Music Business Article Index
Learn about record
labels, the music business, career planning, shopping for a record
deal, what A&R reps do, copyright basics, tax tips and more.
This topical index is sorted into the following
categories.
Band/Artist
Entry-Level Issues
Product
Development
Career
Development, Building a Fan Base and Networking
Distribution
(Retail and Digital)
Radio
Promotion, Podcasting
Record Labels
and Contract Issues
The
Corporate Music Industry
Music Law,
Copyright and Licensing
Promotion
Publicity
Songwriting and
Publishing
Gigging and
Performance
While some
articles could easily fit into two or more categories, we've listed
them just once below in the category we deemed the best fit.
Band/Artist Entry-Level Issues
I Get Emails.... Boy, Do I Get Emails! February 2013 by Chris Knab
Adapt... or Don't August 2011 by Chris Knab
Ignorant Musicians Finish Last August 2011 by Chris Knab
Be a Master Musician July 2011 by Chris Knab
Play Often No Matter What July 2011 by Chris Knab
Make Music That Doesn't Suck July 2011 by Chris Knab
There are No "10 Steps to Musical Success" June 2011 by Chris Knab
A Sample Band Partnership Agreement May 2011 by Chris Knab
10 Tips Even the Most Naïve Musicians Should Know January 2011 by Chris Knab
Questions You Should Be Able to Answer About Yourself or Your Band January 2011 by Chris Knab
What's it Going to Be? A Fantasy Music Career or a Real One? January 2011 by Chris Knab
Artist/Band Inventory: Organizing Your Career January 2011 by Chris Knab
Banking and Loan Issues for Musicians June 2010 by Chris Knab
Are You a Quitter When Times Get Tough? Mar. 2010 by Chris Knab
Do You Believe What You've Heard About How the Music Business Operates? Mar. 2010 by Chris Knab
Recording Music is the 1st Step. Do You Have Money for the 2nd? March 2010 by Chris Knab
What is a Band Agreement and Why You Need One May 2010 by Chris Knab
Even More Clueless Letters About the Music Business April 2010 by Chris Knab
Artist Development Questionaire April 2010 by Chris Knab
Are You Really a *Professional* Musician? March 2010 by Chris Knab
Draw Attention, but Don't DEMAND Attention March 2010 by Chris Knab
A Music Business Test: How Much to You Really Know? October 2009 by Chris Knab
The Endless Flood of Crappy New Releases September 2009 by Chris Knab
Who Can You Trust in the Music Business? May 2009 by Chris Knab
The "Secret" to Selling Lots of Music March 2009 by David Nevue
Making a Living From Just Your Music August 2008 by David Nevue
An Introduction to the FourFront Music Marketing Concept
Updated February 2008 by Chris Knab
And the Winner Is: Will Awards and Contests Lead to Bigger Things? February 2008 by Sheena Metal
I
Get So Many Clueless Letters!
Updated January 2008 by Chris Knab
7 Steps to a Successful Audition August 2007 Article by Marco Kasel
Set Goals: Your Rockstardom Wasn't Built in a Day June 2007
Article by Shena Metal
Your First Recording Session May 2007 by Jeff Wheaton
Coping with Stage Fright
February 2007 by Jan Smith
Stop
Burning Bridges... or Your Career Might Go Up in Flames December 2006
Article by Shena Metal
Take Control of Your
Career Now November 2006 by Chris Standring
How
to Help the Music Industry Take You Seriously September
2006 by Chris Standring
Going
Postal on the Music Industry
May 2006 by Bob Baker
Taking
the Sting Out of Taxes
April 2006 by Mike Grebb
Your
Music: A Business or Hobby? July 2005 by Mark Fox
Re-Thinking
Your Image: Creating a Signature Style
July 2005 by John
Battaglia
Your
Speaking Skills Can Make You a Better Performer
July 2005 by Marc Gunn
So You Want to Quit Your Day Job? May 2005 by Mara
How to Earn $30,000 With Your Music
by Year's End March
2005 by Kenny Love
The
X Factor: What is it and do YOU have "IT"?
September 2004 by Gian M. Fiero
Questions
to Ask Yourself
February 2004 by Chris Knab
A
Better, Braver World for Independent Musicians July 2003 by
David Nevue
Maximizing
Your Music Income Potential
April 2003 by Kenny Love
35
Tips for Self-Management as a Musician
May 2003 by Chris Knab
Sending
CDs Across the Border
March 2003 by Kenny Love
A
Question of Song Ownership - Falling Out with Old Band Mates
February 2003 by Kenny Love
"DIY
Makin You Cry?"
December 2002 by Kenny Love
Q&A:
"We Simply Can't Survive as an Indie Band"
November 2002 by Kenny Love
Planning
Your Music Career: One Step at a Time
October 2002 by David Nevue
Are
You Ready? Are You *Really* Ready?
September 2002 by Kenny Love
D-I-Y:
Blessings, Curses and Limits
September 2002 by Kenny Love
Your
Band Is Your Business
July 2002 by David Hooper
Thoughts
for the Aspiring Musician
May 2002 by Chris Knab
'Making It' in the
Music Business - An Alternate View April 2002
by Graeme Kirk
10
'Reality Sandwiches' For The Independent Musician
February 2002 by Chris Knab
Tax
Tips for Musicians 2001
by Chris Knab
The "Creative" You
and the "Business" You 2001 by Christopher
Knab
Can You Handle The
Truth? December 2000 by Kenny Love
Career Development, Building a Fan
Base & Networking
I Get Emails.... Boy, Do I Get Emails! February 2013 by Chris Knab
Finding a Manager Isn't as Easy as You Think August 2011
by Chris Knab
Typical Artist / Band Income & Expenses Updated January 2011
by Chris Knab
16 Timeless Music Business Self-Promotion Tips
July 2010 by Chris Knab
10Essential Tips for Making a Living with Your Music
Updated April 2010 by Chris Knab
"Grunt Work" is What Building Your Music Career is All About
March 2010 by Chris Knab
What Every Musician Should Know About Their Fans
February 2010 by Chris Knab
Social Media: A Lesson in Self Defense for Musicians April 2009 by David Nevue
How to Develop Your Music Marketing Plan February 2008 by Keith Holzman
Planning
Your Music Career: Part 3 Updated January 2008 by Chris Knab
Planning
Your Music Career: Part 2 Updated January 2008 by Chris Knab
Planning
Your Music Career: Part 1
Updated January 2008 by Chris Knab
Smart
Marketing: Building a Fanbase
May 2006 by Chris Standring.
Manners in the Music
Business? (Audio Download
| Stream) May 2006 by Chris
Knab
What
You Should Know About Your Fans
- April 2006 by Chris Knab
10
Tips to Keep You on the Music Career-Building Path
April 2006, Updated Dec. 2007 by Chris Knab
Can
You Make 6-Figures With Your Music?
March 2006 by Mike Grebb
Your Music: A Business or Hobby? July 2005 by Mark Fox
2004
Music Career Inventory Sheet
January 2004 by Chris Knab
Automating Your Career Into Gear November 2003 by Kenny Love
A
Musician's Action Plan
July 2003 by Kathy Brackly
Making
Your Fans Your Closest Allies
July 2003 by Kenny Love
How
to Cultivate Relationships and Propel Your Music Career Forward!
April 2003 by Chris Standring
Nurture
Your Fans!
March 2003 by Chris Standring
Starting
Your Own Music Business
February 2001 by Jeffrey Fisher
10
Tips for Developing Musicians
2001 by Chris Knab
Product Development
A Sample Producer's Contract June 2011 by Chris Knab
How to Double Your Music Business Income April 2010 by David Hooper
Types of Music Buyers and How to Appeal to Them
March 2010 by Chris Knab
The New Paradigm in Marketing Your Music is Here Now
February 2010 by Chris Knab
Some Good Things About the Not So Good Ol' Days
May 2009 by Chris Knab
Going Digital: Atoms and Bits or Bits Without Atoms? July 2008 by Keith
Holzman
TopTen Graphic Tips for Designing CDs
Updated May 2008 by Chris Knab
How to Write Your Own Music Marketing Plan
March 2008 by Chris Knab
DoYou Really Need To Invest In Your Own Barcode?
Updated January 2008 by Chris Knab
What is Artist and Product Development?
Updated December 2007 by Chris Knab
The Many Roles Played by a Successful Project Studio Owner November 2007 by Eric McKinney
10 Things to Do Before You Release Your Album March 2007 by Jeremy Rwakaara
Music
for Film and TV: Can You Talk the Talk? July 2006 by Susan
Finch
Having
Two Ears
July 2006 by Eric Barouti
How
to Reduce Your CD Manufacturing Costs May 2005 by Keith
Holzman
The Cleavers and Computer Technology October 2004 by Dick Eastman
Mastering Your Music: Why You Need
it, Where to Get it, and How to Make the Most of it. Jan. 2004 by
The G-Man
Cutting
a 'Hot' CD
August 2002 by John Vestman
Your
CD Cover Is Your Most Important Advertisement
May 2002 by Chris Knab
Mastering:
What is it and Why Can't I Do it Myself?
April 2002 by Graeme Kirk
The
Truth About Barcodes
April 2002 by Janet Fisher
Distribution (Retail and Digital)
Streaming Music Revenue Payments April 2013 by Chris Knab
Streaming Royalties Suck Now, but Just Wait February 2013 by Chris Knab
Why We Still Need Independent Record Stores May 2010 by Chris Knab
25 Things to Know About Distributors
Updated May 2010 by Chris Knab
Yes, Independent Record Stores Still Exist... April 2010 by Christopher Knab.
Is Reznor Reshaping the Market? March 2008 by Paul Resnikoff
Distributors: How to Attract Them and How to Work With Them Updated Feburary 2008 by Chris Knab
A
Glance at Other Income Streams in the Music Industry March 2007 by Dina LaPolt
What
a Record Label Should Know about Music Retailers
January 2007 by Chris Knab
Why
Release a Digital-Only Album? August 2005 by Eric
de Fonteney.
Digital
Music Distribution for Independent Artists June 2005 by Mike
Grebb.
Can
You Afford Distribution? January 2004 by Chris Standring
iTunes is Changing
Everything May 2003 by David Nevue
Q&A: The
Elusive Pressing and Distribution Deal 2003 by Kenny Love
Test Your Knowledge:
Record Distribution June 2002
by Chris Knab
Radio Promotion, Podcasting
Planning Your Radio Promotion Campaign
Updated August 2011 by Chris Knab
Digital Servicing Myths May 2010
by Bryan Farrish
Sirius XM in Perspective: Winners and Losers Added August 2008 by Paul Resnikoff
How to Get Airplay on Non-Commercial Radio
Updated April 2008 by John Richards
Radio Play: Will Topping the Charts Make You Bigger Than Elvis?
July 2007 Article by Sheena Metal
Indie
Artists Meet Clear Channel Execs
May 2006 Article by The G-Man.
Podcasting
My Tastebuds Into Your Mind - Feb 2006 by
Gilli Moon
Radio
Specialty Shows: More Special Than You Think
June 2003 by Kenny Love
Is
Clear Channel, Clearly, the Music Industry's Antichrist?
September 2002 by Kenny Love
Finding Radio
Stations to Play Your Music March 2002 by Bob
Baker
How
Radio Stations and Record Labels Work Together
April 2001 by Chris Knab
Making
a Music Video: How's Your Timing?
by Bryan Farrish
Non-Commercial
Radio: Worth Promoting To?
by Bryan Farrish
Which
Radio Stations to Promote Your Music to
by Bryan Farrish
The
Number or Radio Stations in the U.S.
by Bryan Farrish
The
Overall Picture of Music Marketing
by Bryan Farrish
How
Retail and Radio Work Together
by Bryan Farrish
Setting
Up Radio Interviews
by Bryan Farrish
Making
a Music Video
by Bryan Farrish
Commerical
Radio Myths
by Bryan Farrish
Commerical
Radio Ratings
by Bryan Farrish
Reporting
vs. Charting
by Bryan Farrish
Why
Clear Channel is Irrelevant for Indies
by Bryan Farrish
Radio
Promotion Cost Sheet
by Bryan Farrish
What
is 'Successful'?
by Bryan Farrish
Time
of Year to Push Radio
by Bryan Farrish
Non-Commercial
Radio: Worth Promoting To?
by
Bryan Farrish
Record
Labels & Contract Issues
Know the Labels/Publishers You Want to Work With August 2011 by Chris Knab
How Record Labels are Set Up June 2011 by Chris Knab
Do You Know How to Get a Record Deal? Take the Test. July 2010 by Chris Knab
Mick Jagger on Royalties and Getting Paid for Music May 2010 by Chris Knab
10 Reasons Why Most Demos are Rejected Updated April 2010 by Chris Knab
Inside Record Labels: Organizing Things Updated April 2010 by
Chris Knab
What's A Record Label Deal All About? Updated April 2010 by
Chris Knab
Record Label Priorities: Will Your Act Be One? April 2010 by
Chris Knab
How Radio Stations and Record Labels Work Together March 2010 by
Chris Knab
Net Profit Deals: Not Your Traditional Record Deal October 2009 by Bart Day
Deals That Await Successful Independent Labels Updated January 2008 by
Chris Knab
How to Write a Cover Letter: Prototype and Instructions Updated January 2008
by Chris Knab
What
Do You Know About Getting Signed
and Working With a Record Label? Dec.
2007 by Chris Knab
What
A&R Reps Do Updated December
2007 by Chris Knab
Why You Definitely *Don't* Want a Record Label - March 2007 by Chris Standring
The Artist Friendly Contract - March 2007 by Keith Holzman
Are
You a Record Label? - August 2006 by Keith Holzman
Start a Label and Build and Empire, Part 2 - Jan 2006 by
Mike Grebb
Start
a Label and Build and Empire, Part 1 - Dec 2005 by
Mike Grebb
The
Lost Art of Artist Development March 2005 by David Polemeni
Musician, Sign
Thyself! March 2004 by Dina LaPolt, Esq.
How and Why Major
Labels and Independent Labels Work Together March 2004 by Chris
Knab
Labels: Make Them
Come to YOU! May 2003 by Chris Standring
Can a One-Man Record
Label Be Successful? October 2002 by
Derek A. Felton
Becoming A
'Priority' At A Record Label September 2002 by
Chris Knab
Why 'Johnny' Record
Label (Can't Come Out To Play) September 2002 by
Kenny Love
The Truth About
Major Labels August 2002 by David Hooper
How to Shop for a
Record Deal 2001 by Chris Knab
The Corporate
Music Industry
The State of the Music Industry in 2011 January 2011 by Keith Holzman
Changes in the Music Industry June 2009 by Keith Holzman
Oh, How the Music Business Keep Changing January 2009 by Chris Knab
The Lessons of Vinyl August 2008 by Paul Resnikoff
MusicBusiness Internships Do's and Don'ts Updated July 2008 by
Chris Knab
Starbucks: Why Mainstream Can Kill April 2008 by Paul Resnikoff
Knowing
the "Gate Keepers" Updated February 2008 by Chris Knab
Record Labels: Survival of the Fittest February 2008 by Chris Standring
2007 Stats and the Future January 2008 by Keith Holzman
2007: What a Disruptive Year in the Music Business January 2008 by Paul Resnikoff
Superstar Leftovers November
2007 by Paul Resnikoff
The Devaluation of Music June
2007 by Keith Holzman
Curious Numbers: 2006-07 CD Sales May
2007 by Keith Holzman
The
State of the Music Industry: 2006 February 2007 by Moses
Avalon
What's
Happening to the Record Industry? January
2007 by Keith Holzman
The
State of the Music Industry: 2006 December 2006 by Moses
Avalon
How
to "Fix" the Music Industry July 2006 by Bob Baker
Music Biz Future
Shock May 2006 by Bob Baker
Thriving
on Chaos: Indie Music 2006 - Jan 2006 by
Mike Grebb
Predicting
the Future of the Music Industry - Jan 2006 by
Keith Holzman
What's
Wrong With American Idol? March 2004 by Bob Baker
Changes
in the Way Music is Sold over the Last 30 Years Feburary 2003 by
Chris Knab
Wonder
What *They* Will Do Next? September 2002 by
Kenny Love
Is
the RIAA Becoming More Trouble Than it's Worth? September 2002 by
Kenny Love
And
*They* Want to Protect *Us*? August 2002 by
Kenny Love
Greed:
The Diarrhea of the Music Industry
July 2002 by Kenny Love
A
Music Business Revolution July 2002 by Chris
Knab
The
Music Business: Quotes To Live By May 2001 by Chris
Knab
The
Music Sales Test 2001 by Chris Knab
The
New Millennium and Changes in the Music Business September 2000 by
Chris Knab
Music,
Business and Technology: Adapt or Die June 2000 by Chris
Knab
The
Business of Music 1997 by Chris Knab
Music Law, Copyright & Licensing
Hiring a Music Attorney: Some Insider Tips
April 2012 by Bart Day
Register Your Songs With the Copyright Office Added August 2011 by Chris Knab
Money for Your Music: The FactsAbout Music Licensing
April 2010 by The G-Man
Entertainment Lawyers: An Introduction
Updated February 2008 by Chris Knab
Copyrightand Songwriting Basics
Updated January 2008 by Chris Knab
How to Copyright Music December 2007 by David Nevue
Performance
Royalties August 2007 by Keith Holzman
Should
You Trademark Your Band's Name? July 2005 by Kenny Love
How to Offer
Mechanical Licenses for Your Music March 2004 by David Nevue
Assembling an Entertainment
Industry Team
January 2004 by Anthony Berman
Publishing
Deals Made Easy: A Thumbnail Sketch
November 2002 by Bart Day
Licensing
Your Music Overseas
September 2002 by Bart Day
Releasing
Your Own Record: A Legal Checklist
September 2002 by Bart Day
Promotion
The Importance of a YouTube Channel for Your Music Business July 2012 by Djembe Drum Shop
Why Are Musicians So Afraid of New Technologies? February 2012 by Chris Knab
Design Simple, but Effective Promo Materials August 2011 by Chris Knab
Twitter-ing Your Music: Google Alerts August 2008 by David Nevue
HowYour Record Label Keeps You Busy Marketing While You Tour
Updated January 2008 by Chris Knab
20 Steps to Creating a Successful Blog
for Your Band,
Part One, Dec 2007 by Lance Trebesch
20
Steps to Creating a Successful Blog
for Your Band,
Part Two, Dec 2007 by Lance Trebesch
15 Music Marketing Ideas on the Cutting Edge August 2007 by Christopher Knab
Top 5 Reasons Why You Need a Publicist March 2007 by Mona Loring
Promoting Music
Effectively on MySpace January 2007 by
Chris Standring
Selling Your
Music Online - Starting from Zero August 2006 by David Nevue
Selling
Your Music Online - A Reality Check August 2006 by David Nevue
Book
Review: How to Promote Your Music Successfully on the Internet
July 2006 by Norm Goldman
Make
a Music Video in 5 Easy Steps
May 2006 by Mike Grebb
Web
Design 101 for Record Labels (and Artist's too!)
April 2006 by Keith Holzman.
Designing Your Web Site, Part 2 August 2005 by David Nevue
Designing Your Web Site, Part 1 August 2005 by David Nevue
Selling Your Music Online: Starting
from Zero July
2005 by David Nevue
Podcasting: The Art of Feeding the
Beast
February 2005 by Mike Grebb
Using Peer to Peer to Launch a
Music Career
February 2005 by Mike Grebb
P2P: Boon or Bogeyman? January 2005 by Mike Grebb
Can You Help? And Please, No HYPE! September
2004 by David Nevue
"Gum at the Wall" Music Marketing:
Why it Doesn't Work! March 2004 by Robin Spielberg
Using Cover Tunes to Promote Your
Music Online January
2004 by David Nevue
Top
10 Free Music Promotion Newsletters
January 2004 by Marc Gunn
Interview with an
Internet Music Marketing Pioneer November 2003 by Louise
Hall
Successful
Band Newsletters
August 2003 by Marc Gunn
Getting
The Most Out Of Your Music Website
May 2003 Offsite Article by Chris Knab
Guerrilla
Music Marketing Suggestions
April 2003 by Chris Knab
Sell
Your Music Online, Part 2
November 2002 by Chris Knab
Declining
Online Music $ales
November 2002 by Kenny Love
Sell
Your Music Online, Part 1
October 2002 by Chris Knab
Digital Music in a
Changing Digital World July 2002 by David
Nevue
How
to Accept Credit Cards on the Internet (and Increase Your CD Sales!) June
2002 by David Nevue
Selling
More CDs Online: A Three-Pronged Approach
February 2002 by David Nevue
Online
E-Music Retailing
August 2000 by Chris Knab
Online
E-Music Retailing
August 2000 Article by Chris Knab
Newscasting
and Music Promotion: Quick Hits for Quick Results
March 2000 by David Nevue
Selling
Your Music on the Net: Key Strategies to Success
2000 by David Nevue
Marketing
Music on the Net: An Interview with David Nevue
1999 by David Nevue
Publicity
Words of Wisdom from a Music Publicity Pro
June 2011 by Chris Knab
How
to Write a Music-Related Press Release
Updated April 2010 by Chris Knab
How to Write an Artist Biography
Updated April 2010 by Chris Knab
Publicity Tips: Working With The Press
Updated March 2010 by Chris Knab
Band Fact
Sheet Template
Updated February 2008 by Chris Knab
Demo/ Press Kit Ingredients
Updated February 2008 by Chris Knab
The
Power of Tooting Your Own Horn -
September 2006 by Don Newton
The
New Rules of Writing Press Releases - Feb 2006 by
Marc Gunn
How
to Improve Your Press Kit
December 2001 by Chris Knab
Promo
Kit Photos
February 2001 by Chris Knab
Take
the Press / PR Test
2001 by Chris Knab
Publicity
Plan Example
2001 by Chris Knab
Songwriting and Publishing
How Original is Your Music?.... Really?
January 2011 by Chris Knab
Songwriting and the Music Marketplace: A Study Guide June 2010 by Chris Knab
Songwriting Tips - Writer's BlockBlues
Updated April 2010 by Ken Hill
SongwritingTechniques
Updated April 2010 by Ken Hill
18More Songwriting Tips
Updated April 2010 by Ken Hill
21
Songwriting Tips
Updated April 2010 by Ken Hill
PowerWords: How to Make Your Song Lyrics Stronger January 2007 by Stan Swanson
Every
Song Tells a Story... But Does it Have to be an Abstract Novel? October 2006 by Sheena Metal
The
Role of the Music Publisher June 2005 by Keith Holzman
The
6 Rules of Commercial Music Success
November 2004 by Gian M. Fiero
Gigging and Performance
About Playing Live.. August 2011 by Chris Knab
An Inside Look at a Live Venue Merchandise Deal June 2010 by Chris Knab
House Concerts: Be an "American Idol," One House at a Time February 2009 by David Nevue
3 Ways to Become an "Opening Act." June 2007 by Jeri Goldstein
Opening
Acts: Does Playing Before a Rock Star Make You One? October 2006 by Sheena Metal
Finding
Truth Through Stage Personas June 2006 by Gilli Moon.
House
Concerts: Building Your Fan Base One Living Room at a Time
June 2006 by Mike Grebb
How to Promote CDs at Gigs You
Never Play December
2005 by Kenny Love
Are
You Overlooking Live Show Opportunities?
October 2004 by Bob Baker
Musicians and Venue Operators:
Historically, at Odds October 2004 by Annette Warner
14 Ways Musicians Can Increase
Their Tips
September 2003 by Marc Gunn
$1000
Gigs: How to Make 'Em
May 2003 by Kenny Love
How
to Benefit from a Benefit
January 2003 by Chris Standring
Capitalizing
on High Profile Gigs
2003 by Kenny Love
11
Ways to Make Your Next Showcase a Smash Success!
September 2002 by Lance Helgeson
Prototype
Band Tour and Work Schedule
July 2002 by Chris Knab
Performance
Contracts
August 2001 by Maria La France
The
Business of Live Performance
March 2001 by Chris Knab
Live
Performances and Marketing Music
2001 by Chris Knab
The
Live Performance Business Structure 2001
by Chris Knab
How
to $tiff-Proof Local Gigs
November 2000 by Kenny Love
Promotional
Potpourri For Gigging Musicians
September 2000 Offsite Article by Jeffrey Fisher
The
Truth about NACA. Gigging on the College Circuit
2000 by Fran Snyder
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