music industry
Your promo kit is critical when you are trying to get a
deal, so make sure you spend enough time and money on it. In many cases, your
promotional package will be your first impression to someone in the music
industry, so it has to be as professional as possible. Take into account that
whoever is viewing your package has seen hundreds, if not thousands, of promo
kits. So don’t expect to wow them with a huge package that proves you’re the
greatest thing since sliced bread. Keep it simple, lean, and clean. You
really only need a short biography, a good picture, an example of your music,
and maybe some sort of press information.
Put all of that in a nice binder that can be kept together easily, and
make sure that your name, address, phone, and other contact information are
printed on everything that will be removed from the package, including the
cassette case and the cassette, or the CD case and the CD. I’ve received lots
of packages, and sometimes I’ve lost the CD cover but had the CD, or vice
versa. Even if I thought the music was great, sometimes I couldn’t get in
touch with the artist because there was no contact information on the CD.
Picking the right producer can mean the difference between a
really good record and a really bad one. Even though you may have
to pay a producer to work with you, this could actually save you money in the
long run. You’ll probably get a much better product, and in less time, than if
you try to do everything on your own.
Why go you need a producer?
You may want to consider producing the CD yourself anyway, but having a third
party there who can give you some objective opinions can be invaluable.
Furthermore, if you choose a well-connected producer, he may be able
to help you get a record deal, or at least open some doors for you
so that the right people will hear your music and possibly sign
you.
The real upside to signing with any of the major labels is
that they have the money for big recording budgets, tour support, and the like.
Also, the Big 5 labels have the marketing and promotion muscle to make sure
your record is played on the radio in all major markets. However, the major
record labels are a lot like a big cruise ship—once they get moving in one
direction, they have a really hard time stopping or turning in other directions,
such as niche markets that can be very profitable for all those involved. So
even if you can’t get a deal with a major record label, you should not give
up, because there are always the independent labels.
What is an independent record label?
An independent record label is basically any label that is
not affi liated with any of the Big 5, and that uses different distributors than
the major labels to get its music to the retailers. An independent label may be
the only place you can go for a record deal, especially if your music is not in
the mainstream or doesn’t have huge market potential.
But this doesn’t mean that these independent labels can’t help you out.
In fact, often they’re better suited to niche markets and can adapt more
readily to changes in the marketplace. Furthermore, an independent label may be
much more willing to take a chance on developing an act even after the majors
have passed it.
A booking agent is an absolute must if you’re trying to
break out. He will keep you working and keep bringing in cash flow. Booking
agents normally charge from 10 to 15% of each show that they book. When you
consider how many promotional packages you would have to send out on your own,
and how many cold calls you would have to make, just so you continue to have
gigs to play, you can see that a really good booking agent can be worth his
weight in gold.
A booking agent’s most valued assets are his knowledge of music, his
ability to market and sell his acts, and his Rolodex with all of his contacts
throughout the music industry. A good booking agent has his finger on the pulse
of what is happening with all types of gigs, and he knows where to put his acts
so that they can make the most money. He has a great rapport with all types of
clubs, festivals, and medium and larger venues.
Many musicicans after they have recorded their first CD ask themselves what
do you do next?
Let’s assume that you are selling quite a few of your CDs at gigs, and
you’re getting some airplay at local radio stations and college stations.
You’ve gotten some good reviews in local newspapers and college papers, and
you’ve even gotten a write-up in a magazine or two. There’s a good buzz
going on about your band. But what happens if people go to their local music
store and can’t find your CD? You just lost a sale!
It is very important to understand that there is a bundle of rights exclusive
to a copyright owner. This bundle of rights includes the right
to reproduce, distribute, and perform copyrighted material. Furthermore, these
rights can be exercised by anyone that the creator or original owner of the
copyright authorizes to do so. Usually, to authorize others to use a copyright,
the owner of the copyright will enter into some type of licensing agreement. As
far as the music industry goes, the most common types of licenses are
performance licenses, mechanical licenses, synchronization rights, and print
licenses.
Performance licenses
Performance licenses are usually granted to radio,
television, concert venues, businesses, and other places so that they can play
your songs publicly. The money you receive from these licenses is commonly
referred to as a royalty. And we all know what that means: mailbox money! There
are a lot of songwriters out there who will never have to work again because
some songs they wrote a very long time ago are still raking in the money due to
licensing and exploitation of those copyrights.
I’ve received hundreds, if not thousands, of promotional
packages from all sorts of people trying to get a deal. These people
were savvy enough to know that an entertainment lawyer or a reputable manager
was the only way they were going to get their foot in the door. So, you might
like to know what I was looking for when people asked me to help them
get a deal.
QUALITY PRODUCT
I’ve had enough experience as a musician to know what it takes to make a
living, get a gig, or attract someone’s attention in the music
industry. I also have plenty of experience in seeing how many opinions
there are about “good” music. Early on, I realized that the music I liked
and the music that ended up on the radio were not always the same thing.
Therefore, when I began practicing entertainment law, I had to take an
objective look at music. Getting someone a deal wasn’t always about what
I thought was good music. It was more about what was commercially
exploitable.
So, the first thing I looked for was quality product. To
the record labels, publishing companies, etc., musical talent is really just a
product, a commodity—a widget, if you like. Therefore, I was always looking
for an act or writer who was a total package, someone who labels or publishers
could mold into something commercially exploitable. This meant
my clients had to have not only talent, but depth of material and versatility.
They also had to have a good attitude and be a team player.
|
