Firstly, I am now a proud delegator to this great platform. I've been a little choosey about who I delegate to, just because I prefer to delegate a higher SP amount if possible, and I only have so much to go around. Lately, DSound has been one of my most frequented websites on my list of crypto-stops. The platform shows great promise and support for music, and the community there is tight, positive, open-minded, and helpful. For musicians, this is a platform we've been waiting for (knowingly or not) for a very long time.
Click Image for source.
Recently, I've been doing relatively well on the platform (which I'm extremely grateful for!) and a couple individuals have asked me how to go about jumping up onto the 'hot' page. At first, I was reluctant to do so; not at all because I don't want to support my fellow musicians 200%, but more so because I feel like I am really not qualified to be coaching people on this subject 😆. I'm just a regular-ass dude who seems to have struck a chord (ew, pun) with the DSound curators (shoutout to my buddy @drumoperator who just got his first big-return post too!).
muchHonestly, there are some great Steemians who spearhead #minnowsupport better than I can. Look up all things MSP (@msp-music, @msp-waves, etc.), @joshpeterson has some great ones, Minnow University by @isaria is phenomenal, etc.
But as I brainstormed advice to give my friends about how to navigate DSound, I noticed that basically I was just coming up with the same phrases and philosophies that I've been carrying through every platform (and offline). DSound is not different in the sense that there is some trick to it - in fact, quite the contrary. The reason I like DSound so much is because it seems to reward authenticity, hard work, skill, and growth.
So without further adieu, here's a few tips I would give to Steemians who want to succeed on DSound (or as I said, any social media platform, really):
Upload from the heart.
This sounds corny, but it's true. For singers and songwriters, I've seen individuals with sub-par recordings or no mastering do VERY well. The merit comes from the energy and heart that they put into their music. They've obviously practiced the song (or their craft) in a way that they were extremely comfortable and zoned when they recorded it, and the passion shines through, even if the recording isn't super polished.
I don't have a crazy sample set to pull from to get some real stats, but as a music producer, it seems like I've been rewarded the most for my finished, polished products. This typically means they are the tracks that I've put the most work into, because 'passion' is kind of hard to convey when your aim is to literally sound like dying robots. But my passion lies in my hours of work, fine-tuning, and production value.
This means on the spectrum ranging from passion to technicality, make sure you strive to nail at least one.
Master your music.
For anyone who's been a part of the music industry for a little while, this is kind of a no-brainer. If you are submitting to record labels, promoters, booking agents, or even just fans, the first 10-20 seconds of your music is immensely important. When a platform or service has to go through hundreds of submissions per day, don't expect them to listen to your track from start to finish unless you grab them by the metaphorical balls right from the get-go.
I'll pitch you a scenario - naturally if a track has -10db of head room and they spend that first [crucial] 10 seconds adjusting their volume rather than giving your tune a chance, don't expect the results you want. Make their lives easy - master your record.
On that note, we live within this AMAZING Steemit family, with people of all skill sets and masteries! If paying a Steemian engineer 5 SBD to master a track for you means you may pull back ~30 SBD from a well-curated mastered track, doesn't that just make sense? And look, that's just the business side of the equation - regardless of money and upvotes, you should want to perfect your sound for you, not for rewards. Invest in your music, invest in yourself - it's the best investment you will ever make.
Be a person.
I make it a point to give a little blurb about every track I upload, because there is a story and a piece of my life behind each one. I don't want people to see me as a automation - I work hard on my music, every day of my life. I feel like I owe it to myself to give the track the background it deserves, and I owe it to the listener to explain the process and experience for stopping by and listening. It's win-win really.
Furthermore, never let it just be about you. Interact with the community - there are so many amazing people here. And look, unless you're giving some thoughtful, real love on someone's music, don't expect them to reciprocate. Real talk.
If I write 'Nice post.' in the comments on someone's track, how is that engaging? It's a complete dead-end comment; there is no conversation to be had off of that statement. Let me say this loud for the people in the back -
Actually listen, and say some thoughtful shit so they know you listened.
Look, when it comes to this part, there is no way to fake being genuine. I love sitting down at the end of my day and listening to what the community is doing - not because I have to, but because I enjoy that activity. If you're just in it for the upvotes, you will always fail on this part of the equation. It's okay to not be super into someone's music - tell them specifically what you did like, or maybe what you didn't like in a constructive way. Be a part of the community, there's no way around it. You can't expect the community to support you, if you're not offering real support and love to anyone else. And I'll say it again, a vague, ambiguous comment does not count as real support.
Be consistent.
This one gets a little tricky, because music takes time. Some of the community doesn't have a crazy back-catalogue of music to upload to the community, but that just means you have to work a little harder to stay on track.
I've spent years barely (or not) making rent, living off peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with the heat turned off because I was busy making music that I believed in. Not to say some people don't have it worse, and I'm very grateful and thankful for my situation - but my only point being is, I did my time when I could've had a more lucrative, comfortable life.
Stick with it! Your time will come.
Do your homework.
People underestimate how insanely important this is. It has nothing to do with music; it has everything to do with networking and listening.
Know your audience!
For anyone who follows DSound and reads their updates, you would know that they have bots in place to help curate some of the uploads, but all curation is screened and confirmed by human hands. You would also be a part of their Discord (which I actually forgot to do up until recently <slaps self on wrist>). You would also know that we have been advised to keep it to around one post per day, as the bots that help curate will not double-vote.
Now, this information was put out there by the creator of DSound, @prc. Obviously if he has a vision for how he would like the community to look, and he is advising on this vision, how is it not in our absolute best interest to follow that?
Do your homework!
Okay, whew.
I'll say again, I'm really only making this post because a few friends asked me to, but everyone is different and you need to find the formula that works for you. However, if you're a part of the community just for the rewards, you're doing it wrong.
Strangely enough, turning a blind eye to the dollar-value of your posts and just being an active community member is the real way to see results. Stop worrying about it so much and just make great music, make new friends, delegate to DSound, and support the community.
Catch you folks on DSound!
Read this post by @prc/DSound: https://steemit.com/dsound/@prc/dsound-delegations-curation-and-new-community-building-strategy-this-one-is-big-news
A great article about how to delegate quickly to MSP (which is a great initiative) or you can reallocate to @DSound with a couple quick tweaks as well (thanks @RockChickJen for pointing me here!): https://steemit.com/minnowsupportproject/@justinchase/how-to-delegate-steem-power-in-under-1-minute-and-how-much-you-should-delegate-to-minnowsupportproject
You can join the 'Steemit Local Music Society' here:
https://discord.gg/zku8RFM
Super useful information (many of the same conclusions I have drawn during my learn-everything-bout-dsound-in-a-week binge). Can definitely attest to the quality of the community on discord and the essential nature of unselfish networking. Thanks for the shoutout bro! People are gonna -really- appreciate the guide.
Such a perfect embodiment of what I was getting at through many more words lol.
And of course man, glad to know you. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't enviously admiring your modular setup the other day 😂.
I know someone who would benefit greatly from uploading his music to Dsound but would probably be skeptical to join. What should I tell him the advantages are over iTunes, Soundcloud or Bandcamp?
I totally understand - blockchain platforms are always a little tricky to get into because it's a very different format than all other platforms.
The angle I would recommend coming from is the fact that there's absolutely no reason to have to pick one over the other in the beginning. Most people who decide to go crypto-exclusive are just because they love the communities and the way they are set up, but there is absolutely no reason why Steemit/DSound couldn't just be another platform to re-monetize their work.
They can still upload to Soundcloud, Spotify, iTunes, Bandcamp, and make a post about their music on Steemit, and upload to DSound. None of these bind you to exclusivity. Nothing to lose - everything to gain.
Thanks for the great thought!
If anybody is wondering whether Harrison’s tips work, feel free to check out my feed where I just got my first 100% dsound upvote entirely by adhering to this man’s sweat-equity-earned insights!!
Sorry for sounding so “testimonial”-y. Just so pumped and legitimately you helped me a ton, if only by example!
Congrats dude! Much deserved, I'm happy for ya!
Lovely piece, Harrison!
I joined dSound 6 days ago and landed a two-digit reward on my first day. I uploaded Demos and song ideas (with bad qualify and mostly short-ish) that i recorded over the last ten years but never showed them anyone. Not a single one has been published yet. dSound is the first platform I use and I love it. Seems like my effort pays off!
Smells like Steem spirit!
Glad to hear it! Yeah it's sad that it almost feels wrong to be profiting off our hard work - we as musicians have been conditioned for failure. Can't thank DSound and the community enough for encouraging and endorsing sustainability for musicians.
Will be checking out your work!
And PS. 'Smells like Steem spirit!' Haha I love that.
Hi Harrison,
Thanks for your words and views.
Seems very strange to me that all my friends who I know from Soundcloud are getting massive upvotes all the time, but I still haven't had more than 30c of upvotes on a post.
Oh well. Maybe the curators just dont like my stuff?
But I suppose it's just a matter of waiting and continuing to upload on a daily and weekly basis, and trying to engage with others' content in a meaningful way!
Yep, you nailed it. I've seen upvoted music of all genres and mediums (podcasts and such too), so I would like to think the curators are more interested in quality and passion than personal preference.
Just stay focused on your craft (which I'm sure you are) and I'm confident your time will come if you're putting out great work. It takes some time but you'll get there.
Without beating the bush you've struck a chord . Every individual point with proper implementation would lead to success .Thanks for sharing the experience :) .
I'm glad, thanks man. Always happy to help out the community.
Great work bro! Even when I'm reading ur post I feel your passion for music.
Thank you very much! I'm glad it shows through - really appreciate the kind words.
Thanks for all this info Harrison and also the upvote on Air. I'm in the same boat as @realjohnaziz trying to work out real world logic to the distribution of upvotes. You article has helped shed some light on this.
Of course man, my pleasure. I definitely hear ya - keep your eyes on the content and away from the price tag and your time will come, no doubt! 🤘
Thanks for the shout out, @harrisonmir! I appreciate it.
And thank you for writing this up. Just uploaded my first clip to DSound today, and so this post is exactly what I was looking for to help me get going. I also joined the Steemit Local Music Society Discord, so I'm looking forward on getting more involved there as well.
Awesome dude! And of course, much deserved - you've definitely taught me a thing or two. I'll definitely be catching you in SLMS!
Really in depth and concise post, without ever sounding like a lecture. I really appreciate the simplicity of your approach, right to the point and clear, while never seeming to pretend to any moral high ground yourself. Quite the entertaining read! As a newcomer to steemit, it feels like a warm welcome to me. Thank you for extending that hand to pull other fellow musicians up, instead of claiming to be Grand Poobah of an unattainable rank and an inaccessible craft, as some surely would. Very inspiring! Upvoted and resteemed!
Appreciate those words, thanks very much! Hope it helps some folks out!
I hadn't thought about paying a producer to master my tracks using SBD! Can you recommend anyone?
I do a half decent job myself but sometimes I just struggle so to have someone to call on would be awesome!
Yeah man, I've seen some cool sub-economies/transactions like that happen within the community. It's novel, professional, practical - why not, right?
Not anyone that's really coming to mind right off rip in regards to openly offering the service, but I'm sure most producers wouldn't mind you asking! Maybe compiling some names would be a great resource for the community - I wouldn't mind helping out with this task.
And same here, I master well enough for my own work I'd say, but having a few great engineers on call never hurts! We have an 'electronic/production' category in the SLMS Discord server where I'm sure some of us producers willing to do the work might congregate. Feel free to come hang with us: https://discord.gg/zku8RFM
Great info, great post! Thanks a lot for this long explanation :)
You're welcome! Thanks for reading!
Oh! Amazing post and information. Thanks for all man 👍😊
Anytime my dude.
:)
Great work friend i like your article. Thanks for the sharing. Keep it up. Have a nice day.
Your post have a great information dear i like it and Appericiate you and follow you=, you have a great blog I always wait for your posts