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SWOT ANALYSIS OF TWO SUCCESSFUL
INDIE MUSIC BLOGS
By: Jordyn Prince
Being one of my favorite music blogs, it only seemed natural to analyze and
compare Pretty Much Amazing to another. This music blog is well known for it’s
appeal to all those crazy about the indie/alternative side of the music industry.
When MTV finds this site to be one of the “best independent music blogs” and
the New Yorker calls them the “true keepers of serendipity”, you can easily
realize that the constant music suggestions, reviews, free mp3s, and news
posted every day is trustworthy and a noted place to find trends and tastes.
I am attracted to this blog, because of the constant activity on this site. The
reviews are sincere and the music taste is impeccable.
http://prettymuchamazing.com
I definitely enjoy spending more time on Nialler9 (pronounced Nile-r) than on
Pretty Much Amazing. It is because of this, that I want to conduct a SWOT
analysis on the two together to really pin point why this is. This is the most-read
Irish music blog (received five consecutive awards in the Irish Blog Awards for
Best Music Blog). According to the founder, Nialler9 is “eclectic, discerning and
deadly).
I often find myself on this music blog because of the constant searching and
sharing of new music. There are so many styles that are covered on this site, and
that is something that I respect.
http://nialler9.com
STRENGTHS
• Style Sheet – type,
colors, layout
• Constant activity
• Multiple reviews
• Free MP3 downloads
• Relative news
• Music videos
• User interaction
• PMA Radio
• Strong social media
STRENGTHS
•
Style Sheet – type,
colors, layout
•
Strong logo
•
Simplicity
•
Easy to navigate
•
Discover new music
•
Constant activity
•
Strong relations to Irish
music
•
Up-to-date news
•
Focus on albums as a
whole
•
User interaction
•
Podcasts
•
Strong social media
WEAKNESSES
• Logo is not as strong
• Advertisements on page
can be overwhelming
and annoying in
placement
• Force you to team up
with Rdio if you want to
easily listen to the
playlists they make for
you
• Navigation can be
messy and confusing
• Not as memorable of a
layout/color scheme
(however, still nondistracting)
• Not as strictly focused in
their music taste/style
-maybe too much
focus on simply
Irish music though
OPPORTUNITIES
•
Some viewers and
readers are less
interested in the
descriptions and reviews
of artist’s and their songs
and might be more
inclined to go onto the
Nialler9 for more and
quicker music and less
“fluff”
•
Many music blogs have
weekly podcasts, PMA
does not
•
Viewers sometimes know
exactly what they want to
listen to---might not enjoy
the variety
•
Nialler9 is lacking a
“radio” that can play their
favorite and suggested
music throughout the site
as the viewer is navigating
through----many music
blogs have this, including
PMA
-(does have a
weekly podcast
which is a nice
addition, but not the
same thing)
•
Viewers sometimes know
exactly what they want to
listen to---might not enjoy
the variety
THREATS
Gorilla vs. Bear is one of the most popular indie
music blogs. It is a huge competition to both PMA
and Nialler9 because of the innovation and
passion behind the founders. This blog seems to
be one step ahead of everyone at all times.
http://www.gorillavsbear.net
Hear Ya is another big competitor. The
live recording sessions they hold are a
big factor to this. Hear Ya is set on their
style and very consistent.
http://www.hearya.com
You Aint No Picasso is another popular and
loved indie music blog. They remain more
consistent in their style (like Hear Ya), but are a
huge competition for the “down-right rad” music
and the constant covers showcased.
http://www.youaintnopicasso.com
IN CONCLUSION…
I have always been extremely drawn to Nialler9 and Pretty Much
Amazing. They both offer so many great things in my constant
search for new music and the appreciation of artist’s and their
talents. While I usually go to Nialler9 first—finding PMA a little bit
too messy in navigation—I found that PMA has a lot to offer as
well. Through this close analysis of the two, it makes perfect
sense that I am initially drawn to Nialler9. It is much cleaner, more
professional, and overall dedicated to their beginning foundation
to Irish music and the constant connections to indie and
alternative music.
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