Do I need a manager?

I am an unsigned artist, do i really need a manager right now?

That question can be answered in many ways but let me kind of start out with the basics.  If you are an unsigned artist and you are not currently working towards or shopping a demo then a manager is probably not needed.  Sometimes managers can be used for other things such as booking shows or helping you with networking.

However, a manager is a contract for services.  Meaning that the manager should be paid for the work he does.  Allot of artist totally have that confused.  They think that when they have a manager he or she is responsible for paying for their studio time and paying for whatever the artist needs.  Well sorry to give you the reality of this situation but that is not a managers job.  The artist will and should recieve support from their manager.  Sometimes managers will come out of pocket and pay for studio time or use their connects.  It is however not required that a manager do these things, but in the best interest of the artist and the managers financial future if it is done it can truly help along the process.

The ideal artist is one who is serious about his or her music.  They should have an understanding of their craft and the business that comes along with it.  More important, the artist should understand that it is business and all the other stuff comes along with it but after you have made it.

The simple answer to this questions is as follows.

A manager is really only needed when you have a finished project that you are ready to shop.  If your developing your buzz but are ready to talk to labels then a manager will be needed.  Real labels will not talk to you if you are not represented by an attorney or manager.  They do this in order to protect themselves.

The best thing to do is wait untill you have music that is ready, and you have a plan, then you can find a manager who has the capability of carring that plan out.  Picking a manager is not easy they must really have the ability to make moves and have connections.  Family members always make horrible managers and most important they make horrible business decisions LOL for the most part.

Music seminars and events

Someone asked me today about a music seminar and promotions event.  The concept is clear, you basically come to this talent search event, hear some people talk, and you perform.  Then afterwards they put out a few people and tell them they didnt make the finals.  The people that are left are the true suckers in the event.  They are the ones that will be told how great their music is, they will be told that the others didnt make the cut but the judges (who are suppose to be recording execs) really like their music and you have made it to the finals.

That is when the scam begins.  They then tell you about the cost of the performance, and ask you to sell tickets.  Currently allot of these companies are asking for a flat fee upfront and then telling you to sell the tickets and keep the profit.  The problem with all of this is, you just did allot of work to make someone or a group of people rich.  There will never be an A&R at these events. When a person comes up to you and says they are a talent scout then you should just laugh.  Talent Scouts really dont exist.  As long as I have beein music and all the labels I have ever worked for, there has never been a title called talent scout.  That is more a made up name by the media that kinda clumps a few positions together.

These events never ever work.  They never ever help anyone get a deal or learn anything more then you would on the internet.  As a matter of fact, labels often send interns or people in their promotions department to these events and those are the people your getting advice from.  I would be careful before you base your whole career off a wanna be executive.

If you really want to get a deal then the best way to do it has not changed since music has been around.  You have to get a buzz going, If the people want you then the labels will definetely want you.  All you have to do is focus on creating a buzz.

If you need hel with that then just email me.  freemusicadvice@gmail.com

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Music Publicity

How do you promote your music products and services for free?

Impossible, huh? No, not really.

Publicity is your ticket to fame. And you earn publicity by providing the media with news they can use. Publicity works because it is often believed (the media wrote about you) as opposed to the skepticism of advertising (you paid for the space). Publicity helps you bring your message to fans and prospects in your area, build an effective image, and promote everything you sell. Here are the elements of successful publicity.

Create a basic publicity plan that includes all the ways you plan on reaching the media. This includes announcements about upcoming gigs, CD releases, personnel changes, and more. Get creative and look for hooks to hang a story on. Get your music business listed in the many free directories available on-line and in print, too. Usually it’s just a matter of filling out a form and submitting your information.

Build a list of media contacts in your target area. This list should include radio, TV, cable, newspapers, magazines, newsletters, Web sites, e-zines, even specific writers and editors that reach the people you need to reach.

Develop suitable promotional material that answers the fundamental questions about you. Write up a bio, take a few pictures, and draft a FAQ about each and every product and service that you offer. Make this FAQ a straightforward list of questions and answers. Make sure you print your full contact information on every promotional piece you send out.

Prepare short articles/news releases to publish in local papers, magazines, newsletters and the trade press. Consider people profiles, roots and other background info, descriptions of projects/gigs, client case studies, how-to articles, and other such as material.

Produce a CD demo for presentation. You simply can’t be in the music industry without a demo. Better still, put together an indie release that you can promote and sell. Bands should consider producing a music video, too, if the funds are available. Include your CD and video together with your promotional material for maximum impact.

Issue press releases regularly to highlight new things going on, new band members, equipment purchases, problems solved, and projects completed. Also, get your upcoming gigs listed in calendar listings by sending a brief news release.

Circulate reprints of articles about you. Not everyone can see every piece you do. Make sure they know about your efforts by sending them copies. Post them to your website, too.

Suggest stories and interviews to local media. Besides the topics above, remember the human interest side of your issues. Don’t forget the electronic media either. Radio and TV journalists are just as approachable as the print media.

Tell everyone associated with you about appearances of media coverage in print, radio, and TV.

Make a scrapbook by gathering all publicity material into a three-ring binder. Review your publicity efforts regularly and reuse old material or adapt it for new angles.

“
I think the second you feel you’ve gotten somewhere, you’re nowhere.
Michael Goldstone, VP A&R, Epic Records
“
Rap fans are quick to forget what they appreciated just last year.
De La Soul
“
Going to radio with a rap record prior to going to the consumer is like having no foreplay with your girlfriend.
Lyor Cohen
Breaking down walls to create a buzz Allot of people ask me about creating a buzz and the easiest way to do it.  For the modern day rapper it’s much easier now then it was years ago.  When Hip Hop first started there where allot of obstacles that prevented artist from getting the recognition they wanted.  Company’s where definitely not going to sponsor these young men and woman from the hood.  So how did they do it?  Mainly with hard work and dedication to the craft, artist began being real resourceful especially in finding ways to let the world know that his rap thing is not going anywhere but it will be around for a very long time. With groups like RunDMC it was obvious that rap music was going to make itself known.  As they performed songs like My Addidas, the Addidas Company who first ignored them had no choice but to recognize the amount of brand recognition they brought to the table.  The doors became wide open from that point on.  Whatever artist talked about people purchased. So what does that have to do with you?  What does all of this mean for you in the modern day as an artist? It means that you will have the ability to do the same but with more tools available to you.  Marketing yourself in order to get a buzz is not hard.  It is relatively a very simply process that incorporates music, image, and networking into one mix.  You’re in the business not to keep it real to your friends in the hood, but you’re in this business to make money, it’s a job….(Friends in the hood often bootleg, download and borrow) LOL so there is no reason to so called KEEP IT REAL.  This is a job first and foremost. Your music has to be hot and very commercial.  Commercialism is what sells, although you may frown upon it, commercialism is what people want that total crossover sound is very important.  Getting a deal is like a job interview.  If you’re going to work at a gas station, you will probably wear some slacks and a button down shirt with a tie to interview and get the job.  If you get the job as you work there you will probably wear some jeans and a tee shirt, whatever is comfortable.  In music getting a deal is also dressing your demo up with a nice commercial sound.  Your demo is your interview suit.  Make it nice and appealing, not too loud or overbearing.  Then when you have the deal you make sure you take charge of that creativity and you deliver a hot album. Image is very important in today’s music business.  People don’t want to admit it but it’s very true.  Would Nelly have sold so much if he was not as appealing to females?   Would Chingy even have gotten a deal for the most part?  The point is clear, image is everything and it brings a whole new bargaining chip to the table.  I am not saying that if you’re ugly you will not get a deal.  However, I am saying that if you don’t have a good image then it will be harder and your music will play the biggest part in the meeting.   If you lack in one area then the other elements will have to pick up the slack.  A recording executive will look at an image and see dollar signs because he knows the buzz and following will be very easy to obtain.  It will be easier to get that tweenies market that buys based on attraction more than sound. Networking is the greatest part of your career.  Knowing who all the players are will be very important to not only getting a deal but maintaining a deal.  People have often overlooked organizations and industry leaders like Wendy Day who makes the networking experience so much easier with her organization The Rap Coalition (rapcoalition.org).  You will find that networking will offer you a chance to meet the hottest producers, and meet some nice artist to collab with.  Its trough networking that you will find not only your best connections, but you will also develop your dedicated following.  Using social networks like Twitter, Myspace, and Facebook are great.  Look further and also you must go out to events like open mics and listening parties.  Never be overbearing and annoying, don’t go to these events trying to push your music off because that will hurt you more than help you.  The best way to meet and establish a relationship with important people is to talk to them normal as if their position does not faze you at all.  Speak to them about normal things and they will be more interested in holding further conversations with you.  If you hit them with the cd and you start talking about your music, you become another annoying unsigned rapper stalker, and your music will be left on a table, or just thrown away.  So the best way is to develop a friendship and then discuss the music at a later time when its not obvious that your intentions are to use the hell out of this persons abilities or connections. So if you have any questions about what I have written please ask.  I am always looking to help unsigned artist get a deal…… Click for high-res photo

Breaking down walls to create a buzz

Allot of people ask me about creating a buzz and the easiest way to do it.  For the modern day rapper it’s much easier now then it was years ago.  When Hip Hop first started there where allot of obstacles that prevented artist from getting the recognition they wanted.  Company’s where definitely not going to sponsor these young men and woman from the hood.  So how did they do it?  Mainly with hard work and dedication to the craft, artist began being real resourceful especially in finding ways to let the world know that his rap thing is not going anywhere but it will be around for a very long time.

With groups like RunDMC it was obvious that rap music was going to make itself known.  As they performed songs like My Addidas, the Addidas Company who first ignored them had no choice but to recognize the amount of brand recognition they brought to the table.  The doors became wide open from that point on.  Whatever artist talked about people purchased.

So what does that have to do with you?  What does all of this mean for you in the modern day as an artist?

It means that you will have the ability to do the same but with more tools available to you.  Marketing yourself in order to get a buzz is not hard.  It is relatively a very simply process that incorporates music, image, and networking into one mix.  You’re in the business not to keep it real to your friends in the hood, but you’re in this business to make money, it’s a job….(Friends in the hood often bootleg, download and borrow) LOL so there is no reason to so called KEEP IT REAL.  This is a job first and foremost.

  1. Your music has to be hot and very commercial.  Commercialism is what sells, although you may frown upon it, commercialism is what people want that total crossover sound is very important.  Getting a deal is like a job interview.  If you’re going to work at a gas station, you will probably wear some slacks and a button down shirt with a tie to interview and get the job.  If you get the job as you work there you will probably wear some jeans and a tee shirt, whatever is comfortable.  In music getting a deal is also dressing your demo up with a nice commercial sound.  Your demo is your interview suit.  Make it nice and appealing, not too loud or overbearing.  Then when you have the deal you make sure you take charge of that creativity and you deliver a hot album.
  2. Image is very important in today’s music business.  People don’t want to admit it but it’s very true.  Would Nelly have sold so much if he was not as appealing to females?   Would Chingy even have gotten a deal for the most part?  The point is clear, image is everything and it brings a whole new bargaining chip to the table.  I am not saying that if you’re ugly you will not get a deal.  However, I am saying that if you don’t have a good image then it will be harder and your music will play the biggest part in the meeting.   If you lack in one area then the other elements will have to pick up the slack.  A recording executive will look at an image and see dollar signs because he knows the buzz and following will be very easy to obtain.  It will be easier to get that tweenies market that buys based on attraction more than sound.
  3. Networking is the greatest part of your career.  Knowing who all the players are will be very important to not only getting a deal but maintaining a deal.  People have often overlooked organizations and industry leaders like Wendy Day who makes the networking experience so much easier with her organization The Rap Coalition (rapcoalition.org).  You will find that networking will offer you a chance to meet the hottest producers, and meet some nice artist to collab with.  Its trough networking that you will find not only your best connections, but you will also develop your dedicated following.  Using social networks like Twitter, Myspace, and Facebook are great.  Look further and also you must go out to events like open mics and listening parties.  Never be overbearing and annoying, don’t go to these events trying to push your music off because that will hurt you more than help you.  The best way to meet and establish a relationship with important people is to talk to them normal as if their position does not faze you at all.  Speak to them about normal things and they will be more interested in holding further conversations with you.  If you hit them with the cd and you start talking about your music, you become another annoying unsigned rapper stalker, and your music will be left on a table, or just thrown away.  So the best way is to develop a friendship and then discuss the music at a later time when its not obvious that your intentions are to use the hell out of this persons abilities or connections.

So if you have any questions about what I have written please ask.  I am always looking to help unsigned artist get a deal……

“
A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence.
~Leopold Stokowski
“
The whole music business in the United States is based on numbers, based on unit sales and not on quality. It’s not based on beauty, it’s based on hype and it’s based on cocaine. It’s based on giving presents of large packages of dollars to play records on the air.
Frank Zappa