Articles Index
Music Industry Myths: Making Money Makes You a Sellout
There's a fine line in the music industry between actively trying to make money from your music and making music purely for the sake of cash - but way too many musicians shoot themselves in the foot by avoiding any discussion of money in hopes of not seeming like sell outs. To make a living in music, you have to make money. That's the end of the story. Learn more about the myth that making money in music makes you a sellout.
Music Industry Quick Tip: Follow the Rules
When you're trying to establish yourself in the music industry, you're bound to bump up against one thing: music business rules. The label has rules about how to submit your demo. The venue has rules on how you should pitch for a show. The PR company has rules about how you should send your music to them. In this music industry quick tip, find out why following the rules is crucial, no matter how frustrating they may feel.
Music Industry Quick Tip: Don't Charge It
In this Music Industry Quick Tip, find out why you shouldn't rely on your credit cards to fund your music career. Visa and Mastercard may be tempting when you're trying to pay for studio time, production costs and touring, but find out why your credit cards should be a last resort when you are paying for your music career.
Music Industry Quick Tip: Make It Easy for Your Fans
What is one the easiest ways to keep your fans excited about your music? Make it easy for them to get your music, discuss your music and engage in the general business of being a fan. In this music industry quick tip, find out why you should always make it as easy as possible for your fans to get what they want, even if it means a little more work on your end.
Build a Music Press Database
The music business quick tip for success for the week of Sept 1 2008 involves building a music industry media database.
Twitter Tips for the Music Industry
Twitter has become more and more important to music industry, but to get the most bang for your buck, you've got to be smart about how you use it. These Twitter tips for the music industry will help you tap into the Twitter promo power.
Music Industry Quick Tip: Put Music First
What is the very first step you should take if you want to make it in the music industry? Make good music. Find out why you can't put the cart before the horse and worry about promotion, digital strategy, distribution or social networking before you have perfected your craft - and why your music is still the most important thing you will do today for your music careers.
Music Industry Quick Tip: Leave Them Wanting More
As a general rule of thumb in the music industry, less is more. That is - less of you often means more fans. In this music industry tip, find out why you should always leave them wanting more, and why this is especially important if you are a local musician trying to figure out how many local shows are too many.
Music Industry Quick Tip: Always Have a Photo
One way to increase the odds of getting music press coverage is making sure you always have a band photo ready to go. Learn more in the music industry quick tip.
Music Industry Quick Tip: Cooperate and Collaborate
In the independent/underground music industry, where cash can be tight, there is one thing that can be worth its weight in gold - cooperation. Find out why cooperation is key in the indie music industry and how indie musicians, labels, promoters and more can work together to give everyone a step up in this music industry quick tip.
Update Your Music Promo Package
Music promotion packs/music press packs are your calling card when you want to promote your music, but it gets stale pretty fast. Is your music press pack up to date? Find out if you need to get your music promotion kit an update.
What Should - and Shouldn't - Be on Your Artist Website
Social networking sites are not enough - you need your own music website to develop your music identity. But what information should you put on your artist website? Find out what you should - and shouldn't - put on your artist website.
Music Industry Quick Tip: Play a House Concert
It might not be the bright lights of the local arena, but when you get a chance to play a house concert, you should almost always grab it and run. In addition to being a lot of fun for almost any musician, for a touring indie musician, a house concert offers a chance to bond with fans and make a little extra cash. Find out why house concerts are a winning proposition in this music industry quick tip.
Music Industry Quick Tip: Don't Stop at No
The word "no" is one you hear a lot in the music industry, but how can you capitalize on a "no"? In this music industry quick tip, find out why you shouldn't ever let "no" be the end of the road.
Music Industry Quick Tip: Know Who You're Contacting
When it comes to music promotion, knowing who you are contacting is a critical part of the plan. In this music industry quick tip, find out why doing your homework and learning who you are contacting makes such a huge difference.
Music Industry Quick Tip: Communicate Like a Professional
The music business is less formal than some industries, but it's not as informal as you think. You need to communicate with music industry colleguages in a professional manner if you are serious about learning how to work in the music industry. Find out more about professional communication in the music business.
Music Industry Quick Tip: Find New Audiences
Is the audience at your music show looking a little familiar? To get the most of out playing live, you want to look out at a room full of strangers. Learn more.
Music Industry Quick Tip: Work With Your PR Company
You have spent the money to hire a music PR company, now how can you help to have a successful music PR campaign? There is more to a good music promotion campaign than writing a check. Learn more about how to promote your music with a music PR company successfully.
Start a Band Newsletter
Bands newsletters are a great way to keep your fans informed and engaged with your music. Find out how to start a band newsletter and how to use band newsletters to communicate with your fans.
Music Industry Myths: Never Say I Don't Know
Music industry myths can get you off track in a big way when you're trying to get your music career off the ground. In this installment of music industry myths, learn more about whether or not you should bluff your way into the music industry or fess up when you don't know something.
Swap a Gig
If you don't have a music agent on the case for you, one of the easiest ways to get a show out of town is work out a friendly gig swapping arrangment with another musician in another town. Find out how bands swap shows and how it can work for you.
Avoid the Local Music Scene Trap
Local music scenes can be a double edged sword. In this music industry quick tip, learn to avoid letting local music scene success become a trap.
Get College Radio Plays
College radio can be your best friends as an up and coming artist. You can increase your chance to get college radio plays by following a few simple rules. Learn how to get college radio plays.
Music Industry Myths: You Can Do It All Online
Music industry myths can get you off track in a big way when you're trying to get your music career off the ground. In this installment of music industry myths, learn more myths about musicians and the internet and how musicians make mistakes on the internet.
Music Industry Myths: Demos Should Be Expensive/Demos Are For Amateurs
Music industry myths can get you off track in a big way when you're trying to get your music career off the ground. In this installment of music industry myths, learn more about music demo related misconceptions and how to be approach sending a music demo to a record label.