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Business Partnerships & Local Engagement - Detailed Analysis ​

4 documents covering venue partnerships, pitch scripts, networking events, and user research questionnaires. Partnership activities established September 2025 with ongoing local Indianapolis outreach.

Current/Active Documents ​

Business Partnerships - 2025-09 (1.0k words) ​

  • Status: CURRENT - Active partnership tracking
  • Summary: Comprehensive venue and business partnership tracker with specific contact details, permission status, and refill schedules. Documents successful partnerships in Fountain Square area.
  • Related: Foundation for local market penetration strategy outlined in "Assessment of Competitors and Pricing"

PITCH FOR LEAVING CARDS OR POSTING FLYERS AND FOR HIRING - 2025 (336 words) ​

  • Status: APPROVED - Ready-to-use scripts
  • Summary: Complete pitch script library with guidelines for different scenarios. Includes rapport-building techniques and language psychology (future tense vs present tense).
  • Related: Practical implementation of partnership strategy

SongDrive's Suds Social - 2025 (133 words) ​

  • Status: ACTIVE - Recurring event series
  • Summary: Twice-monthly networking event format for musicians. Consistent schedule (1st Saturday and 3rd Sunday, 2PM-4PM) at Fountain Square Brew Co.
  • Related: Community engagement strategy to build local user base

SongDrive Questionnaire - 2025 (192 words) ​

  • Status: ACTIVE - User research tool
  • Summary: Four-question survey designed to understand user priorities (organization vs collaboration vs DAW compatibility vs mobile), payment willingness, and current workflows.
  • Related: Market research to inform feature development and pricing decisions

Partnership Strategy Overview ​

Core Approach ​

  • Geographic Focus: Fountain Square area, Indianapolis, IN (local market penetration)
  • Target Businesses: Music stores, coffee shops, record stores, venues offering instruction or artist-related services
  • Materials: QR code cards for free private beta access, event flyers for Suds Social
  • Permission Model: Request-based (always ask permission before leaving materials)
  • Maintenance Schedule: Twice monthly refill visits recommended

Strategic Rationale ​

From "Assessment of Competitors and Pricing" - Corner local Indianapolis market through partnerships, SEO, social media, customer engagement, and promotions. Focus on affordability for independent musicians/bands to differentiate from premium competitors (Pibox, Seshy) and establish presence before local competitor Bounce.

Target Venues & Businesses ​

APPROVED PARTNERSHIPS - Cards/Materials at Counter ​

Bovaconti ​

1042 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203

  • Type: Local coffee shop
  • Location: Fountain Square
  • Permission: APPROVED - Materials directly related to artists allowed at counter
  • Status: Cards refilled 9/17, only one card remaining when checked
  • Maintenance: Stop in twice monthly to refill
  • Notes: Good match for artist-related materials requirement

Square Cat Vinyl ​

1054 Virginia Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203

  • Type: Local record store, coffee shop, and venue
  • Location: Fountain Square
  • Permission: APPROVED - Cards at small table near front door
  • Status: No cards remaining when visiting to refill (high demand)
  • Notes: Multi-purpose venue with strong artist traffic

Indy String Theory ​

1311 Prospect St, Indianapolis, IN 46203

  • Type: Local guitar and electronics shop
  • Location: Fountain Square
  • Contact: Kevin Kirk (existing relationship for booking/promoting)
  • Permission: APPROVED - Kevin consented, referred to business manager for review
  • Opportunity: Works with local studios/producers - potential B2B partnerships
  • Notes: Business manager was out of town at time of pitch, follow-up recommended

Arthur's Music Store ​

931 Shelby St, Indianapolis, IN 46203

  • Type: Local music store offering private instruction
  • Location: Fountain Square
  • Permission: APPROVED - Associate consented to distribute cards
  • Opportunity: Instructors may find program beneficial for tracking lesson plans, notes, and student progress
  • Pitch Used: "Local software startup designing a program to help musicians organize, create, and collaborate remotely"
  • Notes: Confirmed they still offer lessons - instructor outreach recommended
  • Recommendation: Add combined frame and business card holder, or replace QR cards with small 5x7 cardstock explaining features and mission (current cards only have tagline, no feature information)

SOCIAL MEDIA & EVENT PARTNERSHIPS ​

Punk Rock Night ​

Various venues

  • Type: Recurring punk music event series
  • Platform: https://www.facebook.com/PunkRockNightIndianapolis
  • Contact: Rich Barker (previous), recommend reaching out via Facebook Messenger
  • Permission: PENDING - Need to introduce yourself and request permission for event posting or sponsorship
  • Previous Activity: Posted attendance announcements ("we'll be at the event")
  • Opportunity: Sponsorship for visibility among punk/alternative music community

Jesse Riot Photography ​

https://www.facebook.com/JessieRiot13

  • Type: Event photographer (1 of 2 photographers for Punk Rock Night)
  • Permission: APPROVED - Can share PRN photos with watermark included
  • Important: Arrangement based on existing personal relationship - recommend reaching out directly from SongDrive page for future requests
  • Restriction: Other photographer has NOT consented - check watermarks before using photos

Fountain Square Brew Co. ​

1301 Barth Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203

  • Type: Brewery and event venue
  • Contact: Dama (reachable in person at venue)
  • Permission: APPROVED - Logo use on flyer consented
  • Status: Point of contact transition - Dama stated "I'm fine with them meeting up...we will see how it goes"
  • Partnership: Suds Social host venue
  • Notes: If additional logo use needed beyond approved flyer, reach out via FSB Facebook page

Sex Hair Entertainment ​

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573787737347

  • Type: Local booking and promotion company
  • Founded: Relatively new (2025)
  • Organizers: Collective of women, long-time music supporters
  • Success Level: Impressive traction, consistently organizing events and obtaining sponsors
  • Capabilities: Regularly print and distribute flyers throughout city, strong social media presence
  • Contact: Amanda Gore (previously planned interviewer for NUVO piece on SongDrive)
  • Action: Introduce yourself as new point of contact, inquire about interview scheduling and/or sponsorship
  • Opportunity: More affordable sponsorship option compared to longer-established Punk Rock Night - increase visibility with emerging but effective promoter

Indy Music Meetups ​

https://www.instagram.com/indymusicmeetups/

  • Type: Independent music meetup organizer
  • Position: Prefers to remain unaffiliated
  • Permission: APPROVED - Willing to post SongDrive Suds Social information on social media
  • Contact: Point of contact knows Michael (founder)
  • Platform: Conversations documented in SongDrive Instagram
  • Opportunity: Strong partnership for visibility and promotion of planned events without financial commitment

Pitch Scripts & Materials ​

TARGET AUDIENCE PITCH - QR Code Cards ​

Script: "I work for/own a local software startup designed to help musicians organize their ideas, create, and collaborate. It's called SongDrive. It's not publicly available yet, but I do have QR codes for the free private beta if you'd like to check it out?"

Technique:

  • Reach for cards as you finish asking but refrain from taking one out until they confirm
  • Build rapport FIRST by complimenting their music or performance (in person or online)
  • Be genuine - find something you honestly enjoyed (energy, cover choice, complex guitar progression, etc.)

LEAVING CARDS OR POSTING FLYERS PITCH ​

For Cards: "Hi, I wanted to ask if I could leave a few cards here for a new local startup called SongDrive. The program is geared toward helping musicians in their creative process. Would that be ok with you?"

For Event Flyers: "Hi, I wanted to ask if I could post an event flyer for SongDrive Suds Social. It's a music meetup designed to help musicians socialize, discuss their creative process, and share ideas. Would that be ok?"

HIRING PITCH ​

Structure: Answer Who, What, When?

  1. Identify business as local software startup designed to help musicians in creative process
  2. State purpose of your request
  3. Ask open-ended question on availability

Example: "I'm looking for a developer to work on the front end components of the program. I think your experience would be well suited to those needs. When would you be available to discuss the position?"

PITCH PSYCHOLOGY - Critical Tips ​

Use casual language:

  • Avoid formal phrasing like "request" or "permission"
  • Be relatable and conversational

Use future tense:

  • "If I COULD" and "Would that be ok?" (assumes positive response)
  • NOT "If I CAN" and "Is that ok?" (present tense is more aggressive/urgent)
  • Rationale: Future tense is more approachable, less aggressive, less urgent
  • Positioning: Presenting value and partnership rather than asking a favor

MEET THE BAND INTERVIEW PITCH ​

Script: "Hi I'm Michael, founder and creator of SongDrive. (Alternatively, Name, a member of the SongDrive team.) SongDrive is a software designed to help musicians organize, create, and collaborate with fellow artists. We'll be doing a Meet the Band series of interviews in order to learn more about various artists' creative process and to provide additional exposure for bands via our social media accounts and website. If you'd be interested in being one of our featured bands/artists just let me know when you'd be available to schedule an interview. In the meantime feel free to check out our free private beta available at the link below. We look forward to hearing from you and wish you the best in your creative endeavors."

Interview Questions:

  1. "What are your thoughts on SongDrive?"
  2. "What impact has SongDrive had on your creative process?" (if they've tried it)
  3. "How do you think SongDrive would impact your creative process?" (if they haven't tried it)

MARKETING MATERIALS RECOMMENDATIONS ​

Current Issue: QR cards only have tagline, no information about program features

Recommended Improvement:

  • Add combined frame and business card holder at partner locations
  • OR replace QR cards with small 5x7 cardstock explaining:
    • Program features (organization, collaboration, DAW compatibility, mobile)
    • Company mission
    • Free beta access

Visual Reference: Image included in Business Partnerships doc showing suggested display format

Events & Networking ​

SongDrive's Suds Social ​

Format: Twice-monthly musician meetup Schedule:

  • 1st Saturday of each month, 2PM-4PM
  • 3rd Sunday of each month, 2PM-4PM

Location: Fountain Square Brew Co. (in-person) RSVP: Not required Cost: FREE Age: 21+

Purpose:

  • Network with fellow musicians
  • Discuss creative process
  • Share insight on challenges and successes in music endeavors
  • Socialize and collaborate with fellow artists
  • Forge meaningful connections at consistent time and place

Rationale: Recognizes most musicians have busy schedules - provides consistent, predictable meeting times

Presented by: JamTools Inc. and Fountain Square Brew Co. (partnership)

Promotion:

  • SongDrive social media
  • Hashtags: #SongDrive #MusicCollaboration #MusicMeetup
  • Tags: @SongDrive @FountainSquareBrewCo

Distribution: Event flyers posted at partner locations with permission

Band Outreach & Content Opportunities ​

PRIORITY BANDS - Meet the Band Interviews ​

Previous point of contact established interest. Recommend introduction as new contact and offer Meet the Band interview opportunity. Note: One band stated may not be open to different interviewer due to lack of familiarity.

Pathetic ​

https://www.facebook.com/pathetic.band23

  • Expressed interest in program
  • Taken QR cards
  • Priority for Meet the Band segment

Lustkill ​

https://www.facebook.com/Lustkillband

  • Expressed interest in program
  • Taken QR cards
  • Priority for Meet the Band segment

Flamingo Nosebleed ​

https://www.facebook.com/flamingonosebleed

  • Expressed interest in program
  • Taken QR cards
  • Priority for Meet the Band segment

Strategy: Meet the Band segments identified as best way to receive market feedback or testimonial content using standardized questions listed above

ADDITIONAL BANDS - Mentioned in Social Media Content ​

Confirmed/Personal Contacts:

  • Forgotten Tribe
  • Glazy Boys
  • Skaaholics
  • Bingo Boys
  • The Run Up
  • Run and Punch

Status: Expressed interest in software and/or personal contact, not yet confirmed for interviews

Questionnaire & User Research ​

SongDrive Questionnaire Structure ​

Purpose: "Dedicated to creating a program designed to support musicians in their creative process. In order to better understand our users' needs, complete the survey below."

Question 1: Current Organization Method "Do you currently have an organizational method for your creative process?"

  • Circle: YES / NO
  • If YES, provide short description (optional)

Question 2: Feature Prioritization "SongDrive offers organization, collaboration, streamlined DAW compatibility, and use of mobile features, which of these are more important to you?"

  • Rank in order of importance on scale of 1-4 (1 = most important, 4 = least important)
    • Organization
    • Collaboration
    • DAW Compatibility
    • Use of Mobile

Question 3: Desktop-to-Mobile Payment Willingness "If SongDrive allowed you to locally organize your files on a desktop for free, would you pay for the ability to use the program on your mobile phone?"

  • Circle: YES / NO

Question 4: Collaboration Payment Willingness "Would you pay to use the collaborative features?"

  • Collaborative features include time-stamped comments and shared workspaces
  • Circle: YES / NO

Follow-up: "Thank you for completing the survey! If you'd like to join our mailing list for updates and official launch date, please provide your email or follow our Facebook or Instagram."

  • Email: [field]

Research Insights from Target Audience Analysis ​

Independent Musicians (Primary Target):

  • Age: 25-36 (28% of all independent artists)
  • Gender: 71% Male, 28% Female, Remaining Nonbinary/undisclosed
  • 65% Solo artists, remaining in bands or multiple projects
  • 70% Unsigned, self-promoting and releasing music
  • 41% earn less than $15,000 annually from music
  • 43% Full-time employment outside music career
  • Main concerns: Creative control, freedom from label constraints, lack of exposure (41% biggest roadblock), struggling to build fan base (36%)
  • Storage needed: Single album = 2-10GB. Four interviewed solo musicians don't need over 50GB but want collaboration capability for band projects

Social Media Preferences:

  • YouTube 72%
  • Instagram 65%
  • TikTok 54%
  • Facebook 53%

Market Growth: Global market grew 46% generating $14.3 billion revenue in 2023

Action Plan & Next Steps ​

IMMEDIATE ACTIONS ​

Partnership Maintenance:

  • Refill cards at Bovaconti twice monthly (high depletion rate - 1 card remaining)
  • Refill cards at Square Cat Vinyl twice monthly (zero cards remaining - very high demand)
  • Follow up with Indy String Theory business manager (was out of town during initial pitch)
  • Implement 5x7 cardstock or combined frame/holder at Arthur's Music Store

Contact Transitions:

  • Introduce yourself to Amanda Gore (Sex Hair Entertainment) as new point of contact
    • Inquire about NUVO interview rescheduling
    • Explore sponsorship opportunities (potentially more affordable than Punk Rock Night)
  • Introduce yourself to Punk Rock Night via Facebook Messenger
    • Request permission for event posting or sponsorship

Band Outreach:

  • Contact Pathetic, Lustkill, Flamingo Nosebleed for Meet the Band interviews
  • Use standardized interview questions for market feedback and testimonial content
  • Note potential resistance to new interviewer - emphasize continuity and value proposition

ONGOING ACTIVITIES ​

Suds Social Events:

  • Maintain twice-monthly schedule (1st Saturday and 3rd Sunday, 2PM-4PM)
  • Coordinate with Dama at Fountain Square Brew Co.
  • Promote via Indy Music Meetups partnership (approved to post on their social media)
  • Continue flyer distribution at approved partner locations

Questionnaire Distribution:

  • Distribute at Suds Social events
  • Distribute at partner locations (coffee shops, music stores, venues)
  • Collect emails for mailing list and launch announcements
  • Analyze responses to inform pricing and feature prioritization decisions

EXPANSION OPPORTUNITIES ​

Music Instruction Partnerships:

Producer/Studio Partnerships:

  • Leverage Indy String Theory connection (works with local studios/producers)
  • Target independent producers via social media once accounts set up
  • Position escrow feature for secure payment before releasing final product

Event Sponsorships:

  • Sex Hair Entertainment events (emerging promoter, potentially affordable)
  • Punk Rock Night (established audience, higher cost)
  • Cross-promote at various Fountain Square venues

SUCCESS METRICS ​

Partnership Health Indicators:

  • Card depletion rate (Square Cat Vinyl = zero remaining = excellent engagement)
  • Bovaconti = 1 remaining = strong engagement
  • Twice-monthly refill schedule = sustainable maintenance rhythm

Community Engagement:

  • Suds Social attendance tracking
  • Questionnaire completion rates
  • Social media engagement from Indy Music Meetups cross-promotion
  • Meet the Band interview conversions (pitch to completed interview)

Summary ​

  • Active partnerships: 4 confirmed venues (Bovaconti, Square Cat Vinyl, Indy String Theory, Arthur's Music Store) with permission to leave materials
  • Event partnerships: 3 social media/event collaborators (Punk Rock Night pending, Jesse Riot Photography approved, Sex Hair Entertainment opportunity, Indy Music Meetups approved)
  • Venue partnership: Fountain Square Brew Co. hosting twice-monthly Suds Social (1st Saturday and 3rd Sunday, 2PM-4PM)
  • Geographic strategy: Fountain Square area concentration for local market penetration
  • Pitch psychology: Future tense language ("if I could" vs "if I can"), casual tone, value positioning over favor-asking
  • Materials strategy: QR cards for free beta, event flyers, recommendation to add 5x7 cardstock with feature explanations
  • Maintenance rhythm: Twice-monthly refill visits at high-traffic locations
  • Content opportunities: Meet the Band interviews with 3 priority bands (Pathetic, Lustkill, Flamingo Nosebleed) for market feedback and testimonials
  • User research tool: 4-question questionnaire measuring feature priorities, payment willingness, current workflows
  • Next actions: Contact transitions (Amanda Gore, Punk Rock Night), band interview outreach, continue Suds Social events, expand to music instruction partnerships
  • Strategic context: Corner local Indianapolis market before competitor Bounce, leverage affordability positioning, build community through consistent in-person events