear the howl!

Later.....Renagade

Branding and the Renagade Brand

Branding. It might just be the most important thing and online seller can do to help promote their items and their store/website. After last weeks informative session of Brainstorming Bonanzle with Auctionwally and Phaedra of Attheboutique , I have given it much thought about the "Renagade" brand. I vowed to streamline my booth on Bonanzle, and get my brand out there on New Years. After losing my job, I almost got off course... thinking about listing all sorts of things and in turn, getting of course of my branding goal. Then it happened....I had some sales...all records..as if God was saying, "No you don't!..see your brand?" So I am back on course to establishing the Renagade.
First thing I did was a small change to the Avatar. After seeing others using it and needing one unique to the Renagade, I came up with the one you see now. Now, you will KNOW when you see the Renagade!
Then it was on to the booth. I did some revamping....taking all items that just didn't seem to "fit" and put them on sale in a special category. Some I even grouped together in big lots just to move them out. Started Listing a lot more records too, along with cassettes, scifi items, VHS Movies, Biker patches and other Harley items. The booth is really shaping up. Even started a Music Services Category, offering transfers of music, backups of CD&Gs discs, and DJ/Karaoke Service withing the NE Alabama Area through my other venture, 2Wolves Music and Audio! (MORE about those services soon!) Giving some thought to changing the banner too. It IS a nice one....but I feel I need something a little more "Renagade".
Next is my online presence. Trying to be more active, but at the same time being a little more selective. And I am trying to be true to me more. Like it or not, the Renagade can be somewhat of a cut up, as well as in depth and you can see that so much in the Brainstorming Bonanzle Chat notes.
Now, am I done? No ...you are NEVER done with Branding . It is and ongoing process, ever growing to shape out who you are and what you sell. How much thought and effort have YOU put into "Branding"?
That said....I have some more "Branding" to do!

Later...........Renagade

Musician's Friend ...a Role Model For Customer Service!

Musicians Friend..... Anyone who is a musician, a DJ, or just like to have the best in audio equipment has heard of them. They carry everything from the most professional grade amps and speakers down to guitar picks and drumsticks. If it is music related, you can find it here.

Now what I want to tell you about is along with the great product line, Musician's Friend offers THE most top of the line Customer Support Team I have ever dealt with.

We had ordered from them many times, and have contacted them with everything from simple questions to heart stopping problems, and everytime they have reponded quickly, professionally, and,..... living up to the name of Musician's Friend,...... like a friend.

I must tell you about the last call...no.... last set of calls made to their customer support team. We had ordered a set of peavey PA speakers along with stands and other equipment, and like they always do, they sent the tracking number and link to UPS. We noted the delivery date and when that day came was surprised to find out that UPS delivered them while we where not at home. Very much surprised, since the boxes where not at my house! After contacting UPS, and while waiting for them to call back, we called Musician's Friends customer service. They not only sprung into action immediately to start a tracer, they reassured us that it was insured and if the shipment was lost they would reship the entire order within seven days.
Well to make a VERY long story short, the shipment was found, UPS delivered to the wrong house. The UPS driver was able to get the equipment, but the neighbors who recieved the boxes had opened them, threw out the boxes and thought they had themselves a good set of Peaveys for nothing. Musician's Friend said not to worry, would still stand behind what we bought.
We contacted them three times that night, and each time their Customer support team was professional but more importantly.... they genuinely CARED! They went over and above to let us know they where there for us.
A special Thanks goes out to Walt(?) , John, and Raymond who where working the phones on Dec 10th . They could not have done a better job! They are all top of the line and set a fine example in what customer support is all about.
After that night, we we never buy from any other company BUT Musician's Friend. Their name says it all, and they are truly our friends now.