Music Biz Articles & Tip Sheets
A carefully selected round up of how-to and insider articles on the
music business from around the internet.
Back to The Academy
Recent Additions
Starbucks: Why Mainstream Can Kill
It's amazing. Starbucks mastered the art of selling $4 drinks and ultra-expensive snacks. Not only that, customers will spend their most precious commodity - time - waiting in line for the privilege. But Starbucks has always been selling more than just coffee. Part of the allure is the predictability and comfort that Starbucks offers - the famous "third place" envisioned and carefully crafted over the years. Sitting, sipping, philosophizing, zoning out, or just running in-and-out - the Starbucks atmosphere is worth its weight in gold. Or, at least that's been the story until recently. Article by Paul Resnikoff. Added 05/25/2008.
How to Write Your Own Music Marketing Plan
I want
you to sit down right now and write the answer to this question on a piece of
paper: “Of all the things I could do
in my life, WHY do I want to learn how to write a music marketing plan?" I ask
this because the only business that needs to know how to market music
are record labels. If you are just an independent musician who has recorded a CD but wants it to
sell, then (whether or not you want to admit it....) you are starting your own
record label, and record labels must write music marketing plans if they
have any chance of selling the recordings they have made! Article by Chris Knab. Added 04/02/2008.
20 Things to Do While You're Sitting Around Waiting for Your Fans to Show Up
This article was forwarded to us recently by an associate. It's an older blog (posted July 2007), but still very "current" in topic and worthwhile reading, especially if you're scratching your head thinking "what now?" in regards to promoting your music online. Article by Michael Lee
Is Reznor Reshaping the Market?
Ghosts is a variation on a theme created by Radiohead. The latest NIN album is part free, part paid, part digital, and part traditional. And a broad range of consumer preferences and budgets are accommodated by the initiative. Reznor and Radiohead are important market-movers and fearless risk-takers. But are these experiments really relevant to the broader music industry? Article by Paul Resnikoff. Added 03/04/2008.
Will Awards and Contests Lead to Bigger Things?
Human beings are
fascinated with awards. So,
it’s no surprise that musicians are constantly submitting to the many awards
and entering the myriads of contests offered to unsigned artists every
year. But what if you continue to
enter and never win? Will you be branded as a loser? Will your fans abandon you, asked to be
removed from your mailing list, line their birdcages with your CDs? It is really better to have entered and lost
than never to have entered at all? Article by Sheena Metal. Added 02/25/2008.
Record Labels: Survival of the Fittest
We all know that the record business is in major transition, has been for a few years now. Still, major labels and independent labels are trying to figure out what the new model is. But the real problem with most labels is that they still want to be in 'big business'. This is the first real issue labels have got to deal with. Because CD sales are on the downturn and record labels are cutting back on staff (hence the EMI shake up recently). Commentary by Chris Standring. Added 02/23/2008.
How to Develop Your Music Marketing Plan
For years I've been stressing to my clients the need to develop -- and implement -- comprehensive marketing plans for each and every release. And lately, it seems, quite a few have asked me to guide them through the process of creating them. The plan should include what's to be done to publicize the release, how you might enlist and obtain radio airplay, how you plan to motivate your distributor and retailers to move appropriate quantities into stores, and what'll be involved in digital distribution of individual tracks and complete albums, but most important -- how you plan to motivate the public to buy the music. Article by Keith Holzman. Added 02/19/2008.
2007 Stats and the Future
Last year, overall sales declined a considerable amount from 2006, as delineated by Ed Christman in the January 12th issue of Billboard. Year to year CD Album Sales were off a dismal 18.8 percent -- from 553.4 million units in 2006 to 449.2 million in 2007. On a somewhat brighter note, Digital Album Sales were up more than double -- from 32.6 million to 50 million. Individual Digital Tracks were up 45.1 percent from 582 to 844 million. 2007 stats and commentary by Keith Holzman. Added 01/15/2008.
2007: What a Disruptive Year in the Music Business
The music industry continued to weather a disruptive earthquake in 2007, and that spelled distress, opportunity, or something in-between for everyone involved. Article by
Paul
Resnikoff. Added 01/03/2008.
How to Copyright Music
How
Do I Copyright My Music? That's
a question I get asked a lot
here at the Music Biz Academy.
And so, I decided I might as
well write a formal article
about it. Article by David Nevue.
Added 12/26/2007.
David Byrne's Survival Strategies for Emerging Artists — and Megastars
What is called the music business today is not the business of
producing music. At some point it became the business of selling CDs in plastic
cases, and that business will soon be over. But that's not bad news for music,
and it's certainly not bad news for musicians. Indeed, with all the ways to
reach an audience, there have never been more opportunities for artists. Where are things going? Well, some people's charts look
like this.... Addee 12/26/2007.
20
Steps to Creating a Successful
Blog for Your Band
Part
One: Blogs
prove to be a tricky field to conquer, especially when it comes to gaining an
initial reader-base. However, once you
get that reader base, great potential for increasing your online reputation is
created. Successful blogs keep their
status by following these 20 rules from the start and throughout their blog’s
lifetime. Article by Lance
Trebesch of
TicketPrinting.com.
20
Steps to Creating a Successful
Blog for Your Band
Part
Two: Part one talks about setting up the blog in the right format to gain
reader interest. Part two discusses
about more promotion techniques and how to keep your readers. Article by Lance
Trebesch of
TicketPrinting.com.
What
Do You Know About Getting Signed
and Working With a Record
Label?
A
True/False, multiple choice
quiz to test your knowledge
of record labels and how they
work. Article by Christopher
Knab.
Superstar
Leftovers
Once upon a time, major labels created superstar artists. Then, a digital
disruption dismantled the major label model, and big-name artists began pursuing
post-label ambitions. But even in their darkest hour, the influence of major labels is still being
felt. Because without the promotional, marketing, and financial backing of the
majors, Madonna, Radiohead, and the Eagles wouldn't be hogging headlines today.
These are superstars created in an earlier era, and that makes their newfound
models less indicative of the future music industry. Get ready for an echo-chamber of "360 degree," quite possibly the next big
buzzword - or buzz phrase - of this industry. Article
by Paul Resnikoff.
Added 11/16/2007.
The
Many Roles of a Successful
Project Studio Owner
Those of us in the music business all know that project studios are popping
up everywhere these days. These are usually smaller-type studios
than the professional large-scale recording studios, but can often produce high
quality work for a much cheaper price for various recording artists. Running a successful project studio can
require you to develop skills to be many different people - project coordinator,
record producer, psychologist, advisor, versatile scheduler, great communicator,
storyteller, business person and entrepreneur, just to name a
few. Article
by Eric
McKinney. Added 11/07/2007.
7
Steps to a Successful Audition
Marco
Kasel, talent and booking agent
for Oceanbound Cruise Lines
offers seven tips that will
help you better prepare (and
correctly set your expectations)
for music auditions. Added
08/27/2007
Performance
Royalties
For years radio airplay was the primary method for marketing almost
all
genres of music. Although that's no longer strictly the case, what's
remarkable is that recording artists and record labels have never received
any form of payment for this usage -- not a single penny! Yes, publishers,
songwriters and composers receive compensation via annual fees paid to ASCAP,
BMI, and SESAC by radio stations. But no
performance royalty to labels and artists has ever been paid in the U.S. for
over-the-air broadcasts, and this situation has existed for many decades, in
fact since the first commercial broadcast in 1922! Article by Keith Holzman.
15
Music Marketing Ideas on the
Cutting Edge
Music
marketing consultant Christopher
Knab offers fifteen ways to
rethink how you market your
music.
Radio
Play: Will Topping the Charts
Make You Bigger Than Elvis?
Can a band in our current music
scene
walk into a radio station with a CD single in their hot little hands, impress
and wow the DJ with their enthusiasm and chutzpa, obtain the magic and golden
FM radio spins and then ride the wave of success all the way
to Graceland? Article by Sheena
Metal.
10
Things to Do Before Your Release
Your Album
Following are, in no particular order, 10 important things you should do before
you release your album. Article by Jeremy Rwakaara.
Set
Goals: Your Rockstardom Wasn't
Built in a Day
How can you tell if your
career is actually going somewhere? How
do you know if you’re getting closer to your musical dreams? While there is no one set way achieve rock
superstardom, the clearest way to realize musical success is to simply set
goals. As mundane as it may seem,
setting goals, both long and short-term, for your musical project, can help
you achieve what you want. Here
are some tips for settings goals
in a realistic way that won't
leave you feeling disappointed.
Article by Sheena
Metal.
The
Devaluation of Music
I've
become greatly concerned that
music is no longer considered
to be magical, and I suspect
I'm not alone in this belief.
Music has become a mere commodity
and is not valued for the exciting,
emotional experience it's capable
of creating. A number of things
happened recently that have
confirmed this realization.
Article by Keith Holzman.
3
Ways to Become an "Opening
Act"
Ever
wonder how you can become an
opening act for another band
in your local area, or even
better, for a bigger name that
comes through town? In this
article, Jeri Goldstein offers
three options that might help you land those
opening act spots.
Article by Jeri
Goldstein.
Your
First Recording Session
You've finally reached the point where you are ready to enter a real studio and
lay down your music. It sounds easy, right? Most musicians get a real
eye-opening experience the first time they work with a professional studio.
Although an experienced producer and engineer can ease the transition for
inexperienced musicians, there are still many things to overcome.
Article by Jeff Wheaton.
Curious
Numbers: 2006-07 CD Sales
I was astounded by the huge quantity of new titles released last year
as
reported by Ed Christman in the May 12 issue of Billboard.
A
startling 75,774 new titles were released in 2006, almost 26 percent more
than in the previous year. In fact there's been a steady upsurge of new titles during the
last five years. A close
look reveals some surprises and some curiosities. Article by Keith Holzman.
Why
You Definitely *Don't* Want
a Record Label
I'm pretty much done with record labels. I finally learned my lesson last
weekend. Before I get into my
rant, I should say that there still is a place for record companies, but they
are not for most of us. If you win American Idol or even get into the top five
finalists, then sure, sign a record deal. Use the machine to make you famous for
15 minutes. You're a puppet after all, not an artist. That machine is absolutely
right for you. But if you are an artist or want any kind of longevity, a career
perhaps, then think again... Article by Chris Standring.
Top
5 Reasons Why You Need a Publicist
In order to sell something, the
public needs to know about it. You have something you are
certain that the rest of the public needs to know about and there is no better way to spread the word about you or your
product than with public relations. With the proper publicist, you will get the chance to tell the
world whatever you think they should know, in the most effectual manner. Here's
why you need a publicist. Article
by Mona Loring.
The
Artist-Friendly Contract
I've always stressed to my clients that their
contacts be artist-friendly, and I mean this from two standpoints. First,
they should be fair and even-handed in the terms and provisions.
Second, they should be written so that the average person can
readily understand what they mean. These are some of the things record
labels should consider when writing artist agreements. Article by Keith Holzman.
How
to Get Airplay on Non-Commercial
Radio
There are many thoughts on how an artist gets airplay
both here at the KEXP and on radio in general.
While I can’t speak for other radio stations I can offer
some advice based on my experience here at KEXP, and
running my indie label Loveless that might help you
get your music heard and played on radio. Article
by John Richards.
Is
the Music Business Dead: What,
Again?
In my December 2006 commentary,
I outlined why all the
swill about the “decaying music business” was rubbish. I
was in turn slammed by the very people who this type of thinking threatens;
those who profit off of the “dying music business” business.
But over 2 billion
downloads and the sale of over 500
Million confirmed CD album sales in the US last year alone does
not seem to jibe with the statement “People are not going to the record store
and are not paying for downloads.” Commentary by Moses Avalon.
Coping
With Stage Fright
Lots of people get stage fright, to one extent or another.
For some people, stage fright provides an edge, a kind of excitement that
stimulates their performance. But
for others, stage fright can get out of control and ruin an otherwise good
performance. If you have butterflies in your stomach or tension in your
throat, vocal coach Jan Smith has some advice for you...
What's
Happening to the Record Industry?
During the past few weeks I've been reflecting on what's happening to the record
industry. It's obvious that we've been in a transitional state for the last few
years. The question is -- what are we transitioning to? And how long will it be
until we reach a more stable, defined state?
Article by Keith
Holzman.
Stop
Burning Bridges...or Your Career
Might Go Up in Flames
What can you, as musicians do, to eliminate aspects
of your personality that may be causing bad blood between you and the people
you run across on your way to superstardom? The following are a few tips
that may help you to make sure you’re exhibiting professional behavior at all
times. Article by Sheena Metal.
Band
Tries to Make it Big Without
Going Broke
This
offsite NPR article by Chris
Arnold speaks to the reality
of making it in the music business.
A recommended read for struggling
bands. You're not alone.
How
to Help the Music Industry Take
You Seriously
Every month I have
to listen to tons of artist submissions. Sometimes it's painful, other times
it's a pleasure. Usually the pleasure or pain threshold is not to do with how
the music sounds, although God only knows that is the ice cream! No, the
enjoyment factor begins when I know that a package has been carefully put
together. An artist who is serious will do it right from the start. Article by Chris Standring
Promoting
Music Effectively on MySpace
MySpace has become a fantastic way to promote music online. Every artist or
group needs a MySpace account now and if you haven't already got one I urge you
to sign up and start promoting. But before you
do, I want to explain what is effective and what is not so you can use your time
wisely, because trust me, you can spend a lot of (addictive) time
there. Article by Chris Standring
ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and Free Music
While the old Napster involved lots of kids and students getting music
without compensation paid to the writers and publishers, it’s quite a different
situation when highly profitable companies such as television networks and radio
stations are allowed to use huge amounts music legally and the writers and
publishers of this music receive no share of performance license fees paid for
these usages. How could this happen in this day of computerization and digital
delivery? It happens every day, and it’s happening right now on hundreds of
television and radio stations. Commentary by Mark Northam.
More Recommended Reading...
Power
Words: How to Make Your Song
Lyrics Stronger
All songwriters struggle with their lyrics to
their songs from time to time. It's one of the "hazards" of the trade. And many
times we settle for words that aren't what we mean or don't carry enough punch.
Even songwriters whose strength is their lyrics don't always take the proper
amount of time to choose their words carefully.
Article by Stan Swanson.
What
a Record Label Should Know about
Music Retailers
Record sales are the “report card” for record labels. There are only two grades on a music retail report card. It’s the
pass/fail system; either you sold records or you didn’t. Article by Chris Knab.
Opening
Acts: Does Playing Before a
Rock Star Make You One?
It’s the dream of many a
musician to open up for either: their favorite band or the favorite band of
their childhood. For many, the ultimate
in true rock star status is to share a stage with the musicians who made you
want to play music in the first place…to see you name in lights with the guys (or gals) whose music you listen to
almost as much as (if not more than) your own. But is it really a good
idea, as an unsigned artist, to open up for an act already known to the general
public? Article by Sheena
Metal.
Business
2.0: How to Succeed in 2007
While it's not the
"music" business,
many of these thoughts on success
from 50 of the "brightest
minds in business" are
certainly applicable to our
industry. A good read.
The
State of the Music Industry:
2006
Okay, show of hands:
who in the past year or so has had a friend, relative or significant other come
to them with an article claiming the death of the music business? Hands high. I’m counting.
Yes. I see there are many of you. Well, this Moses Supposes is just
for you: inside information and proof that the industry is just fine and growing
more healthy by the day.
Commentary by Moses Avalon.
Are
You a Record Label?
The time has come when making CDs or other physical product available
for sale at retail outlets such as Tower (what's left of it,)
Borders, BestBuy, or local mom and pop record stores no longer
determines the status of being a label.
To a great extent, what constitutes a record label is very much in
the mind of the begetter, and/or beholder.
Article by Keith
Holzman.
Selling
Your Music Online - A Reality
Check
I
am often asked how much money
a person
can really
make selling music online. I
hear both extremes, both from
artists who think they'll use
the Internet to make it rich,
and others who don't believe
anyone can make any money online
selling
music. The truth is somewhere
in between. Article by David
Nevue.
How
to "Fix" the Music
Industry
Changing the music industry is not unlike trying to change where and when the
sun rises every morning. You can expend all the anger and energy you can muster,
but the sun is still going to do its thing -- blissfully unaware that you're
even unhappy with it. Article by Bob Baker.
Music
for Film and TV: Can You Talk
the Talk?
I've worked in film and video for the last several years and have always been
the one to place most of the music in commercials and TV shows I work on. What's surprised me throughout my career is discovering some musicians who know
how to talk the talk, and some who don't. So how can I
tell? What do I hear? Article by Susan Finch.
Book
Review: How to Promote Your
Music on the Internet
"...Delivers what it
promises beyond clichés, generalizations and oversimplifications that are so
often prevalent in books of a similar nature. For its practicality and helpfulness, David Nevue’s effort should be
applauded...." Review by Norm Goldman, BookPleasures.com
Having
Two Ears
As a record producer and A&R man on the French music scene, I always
wonder
why artists hardly ever think about why they have two ears. Obviously, it has a lot to do with
successful communication, but communicating what? Article by Eric Barouti.
Finding
Truth Through Stage Personas
Developing an "act" is
more than just putting a good CD together. It's about the way the musicians play
(live), the clothes they wear on stage, the way they relate to the audience, how
they stand on stage, the patter in between songs,.. the whole "live stage
persona." Article by Gilli Moon.
House
Concerts: Building Your Fan
Base One Living Room at a Time
House concerts
are predicated on the
notion that the most intimate listening-room on the planet might just be home,
sweet home. A fan invites friends to attend the
show, requests a modest donation to the
artist and maybe makes an offer of alcohol or food to the collective pot. People
eat. People drink. People sit down to hear some great live music. And because the Artist eats, drinks and shmoozes with the audience, merch
sales and fan mailing lists increase dramatically. Go figure. Article by Mike
Grebb. Added 06/22/2006.
Indie
Artists Meet Clear Channel Execs
"What does it cost to get a record on the charts?" The question was directed
to Mike McVay, programming consultant to about 400 radio stations owned by media
giant Clear Channel. A hush fell over the audience, as this was a piece of information that could
determine the fate of independent artists everywhere... Article by The G-Man.
Going
Postal on the Music Industry
"Dear
Bob, I am sooooo tired of the music industry as it stands now. Everywhere my band goes and performs, people flock to our shows. They love us
and they all have the same feeling: 'Ya'll should be on radio and TV,' etc.
However, the powers that be continue to force feed that garbage that's out
there to people and it frustrates me. What am I supposed to do? I can't even get "industry" folks to
return my phone calls. I'm about to go postal on the music industry!" This
question addressed by Bob Baker
Music
Biz Future Shock
You know the story. There are huge cultural and economic shifts taking place
in the music business. One of the biggest changes involves the evolution of the tech-savvy, modern
music consumer. This is crucial to your future success with music, so read
carefully:... Article by Bob Baker. Added May 2006.
Make
a Music Video in 5 Easy Steps
Music videos don't need to
be expensive or glitzy these days. In fact, fans often appreciate an underground
feel that makes them feel closer to the artist. "I don't think for an
independent artist that it's practical to spend a boatload of money to compete
with the majors," says big-time producer Marcus "DL" Siskind, In fact, Siskind says artists are sometimes better off going beyond the
traditional music video... Article by Mike Grebb
Smart
Marketing: Building a Fanbase
"Once I have a
subscriber in my database, it is like gold dust, and provided they really want
to be on that list, the chances of converting them into a sale when a new album
comes out are pretty high. And with this in mind I started thinking, "Gotta get
more on my list, gotta get more on my list...but how do I do that?".... Article by Chris
Standring.
Web
Design 101 for Record Labels
(and Artist's too!)
Websites
have a very basic task -- to educate the public on just what it is your
company or your record label is all about, and perhaps more important, it may
also be a way of selling them something. And if you're selling, you must be
clear just what it is you have for sale -- whether it's music, a service, or
something else. Article by Keith
Holzman.
10
Tips to Keep You on the Music
Career-Building Path
If there are any guarantees in the music business,
you can bet that stumbling blocks to success abound. Knowing
that problems will arise and finding solutions is half the
challenge. The other half is implementing your strategies and tactics consistently
and professionally. Article by Chris Knab.
What
You Should Know About Your Fans
Studying the lifestyles of your fans will give you a passport
to making money with your music. Why? Because when you discover who they are in
great detail, their habits and lifestyles will inspire ways of reaching them
you never imagined.... Article by Chris Knab.
Start
a Label and Build and Empire,
Part 2
There’s nothing more difficult,
time-consuming, frustrating and masochistic than starting your own record label.
Believe me, I know. In addition to my job as resident mouthpiece here at Atlas
Plugged, I’m also a partner in BOS Music, a label that I started with a few buddies about
five years ago. Keeping BOS in the game hasn’t been easy. But having all walked
over hot coals together at this point, we’ve become kindred survivors in the
small-business battlefield... Article by Mike Grebb
Predicting
the Future of the Music Industry
A great deal has happened during the first five years of this decade
that has had an impact on the music business. So I thought I'd take
this opportunity to look into my somewhat hazy crystal ball and
attempt to predict the future and how it may have an effect on our
industry... Article by Keith
Holzman
The
New Rules of Writing Press Releases
When do you
write a press release? All the time. Press releases
have evolved. They are no longer the static tool sent via fax to specific
editors. They can go out to tens of thousands of readers worldwide with the
click of a button.... Article by Marc
Gunn
Podcasting
My Tastebuds Into Your Mind
It has been said recently that Podcasting is growing
faster than anything in history. To think that each and every one of us can become a
radio programmer and people can subscribe to our taste in music is just simply
amazing. One night, at about 2am when I should have been asleep, I began
setting up my own podcast, not even knowing what it was, but ever so curious.
Here's how I did it. Article by Gilli Moon.
Start
a Label and Build and Empire,
Part 1
The traditional goal for many aspiring artists has always boiled down to
two words: Get signed. These magical words conjured visions of stretch limos,
screaming fans, endless bags of money… but today's artists are a lot
smarter. They now know that "getting signed" seldom equals eternal bliss and
security. Artists have gradually realized in
recent years that the do-it-yourself model of putting out records and managing a
career from the grassroots can yield certain advantages. Article by Mike Grebb
Thriving
on Chaos: Indie Music 2006
With 2006 breathing down our
necks and the music industry in its continued state of turmoil and uncertainty,
it’s time for us to make some predictions about what the New Year will
bring. Article by Mike Grebb
How
to Promote CDs at Gigs You Never
Play
How much would it be worth to you to learn how to promote
your CD at gigs you never even play, but create a large number
of sales from these gigs just the same?
This possibility explained by Kenny Love.
More Music Acts Going Independent
Route
Countless bands have found themselves in a quandary: Signed to
a major label, with promises of widespread distribution and big promotional
budgets, yet going nowhere. They are casualties of an industry increasingly
geared toward acts who can reliably sell millions of albums at a time.
As a result, a growing number of artists who do not fit that paradigm are
going independent — financing their own records and tours, securing distribution
deals and serving as their own publicists. Added 10/08/2005.
A
Glance at New Media Deals
It seems as though music is now
available everywhere - through digital download services such as iTunes and Napster;
streaming interactive subscription services like Rhapsody and MusicNet, as
well as non-interactive subscription services via MusicChoice, Sirius, and XM Satellite
as well as video games and cell phones. In
this article, attorney Dina LaPolt examines
some of these new formats as
well as the income
paid to the artists and songwriters.
Selling
Your Music Online: Designing
Your Web Site
Okay,
you want to create
a web site from which to sell
and promote your music.
Now what? Here are some tips
from by
David Nevue, author of How to
Promote Your Music Successfully
on the Internet.
Digital
Distribution
The digital music revolution has changed
the distribution game significantly in the last few years. Getting your CD into
brick-and-mortar retail outlets is not as vital to
your success as it once was. In today's new music landscape, artists look to
digital distributors such as iTunes, MusicMatch, Napster, America Online and others for
revenue opportunities. Article by Mike Grebb.
Why
Release a Digital-Only Album?
There has been increasing discussion over the Net
regarding the role of digital-only album releases as part of an
independent artist's goal of maximizing the opportunities offered by
the online music world. Does this trend suggest that the CD is an increasingly antiquated
option for independent artists? Article by Mi2N editor Eric de Fonteney.
How
to Reduce Your CD Manufacturing
Costs
Keeping down the costs of printing and manufacturing makes lots of
sense at any time, but particularly now that most labels are selling
fewer CDs per title. To use Nicholas Negroponte's metaphor from his
"Being Digital," sales of atoms (manufactured goods) are declining,
partly because of illegal downloads, while sales of bits (legal
downloads)
are increasing due to the success of such online retailers as Apple's
iTunes
Music Store.
Article by Keith Holzman.
Should
You Trademark Your Band's Name?
The
question: "My lawyer
says that if I fail to trademark my band name, another band with the same
name could trademark it and stop me from using it. What's more, the other band could even sue me for
punitive damages. But the costs for a trademark are quite high. Should I do
it?" Consultant Kenny
Love provides an answer.
Your
Music: A Business or Hobby?
We all want to make a living doing something we enjoy. For most artists,
making money isn't the central goal, and running a business isn't even a
concern. However, success in creating and disseminating your work requires
certain business-like considerations. The first question for yourself (and the
first thing the IRS will be interested in knowing) is whether or not your art is
a business or a hobby.
Article
by Mark Fox.
Non-Commercial
Radio: Worth Promoting To?
Non-commercial stations are comprised of three groups: College, community,
and "NPR" stations. College radio is by far the biggest non-commercial group, with about 1,000
stations in the U.S. and Canada. The biggest advantage of college radio is that it is the easiest and fastest
way to get airplay, and with it, the comments, favorite tracks, interviews, and
reports in CMJ and other magazines, all of which become great tools to market
your band with. Article by Bryan Farrish.
Re-Thinking
Your Image: Creating a Signature
Style
Many talented emerging artists
are confused by the issue of an image and don't have a sense of their own
style. So, they either copy things from other people, or are just bland. Few
artists actually have a true, distinct style. In today's entertainment
environment, however, the first impression is as important as ever. Article
by John Battaglia.
Your
Speaking Skills Can Make You
a Better Performer
Speech writers know that you have to grab the
audience's attention in 30 seconds. That's where you make your biggest impact.
If you ever see a musician get up on stage and fumble a "Hi. Um. We're the
Barnyard Owls," you know what I mean. As musicians, we can grab the
audience's attention with a song. But it helps to think about other ways to
captivate your audience too. Article by Marc Gunn.
The
Role of the Music Publisher
A key adjunct, and potentially considerable asset, of a record label
is it's own music publishing company. Not every label establishes
one, either through lack of expertise and experience, or insufficient
time to deal with it. But failure to establish a publishing division
could be a lost opportunity and a very costly mistake.
Article by Keith Holzman.
Selling
Your Music Online: Starting
from Zero
The
nice thing about selling your
music on the Internet is that
you can get started with
very little cash up front. If
you already have a computer
and Internet access, you can
get going for as little as $50.
Article
by David Nevue.
Podcasting:
The Art of Feeding the Beast
As we all know, the Internet is an uncertain world of endless
possibilities and peril. For this generation of artists and music-industry
execs, one paradox reigns supreme: Change has become a constant. Just when you
thought you had seen it all, along comes something else to turn everything
upside down again. Enter the emerging art of "podcasting." Article by Mike Grebb.
So
You Want to Quit Your Day Job?
You’re slaving away at your day job, playing your
music at night and on the weekends, and it seems you’ll never have enough time
to write, record and tour when 40 hours of your week are cashed in for that
steady paycheck. You can’t help but think, “If only I could quit my job to work
on my music full time, I’d be able to make it.”
Last year, I had a chance to do just that, and I
learned a few things during my exciting, though sometimes heartbreaking year of
freedom. Article by Mara.
Using
Peer to Peer to Launch a Music
Career
The
"G-Man" offered all the music
on his first album for free.
In fact, he went even farther than that: he contacted thousands
of DJs and remixers, established peer-to-peer filesharing
relationships
with them, then offered to send them individual tracks (bass,
synth, vocals, drums, guitar, etc.) if they wanted to mix new
versions of his songs.
The results have been spectacular, involving reviews, remixes,
club play, radio play, a record deal, publishing and licensing
agreements, and awards. How did he do it? Read this article by Janis Amy.
P2P:
Boon or Bogeyman?
Once upon a time, the band Ten Mile Tide was living
a fun but relatively low-key existence playing local clubs in the San Francisco
area. But by the summer of 2003,
something happened. Their fan base exploded, allowing band members to quit the
day jobs and go out on the road full time. Since then, the band has sold nearly
6,000 song downloads over the Internet and some 10,000 CDs through all
channels. They now each collect a good salary from the band and just bought a
tour bus. How did they do it? Find out in this article by Mike Grebb.
How
to Earn $30,000 With Your Music
by Year's End
Ken
Hill from Torchlight Creek Music
shares more of his very popular
(and humorous) songwriting tips
- this time on how to combat
writer's block.
Songwriting
Tips - Writer's Block Blues
Ken
Hill from Torchlight Creek Music
shares more of his very popular
(and humorous) songwriting tips
- this time on how to combat
writer's block.
The
Lost Art of Artist Development
It's an all too familiar scenario. I open the mail to find a professional looking,
five color printed CD with lyrics and clever artwork. It looks like product from
a major label. I peel off the shrink wrap and put it on. The same problems are
there over and over again; mediocre songwriting, inconsistent music
style, middle of the road musicianship and production. Article by David Polemeni.
Which
Radio
Stations to Promote Your Music
to
Radio
promoter Byan Farrish takes
a look at which stations you should choose to promote your music to,
and what factors help you make
that decision.
Selling
Your Music Online: A Reality
Check
I
am often asked how much a person
can really
make selling music online. I
hear both extremes, both from
artists who think they'll use
the Internet to make it rich,
and others who don't believe
anyone can make any money selling
music online. The truth is somewhere
in the middle. Article by David
Nevue.
The
Long Tail
Forget
squeezing millions from a few
megahits at the top of the charts.
The future of entertainment
is in the millions of niche
markets at the shallow end of
the bitstream. This is a MUST
READ article from Wired magaine.
Long, but worth it if you want
to see where the business is
heading. Added 10/28/2004.
The
Cleavers and Computer Technology
The melding of science and art has created vast
new opportunities
for the independent artist. One band, The
Cleavers takes
time out to discuss how they've
used modern technology to record,
manufacture and promote their new CD on a budget. Article by Dick Eastman. Added
10/272004.
Are
You Overlooking Live Show Opportunities?
Let me ask you ... What has to happen for a person to be
converted into being a fan of your music? There are a number
of possible answers, but at the most basic level, one thing
has to happen: The person must hear your music.
Let's focus on that, because even with all of the
advancements in technology, live performance continues to
be one of the best ways to connect with fans, sell CDs and
prosper as an artist.
Article by Bob Baker. Added
10/08/2004.
Musicians
and Venue Operators: Historically,
at Odds
Venue operators and musicians have
historically been at odds. It seems we have a love/hate relationship and each,
at times, wants to bite the hand that feeds us. After
conducting interviews over the last year online, in person and over the phone, I
have come to a basic understanding of what the rift is between musicians and
venues. Article by Annette Warner. Added 10/04/2004.
The
6 Rules of Commercial Music
Success
Over
the years I have had many conversations
with music artists about commercial
music, which usually leads to
them disclosing their disdain
and hatred of it. Some refer
to pop music (pop, as in what’s
popular now) as commercial music.
Others think of anything that
is receiving heavy rotation
on radio as commercial music.
Whatever their definition, one
thing is often overlooked: commercial
music is the heart of the music
industry which pumps the blood
that keeps it alive. Article
by Gian M. Fiero. Added
09/29/2004.
The
X Factor:
What is it and do YOU have "IT"?
What
exactly is the “X factor?” You
hear professionals and artists
alluding to it, but you rarely
hear anyone defining “it.” If
you are an aspiring music artist
or an entertainer, it’s important
to know what "it"
is because in the mind of the
most seasoned and powerful industry
professionals, having “it” is
what determines if you are worth
the investment of endless amounts
of time and money. Article by
Gian M. Fiero. Added 09/29/2004.
Musician,
Sign Thyself!
This
wonderful exposé
by L.A. music lawyer Dina
LaPolt, Esq. demonstrates several
reasons why independent musicians
no longer need a major label
deal to find success. In effect,
you can start your own label
and "sign" yourself.
Added 03/05/2004.
What's
Wrong With American Idol?
Four
music business experts say the
popular talent show is misleading
tens of thousands of aspiring
musicians... and the public
at large. Are YOU one of them?
Article by Bob Baker. Added
03/17/2004.
14
Ways Musicians Can Increase
Their Tips
Marc
Gunn of the Brobdingnagian
Bards has compiled this list suggesting ways you can increase the amount
and number of tips you receive when
playing live. 14 tips on getting
more tips. Added 03/10/2004
"Gum
at the Wall" Music Marketing:
Why it Doesn't Work!
Many
artist's egos are well-served by hiring radio
promoters so that their CDs gain airplay and even show
up on radio charts. This is all fine and good. But what happens if the artists
is
actually successful in such a campaign? Article and advice by Robin Spielberg.
Added 03/17/2004.
Killing
the Music
by Don Henley
When I started in the music business, music was important and vital to our
culture. Artists connected with their fans. Record labels signed cutting-edge
artists, and FM radio offered an incredible variety of music. Music touched fans
in a unique and personal way. Our culture was enriched and the music business
was healthy and strong. That's all changed. Today the music business is in crisis.
Added 02/17/2004.
Mastering
Your Music: Why You Need it,
Where to Get it, and How to
Make the Most of it.
Mastering
is widely misunderstood, often
mangled, and sometimes mistaken
for mixing. So, what is mastering?
Mastering is what gives depth,
punch, clarity and volume to
your tracks. It is part science,
part craft, and part alchemy...
just like songwriting, singing,
performing and recording. It's
a crucial step, and this is
the essential guide. Article
by the G-Man. Added 01/29/2004.
Licensing
Your Music Overseas
If you are an artist or indie label, one way to significantly expand your
universe is to license your master recordings to record companies outside the
United States. Article
by Bart
Day. Added 1/29/2004
Can
You Afford Distribution?
I
get many e-mails from artists and groups asking me
about distribution. They say "We have a band and we're playing locally and
getting good crowds and we sell our CD at gigs. We started our own label and
need to get distribution so we can sell in all the stores. How can we do
that?" The answer is more complex than you might think. Article by Chris
Standring. Added
01/08/2004
Assembling
an Entertainment Industry Team
Technology today allow artists of all types to be
relatively self-contained. Nevertheless, for many artists, assembling a "team" is
still a crucial step in building a long term career in the industry and
successfully developing, marketing and exploiting the fruits of the creative
process. This article, by entertainment attorney Anthony Berman is an overview of the various members that may form the team. Added
01/08/2004
Money
for Your Music: The Facts About
Music Licensing
Where music meets licensing, there's money to be made. How much
money? "I have synched quite a few thousand songs into productions
over the years," states Peter Jansson of Janssongs, Inc., "and
have charged anywhere between US$1.00 and US$250,000 for each
one."
That's correct: he said a quarter of a million dollars. And there
are a great many places to earn money from music... Article by the G-Man. Added
11/05/2003.
18
More Songwriting Tips
Making something out of nothing can be a challenge. Here are
more great tips from songwriter Ken Hill to get your creative juices flowing. Added 07/11/2003.
Comparing
Indie Resources
A side by side comparison of The Indie Bible, The Musician's
Atlas, Billboard's Guide to Touring and Promotion and the Galaris Music Directory. "As a musician I see these
resources listed all over the place and I always wondered about the differences between them. I sat down with my
documents and tried to compare 'apples to apples.' By David Jackson. 07/10/2003.
Making Your
Fans Your Closest Allies
Are you keeping your fans at an arms' distance? Or are you treating them like family? If you're neglecting your
fans, you're missing out on one of your biggest promotional assets. Article by Kenny Love. Added 07/10/2003
How
Labels and Artists Divvy up Your MP3 Dollar.
The going rate for downloading songs from online music services like Apple's (AAPL) iTunes Music Store, MusicNet,
Pressplay, and Rhapsody is about $1 a pop. Yet the economics of recorded music sales haven't changed much since
the vinyl era -- despite the fact that digital files cost very little to produce and distribute. So how much of
your buck makes its way back to the artists? Not much, though it's clearly a better deal than they get from piracy.
Added 07/01/2003.
A
Musician's Action Plan
Check out this amazing 'Action Plan' worksheet by Kathy Brackley
of Artists Studio Magazine. Added 06/28/2003.
Making
a Music Video: How's Your Timing?
Many times, beginning bands that get a hold of some money ($100,000+)
try to put out a video. There is nothing wrong with the intent, it's just that their timing is off. So, when is
the timing right? Here are some words of wisdom from promoter Bryan Farrish. Added 06/06/2003.
Songwriting
Techniques
"In the last article I wrote (21 Songwriting Tips), we explored
many different ways to expand our musicianship as a whole. Songwriting
Techniques takes us a step inward, focusing on the art of welding
a song that used to exist only in our minds." Another really excellent article by Ken Hill. Highly recommended
for songwriters. Added 06/06/2003
Labels:
Make Them Come to YOU!
"Everyone knows how hard it is getting signed to a record label. With the present state of the business, Internet
piracy and lack of record sales in the music industry, it has never been harder and seemingly impossible for artists
to get signed. Well let me try to uplift one or two spirits if if I may..." Article by Chris Standring. Added
05/27/2003.
$1000 Gigs:
How to Make 'Em
Want to learn how to turn *each* of your future live performances (starting with your very next gig) into $500-$1,000
profit-makers (minimum), regardless of what the gig is actually paying you to perform? Article by Kenny Love. Added
05/27/2003.
Enthusiasm
Rules!
There is one simple skill you should master that can often have a surprisingly positive effect on your music career.
What is it, you may ask? Enthusiasm. Article by Jeffrey Fisher. Added 05/27/2003.
21 Songwriting
Tips
Making something out of nothing can be a challenge. Here are
some great tips from songwriter Ken Hill that will get your creative juices flowing. Added 05/02/2003.
What
Record Industry Slump?
While executives at major labels wail about the industry's imminent collapse, indie labels and artists are singing
a much happier tune. Profits are up - in some cases by 50 to 100 percent. That's in contrast to overall album sales,
which dropped about 11 percent in 2002. "We don't do too much crying over here," Cameron Strang, founder
of New West Records, admits proudly. The home of artists like Delbert McClinton, the Flatlanders, and John Hiatt
has doubled its business for the past three years and is projecting a $10 million income in 2003. You won't hear
many of these labels' artists on pop radio - and ironically, that's one of the secrets to their success. Added
04/24/2003.
No Label, No Problem
The struggle for autonomy in the pop world has broken out all over the map. While the corporate music machine grinds
on, too big for what was once considered a street art, musicians of all types are shipping out to parts unknown
to produce and market their own albums. In the old days, the goal of most would-be music stars was to enlist with
one of the dozen or so major labels that sold popular music to the masses. But with just five money-losing global
corporations dominating mainstream music, self-sufficiency has become the mantra of performers who find they can
live just as well or better setting up shop on the Internet, at gigs or through independent distributors. Added
04/24/2003.
How
to Cultivate Relationships
and Propel Your Music Career Forward!
"The music business is littered with over inflated egos and insecure artists who seem to think that the world
somehow revolves around them....Stop and think for a moment what your reputation is. How do you think others perceive
you?" Article by Chris Standring. Added 04/03/2003.
Maxing Your Musical
Mastery
Every musician has, at least, two methods he (or she) can use to proactively earn an income, yet, most only utilize
one method. So, in an effort to apprise you of more areas that you may (or may not) have considered for producing
more income from your local market, here are a list of avenues artists can utilize to gravitate to a higher tax
bracket. Article by Kenny Love. Added 04/03/2003.
Nurture
Your Fans!
"I have learned many things over the years in this business of music, but it has taken me a majority of those
years to come to terms with what I feel is the most important aspect of being an artist....the fans. Fans are precious.
Article by Chris Standring. Added 03/10/2003.
A
Music Industry Case Study
A look at a mythical rock band's earnings, with actual figures compiled from industry sources: New York City's
hottest new band is Grunthead, a four-piece hard rock group from Maspeth. Because they've got buzz, the band gets
a 15% royalty rate, a few points above the usual amount for a new artist. Its debut, "Gruntastic," goes
gold – only 128 of more than 30,000 records reached that level in 2002. The Gold Record Gross: 500,000 albums sell
at $16.98 = $8,490,000 The Grunts' royalty is 15% of retail. That's $1,273,500. Is the band rich? Nope.... Added
02/21/2003.
How to Benefit
from a Benefit
I took part in a benefit last week. A charity event for the red cross 911 disaster relief fund. Turned out to be
a very successful show. Lots of TV stars, comedians from Saturday Night Live, day time soap actors, pop stars new
and old. Every body threw in their two cents for a great cause. The spirit was wonderful. But it also got me thinking...
Article by Chris Standring. Added 02/04/2003.
Publishing
Deals Made Easy: A Thumbnail Sketch
People often speak of “publishing deals” in a generic way, which implies that there is only one kind of publishing
deal. In fact, there are a number of different kinds of publishing deals, as described in this fantastic article
by attorney Bart Day.
Planning
Your Music Career: One Step at a Time
How to you begin planning for a serious career in the music business?
What are the steps you need to take to 'make it?' Article by David Nevue. Added 10/27/2002.
Can a One-Man
Record Label Be Successful?
I know that many of you are one-man record labels. You do it
all: write your music, produce your music, engineer your music, promote your albums, and get your own gigs. Whether
this is by choice, or out of necessity, I’m here to tell you that you can have success. Article by Derek Felton.
Added 10/27/2002.
D-I-Y: Blessings,
Curses and Limits
The do-it-yourself approach to marketing and promoting music
that began back in the 1970's and, perhaps, as early as the 1950's as an experiment that was often an exercise
in futility, but has, ironically, become the standard by which we all exist, also comes with its own sets of blessings,
curses and limitations. Article by Kenny Love. Added 10/08/2002.
Are You Ready?
Are You *Really* Ready?
As much as I herald the cause of independent music and its recording
artist residents, in all honesty, I must say that there are numerous artists, many in fact, who are simply not
ready for the professional end of the music industry. The worst part is, they don't yet realize it and, when they
finally do, it is often too late. Are you really ready to take the next step? Article by Kenny Love. Added 09/25/2002.
Radio
Airplay 101: What is 'Successful'?
The first question people have when they want to hire us (provided
that they have never done an airplay campaign before) is "What airplay campaign do I need in order to be successful?"
There couldn't be a more misplaced question. It's like when a cab driver asks you "Where to?" and you
say "Well, where would I need to go in order to be successful?" Where you need to go depends on a million
things, not to mention what your definition of "successful" might be. Article by Brian Farrish. Added
09/25/2002.
'Masters'
vs. 'Demos'
In the past, I have been honored to judge various songwriting
competitions where writers can enter their material in various categories. Each year I do this task, and in the
back of my mind I am hoping that there is a gem in the collection of submissions that would really be able to bring
some fantastic respect to the entrants for putting together their own productions. Well outside of the decision
on the winner, there are number of consistent mistakes in there. Added 09/25/2002.
Releasing Your Own Record: A Legal Checklist
For artists who are releasing their own record for the first
time, without the involvement or assistance of a label, the process can be a little intimidating. It can be easy
to miss some key legal details in the process. Here, therefore, is a very basic checklist of issues to be considered
when releasing a record. Article by Bart Day. Added 09/16/2002.
11 Ways to
Make Your Next Showcase a Smash Success!
Whether you represent a label or individual artist, creating
and promoting a showcase of musical acts can help you book larger venues, build media exposure, expand your fan
base and jump-start merchandise sales. But how do you do a showcase right—and cost-effectively? ANTJE, founder
of Chicago label, Sweet Pickle Music, shares 11 tips from her proven-in-practice playbook to help you craft your
own showcase success story. Article by Lance Helgeson. Added 09/16/2002.
Songwriters
Overcome Thorny Obstacles To Hit Paydirt
The music of the Austin Powers' films is even more memorable
when one contemplates the difficulties overcome by the composer who created it. "The odds against making it
as a composer in Hollywood are staggering, yet we continue to try," said George S. Clinton, who scored all
three of the James Bond spoofs, including the current Austin Powers in Goldmember. Clinton added, "Maybe it's
being too stubborn to give up, or having an ego that says we're the one in ten thousand that will beat the odds,
or maybe we're just too stupid to see what's so obvious to everyone else. Whatever it is, we keep at it."
Time
of Year to Push Radio
Many people, when planning the date that their radio campaign
will start, think that starting the campaign at a certain time of the year will make a huge difference in the outcome
of the project. It won't. There are many other factors which are far more important, and these factors will determine
what happens with your release... Article by Brian Farrish. Added 09/02/2002.
Greed: The
Diarrhea of the Music Industry
"If independent recording artists could understand, for even the briefest of moments, the magnanimous financial
potential they would realize in self-marketing their own recordings, as opposed to signing with a major label,
we would see a new Music industry such as has never been known." Commentary by Kenny Love. Added 08/29/2002
The Truth
About Major Labels
When I was growing up, I always thought that being signed to
a major label was the pinnacle of a music career. It was my dream at the time to one day get a record deal, play
arenas throughout the world, and earn millions. Fortunately, I eventually gave up the pipe dream that a major label
deal is the key to a successful career. Surprisingly enough, many musicians have not. It still amazes me to this
day the number of clients I get that think they are ready to take on the world with a major label after only selling
1000-2000 discs. Article by David Hooper. Added 08/28/2002.
Band
Newsletters
I first started publishing my band newsletter during the Summer
of '98. I tried the snail mail route. It was exhausting. Electronic newsletters (aka ezines) were the way to go.
I must've tried it all too. I promoted gigs, told of our latest accomplishments, gave away a free mp3 every month.
Some of it worked. Some didn't. Here are some tips I've learned about running my band newsletter... Article by
Marc Gunn.
Cutting a 'Hot'
CD
A common problem: You buy all that cool gear so you can record
as much as you like on your own, and then your CD comes back 6 db softer than commercial products. Yikes! Since
you want your CD to sound as competitive as possible, it's important to know why there's a difference. Article
by John Vestman. Added 08/05/2002
Your Band
Is Your Business
About 8 out of 10 bands that submit an "application"
to work with me list something about quitting their day job as a major goal, Having worked a stint in Corporate
America myself, I know the feeling. It's not easy to put on a monkey suit and put up with forty hours a week of
irate customers, temper tantrums from your boss, and sales quotas. It's also not easy to make a living in music.
Article by David Hooper.
Andy Allen: Independent Distribution
Andy Allen, President of Alternative Distribution Alliance, talks
to Musician.com about how ADA chooses label product to distribute. He also compares independent and major distribution,
and discusses how a label gets the best out of their distributor.
Facing
The Music
Rock stars and music-industry execs once ruled the earth, but
now -- in terms of size and profit margins -- the music industry is becoming the book business (minus the literacy)
Getting
Heard Above the Noise: A Guide To Open Mics & Showcases
Open mics and showcases have become important career tools
for any aspiring and performing songwriter. An open mic is
synonymous with "open stage" where any songwriter/musician
can go up on stage and perform for the audience. This free ebook from MusicDish is meant to familiarize the reader
with these forums to expose their works and steps to maximize their benefits.
Mastering:
What is it and Why Can't I Do it Myself?
What is mastering and why can't you do it yourself? Well to answer
the second part first, who says you can't? The mysteries of mastering are many and wonderful but with the right
equipment it really is feasible these days to do it all yourself. "Aaarrgghhhh!!!" I can hear the cries
of the audio-Nazis already. Added 04/13/2002.
'Making
It' in the Music Business - An
Alternate View
As an independent musician you will find that many experts in the
music industry will be more than happy to feed you great morsels of advice. Unfortunately, this advice can sometimes
be exactly what a budding musician does NOT need. Article by Graeme Kirk. Added 04/01/2002.
The Truth About
Barcodes
I see many places that offer one a "personal barcode" for a small amount of money (which i |
