November, 2007

Advice / Marketing / Music Business / Promoting — Comments Off
29
Nov 07

How to Make $30,000 with Your Music Before Year’s End

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As an independent musician and/or recording artist, if you did *NOT* earn $30,000 (or more) with your music alone last year, let’s jump right in and get you started with doing so this year.

Again, bear in mind that the main necessary ingredient is “consistency” of every aspect, and on a weekly basis.

Remember! This is a worst case scenario, in regard to what you should be able to easily earn within each aspect, and you are very likely to earn much more.

The “lead generator(s)” in each aspect reflects the various resources that you will use to obtain results in these areas.

So, here is the financial mathematical layout.

[---GIG EARNINGS---]

Practically any band should be able to market and promote itself well enough to obtain, at least, one gig per week, whether the band is based in a metropolitan or rural setting, and whether it performs on a fulltime or part-time basis.

So, in our worst case scenario, let’s look at getting one gig per week:

1 Gig X 1 Week @ $300 X 4 weeks = $1,200 per month

Lead Generators:

* Contacting venue managers and bookers directly
* Signing on with an area booking agent
* Placing low-cost ads in your area weekly newspapers
* Contacting area performance theaters
* Host your own gig at an area hall or theater
* Contacting high schools for performances
* Contacting college student activities offices for performances
* Low-cost college newspaper ads for possible gigs
* Low-cost college radio ads for possible gigs
* Your website calendar gig notices/tours

Note: Provide your media kit and business card to prospective clients.

[---GIG CD SALES---] Continue reading →

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19
Nov 07

Artist Song Demos – How To Break Through And Sell Your Songs

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As writers, it’s often difficult to be objective about writing and any aspect related to writing and creating the demos that are used to shop songs. As a former talent booking agent with the William Morris Agency, I can tell you that with all of the vast array of talent and gifted writers, only a few make it to the inner circle. There are various reasons for this, but none that come close to what we will spend the remaining time in this article talking about. Many a hopeful writer and artist walked through the doors of William Morris only to find that the magic they thought they had come upon, vanished in a moments notice. Why is that? Why do some get the writers and artist deals with virtually no writing innovation, while others, with up in your face talent, not getting the due recognition and artist album cuts so richly deserved? Let’s spend a few minutes together talking through a few basic concepts to hopefully get you moving in the right direction.

would not ordinarily approach the idea of writing or becoming an artist now feel that they have to have their chance at stardom and so the A&R, managers, booking agents and all other ancillary music industry offices are flooded by material that is not even close to being a go. It’s a waste of everyone’s time. The thinking is just because so and so made it, I could make it to. Well that might be true, but for the every one of the so and sos that make it, there are thousands to possibly millions that don’t. Think about that. Go for your dream, but make sure that you have a decent plot to back up your artist story line.

Once you have established that you have credible talent, and the fact that you are reading this article is probably a good indication that you have some credible talent, you will want to figure out the best approach to selling your songs, artist deal or break into jingle singing, whatever the case might be. Continue reading →

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19
Nov 07

Session Singers

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketAs a session singer myself, and former talent booking agent for the William Morris Agency, I can attest to the number of sessions that I have personally sung on where I wondered why some of the singers were even invited – And yet other sessions, and the vast majority, where it’s a pleasure to be singing with the folks behind the mic.

I can honestly tell you that through the years of singing sessions, and I’ve sung on a quite a few, from Fox TV, UPN Station ID’s to O’Charley’s, that there are key ingredients that make up session singers in general. Session singers in the bigger picture, have a completely different role from the lead singer, yet they are tied integrally to one another. In one sense, the session singers create their own vision and picture, but ultimately they must tie directly to and enhance the lead vocal.

If you have ever had the opportunity to sing on some sessions, you will attest to the fact that regardless of the style being recorded, that back up singers and BGV’s can make or break the project about as much as any other element involved. Ever listen to a song and go “man is this hot”, because the BGV’s (background vocals) sounded so good, even though the actual song was fair to begin with. That’s what really good session singers can do for an otherwise fair to mediocre song. This is why getting into session singing in general is not the easiest thing to do as well. Continue reading →

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19
Nov 07

Your Singing Career

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As artist demos pile up on the floors of A&R directors offices and on the tables and window ledges of music industry pros offices alike, one thing you can be sure of, the vast majority will never be heard, will be overlooked because of unprofessional marketing and packaging and likely not have the “It” factor that so many managers, booking agents and music execs everywhere wish to discover. You’ve heard the phrase, “Man that band has It.” The “It” is what sells and finding “It” for many groups or singers is not always easy.

Where are you looking to go in your singing career? Are you serious, just starting to think about it, or are you weary from the never endless promises with little to show in return. In the next few minutes, let’s take a look at some key factors that you might try to incorporate into your singing career and maybe, just maybe you can take it one step closer to your singing goals, artist record deal or wherever your dreams are wanting to take you.

As we get started here, just know that many will try to convince you or try to sell you on some idea or book that they want you to buy that will herald all of the “inside secrets” to the music business – I will not. I learned a number of years ago as a talent booking agent with the William Morris Agency that you can plan, plan and plan again and then still not get the deal even with considerable backing and influence. What I can do is offer some workable game plans and advice that you can incorporate into your career.
Continue reading →

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19
Nov 07

Singers, Bands, & Artist Development!

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Have you ever wondered what exactly artist development is, what it’s not and why acts need it? With all of the artist press kits, new artist showcases and cd,s that I’ve either attended, listened to, or was asked to evaluate, I can tell you that not many young artists understand what artist development is. You would think with the age of the internet and instant access to vital information for artists to chew on and utilize, that there would be a better understanding out there, but there really isn’t. It’s unfortunate for so many and I guess fortunate for a few, that so many really don’t know the ins and outs to even get their foot in the door, but let’s face it, not everyone’s a go getter or even minimally motivated for that matter. So what does it take to get your music listened to and then further looked at for a possible management deal or record contract? In this short article, I will attempt to look at a few concepts that should give you some insight and serve to move you in the right direction.

The first concept is fairly easy to grasp, but few do so. And that is, don’t follow the road most traveled. Most who make it in the business certainly have their story to tell, but each individual will more than likely give you a completely different background to their attainment of success. If you travel with the crowd where you have to communicate with a certain “vibe” or role that you must uphold, then you’re in the wrong crowd following the wrong definition of what will get you to your artist deal. If you look at multiple individuals who have made it in their perspective careers you will hear stories that don’t sound anything like the crowd you might be running with. Think about that the next time you are reading some biography of some famous individual and see if that idea doesn’t hold true.

Your role in the artist development showdown is going to have to be one of being prepared. You know how many artist press kits, bios, and cd,s that I have sorted through and wondered and still do, if people are just not putting any effort into it or are they just clueless or just plain some of both? Continue reading →

Advice / Career / Industry Trends / Marketing / Music Business — 2 Comments
15
Nov 07

The 10 A&R Commandments

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketEvery time I speak at a conference or conduct my popular FACE THE MUSIC! workshop which offers a commercial critique of songs, I’m constantly asked what A&R professionals look for when it comes to evaluating and choosing artists they want to sign. While I can’t tell you specifically why any A&R person signs a particular artist, I can tell you that there are some very prevalent thoughts and concerns that arise whenever I talk with them.

It almost seems as if a higher being whispered these guidelines, or commandments, to A&R professionals that they must honor and obey. These sacred, yet simple commandments influence and govern the decisions that apply to your talent and career. The commandments are listed below, followed by a brief explanation of each one.

I: You shall not sign an act that will put your job on the line.

As much as you would like to believe that signings are based on how much talent you have, it’s really a numbers crunching game – and talented artists get caught (and consequently dropped) in the numbers crunch all the time. Estimates for what it takes to properly record, market, and promote a new act range from 1 million to 10 million depending on the label. So when an A&R rep signs an act, they represent an investment of at least that much to the record company signing them. Ultimately, you will see that signings are more about the investment in the talent, than the talent itself as you read on.

II: You shall not sign an act that you can not (financially) justify. Continue reading →

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15
Nov 07

How To Attract Personal Managers

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketIf you are a music artist with professional aspirations, chances are, one day you will need the services of a personal manager. Hopefully by that time you will have a full and complete understanding of what a personal manager is, what they do and what they don’t do. This understanding will ultimately enhance the working relationship you have with them.

But how do you find a personal manager?

It’s a question that is raised at every seminar that I conduct and posted on many websites that often give vague and elusive answers. Now, once and for all, you will receive an honest and direct answer:

Don’t go looking for a personal manager, let them find you.

Think about it. If you were a manager, what’s the likelihood that you would manage some no-name artist that approached you out of the blue for management? The chances are very slim. The process of a manager courting you is very similar to the courtship that takes place between men and women: The majority of time, the pursuit starts with some fundamental attraction. Continue reading →

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15
Nov 07

Tips to Keep You Working in the Music Business!

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketTips (to help keep ya workin’)

Hey everybody, I am going to change the name of this page of my website to Tips & Tricks because I intend to rap with the musicworld about just that. Tips & Tricks, Both musically and businesswise.

ATTITUDE

OK..Here’s tip #1. It’s something that my father used to always tell me: ”Make Yourself Useful!” But no seriously…that is a real tip. To me, you have to do more than just play good these days. Go above and beyond the call of duty in any situation you’re in. Make yourself valuable. Make yourself wanted. Be a team player and let the word get around. Learn the music more thoroughly than anybody else. Give 110%. For example, be eager & ready to rehearse…This is a big point because in LA especially the first question is “Is rehearsal payin?” Most players don’t want to rehearse. They would rather read charts on the bandstand and wing it on the gig and just get the cash with as little work as possible, but I tell you from seeing it first hand, the gig doesn’t go as well and when the next gig comes around the leader is always hesitant to call those guys and ends up asking you for your opinion on that last guy, because you did a great job and were eager to put in the work.

Believe me, your attitude will translate. On top of that, play good and I tell you, you will work. People will want you. The word will travel around. The tendency is to skate and give as little as possible and for some if you are supremely talented you can get away with it…but I say, no matter how talented you are, you can’t get away with that attitude forever. There are players like me, that play good, want the gig and will give 110% with a great attitude.

REHEARSAL?

Here’s another tip: Be on time at the very least. Even better yet, be early! This was a hard one for me. It took me awhile to get it together but finally, I got it down and I tell you, people appreciate it. I know it’s cool and it shows how much you are the man by getting away with being late, but people resent it. They feel as though you don’t take them seriously Continue reading →

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15
Nov 07

Who’s Managing Your Manager?

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at PhotobucketIf you are a music artist that has a need for someone to: filter communications between you and third parties that have expressed a professional interest in your services as an artist, or the use of your music; negotiate contracts and offers of employment; schedule and coordinate your professional activities; direct and interface with the various members of your support team; and provide counsel pertaining to the most advantageous or strategic career moves to make, then you need a competent professional manager.

If you don’t have such business affairs pending, then you don’t really need a manager. Many music artists cling to the false notion that their manager will help them get gigs or a record deal. While those notions are not entirely true, they are not entirely untrue either. Some managers will (illegally and unknowingly) book gigs for their acts in an effort to become immediately and actively involved.

Some ambitious mangers may even take on music artists before they have any real business affairs to manage, and pursue a record deal for them with the intent of generating activities and income that warrant their involvement. This is not the norm, so consider yourself very lucky if it does happen to you. Managers get paid a commission on the income that you make, so if you are making nothing, then what do you think they will be paid? This is what managers refer to as a “non-commissionable” client – which is what you are until you generate revenue. Continue reading →

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15
Nov 07

Music Band – Getting Band Members

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket(For the purpose of this article I am going to make a couple of assumptions before I go any further. They are that you have a little bit of vocal or musical instrument knowledge and that you also have a fledgling network of friends and contacts)

Starting up a band is a very exciting time in a musicians life. There is a fine balance of nervous anticipation and the fear of the unknown that follows the whole process.

A band has a different dynamic than working as a solo artist. There are other people involved, other personalities, other strengths and weaknesses in character and abilities and because of this it is really important that you have a few things worked out before you start looking for band members.

1. Have a good idea of your own strengths and weaknesses

The band members that you want to get will need to be around the same level of competence as you are. The main reason for this is that you can all grow together rather than have one or two musicians carrying everyone else. This type of player imbalance causes doubt in the group and doubt is one of the major killers of bands.

2. Know beforehand how the band is going to be run

Is the band going to be run by you or the whole group? The personality types of the musicians that you choose will need to be agreeable to the way the band is going to be run.

3. What instrumentation is the band having in its lineup? Continue reading →

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