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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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