If you’re a solo musician or band wondering how to get your music out, SoundCloud is one of the answers. I say ‘one’ because there are a lot of ways to help distribute and broaden your music audience. However, this does not mean that just because you think your music is the next best (add in favorite band), does not mean that record labels will automatically hone in on your music. Record labels, especially the mainstream ones (Warner Bros., BMG, EMI, etc.), will want to know how well you will sell. This will include not only your music, but your style that you portray as a whole. If this does not concern you, then read on.

First and foremost, SoundCloud is an online music community where you can upload music that you have created. The really cool aspect of this is that your files can be uploaded in any format (mp3, wav, flac, etc.). You can also download other people’s music as well, an option MySpace is lacking on its music network. The reason why it’s called a ‘music community’ is because you post your music so other wandering musicians can find it, and have a fanbase starting up for you. This is how record labels will get more interested in you. Once you start having your own fanbase and start playing at more venues, then they will eventually come to understand you as a determined musician who wants your sound out.

Not everything on the website is free, however. For starting members, you get to upload 5 songs per month. If you start paying for a ‘pro’ membership, you get access to more features and you get to upload more songs.

What I like about the website as a whole is how clean everything is. It’s what SoundCloud is to music as Facebook is to social networking. Many artists use MySpace nowadays to help promote their work, but if you’re like me, and I hate MySpace for its ugly interface and busy layout, then you should try out SoundCloud. This is not to say that you shouldn’t use MySpace at all, though. In order to put your name out there, MySpace is one of the bigger networks to do so. SoundCloud can be a supplement to that if you already have one. The website went public in October 2008, so be one of the first musicians to utilize this amazing website.

Check out my profile and give my music a listen. Comments would be helpful.

Stephen Chang

Tags: SoundCloud.

Zella Design was on the California Soul podcast this week! Check it out

It was a real blast hanging out with the creative minds of Big Old Morongo Canyon. I had a great time and they even let me play a song. I am just going to warn you now I am not much of a singer, but never the less I love to sing and play the guitar.

I would like to thank the gang up there: Steve Preston you have a real cool show. and a special thank you to Joey, Shelley, Ryan, and Casey for having me on the show.

I look forward to working with you all in the future.

Ian Cush

Tags: California Soul, Podcast, Radio Show.

There was a time for small business when you purchased some yellow page advertising, got a phone and you were in business. But more so now than ever the yellow pages have become an antiquated advertising dinosaur.

Search marketing is quickly becoming the new standard, replacing the yellow pages as the go-to place for consumer searches. Lead by the tech savvy younger generations, consumers know that a quick trip to a search engine will yield quicker more relevant results for a local pizza parlor, a roofer, an auto body shop, or a web designer. Google leads the way as the yellow page killer simply by building a better form of search.

Search marketing has improved the process for both the consumer and the marketer. From a marketer’s perspective, search engines have effectively killed the yellow pages by out-performing them in three unique areas.

Analytics: Search marketing is much more appealing to metric hungry marketers. Search marketing provides rich, in-depth analytics. You can get traffic information, conversion rates, impressions, clicks, bounce rates and more. And now with the new Google Local Business Center, marketers and small business owners can get detailed stats outlining crucial metrics. Yellow pages provide zero metrics. The only way you can track your success is through inbound phone calls.

Flexibility: Search marketing with pay-per-click gives you the ability to modify your ads on the fly. You can quickly respond to competitive pressure and you can continually improve the performance and position of your ad using the built-in analytics. Unlike the yellow pages, which require you to sign a one-year contract, you can use ad words at your disposal.

Control: With search marketing, you direct the consumers to the relevant content you want them to view. You can present different messages and ad copy using multiple ad versions. You are able to use landing pages to convert leads. In short, your ad is more than just a piece of paper; it is a dynamic, informative portal leading to more information that aids in the selling process.

Despite all the up sides to search marketing, I continually come across small businesses and clients who rely too heavily on the yellow pages. Many small businesses still make the yellow pages a substantial portion of their yearly marketing budget. The yellow pages continue to be a huge industry. According to Simba Information, the “U.S. yellow pages revenue is expected to total $16.54 billion in 2009. ″

Like many things in business, our marketing expenses are often institutionalized and remain in use even when better alternatives exist. Take a good look at your marketing budget and see if you can put your yellow page spending in a better place. My recommendation is to reduce or eliminate your yellow page spending, opting instead for ad word search marketing and a continual search engine optimization (SEO) campaign. Search marketing will likely give your small business more bang for your buck.

Tags: bye, bye yellow pages, google ad words, search marketing, yellow book.

Here at Zella Design as we approach our 1^st anniversary I have come to a fast realization. As much as it pains me to say it, the service quality at Zella Design has been lacking, we have been neglecting a very important client. We have been neglecting Zella Design.

There is saying in business that small business owners, consultants and entrepreneurs throw around all the time “be your own best client”.

But as much as that phrase is repeated there seems to be an old truism that when it comes to service side businesses we are notorious for being our own worst client. We always say, “practice what you preach” and “eat your own cooking” but time after time the internal needs of a company fall by the way side.

My father a long time small business owner and artist always jokes with me about how the roofers, roof always leaks or how the mechanic’s car is broken down. These seem like simple ironies but the truth is that when you spend so much time dedicating your companies resources and energy to servicing you clients needs above and beyond expectations the first thing that suffers is your companies personal needs.

I have seen this all too many times in my personal and consulting experience and I am ashamed to say that I am currently guilt of that very thing here at Zella. So this is a personal reminder to my self and the staff here at Zella Design as well as to all of our loyal clients and small business owners nation wide, remember to give your company some love. It is not enough to work in your business you need to work on your business. Show your own company the same dedication and performance that you service your clients with and your business will continue to grow.

So to insure that here at Zella  “we eat what the kitchen is cooking” we have declared a host off new features and dedications that will allow Zella to continue to grow and flourish in our second year of business

Zella Design is currently in the process of updating our web site! Look for the new site to launch mid august. With our web site launch Zella Design will be offering some exciting new features to help our clients improve their online marketing.

Until than our blog is back in full swing after a brief hiatus (due to a virus on wordpress) so look for new content and articles in the next few days.

And remember do not neglect your own business, the way your business treats it self is a vital component of your business brand so take some time every week and put some of your love back into your business. In order for your business to be successful you need to put in the time doing the things necessary to grow your business.

Right now is the perfect time to focus some of your business resources and time back into your business. With the slow economy many businesses are cutting back employee hours due to declining workloads.

This might not be the best solution. Rather than cutting hour’s redirect your employees down time towards functions that will help move your business towards its long-term goals. Getting your employees involved in marketing, sales and lead generation can be a great way to build moral and avoid layoff’s or cutting your employees hours activities that are sure to lead to reduced employee moral.

Here are five things you can do to reenergize your business

1)    Start a blog: this is a great way to put content creation in your companies’ hands. If you are too busy to write consider allowing knowledgeable employees to publish content.

2)    Social media: developing and maintaining a social media presence can be a great way to connect with customers and build product awareness

3)    Update directories: update your director listings and Google local listings. This simple task can help you rank better and get more leads

4)    Update your web site: when was the last time you updated your site? Get some fresh content for your customers. Dedicate your self to revising one page a week. In no time you will have your site looking fresh and full of information.

5)    Get Personal: Spend some time connecting with your customers and employees. Spend some face time listening to their needs, who knows what gems you might find hiding in some one else’s words.

Tags: be your own best client, improve your business, update your business.