Takin’ It To The Streets: Fans Support Artists Directly with Feed The Muse One Dollar At a Time

Date: Jul 20, 2009

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http://Feedthemuse.net
Not For Publication: 267.307.0894


In a year that continues a downward trend in the music industry, where 95% of digital downloads come from unauthorized sources*, where the fallout from a damaged economy continues to make major waves in the business community, and where arts funding is being slashed and burned**… independent artists wonder how to survive and how to continue creating…Feed The Muse presents a simple model for creators and audiences to join together and keep the arts flourishing.

Feed The Muse is a simple yet effective vehicle for musicians and creators from other disciplines to fund their creative projects and connect to their audience in an intimate and meaningful way. It provides a means for artists to ask their fans, families and friends to contribute financially in the artists’ evolution.

If an artist has 5,000 MySpace “friends” and each contribute even $2 that totes up to $10,000 for the next tour or recording project. This process allows fans who are passionate about their artists and want to see them continue creating, the opportunity to do so without having to make a large contribution. Feed The Muse runs on the concept of microdonations. Every dollar, every donation no matter how small is a statement of faith in the project and moves it closer to completion.

Artists have the opportunity to give back to their fans thru very personal and creative means. Anything from a signed CD or T-shirt to the opportunity of appearing on a record or being listed as a producer are some of the ways artists are inspiring their fans to support.

Features Advantages Benefits:
- Creating a Feed The Muse account is free. The artist retains all their rights to their creative property
- Any sort of project can be funded ( music, film, visual arts, dance), and the artist keeps 90% of the funds collected. A small administrative fee for accounting and back-end support is applied
- Artists Create… Artists Rule. The artist retains full control over how funds are spent, and are now able to monetize their social networks and fans.
- Feed The Muse also provides educational support in the form of templates, tutorials and tools to help the artist create their “pitch” and overcome hesitation in asking for what they need.
- Feed The Muse has a Forum where artists can exchange tips with each other or asks questions of Customer Service for support.
- Feed The Muse provides each artist with a dedicated customer support liaison for the first 2 weeks to make certain every aspect of the artist’s pitch, and landing page are maximized for effective results.
- No subscriptions, set-up charges, or obligation from the artist at all.

Feed The Muse is the creation of The MilkBoy Group. (milkboy.tv) The MilkBoy team has been actively involved over the past 15 years in assisting the independent artist achieve their goals, build their craft and gain exposure to the public.

The only question left to be answered… is this a successful way for artists to achieve their goals? The answer is an unequivocal yes. As major artists, like Radiohead, Tori Amos and Nine Inch Nails flee the sinking ship of the major label, and artists like Ellis Paul ***, Jill Sobule****, and Maria Schneider who’s 2007 album Sky Blue won a Grammy Award despite never being sold in stores ***** are finding a new path to connect with fans. It’s clear this is a model that works.

Feed The Muse creates a fresh opportunity where savvy bands/songwriters, visual artists, film makers can gain support and fans in a global backyard.

*(http://www.ifpi.org/content/section_resources/dmr2009.html)
** http://www.philaculture.org/action/hottopics/3438/gov-rendell-announces-additional-500-million-cuts-proposed-pa-budget
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/16/arts/16mone.html
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/03/governor_corzine_proposes_cutt.html
*** http://www.ellispaul.com/
**** http://www.jillsnextrecord.com/
***** http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=90478696