Topspin is the most complete technology platform for artists to create their own retail channels, effectively promote their music, and connect directly with fans. Topspin is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the sea change in music marketing by providing musicians and managers with a complete suite of tools to easily create flexible offers, integrate with fan-trusted music discovery channels, and manage workflow with data-driven feedback to make smarter marketing decisions. The Topspin Certified Marketer certificate from Berkleemusic is the exclusive online option for obtaining Topspin Certified Marketing credentials. Over the three required courses in this program, you’ll develop a wide range of critical real-world marketing and business skills. You’ll learn to develop your online and offline community, how to communicate effectively with your fans, and best practices with selling your music - both online on your own site and third party sites, as well as in more traditional retail settings. And of course you’ll gain a professional command of Topspin’s revolutionary software.

This certificate program starts with Music Marketing 101, which provides artists, managers, and music business entrepreneurs with the foundational music marketing base they’ll need to succeed and thrive in this new music business. This course starts with the basics – an overview of key music marketing principles, terms, and practices, which together form the foundation for all music marketing plans. From there, students will dig into the key areas of opportunities for musicians, including merchandising, publicity, radio promotion (online and traditional), retail & distribution (online and traditional), advertising, and touring. Students will learn what companies and partners to work with to reach their core fans, how to communicate with them, and the ways to leverage the changes and new opportunities that the internet offers to marketers. By the end of this course in the program, you’ll have an active marketing plan and timeline tailored to your own unique strengths and budget.

From there, you’ll take a deep look at Topspin’s software and best practices with marketing direct to fans in Online Music Marketing with Topspin. You’ll gain a deep understanding of the Topspin platform and analyze its key features – a content management system that hosts your media assets, a fan management system that collects, organizes, and analyzes fan data, detailed reporting features, e-mail management system, widget creation and viral tracking, and more. Throughout the course you’ll discover best practices with social media and niche marketing, building and supporting your fan base, an effective online sales strategy and much more. By the end of this course in the program, you’ll be able to create an offer strategy online based on your own goals, how to forecast your potential sales, effective product bundling strategies, and an overview of all aspect of online marketing using Topspin.

The required courses in this program conclude with an in-depth study of one of the most crucial areas to the success of an artist: touring. In Concert Touring, you’ll cover the essential components of a successful tour—management team assembly, typical types of industry deals, alternative streams of income, and who gets paid what in the end—and learn how to develop a plan that works for your particular situation. By the end of the course, you’ll understand the preparations and logistics involved in developing, budgeting

By the end of this certificate program, you’ll have an in-depth understanding of the touring business, a professional level understanding of both online and physical marketing strategies and best practices, and both Topspin Certified Marketing and Berkleemusic credentials to take your music marketing career to the next level.

Please Note: If you plan on upgrading any single courses into this certificate program, these courses must be taken For Credit.