At this point, Google has become synonymous with the internet. As both artists and individuals, we use their browser and all of it’s tools for personal as well as career ventures. Not only does Google offer search capabilities, but many of their Google Apps can be monopolized to help you grow as a musician.
Taking advantage of these tools all begins with creating a Gmail (if you don’t already have one). Leave Yahoo and AOL in the past — bloggers, media makers, and websites require a gmail to connect with them. Additionally, Gmail allows you to set up a URL and a GoDaddy for just a small fee!
Google’s prowess is unprecedented, and so in this post, we take a moment to point you towards some of their greatest tools to support your career as an artist. This is an update of an older blog post, so jump in for some new content that you may find useful!
Here are 7 apps designed to help you take advantage of the many assets Google offers!
1. Google Blog Search
The official Google Blog Search was discontinued in 2011, but Google still offers a simplified way to discover new blogs that you could potentially submit your music release to. Start off by searching a few keywords related to your music and the type of blogs you are looking for. Then, click the “News” tab, hit the “Tools” button, and filter for blogs instead of all news. Boom! Now you’re looking at a filtered search of all potential PR possibilities.
2. Google Drive
If you’re familiar with the many offerings of Google Suite (the online sister of Microsoft Suite), you know that Google Drive allows you to store all of your files, projects, and more for free in the Cloud. Anyone who has a Google account can access the files at any time, making it easy to work on projects together. You and your team can keep track of lyrics and other writing, merchandise, accounting spreadsheets, and anything else you would otherwise use Word or Excel for.
3. Google Alerts
If you want to stay constantly updated on your Google searches, Google Alerts is a must-have resource for your toolbox. What it does is it sends you emails of new results like websites, articles, or blogs that match your search terms. This is helpful because you can use it to be updated when your band name or music is mentioned by any of these sources. You can also utilize this app to stay up to date on any music industry news or developments that can help you in your career!
4. Google Calendar
If you want a convenient way to keep your busy schedule organized, get Google Calendar ASAP! With this app, you can easily schedule meetings and events and set reminders for important activities. Have a meeting with your PR firm? Planning a photoshoot or music video? Enter it all in your Google Calendar to always be on top of your to-do list and manage your time. It is also a perfect tool for teams, so if you are in a band, you can use it to share your schedule with your bandmates so you are always on the same page and on track for success!
5. Google Knowledge Panel
Whenever you conduct a google search on your favorite band or musician, you will likely see a box on the right-hand side of your search results that contains information about them and their music. This is called a Google Knowledge Panel, and it can help new listeners get to know you or your band at a quick glance. With this resource, your fans (or future fans) can easily see images of you or information such as your bio, social channels, albums, tour dates, and more, with just a quick search.
6. Google Adsense
Google Adsense is a free and simple way to earn money through website monetization. The way it works is it matches ads paid for by advertisers to your band’s website based on your content and visitors. Then, Google pays you based on user clicks on these ads or ad impressions. If you want to earn some easy money from Google, get AdSense and start getting paid for advertising ads that relate to your brand and content!
7. Google Analytics
As an artist, you hopefully have a website set up to promote your brand, music, and merchandise. Google offers a free tracking tool to gauge how visitors interact with your website. You can measure your website’s performance, what content users specifically interact with, test new marketing ventures with your audience, and ultimately optimize your site. Google makes it easy to follow guides to add the tracking code to your website and begin analyzing your date with their custom made reports. Check it out here if you haven’t already!
Now that you’re up to speed on Google apps, the most important part of Google is utilizing it’s search engine for your brand and website. Click below to check out our Optimizing Your Musicians Website blog post!
Also like the trends tool as a layman’s keyword tracker, while adsense is a great place for artists to start learning and implementing ad supported revenue platforms.
The blog search I’ve also seen hacked to present only “dofollow” results for SEO
Whoa, aren’t you helpful and full of rich resources and knowledge, thank you so much. I just recently signed up as a member of your Ariel Publicity and I love what you’re doing. I know you just send several emails to my yahoo account about a free PR consultation, just haven’t had a chance to look at it right away. Away, I’m a positive rapper/poet that talks about reality in my songs and I need info like this to keep me going. Now I’m signing up for gmail because of you. Once again you are extremely appreciate! Thank you and I look forward to talking with you soon.
Nice tips – the only caveat I would add is about GMail. While I have tried it and think it is great, I have also heard some horror stories about hacked accounts, so I would not recommend switching ALL of your email to Gmail…
Two new features from Google I’ve been highly interested in is Google Voice and Google Friend Connect.
Google Voice gives you a free phone number to connect all your real phones to. Imagine One number that will call every member of your band. The first one that picks up receives the call. Voice has a bunch for cool features.
Google Friend Connect is a simple script/code that you drop in your website. It enables your site to have people sign with their google or yahoo accounts. I also has a chat feature and many other social networking features, all embedded in your website. No programming necessary.
Thank you Ariel. This made me just claim and update my Google Music Artist Page via your link. And it was free, since they already had some of my music there, which I submitted via dittomusic.
Learning more and more every day! I also added a security team to my computer, Bubble PC, to provide safety in this world of information overload and social media outreach. Think about adding that too!
Thank You Mr.Ariel.. These are the amonst one of the famous and very useful app that an musician need to know about..As an musician i also agree with all of these apps you listed in the article…Well said and also very informative also..!!!!!
Also like the trends tool as a layman’s keyword tracker, while adsense is a great place for artists to start learning and implementing ad supported revenue platforms.
The blog search I’ve also seen hacked to present only “dofollow” results for SEO
Whoa, aren’t you helpful and full of rich resources and knowledge, thank you so much. I just recently signed up as a member of your Ariel Publicity and I love what you’re doing. I know you just send several emails to my yahoo account about a free PR consultation, just haven’t had a chance to look at it right away. Away, I’m a positive rapper/poet that talks about reality in my songs and I need info like this to keep me going. Now I’m signing up for gmail because of you. Once again you are extremely appreciate! Thank you and I look forward to talking with you soon.
Ariel,
Thank you for providing the most up to date tips and tricks of the trade in the music industry. Your knowledge and expertise is greatly valued.
GOD IS CONTINUING TO OPEN UP TO US OPPORTUNITIES, AND YOU ARE PART OF THAT PROCESS.
THANK YOU!
You’re welcome 🙂
Nice tips – the only caveat I would add is about GMail. While I have tried it and think it is great, I have also heard some horror stories about hacked accounts, so I would not recommend switching ALL of your email to Gmail…
Interesting! We’ve never had a company Gmail account hacked – would love to hear more about this.
Two new features from Google I’ve been highly interested in is Google Voice and Google Friend Connect.
Google Voice gives you a free phone number to connect all your real phones to. Imagine One number that will call every member of your band. The first one that picks up receives the call. Voice has a bunch for cool features.
Google Friend Connect is a simple script/code that you drop in your website. It enables your site to have people sign with their google or yahoo accounts. I also has a chat feature and many other social networking features, all embedded in your website. No programming necessary.
These are awesome – we will think about adding them to this blog post! Thanks so much.
THis is great information Ariel- thank you!
You are most welcome 🙂
Thank you Ariel. This made me just claim and update my Google Music Artist Page via your link. And it was free, since they already had some of my music there, which I submitted via dittomusic.
Amazing. So happy to help. Keep up the good work!
Learning more and more every day! I also added a security team to my computer, Bubble PC, to provide safety in this world of information overload and social media outreach. Think about adding that too!
That is awesome, thank you for the recommendation!
Google apps are SO useful. Didn’t know about some of these, thanks for the insight!
Happy to help!
Thank You Mr.Ariel.. These are the amonst one of the famous and very useful app that an musician need to know about..As an musician i also agree with all of these apps you listed in the article…Well said and also very informative also..!!!!!
Glad you agree! What’s your favorite app? 🙂
Excellent. I know some guys who would appreciate this a lot.
Glad you found it helpful!