Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian McCoy.
Hi Brian, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I’m Brian McCoy, a multimedia strategist and the publisher of MyHoustonGOSPEL.com. After graduating from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, I moved to Houston to attend Texas Southern University’s Graduate School of Communication.
As soon as I arrived, I hit the ground running, working and interning at a number of radio and television stations like Fox 26, KHOU’s Great Day Houston, PBS Channel 8, and KUHF-FM.
In 2004, I started the gospel music website BirminghamGOSPEL.com and quickly discovered that there was the same need for a similar platform in Houston after I arrived. I was serving in the music ministry at Wheeler Ave. Baptist Church at the time as well.
While attending events and choir engagements, I noticed that the city had so many top-of-the-line talent that needed to be represented in Google searches, on social media, and with proper public relations services. There were so many hidden gems.
So, a native Texan friend that was in the public relations field and I decided to start a gospel music-focused entertainment website. In 2010, MyHoustonGOSPEL.com was founded to unify and showcase the Houston gospel music community to the world.
I’m proud that many Houston gospel artists were discovered by talent bookers and promoted their first single because of the platform. I also consistently act as a resource behind the scenes to recommend the city’s artists for opportunities.
It is important to highlight the best that we have to offer. I don’t publish or accept advertising for something that doesn’t represent the city well. If something doesn’t sound right during a live performance that’s been posted online, I’ll go as far as editing the sound before publishing. That’s how serious I am about quality representation of the city.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My main obstacle has always been maintaining content and getting consistent financial support.
I have a full-time job where I oversee nearly 30 digital platforms and also work as a freelance multimedia consultant. So, I’ve started publishing in a monthly format to make keeping up with what’s going on less tedious.
Local journalism has suffered the most in the media world as businesses have cut their budgets and families are more conservative with their spending. For many of us in the gospel music broadcasting and publishing industry, the work becomes a labor of love like ministry in general.
As you know, we’re big fans of B. McCoy Productions. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
I specialize in public relations and content strategy for inspirational entertainment and non-profit organizations. I’ve led digital media for the National Office of the NAACP and most recently built a digital program for major airports.
MyHoustonGOSPEL.com offers social media promotion, web advertising, email marketing, press release creation, and distribution services.
What matters most to you? Why?
There are so many projects that don’t get the attention they deserve. I see it daily when people spend a large amount of time creating a project but mostly promote it by tagging as many people as possible on Facebook. It’s time to be serious and at least start with a basic e-blast or press release, then upgrade to a proper media plan. You never know who missed being delivered from a bad situation or opportunities you missed because they didn’t experience your art.
Pricing:
- Email marketing (Houston or Birmingham): Starts at $75
- Email and social media plans: Start at $125
- Consulting, social media audits, and strategy sessions can be booked at www.bmccoy.net.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bmccoy.net
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/myhoustongospel
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/myhoustongospel
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/myhoustongospel
