Mobile App Could Provide Various Outreach Means for Care Resource’s Fight Against HIV/AIDS

Care Resource website viewed from mobile device.

It is a brave new world. We are constantly being reminded of this fact when we try to approach life in the traditional ways we used to enjoy. Any trip to your favorite eatery for a meal will reveal just how different times are. Typically, you’ll find everyone gathered at the same table but checking mobile devices for updates or posting pictures of their outing. The truth is mobile devices have become a staple in how we interact with the world and they put a wealth of knowledge at our fingertips.

Contemplating just how impactful mobile devices can be, I am compelled to ponder how a mobile app could assist an organization like Care Resource be more effective in its efforts to support those infected with HIV/AIDS. This organization works closely with the LGBTQ Community to provide medical and social services. According to the AIDS.gov, Gay and Bisexual Men, irrespective of race, are the “most severely affected” group with HIV. Let me state here that I have very profound, personal reasons for seeing an organization like Care Resource fulfill its mission. Over the years, I have seen too many people perish because of HIV/AIDS. I have seen too many families suffer unnecessary loss in dealing with this horrendous disease. Therefore, I am invested in helping people avoid the tumultuous journey that HIV/AIDS presents. To that end, I think Care Resource, and organizations like it, can be vital in getting people educated, tested, and counseled.

At present, Care Resource has a dynamic presence on the web. The organization already uses Facebook and Twitter. They also have a very informative website. This website is viewable on mobile devices, however, the content can be a strain to see and navigation on mobile devices can be inefficient. Care Resource could benefit from a mobile app that made the pertinent information on their site easily accessible to its target audience. My vision of a mobile app for Care Resource would be one that allowed patients to receive reminders of upcoming appointments as well as schedule their appointments in just a few screen touches. My proposed app would also have updates for volunteer opportunities and link to Foursquare or some similar app in order to point out events in close proximity to the user. Additionally, my ideal app for the organization would give updates on fundraisers and community events. It would list all the organization’s current programs and provide an expedited means for clients to sign up for service consultations. Finally, my app would include contact information prominently and include emergency numbers and information. This measure would give clients a degree of security that they could have access to pertinent information at all times. My app would accommodate English, Spanish, and Creole speakers in the South Florida target area. I think that creating an app with these specific purposes in mind would help Care Resource bridge the digital divide that exists in the community it services and reach those that vitally need the resources that the organization has to offer.

Tired of Being a TUMBLR? Get a PULSE on Your Business With Mobile Apps.

Interestingly, as I was contemplating topics for my proposed podcast series, I started to brainstorm mobile apps and their benefit to creative and creative professionals. I had no idea that I would be asked to write this blog post at the time. Mobile apps have become a mainstay in our fast-paced, digital society. Increasingly, people are looking for ways to have apps help them with productivity while they are unable to tie into the traditional office or cubicle. But, which apps are best for the tasks of the PR or Entertainment industry professional on the go? In this post, I will examine two apps that I have found most beneficial in my career thus far.

TUMBLR

Many people may not agree with my assessment hear but I’ll give it anyway. I thoroughly enjoy Tumblr from both a professional and personal perspective. Tumblr has allowed me to get better acquainted with some of those that I follow on Twitter. It has allowed me to keep up with some of the happenings with celebrities that I find interesting. Professionally, posting to Tumblr is easy and it ties into my other social networks with ease. The reason I think the Tumblr app is so beneficial is because it is easy to use and you can post photos, videos, links, animated GIFs without breaking a sweat. It’s practically a two-touch operation. Another great thing about Tumblr is that your posts are a cinch to repost by others who wish to share your information with the rest of the world. This allows you to conveniently tap into their networks and gain a wider audience. Any PR/Entertainment professional should be looking at Tumblr’s connectivity and ease of use as a means to showcase their creative prowess.

I’ll add here that while Tumblr is not as widely known as some of its counterparts in microblogging its ability to connect to other social networks is a definite plus. It connects to Twitter and Facebook as well as Instagram and many others. However, don’t expect to jump on Tumblr and automatically be popular. Building and audience on Tumblr requires the same work and patience as any other network. Therefore, if you are looking at using Tumblr as a central hub, you’ll have to do some serious work gathering followers. However, as a gateway for disseminating information across other networks with a creative flair, Tumblr’s app is a wonderful tool.

Tumblr screenshot

PULSE

As a PR/Entertainment professional a key component of success is staying abreast of news and developments in the industry and world-at-large. You can’t stay ahead of the issue if you never see it coming and it’s always beneficial to know the proverbial word on the streets. Therefore, every serious PR/Entertainment pro needs a solid news aggregator. I liked using Pulse powered by LinkedIn.

This app connects to your LinkedIn account and allows you to get news in a centralized place from channels that you follow. You are able to choose those channels that interest you and really customize your news experience. Additionally, you can expeditiously share your information with everyone in your network. This app puts a wealth of information at your fingertips. This app also allows you to tap into your audience on other platforms. One tap opens the window to let you share news with connections on Facebook and Twitter as well as email and LinkedIn. Interconnectivity is a must in today’s digital landscape. To this end, I would say that Pulse is one of the more exciting news apps I’ve seen.

Pulse screenshot

The bottom line is that you’ll have to find the apps that work best for your task list. If it were left to me, my ultimate app would allow me to create, edit, and disseminate video and audio materials for PR/Entertainment in one place. Since, it’s difficult to put all of these elements together without having an app that is too busy and bulky, you’ll likely need more than one app to get the job done right. The aforementioned apps can be a solid start to running your PR/Entertainment business on the go. Still looking for apps? Start by checking out this article on PRNewser about 10 great apps you can use.

Happy hunting and feel free to share any apps you’ve found useful in the comments section!

Reducing the Clutter.

After a short, summer hiatus, The Dreaded Indie is back and ready to get everyone on track. I have spent the last few weeks watching people discuss various forms and reasons for getting organized and slimming down. People were trying to fit into their bikinis. They were trying to clean up their houses. They were trying to organize their offices. The whole premise was to get mentally and physically in shape for what is to come.

So, how does this apply to the indie artist? It just so happens that I ran across an article that gives this concept perspective. Writer Dave Cool gives some extremely great advice to artists in his article, Keep It Clean: 10 Ways to Unclutter Your Band Website. I had to chuckle when I read tip number 4, “Have 1 music player”. I was one of those artists that had music EVERYWHERE. Quite honestly, I can see how that strategy failed to deliver concrete results and the auto-start concept is just downright annoying.

Dave Cool makes a lot of valid suggestions that are well worth the time to review and implement. The concept of keeping it simple goes a long way. Further, a simple, clean website that showcases your talent can go a long way to getting your seen and heard.

Blog!

By this time, everyone should have a keen understanding of what blogging is and how vital it can be in this digital age. As a musician, band, performing artist, if you aren’t blogging you could be missing an important opportunity to connect with fans, share knowledge, and display your prowess in the industry.

Blogging has become so vital that this Wednesday, May 8th, the SBA (Small Business Administration) is offering a webinar on the matter. If you haven’t yet grasped the magnitude of how crucial blogging can be, let me help you understand some of the things that a blog can do. First, a blog can increase your level of engagement with your fans. Blogs can allow them to leave comments, take polls, leave opinions. All of these things can help you hone in on areas that fans like and dislike, showing you what you should keep doing or try revamping.

Second, in most cases, you can start a blog for free and it can substitute for the cost of having a custom page, at least for a while. With services like Blogger and WordPress, you can start a pretty good looking blog with some really pristine themes for free. This gives you a professional page that can be used as your home on the Internet until you have the cash to spring for a custom page with cool, one-of-a-kind graphics and interactive content.

Third, a blog is an ideal place to strut you proverbial stuff. You can use your blog to show everyone how much you know about you band and your brand while also giving them insights on some other issues that make your world spin. It’s a great platform and those who visit your blog will be captivated by all of the cool insights you have to offer.

Finally, blogs are easy to connect to other social media sites which means that you can easily begin to establish a social media marketing campaign. You will have content to share on other platforms that can gain more followers that will be exposed to your music, art, literature. Who couldn’t use more exposure?

Bottom line, whatever your reservations, blogging makes sense. Again, even the SBA is offering a webinar about it. So, what are you waiting for?

The Problem With My Resume.

As a one-time aspiring artist, I found myself living in two realms, if you will. In one realm, I had a 9 to 5 that I used to try to pay bills and scrounge the money for studio time. In the second realm, I was a performer trying to gain experience in my craft that would likely never mean very much in my first realm. In the first realm, I knew exactly what my resume needed to say so I could obtain the next, higher paying 9 to 5. However, the question of my resume for the second realm was always a fuzzy abstract. I always knew that a bio was expected and I took great pangs to make sure that I had one that best spoke to my personality and talents. I did not even contemplate a musical resume until just two short years ago.

One of the challenges that I faced immediately in the endeavor to create my music resume was the information that I needed to include. After all, I did not want it to be just a bio in an outline form. I had to ask myself what I sought to accomplish with my music resume. I found the task of creating my music resume extremely difficult, in part, because I had such broad focus. It was not until my Full Sail courses began that I really began to firm up my musical career goals. That had changed since I was last a performer on stage.

In trying to determine the best way to construct my music resume I found an articlethat proved very useful. Heather McDonald lists four areas that one should examine to include on their resume; experience, reliability, list of music related accomplishments, and related education. Each area has distinct considerations that could make or break your music resume. However, I think that the most valuable thing about developing your music resume is developing your career focus and assessing your strengths and weaknesses. My journey through the music resume revealed the areas that I needed to gain more experience in to accomplish my professional goals. This is important because having a plan, even if it is only a vague outline, can aid tremendously in keeping you on track to your destination.

Stop Dreading Your Business Plan

My last post spoke on the importance of having a business plan. Yes, it’s a dreaded part of doing business that cannot be avoided. Yet, as a creative it is a part that is overlooked. As a recording artist, I never had the thought of creating a business plan. This could be a factor that contributed to my lack of success on the scale that I had desired. Perhaps if I had taken the time to map out the plan, I would have achieved the level of success that I always envisioned as a child… MEGASTARDOM!!

Now, as I contemplate turning talents toward helping others reach their desired vision, I can truly say that I get it. Megastardom does not just happen. Someone plans it. If it’s not the star, it’s their management team or record label. The point is that someone maps out what needs to happen for the star to become and remain a star. As an indie artist, chances are, you are paying too little attention to the planning parts of your journey. Most indie artists know just enough not to make it and, more often than not, they think that success will miraculously find them.

Let me give you the benefit of some information I just learned. First, it’s always good to map out the financials in your business plan. Know how much things cost and how you are going to pay for them. Know how much you are going to make, how much your talent is truly worth. Know how much you will need to pay others for their services on your behalf. However, more important than your financials is translating your vision and personality in your business plan. You should work to make certain that your business plan fully conveys your creativity.

One of the most important changes I plan to make in my own business plan is reevaluating to see where I can begin to interject more of my vision and personality. Since I cannot be with the person who’s reading it while they are reading it, the best I can do is make sure that it is a solid representation. That may be enough to get me in the room with potential investors.

Secondly, research the industry. Know the trends and how they will affect your bottom line. Know what you will need to make your vision a reality and how much it will realistically cost you. This is another aspect of my own business plan that I intend to change. Having more accurate projections about performance and profits can help you make much more sound business decisions. You can clearly begin to determine what paths are going to enable you to get where you want to go.

Overall, the need for a plan is key. Your plan doesn’t need to be as detailed as, perhaps, Microsoft’s. However, the more detailed the plan the better the insight. Finally, remember that plans change. Just because you write out a plan does not mean that you are completely locked into every step of it. However, it can be a useful tool in your journey to the top.

Do You Need a Mobile App?

This week, as I contemplated this blog, I was cognizant enough to take a look at all of the people around me that were accessing content from mobile devices. I happened to be at a party and noticed that everyone at my table had used their smartphone to check in on Facebook. Besides, they were posting pictures directly to Facebook as we were taking them. With all this immediacy in mobile computing, it would be only logical for musicians to contemplate creating mobile apps for their musical pursuits. The question is whether a mobile app is appropriate and cost effective.

There are several things that musicians should consider when looking to create a mobile app. One of the first things is cost. Shoutem offers to mobile app hosting that is both iPhone and Android compatible, has notifications, unlimited usage, and automatic updates for $49 per month. This is billed annually so you’ll pay $588 for the year. If you want Shoutem to build the app for you, you have two options. Professional setup costs $450 and allows you to import outside content. With the VIP setup option, you’ll get that plus “two rounds of designs” and custom script sync for personal content and APIs for $950. Of course, as an indie musician, your first thought is likely the route that allows you to be the architect of your mobile app so, you’d likely forgo having Shoutem build your app. I’ll say this, while it seems relatively easy, I have learned that if I can pay a professional to administer services that they are trained in, I am doing myself a huge favor. Unless you are already building mobile apps, I’d suggest letting them set it up so that it gets the functionality it is supposed to have and that is going to have you paying about $1000. By contrast, Mobile Roadie will start you out at $99 for your app and, depending on the services you add (i.e. analytics, design packages, developer tools, etc.) your cost could go as high as $499 per month. Is it worth it?

Marcus Taylor, guest writing for Mic Control, suggests that musicians should weigh their audience and determine whether they are able to recoup these costs repeatedly via music sales, merchandising sales, and concert ticketing. Therefore, musicians who have smaller fan bases will likely not benefit from a mobile app because the cost to create and maintain it would be too high to justify. I happen to agree with this logic. Any cost that cannot be recouped through projected profits is probably one that a musician should reevaluate before committing to paying it. There are ways for musicians to have a mobile presence without the hefty price tag. Mobile websites can work effectively for smaller acts that don’t have the fan base to support the mobile app costs. Of course, the ease and intimacy of a mobile app is a bit more elusive with mobile websites but this is where marketing and promotional savvy can be a useful tool. Plus, developing these skills will aid you, the indie musician, in future opportunities.

The bottom line is that you want to have a stake in the mobile arena. There is no question that mobile computing is here to stay. People are constantly plugged in. However, if you can’t afford to create a mobile app right now you don’t have to miss the train. You may ride in coach for a minute, but what indie artist doesn’t?

photo courtesy of The Flack