On Your Mark, Get Set, The Challenge Begins…
61 Songwriters across Canada have signed on to take part in the Canadian Songwriters Social Media Challenge otherwise known as “the Blogging Challenge,” as outlined in Ariel Hyatt‘s book, “Music Success in 9 Weeks.” How many of us will make it to the finish line?
In last night’s launch conference call with Ariel Hyatt, some participants asked, “What can I expect to get out of this?” The cool thing about this challenge is that you define your own goals. Hence some songwriters may be focused on publishing, while others are more focused on lining up gigs. Whatever your goals, I believe what you put into the challenge is what you will get out of it. Former challenge participant, Meghan Morrison reflected that she had gotten a lot of intangible benefits from participating in the challenge twice before. Namely, a better understanding of who she was as an artist and what she wanted to achieve.
The Songwriters Association of Canada is excited to be championing the first ever Canadian challenge and looks forward to the momentum it will create for participants. We are also thankful to our sponsors: Ariel Publicity, Bandzoogle and Reverbnation.
So, here we go with week 1. All participants, please post the following below:
1-Your artist name.
2-The URL to your first blog entry
3-The URL to your website
4-Your Twitter handler (if you have one), and
5- your Facebook URL (if you have one)






1) Dervla
2) http://dervla.bandzoogle.com/home.cfm
3) Currently under construction! Should be done next week
4) http://www.Twitter.com/DervlaT
5) http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dervla/100121076702632
Your very first blog….you did a great job. I enjoyed reading about your musical journey.
Thank you, Lucy, I just saw this now. I wish we were notified when people post here. Can’t wait to hear more in your blog this week! Super best, Kathryn
Love the photo. Here we go.
Made a bit of a mistake! The link was wrong! All part of this learning curve I guess
Here’s the new info:
1) Dervla
2) http://www.dervla.bandzoogle.com/home.cfm?feature=3079401&postid=1703812
3) http://www.JustDervla.com
4) http://www.Twitter.com/DervlaT
5) http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dervla/100121076702632
1. Kathryn BERRY
2. http://radiostar.supernova.com/KathrynBERRY/#/KathrynBERRY/blog/7806/The-Challenge
3. http://radiostar.supernova.com/KathrynBERRY/
4. Isn’t Twitter for another week?
5. http://www.facebook.com/#!/kathryn.berrysauvageau
Kathryn, I tried to repsond to your blog on radiostar….but it wouldn’t let me….because I’m not a member…so I’m posting here: Good blog…lookind forward to reading more.
CMW -well done!
1.) D4B4 ( aka Dan Bevin )
2.) http://d4b4otf.wordpress.com/2012/01/15/msinw-blog/
3.) http://www.reverbnation.com/d4b4
4.) http://www.twitter.com/LAtoyboy
5.) http://www.facebook.com/pages/D4B4/14867791892641
Dan, I tried to go to your blog and read it …but it didn’t connect.
Hello Lucy, I fixed the link to my first blog, if you are still interested have a read. many thanks.
1 – Adri-Anne R.
2 – http://adriannesoundslike.tumblr.com/post/15682057804/canadian-songwriters-social-media-challenge-week
3 – http://www.adriannesoundslike.com
4 – http://www.twitter.com/AdriAnneR_Music
5 – http://www.facebook.com/adriannesoundslike
Adrianne, good idea of posting your goals like records…a visual reminder of your success for the coming days.
Thanks! Visual reminders are just what I need!
I love your billboard idea. Especially the use of the ‘cd’ concept that you wrote your goals on. Very good visuals. I thought of the same thing – using a billboard but instead I plastered everything on my walls and I have a notebook.
1 – Lily C
2 – http://lilyc.blogspot.com/2012/01/challenge-beginsmoving-forward-after.html
3 – http://www.lilyc.com
4 – http://www.twitter.com/LilyCheng
5 – http://www.facebook.com/lilycmusic
from your blog – Spending some time with your heart. Well put. Well done. I tried to leave a message on your blog site, but it asked me for an identity of some sort. Maybe I’m not figuring this thing out right.
Lily….do we post our comments on other participants blogs here, or do we post them on their blog site?
Wow–an honest, courageous look at the behind the scenes of goal-setting. It’s often not just what we want to achieve that needs to be considered: it’s who we need to see ourselves as before we can achieve it. Glad your energy is on the way back up, Lily!
1 – Steve Didunyk
2 – http://www.stevedidunyk.com/fr_home.cfm
3 – http://www.stevedidunyk.com
4 – I’ll be joining twitter very soon!
5- http://www.facebook.com/stevedidunyk (it’s my personal site, not a fan page. But that’s on my list too.)
Interesting blog. You’re putting yourself out there with social media…sometimes it just takes the first step.
1 – Jessica Speziale
2 – http://jessicaspeziale.tumblr.com/post/15699887626/music-success-in-9-weeks-blogging-challenge
3 – http://www.jessicaspeziale.com
4 – http://www.twitter.com/spezzie
5 – http://www.facebook.com/jessicaspezialemusic
I love how clear and specific you are about your goals…very motivating.
You know your direction! Very strategic and precise – on the road to success!
1) Aynsley Saxe
2) http://aynsleysaxe.wordpress.com/2012/01/11/a-blog-a-week-makes-the-songwriter-speak/?preview=true&preview_id=115&preview_nonce=e84fc909ff
3) http://www.aynsleysaxe.com
4) http://www.twitter.com/AynsleySaxe
5) http://www.facebook.com/AynsleySaxeMusic
Wow…what a great blog. If I hadn’t already written down my goals, I’d have been inspired by your blog to do so.
Thanks Lucy!! Looking forward to reading yours when you post.
You’re an entertaining prose writer–can’t wait to hear your songs!
Thanks Tom! Appreciate it! I’m beyond excited about my first album coming this Spring. This goal has been set for a LONG time and (deep breath) it’s finally happening!
Maddy Rodriguez
http://www.maddyrodriguez.com/2012/01/successes-and-go-als/
http://www.maddyrodriguez.com
@maddyrodriguez
http://www.facebook.com/Maddy.Rodriguez.Music
So, in my New Year’s blog post I gave y’all an idea: to write down all the memorable things you did or accomplished in 2011 (because it’d make you feel good about your lovely self)… Well, this week, I started participating in a blogfest/challenge with fellow songwriteres from the Songwriters Association of Canada and uber publicist Ariel Hyatt, and I learned a new thingie…..
Hi Maddy, thanks for posting your videos and songs! See you over the next 9.
Hey, good blog Maddy. The writing down of 5 things you accomplished through the day was a new one for me too….but, I like it.
1) Shelly Dubois
2) http://shellydubois-blog.blogspot.com/#!/2012/01/2012-goal-setting-challenges-and.html
3) http://shelly-dubois.com/
4) http://www.twitter.com/ShellyDMusic
5) http://www.facebook.com/ShellyDubois.CountryArtist
Hi Shelly. Great to see your blog. Great photo, if you ever leave this island you’ll have to wear shoes again. Best, T
Really good blog on goal setting Shelly. I’ve never set so many goals before either. Bring on 2012…it’s going to be a very good year.
1. Lucy LeBlanc
2. http://lucyleblanc.tumblr.com/
3. No website
4. No twitter
5. Personal Facebook
Hey Lucy, I followed you through all the other blogs and finally got to yours. Sounds like you’re going to be busy these next few weeks. Looking forward to going through this with you and the others. Cheers – T
Well I figured out my facebook url: https://www.facebook.com/lucy.leblanc1
Crack the champagne – why not?
First Video Blog is done.
* Tracy Mills of Mowbray and Mills
* http://youtu.be/ykJh2IsRWv8
* http://www.mowbrayandmills.com
* http://twitter.com/mowbrayandmills
* http://www.facebook.com/mowbrayandmills
Now that I’m done, I’m gonna look around a bit….ah
Very cool video blog! Loved your powerful comment when you stopped jogging for a second. (Now I feel like going for a run too!)
Enjoyed your jogging video…looking forward to more.
Hi, all! I’m Tom Shea, but I signed up as Trio Arjento (my band) and will be participating that way, too.
My first blog entry: http://trioarjento.tumblr.com/post/15817507853/msi9w-not-quite-challenge-1-clearing-the-ground
My band website: http://www.trioarjento.com
Twitter: @trioarjento
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/trioarjento
Can’t wait to read your posts! All this enthusiasm is like a collective sugar buzz!
1. Christie Grace
2. http://christiegrace.wordpress.com/
3.www.christiegracemusic.com
4. @christiegrace
5. https://www.facebook.com/christiegracestudio
Hey everyone, my name is Cheryl L’Hirondelle
Here’s my first blog post: http://cheryllhirondelle.blogspot.com/
and here’s my humble website: http://cheryllhirondelle.com
Plus if you want to follow me on twitter I’m: @ndnsonglines
and last but not least, lets be facebook friends: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=791980227
Loved this thought “when the crocus blooms a second time in the late fall, it reminds us we always have a 2nd chance at life”. Thanks for posting it.
Hi, all. Tom again. My first blog post was a reflection on the difficulty of setting individual goals when I usually play as part of a band and part of a family. But I’ve had a long heart-to-heart with the family, and another with the band, and have posted up some actual goals this time. Loving the way this challenge has forced me to open up dialogue with the most important people in my life about the most important activity in my life.
My blog: http://trioarjento.tumblr.com/post/15866210452/msi9w-challenge-1-goal-setting
My website: http://www.trioarjento.com
Twitter: @trioarjento
Facebook: you can find my band at http://www.facebook.com/trioarjento. You can find me personally at http://www.facebook.com/tpshea
This is the URL to my first blog entry: http://d4b4otf.wordpress.com/2012/01/15/msinw-blog/
This is the URL to my website :
http://www.reverbnation.com/d4b4
I’m Sean Harley – you can call me Tucker.
My blog: http://www.songstuckerwrote.com/songstuckerwrote/2012/1/15/tucker-you-do-know-that-goals-arent-tasks-dont-you.html
My website: http://www.songstuckerwrote.com
You can connect with me here:
twitter.com/SH_Tucker
facebook.com/SongsTuckerWrote
1. Kristine St-Pierre
2. http://www.kristinestpierre.com/ (the blog is on the main page)
3. http://www.kristinestpierre.com/
4. soon!
5. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kristine-St-Pierre/114862706420
Greetings, all! Hope you all enjoy this “Social Media Challenge” experience. Take it for what it really is… an exciting opportunity to get publicity for our music. And, I’m glad to be a part of it with you.
Just a word of encouragement to each participant… Don’t worry about screwing up. Fact is… you can’t. Another fact… We are all winners. All we got to do is make it to the finish line. It doesn’t really matter who makes it there first. JUST GET THERE. The important thing is to finish what you start.
I hope I get an opportunity to meet some (if not all) of you. I’m putting my best foot forward and if there’s any way I can help anyone out, let me know. I’m a musician/songwriter and graphic artist. You can find me on MySpace, Facebook and on the Songwriter’s Assoc. website.
I’m fairly new to all of this, but I’m not letting being a novice stand in my way of seeing what’s on the other side of this musical wall.
Good fortune to you all. Cheers!
Oh, (laughing). I forgot:
1. Name: Jinral Tao
2. First blog entry: http://jinraltao.bandzoogle.com/home.cfm?feature=3099195&postid=1719038
3. Website link: http://jinraltao.bandzoogle.com/
4. Twitter Handler: ???
5. Facebook Page URL: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002396604995
Hope this doesn’t show up my “novice-ness”. Still learning.
1. Andy Ruszel, but will go by identify by my duo name also, Andrews and Lawrence
2. blog: http://andrewsandlawrence.wordpress.com/2012/01/16/canadian-songwriters-social-media-challenge/
3 website: http://www.andrewsandlawrence.com
4. no twitter yet
5. http://www.facebook.com/andyuszel it’s my personal page, need to set up band page etc
1- Hello all! My artist name is Kimi Lyn Smith (aka Kim)
2- First blog entry: http://sneakyhooks.com/?p=118
3- Website: http://www.kimilyn.com
4- http://www.twitter.com/kimilynsmith
5- http://www.facebook.com/kimilynsmith
1-ARTIST Kat Leonard (Kat & The MP3)
2-BLOG http://depperlove.com/blog.cfm?feature=3079778&postid=1719655
3-WEBSITE http://www.DepperLove.com
4-TWITTER http://twitter.com/katbandoo
5-FACEBOOK http://www.facebook.com/kat.leonard
Happy challenges, one and all!
It’s only week one and my inspiration is through the roof! Can’t w8t to connect with everyone over the next two months.
1 – my artist name: Destiny – there is a good story behind this name, I promise.
2 – first blog entry (video): http://netwaves.ca/net-musings-blog.html – i love making video!!
3 – website: http://netwaves.ca – still under construction but the concept is there
4 – http://twitter.com/_imdestiny – just started a couple weeks ago!
5 – http://www.fb.com/netwaves.ca – mostly my journalism at this point
Hallo! This is Karyn Ellis.
Here’s my Week Number 1 blog post: “What The Mayans Can Teach Us About Setting Goals, Or What Are You Doing December 22nd, 2012?”
http://karynellis.wordpress.com/2012/01/16/what-the-mayans-can-teach-me/
http://.www.karynellis.com
http://www.twitter.com/karyn_ellis
http://www.facebook.com/KarynEllisHerself
Enjoy!
1-name: Sioux Newberry
2-blog! http://siouxberry.wordpress.com/2012/01/16/one-blog-make-one-a-blogger/
3-website: http://www.siouxnewberry.com
4-Twitter handler: @siouxberrynew
5- Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/SiouxNewberryandTheLaw
Hello fellow dreamers! My name is Mao.
You can check my first entry at:
http://ma0planet.blogspot.com/2012/01/welcome-family-to-my-first-blog.html
If you’re curious about my music check my website at http://www.maoplanet.com
You can also follow me on twitter @maoplanet and “like me” at
http://www.facebook.com/maoplanet
Love,
Mao
Just finished my first post in the nick of time!!
1-Stacey Kaniuk
2-http://staceykaniuk.tumblr.com/post/15965507265/social-media-challenge-week-1
3-http://www.staceykaniuk.com
4-www.twitter.com/staceykaniuk
5- https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stacey-Kaniuk/193324529006
1. Debra Alexander
2. http://wp.me/p11gcs-1g
3. http://www.wordmavenmusic.com
4. @wordmavenmusic
5. https://www.facebook.com/wordmavenmusic
1. Heather Hill
2. http://heatherpirie.wordpress.com or through my site at http://heatherhill.ca/blog
3. http://heatherhill.ca
4. http://twitter.com/HeatherPiriHill
5. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heather-Hill/121271491267401
1. Sarah Calvert
2. http://www.quesarah.ca (you have to go to the blog link in navigation bar)
3. http://quesarah.ca
4. @QueSarahCalvert
5. http://www.facebook.com/sarahcalvert#!/pages/Sarah-Calvert/345647449486
(hmmmmm…not sure why that address is so darned long!)
I had posted to our facebook group, but thanks to Lily for reminding us to post here as well
Fenulla AKA FenSTAR
http://www.fenulla.com
My full album of 11 tracks is available on itunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/divinity/id480319284
(Donations are being made from each album sold to WarChild & Ssubi Foundation – details on the charirites are on my website)
Blog week 1 post: http://fenulla-fenstar.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/AKAFenSTAR
Started a new twitter page: http://www.twitter.com/FenSTARmusic
1. Name:Don Sawchuk
2. Blog: http://www.donsawchukprchallenge.tumblr.com
3. Website: http://www.donsawchuk.com (Not yet set up)
4. Twitter: http://twitter.com/donsawchuk
5. Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/don.sawchuk
1. Kenya Kondo
2. http://www.kenyakondo.com
3. http://www.kenyakondo.com
4. @kenyakondo
5. http://www.facebook.com/kenyakondo
Finally.. the first Post… read the blog to find out why!
1- roca – aka Robert & Cailin
2- 1st Blog URL on the ‘under revision’ site
http://rocamusic.ca/2012/01/26/9-week-challenge-1st-post/
3-The URL (link) to your website
http://rocamusic.ca
4- Twitter handle
rocalink
5- Facebook Page URL
https://www.facebook.com/pages/roca/10025832030
Hope this finds you all well!
Apologies for it being late. I already posted my first blog, but to a different location. Here it is again:)
1) Rory O’Hearn
2) http://roryohearn.tumblr.com/post/15598315529/to-tweet-or-not-to-tweet-blog-1-music-success-in-9
3) http://www.roryohearn.bandzoogle.com
4) http://www.twitter.com/roryohearn
5) http://www.facebook.com/roryohearnmusic
Better later than never Rory….best wishes for the rest of the challenge, and hope to connect in person at some time…