music industry assistance |
Because your fans want to love your professional sound
music industry assistance |
Almost every singer or singer-songwriter I talk with has this desire to be heard on the radio. I personally feel that since the dawn of internet radio stations, it is easier than ever for a new musician or singer-songwriter to get that coveted airplay. Radio airplay somehow “legitimizes” the art created and makes the performer feel as if they have arrived. Many times when BET or MTV deicide to do a movie about how an artist was “discovered” they always show the person getting so excited about being on the radio. I will admit it is quite a rush to have that level of exposure not to mention what internet radio can do for the independent’s pocketbook. When working as a coach and mentor to other artist and songwriters, I always try to make sure they handle the administrative side of things first. This helps present them in a professional light and sends the best first impression. A few of those things include:
· Music Tags –This is a MUST for the radio stations and your purse strings. · Copyrights – Protect your assets and terrestrial radio stations will not touch unprotected works. · Social Media – Your fans will search for you on their favorite platform. Be there and engage. · Communicate – Don’t just send your music and forget to follow up or retweet for the station. · Promote – Tell somebody about your music and share samples on SoundCloud or Facebook. · SoundExchange.com – Get registered so you can get a royalty · Pick a PROs – Get registered so you can get support and education (BMI, ASCAP) This is just the tip of the iceberg but once you get these core items completed, you can move to the next phase of deciding who to send it to. There are thousands of internet radio stations. It can be difficult to navigate to all stations and when you do a release, you want to have as much impact as possible. We offer lots of free support and guidance as well as other professional packages to help you move your music past your computer and instruments out into the world. Connect to us and start the journey.
0 Comments
We have longer days with more than ample summer sunlight in most of our states at this time of the year. This is when most find themselves taking trying to relax and enjoy a last run to the beach or family trip to a Caribbean destination. This is also a time I loved to travel to South Florida. Something about the energy (and heat) there seems so alive. All of the beautiful beaches and communities, pulsing with activity, are just great sources for creative people. How to you expect to master the craft of songwriting really well if you are not willing to write some duds? I know, each song you create is your baby and you don’t think anything out there can compare to your “baby” that you create. Well just know that is the number one shortcoming of most musicians. Remember some of the greatest painters of our time were not fully understood or appreciated to well after their deaths. Not saying you’re going to be old and grey before your music is discovered but just know you have to do ten times more than you think you do when it comes to writing so you might as well start now. In my songwriter’s class, I intentionally make the students write about something as crazy as a cartoon character just to pull out the creative juices. Although they fight the process tooth and nail, in the end I show them how to be free-minded in the art of writing. That simple release of “structured thinking” for them is the key to developing that professional edge.
Being a person that wants to jump into the entertainment industry is a choice that many want to set their sights on but it can be overwhelming when you hear people say “get your social media ready, tag your music, get more fans, copyrights, do it write” and all of the other noise out there. So how does one “start” that process? If I have to give any advice that will be of benefit long term it would be centered on you. These 6 areas are key to getting going:
· Connect to your Connectors –Be engaged with the people that like you. · Network – You will learn more from other people than you can teach yourself. · Stay Open – You don’t know it all. You DON’T… so be willing to learn from others. · X Negativity – You will experience “hateration” and you will have to learn to ignore it. · Be You – don’t conform to anyone else because you and your music are unique enough. · Focus on the Art – If you first have the love of your craft, you will attract others who feel that. · Contracts are Overhyped – Think of getting a deal as selling a piece of you. Don’t settle. Think about it this way… if you want to become a lawyer, a doctor or any professional in an industry, it usually takes a number of years to know your field extremely well. It takes a number of additional years to become proficient in that field and even a little longer to be seen as an expert in that area. Make sure to be patient with yourself and believe that the artist you think popped on the scene and became an overnight sensation were already working in the trenches long before anyone knew about them. One of the best examples I can share with you is Marc Anthony. Although he was married to Jennifer Lopez and released music during and after that time, Marc had many, many releases with smaller unknown labels for years. I happen to own several of his old records. I have had a lifetime of songwriting and planning for my music future. I think back about how I used to sing along with Luther Vandross as a female background singer… to the cassette tape, that is! I was creating extra vocals and lyrics that really were great. As I matured, I continued to do that “its needs a little something here” creativity in many of the songs that were popular at that time. Even after years of writing and selling my music, I still do that. My point is this, I have been preparing for my music marketing and releases for years but I also had to learn how to feel comfortable with public speaking and getting in front of people. As I look back over my professional career, I realized that almost all of my positions required “coming out of my comfort zone” and living in my destiny. Many artists today are rushing to get their music to their fans and they don’t know how to engage them, keep them, nurture them and thank them. What is the value of putting out music in a hurry, rushing to get to radio or any of that stuff if you are not willing to take the time and learn the whole business of music? It is not as simple as cutting a bunch of tracks, releasing them to radio, getting it to iTunes and all the other things you think are important. It is much better to take one or two great songs and nurture them to death. Trust me when I say I am a little guilty of this myself but I write for fun more than anything nowdays. If I can share the most important thing with you, I would say please be patient and stay persistent with your talents and dreams. The more you learn about getting to your goal, the better prepared you will be to embrace your destiny.
|
AuthorWendy, AKA Ka-Je Projek, is a professional coach, counselor and published songwriter who has collaborated with various producers over the span of her music career. She prides herself on helping others live their best life by pushing towards their dreams and goals. Archives
January 2019
Categories |