Communication for so many of us has become based around screens within screens within screens..... Fun though, to create global networks. To share ideas with people on the other side of the planet. To build communities based around shared information. Ways of being and sharing with folk who otherwise would be out of reach- people who are in a similar head space despite their geographic distance. This week I have been collating my blog contacts. Week 4 of Ariel Hyat's book Music Success in 9 weeks suggests making a list of 50 blog sites that you want to send stuff to. It has been good to start putting all the information in one place. I have made contact with a number of bloggers since the album came out in March with some success. It was good today to put all the contact information in one place with notes on whether I have sent them anything and whether they have published anything. Bloggers and podcasters are GREAT! Once you find people who like your work they are so supportive. Its a win win for both of you. If you make music they like and you have concise information on what you do and who you are and some decent press shots, and the music in a format they can easily access then it's easy for them and you get some promotion and feedback from it. I am still working on the list and will post at least some of it when I am done.

I have also been gradually revamping my sites. Making sure the blurbs, pitches are consistent and all the links are working etc...It is time consuming work as I currently have lots of sites. Including facebook, twitter, sonic bids, unearthed, myspace, last FM, You Tube, Flikr, this blog... a drumming blog, a general blog and www.mahriautumn.com... hmmmm that's a kinda crazy amount going on. Some of them are working better than others. My You Tube site is the one that has really taken off. I have almost 250,000 hits on my drumming video. It's near the top of my priority list to harness this interest. I need to make more clips and funnel the hits into some kind of sale able items...... also looking in to using advertising maybe.

Week 5 of the book is about Mailing Lists and thinking about your "fan" base and thinking through what the options are for engaging with them. Hmmmmmmm my mailing list is VERY small. Much work to be done here. Still have not succesfully sorted the opt in email thing. I have different strategies working on different sites. Need to consolidate it. Need some help with this. Getting there though.

Meanwhile I am looking at an option of doing some life coaching/career guidance sessions with one of my favorite artists to help focus my creative activities. I will keep you posted on that. Meanwhile 2, i have been training in dance, walking up the mountain as I have 10 days of drumming and dance workshops coming up in a few weeks : ) Meanwhile 3, I have been working on my new piano piece. Meanwhile 4, I have been in communication with Brian Siskind who helped make my album ri-solv about how we might approach the next project. Meanwhile 4, working hard with my drumming schools project. Meanwhile 4, enjoying spring in my garden. Meanwhile 5, checking out some of my friends theatre shows in the Sydney Fringe Festival : ) all good : ) Must sleeeeeep ..........