One week prior to my panel at the New Music Seminar in Chicago, Tom Silverman called me and suggested  I take a look at something “truly amazing” that he was going to email me before arriving in Chicago. After a lovely conversation about holistic changes in the way music is consumed and experienced, we hung up…

…..and the phone rang. It was friend, comrade, and fellow panelist Ariel Hyatt. “Did Tom Silverman send you the ri-DIC-ulous list from Billboard? I’m bringing it to our hotel room.”
And she did.

In September 2008, Billboard reported that they “decided to geek out with 20 promotions and publicity experts across genres and mediums to create the ultimate multimedia metric: Our first Maximum Exposure list.”

Items listed include:

#2: PERFORMANCES ON “THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW”
#35: COVER STORY IN ROLLING STONE
#71: TOUR SPONSORSHIP WITH LEADING MOBILE CARRIER
#89: SONG PLAYED ON ABC’S ‘DANCING WITH THE STARS’
If you aren’t U2, It’s quite possibly the most ridiculous list floating around out there, so much so that i hesitate to even link to it out of fear an artist may be wooed by the shiny things (and damaged dreams) which await.

At New Music Seminar (the best music conference i’ve been to in 4 or more years), Digital Music News moderated & covered our panel discussion about the true hilarity of Billboard’s list. Paul Resnikoff guided us through a discussion about the reality of exposure in today’s climate. We discussed 1,000 true fans and the significance of multimedia multichannel relationships with music lovers. When it was all over, in true (superwoman) form, Ariel turned to me and said “we’re making our own list, Corey. I’ll email you.”
And she did.

“I want your top 5,” she asked.
With descriptions?
“yes, like the billboard thing, but not insane. Give an example with reapandsow artists if you have some.”
OK!

Ariel Hyatt assembled her “Dream Team” collected our answers, and published The Indie Maximum Exposure List. I spent a long time with the ri-DIC-ulous Billboard Maximum Exposure List, and tried to mimic it as best i could, but with a flair of, well, **Reality**

What an honor to be part of such an amazing project. Thanks, Ariel!

Ariel Hyatt’s Dream Team: Jed Carlson (co-founder & coo reverb nation), Randy Chertkow & Jason Feehan (authors, Indie Band Survival Guide), Corey Denis (um, that’s me, totally honored), Christina Duren (Ariel Publicity), Christopher Gesualdi (Ariel Publicity), Rick Goetz (former A&R Elektra, Music Supervisor), Tom Jackson (Produer), Erik Philbrook (AVP Marketing, ASCAP), Lou Plaia (founder, VP Music Industry Relations), Michele Samuel (principal, Beautiful Day Entertainment), Tom Silverman (founder, chairman, ceo, Tommy Boy Records), Derek Sivers (founder, CD Baby), Jonathan Coulton (musician), Matthew Ebel (musician), Carla Lynne Hall (musician & marketing consultant), Derek Nicoletto (musician), Phil Putnam (musician), Dudley Saunders (musician), Jennie Walker (musician), Jason Walsmith (The Nadas, Authentic Records)

The Indie Maximum Exposure List, was featured today on Hypebot.  I’ve posted my top 5 entries below.

check out the full pdf, with all 100 tips, at hypebot.

Indie Maximum Exposure List: My Top vs. Billboard’s Top 100

1. Sponsored streaming or live show through Reverb Nation, Pandora, imeem, Rhapsody Rocks
Hello, licensing. All of these media companies currently connect music with advertising & sponsorships which can help you get maximum (and trackable) exposure for your music. This is your Johnny Carson. This is your Oprah. if you get this, you will be exposed to over 40 million potential new & genuine music fans with high consumption rates on the web. All three companies have engaged in advertising programs which can promote a new release in a stream packaged in an advertisement. Read about Reverb Nation’s DIY Song Sponsorships here, or Pandora’s sponsored album releases here.
Tip: all of these companies are engaging or about to engage in sponsored video streams. Prepare now. Get your videos together now. Watch their video series & follow their news.
Live Music Component: Rhapsody has been promoting independent live shows for 3 years, with it’s Rhapsody Rocks series. reapandsow’s Big Light was featured in Rhapsody Rocks San Francisco where every band was sponsored, and therefore paid appropriately and featured on a Rhapsody Rocks playlist. Remember, these placements are just another 15 minutes if you don’t make a connection with every single person who connects with you about their experience with your music. Know who is listening and thank them.
Tip: You are not ready to begin pitching for this until you have 700 – 1000 true fans on Facebook and/ or Twitter (or whichever network you use).

2. You Say Rolling Stone, I say Hot Lips: Get a Live Show Review on Jambase, Appear on Jambase TV, Perform In Their Office For Jambase Live
Jambase has become the source for Live Music exposure online. Recently, reapandsow artists Big Light & Nathan Moore teamed up for Jambase Live & the crowd went wild. Jambase is not just a source for how to see live music – more than a 50,000,000  music lovers participate in the JamBase community, with massive syndication generating 750,000 unique visits every month. Think it’s just for Jam Bands? You’re wrong. It’s not.  Jambase has the most accurate show listings online, for more than 50,000 artists across 50 genres, performing in 50,000 venues worldwide. JamBase is headquartered in San Francisco and has been around for 10 years. Find them online jambase.com. Go say hi. now.

3. Spin Magazine Doesn’t Exist: Album review on Stereogum (buzznet), My Old Kentucky Blog, Largehearted Boy, Gorilla Vs Bear
Tip: first read these blogs and determine if your music is appropriate, and contact bloggers in accordance with a planned digital strategy. Pork is the other white meat, and these top music blogs are the other Spin Magazine. A review on any of these music review blogs will get you exposure to at least 10,000 true genuine music lovers. Blogs are also now participating in the presentation of events ranging from local to major showcases at SxSW. Recently, reapandsow band Wendy Darling hopped on a My Old Kentucky Blog concert. Three years ago, when My Old Kentucky Blog recommended Promonet as a source for cleared music, 750 new active users (other bloggers) signed up within 25 hours, and traffic doubled.
Tip: Time your solicitations appropriately, read the blog for at least 3 months before you submit or ask for their attention. Know the writers, respect the blogosphere, and communicate with them via their blog. All four bloggers above have been writing about music online for 6 years. They have specific taste and did not do this for the money.
Tip: do not spam. ever

4. Video / Music Video Feature on Current TV
reapandsow’s Rotary Downs was featured on Current TV and the band is still receiving feedback via comments on the video which was syndicated across the web. In addition, Current TV recommends “like music” to appropriate fans, so Rotary Downs enjoyed the benefit of entering the Current TV recommendation realm. Also, how can you deny the awesomeness of Al Gore? Pay attention to all the music contributors and if you think you fall into the category of something they may feature and go for this if you know you have at least 500 true fans who will enjoy it. Tell them when it airs and encourage them to share the video with the embed code. When you acquire new fans, make sure they know where to find your music and how to connect with you. Return the connection favor.  reapandsow band Rotary Downs enjoyed a 40% increase in digital sales as a result of their feature on Current TV.
Tip: remember, Current TV also airs on cable. Keep an eye on Current and start watching their music program.

5. Feature on Indiefeed Podcast (includes placement at indiefeed.com)
With single servings (one track at a time) this is the ultimate way to expose your single to a passionate group of music listeners. Indiefieed is the number one music podcast on iTunes. I have placed at least 30 tracks with Indiefeed, and as a result every track was exposed to over 1 million Nielson Certified listeners. Indiefeed likes to post your promotional mp3, and links to your website in the show notes available at Indiefeed.com, which has lead to at least 1000 dedicated-fan downloads and a minimum of 20% traffic increase with every feature I have placed.
Tip: Time this appropriately with your strategy, and give Indiefeed an exclusive if you can. Start listening to the show immediately, and follow the contact information provided for submissions.