Updated Project Proposal: (January 2011)
What specific area(s) within the field will be investigated researched and/or studied?
I will be researching and applying different media and marketing messages, images, and audio clips to be viewed by target audience on a Facebook page, over time. These techniques will be used to directly connect bands and fans on the Facebook medium. Insights will be used to track progress. The music industry is changing due to the use of Internet in promotion. The research focuses on techniques within this changing field, applied to a local music setting.
How will knowledge or ability in the field be acquired, developed, and demonstrated through the year?
Within the field, a Facebook page will be established to directly test the research. The techniques examined in research, combined with insight from my mentor and other experts will help develop the page. I will spend time with my mentor to learn and refine skills in editing and taping, which will be applied to the project.
What will be the product(s) and/or outcome(s) of the year of study?
I will focus on skills in band promotion, organization, communication, T.V. recording and T.V. editing. The data and outcome of the product has greater implications and can be applied to other communities or larger communities.
What proven need will be addressed? What real problem will be solved? What question will be researched?
There are a lot of people who want to get their music exposed to the public. Many groups utilize Facebook as a means to reach and expand the number of potential fans and develop an audience for their music. The limited number of “friends” asked to join the page or “friend” awareness of personal or individual band pages, lack of connections with other local musicians, or lack of awareness of promotion and performance opportunities can jeopardize success. Audiences are interested in finding new local music to listen to and are also interested in socializing at events. Musicians desire to get in contact with other musicians. Facebook provides an opportunity to meet all of these needs through their technology. The research will examine different techniques of promotion utilizing the medium that is driving change in the music industry. What strategies are most effective? What strategies are most conducive to the specific needs of bands and fans? The idea and purpose of the problem is to create a Facebook page that lists local concerts and information about local bands for teens (of whom are under the age of 21) in Howard County. The page will specifically address the problems listed above. Bands can utilize the page for promotion and increased connection with audiences and other bands. Bands can post new releases, song posts, video posts, picture posts, and upcoming event information. Teens can utilize the page to find local music opportunities to attend on the weekend in order to socialize and enjoy music. “180 RockIt Talk” (brought to you by BettyBand: Liv Luv Jam) videos of interviews with bands will be recorded and posted on the page. Local venues will be approached as to the possibility of interviewing them, so they can discuss opportunities for all age performances in their place of business. This will include clubs, community centers, high schools, and coffee houses. A segment of Mrs. von Rautenkranz’s show in January will feature interviews that were posted on the site and a small advertisement for the site.
Who is the intended audience of the project? Who, other than the student, will learn or benefit as a result of the work? To whom will the outcomes be communicated? For whom is the product or result intended?
Preliminarily the intended audience is teens under 21 in Howard County. Those trying to promote music and utilize Facebook, specifically local promotion, will benefit as a result of the work. The outcomes will give greater insight to the changing music industry and the shared results are intended for those seeking greater insight to local promotion.
Will the audience be local, state or national? (Note: The mentor/advisor, the student and the G/T Resource Teacher should not be the only audiences.)
The audience is primarily local, but the findings could apply to many communities.
How will the product and outcomes be communicated to or performed for the selected audience? What will be the outlet vehicle?
I will use the Digication site to share my progress and results. The information should be accessible to those utilizing the web. Specific audiences, such as my Music Theory class and mentorship students in the Mass Communication cluster will view aspects of the project in a PowerPoint format.
What resources will be required for the project (human, print, organizations, media)?
The Internet is critical to the project, specifically the social network site, Facebook. Print sources and interviews are used to collect date. T.V. recording equipment is necessary for my internship and some aspects of the mentorship project. I may buy small tokens to promote the site at public venues.
What are the special considerations of the project? (cost, materials, equipment, transportation, special permission, printing/distribution)
The Internet sites must function for the success of the project. If I had monetary resources, other promotional tools could be accessible and expansion of the project would occur with greater speed.
Timeline
- Have students from each high school “like” the page by Jan. 30
- Have an interview of a band or venue approximately every month (Every month Jan. –April)
- Update the page for every upcoming weekend (Continued from inception-April)
- Utilize new marketing strategies each month (Continued from inception- April)
- Number of comments and people “liking” the page increase every month (This medium of tracking progress may be reexamined as Facebook has included new insights for page administrators).
- Have 300 “likes” by the end of March
Original Project Proposal:
Title: Spot the Rock- Local HoCo Music Facebook Page
Problem: There are a lot of people who want to get their music exposed to the public. Many groups utilize Facebook as a means to reach and expand the number of potential fans and develop an audience for their music. The limited number of “friends” asked to join the page or “friend” awareness of personal or individual band pages, lack of connections with other local musicians, or lack of awareness of promotion and performance opportunities can jeopardize success. Audiences are interested in finding new local music to listen to and are also interested in socializing at events. Musicians desire to get in contact with other musicians. Facebook provides an opportunity to meet all of these needs through their technology.
Idea/Purpose: To create a Facebook page that lists local concerts and information about local bands for teens (of whom are under the age of 21) in Howard County. The page will specifically address the problems listed above. Bands can utilize the page for promotion and increased connection with audiences and other bands. Bands can post new releases, song posts, video posts, picture posts, and upcoming event information. Teens can utilize the page to find local music opportunities to attend on the weekend in order to socialize and enjoy music. “180 RockIt Talk” (brought to you by BettyBand: Liv Luv Jam) videos of interviews with bands will be recorded and posted on the page. A jingle will be created by BettyBand to open each segment. Local venues will be approached as to the possibility of interviewing them, so they can discuss opportunities for all age performances in their place of business. This will include clubs, community centers, high schools, and coffee houses. A segment of Mrs. von Rautenkranz’s show in January will feature interviews that were posted on the site and a small advertisement for the site.
Audience: Teens under 21 in Howard County
Category: Local Music Marketing
Statistical Goals:
Have students from each high school “like” the page
Have an interview of a band or venue approximately every month
Update the page for every upcoming weekend
Number of comments and people “liking” the page must increase every month
Have 500 “likes” by the end of March