Crowdsourcing Promotes Music

On a previous blog post found at http://careersinmusic-kd.blogspot.com/2011/06/effect-internet-has-on-music.html, I mentioned the negative effects crowdsourcing has on the music industry.  Now I am about to discuss the positive attributes crowdsourcing can have on aspiring artists.  Talenthouse found at website http://www.talenthouse.com/creative, is a platform that hosts contests and exhibits the art the user who chooses to display and attain feedback for the creativity and gain more popularity.  The platform allows the artist to choose what they want fans to submit, while Talenthouse organize what’s submitted.  The contest submissions are posted on the fans’ profiles, while advertising the contest to all of their friends and family.  Since Talenthouse allows fans to review and vote via Facebook, it sequentially increases the artists ‘likes’ percentage.  “The real win with Talenthouse is how these contests also help promote the artist to new fans via Facebook's viral network” (Bruno, 2011).  So as we can see crowdsourcing have its advantages and disadvantages.  What do you think about crowdsourcing?  Considering the various effects, is it helpful or disdainful to the music industry?  Don’t forget to check my blog post discussing crowd sourcing featuring a video of Christopher Wiengarten. 

The contests hosted by Talenthouse also allows artists to attract new fans to their art and websites, which serves a duality function as a means to promoting their work rather than just becoming a fan of it.  It was reported that 80% of the submissions to contests came from people who were not fans of the featured artist.  It was also reported that another 65% of those who submitted information for the contest end up ‘liking’ the artists’ Facebook band page.  This means Talenthouse has provided a way for artists to attract new fans and have them promoted to other potential fans with the viral posting on Facebook.  What a way to capitalize on free promotion.  Word of mouth is the best advertisement!  What do you think? 
Here's a link to my survey regarding crowdsourcing (http://goo.gl/0wXvs); please fill it out.  Thank You!

Bruno, A. (2011, July 21). Universal music group taps talenthouse for crowdsourcing artist campaigns. Retrieved July 22, 2011, from http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/record-labels/universal-music-group-taps-talenthouse-for-1005288142.story.