The extraordinary revolution of media choice -
In the traditional model, you can only play one program at a time. One radio show or one movie or one show… Scarcity of spectrum has changed just about every element of our culture. Scarcity of shelf space as well. There are just a few radio stations in each market, and each station gets…
This is a blog entry from author Bob Lefsetz. Bob gives some insight into today’s challenges for artists. Below is my favorite segment from the article:
“Then there are the wannabes who just can’t handle the truth. That they can’t sing and can’t play. Steve Jobs tolerated no bozos, he believed in A players, that these top-notch people inspired each other.
If you’re not willing to look at yourself, evaluate the criticism, you’re never going to win. Steve Jobs rarely responded, but he read all his e-mail. He was taking the temperature, he didn’t want to lose touch.”
Inbound Marketing vs. Outbound Marketing -
Learn how the internet has changed how marketers (artists) reach new consumers in today’s digital age. Valuing and cultivating genuine connections with your fans as well as creating a enriching experience for them is ever more important in today’s market of choice.
In practice this means that managers must recognize that “every artist is a standalone business that generates income from multiple revenue streams” and that a “manager’s job is to create those businesses and run them well.” In doing so, managers as well as artists must be open to any viable revenue stream and that “as long as those channels can deliver the aesthetic the artist wants and make a profit, the business is a success.”
“Pray - Believe - Work - Receive - Repeat”
The first thing that I would do is learn as much as you possibly can about the music business before seeking management. The music business is a tough business that requires a lot of patience and persistence. The most important thing is to have faith in your talent and follow your passion. Read as many music business books that you can possibly get your hands on. I recommend Donald Passman’s All You Need To Know About The Music Business. I would also check out resources like starpolish.com and our website www.theindustryconnect.com. Once you have a solid grasp of the business, I would contact a local producer so you can get a quality song or songs produced. I would work on trying to build a regional fan base through social networking sites like twitter and facebook, and I would invest in getting your own website. The music business is a “business” so make sure that you have some financing in place and are thinking of yourself as a business as opposed to just an artist. I wouldn’t advise anyone to try to seek management until they have a grasp of the business.
“Keyword - Add Value”
“Songwriting/Production 101 - You will get more “No’s” then “Yes’s” so don’t get so attached to your work that it slows your progression.”
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“Songwriting/Production 101 - The more shots you take, the better your chances of hitting something.”