There is arguably no industry this side of camera film and camera film development that has seen more of a massive shift in the last 10 to 15 years. than the music industry. The cause is no different than what nearly drove Kodak out of business: technological emergence altering the business models.
The first cornerstone of music as a business has always been the record companies. Prior to the advent of the internet, they served as an imperial combination of talent scout, money, power and, ultimate controller of artistic work product (music) release and dissemination. This meant that the record companies, just prior to the internet becoming mainstream, had never before seen control over who became a star and at what price.
Many would argue that this represented a golden era in the music industry. After all, the record companies were thriving under a longstanding business model. Cable, with the likes of MTV and VH1, gave yet another disbursement vehicle for advertisement, and cd's held firmly at $17.00 for years. For the artist, be it a group, band or solo act, the scoring of a record deal represented the apex and actually a necessity to effectively grow the revenue potential of their talents.
Here's the reality of the current post-internet era of the music business: getting a record deal is still the preferred method for an artist(s) to fully flourish economically, and many would argue, artistically. Not only do record companies own the most relevant channels for production and distribution, but they can guarantee an artist's minimum income. This allows the artist to focus on content creation without being spread too thin. This is especially important when an artist is first starting out.
So how do you get one of those all-important record deals these days?
1. Have great music. You aren't going to gimmick your way past the talent judges in the industry. They have heard and seen it all.
2. Have a top notch and professional demo package. Make sure it is attractive, informative and doesn't waste the recipient's time. The advancements in online technology have made this easier than ever.
3. Project professionalism in all things. A record company has many choices on who to offer a deal to. They don't need to take risks on anyone.
4. Be hyper-diligent about locating and getting exposure for your work with Artist & Repertoire reps.
5. Don't gain the reputation as a shot gun sender of demos. Show that you know your work and who will be the best fit for you. Treat it like you are interviewing your ideal choice. Trust your work and abilities and be ready to work as hard at getting a record deal as you do developing your musical content.
Maurice D Styles has many years of experience and knowledge in internet marketing and how to get a record deal. Go to our website learnthemusicindustry.com
View the original article here
No comments:
Post a Comment