Month: February 2015

How to Get a Music distribution deal

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Without a doubt, your main objective as an artist is to reach as many potential fans possible, and gain revenue from your recorded material. With a music distribution deal is to get it into stores and online portals. Once this is accomplished, you are bound to make more sales. Reaching larger entities and portals to entice buyers to purchase your material, a distribution deal really is the way to get someone working for you while you perfect your songs and your craft. When asked many times what their major goal is for longevity and survival, almost all hard working artists will tell you to make money off of their recorded material. Touring, merchandise sales, and other opportunities like in store performances will always be a crucial part of your success story, but distribution deals really are where much of the lucrative ability begins for you. Whether you are a band trying to self release an album or a label looking to get distribution for a few artists, a lot more doors open up for you once you succeed. Here are some tips on getting a deal and making sure that it fits you as an artist.

First steps in finding distribution

Even with the internet as a prime tool, there are still some great face to face resources in finding distribution avenues. One method that can really work well is finding independent record stores in your city and have a chat with the owner. The real value of this is that the record store owner can give you some insight as to which distributors really hold a stake in the product, which ones give the extra push to have an artist succeed, and which ones may not really provide the necessary support for an artist to succeed. Some of these store owners will know which distributors may not follow through on their promises to the artist as well. Having a lot of press clippings can really help in the beginning solicitation stage as well. The more established you paint yourself and the better prepared you are, the framework for distribution and organization will be noticed by the companies you are targeting.

Strategies to Increase your odds

Every once in a while when a band has trouble finding distribution, they have to go back to the drawing board, and look at the big picture. If you suddenly release a single that really gains attention, you have to have a blueprint in place to capitalize on it. When a distributor looks at your track record, sometimes a self release needs to be backed by your own PR person. As shallow as it may seem, some distribution companies want to be talking to an experienced professional, and this is where your own PR company could do quite a bit of good. There are times when it may not seem feasible, but without these professionals carrying some weight for you, distribution companies may want to see that you have a bit of a plan for your future. Someone who plugs radio (or at least internet radio) for you will be an unbelievable asset, and will show that you mean business in your future endeavors. Right before you embark on a tour is also another good time to seek distribution, as they will see that you are spreading your talent across the nation, or hopefully even the globe!

How to really finalize the negotiation

When you have a distribution company interested and you are finally ready to hammer out the details, don’t just sign away and agree to everything! There are some “close-up” aspects of things that should be looked at closely to make sure all parties involved are getting what they need to flourish. You will need to look at the amount you are paid, how often, and a close up of all percentages involved. You need to also look closely to see who will pay for manufacturing, the process in which stock is re ordered, and how long before the release date promo materials are needed. These things are of dire importance in your new agreement, and cannot be ignored in the least. One of the most important issues that artists have brought up is the “on sale” debate. Will the distributor have the authority to put things on sale without the artist’s permission? This is a huge issue. There is not anything wrong with putting product on sale, as it helps move it and when everyone is in agreement, can be a benefit. But this one specific detail is the one that is most overlooked when negotiating a distribution process. When times get tough, your pipeline may be able to edge down your product to sale price, in different locations, and without your approval. Having a distribution deal is in your best interest as an artist, and following these tips will keep you steered in the right direction during one of you biggest decisions as an artist.

How to grow a fan base on Twitter

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The social media site with the highly recognizable blue and white bird is reaching worldwide users with staggering proportions. At around 140 million users in America, 50 percent of these users use the mobile phone app. What this means to any marketer is that tweeting about your products, what you are doing, or your ideas will absolutely reach people on the go who are giving their news feed a quick scan. 40 percent of marketers have generated leads on Twitter, which later convert to buyers. Another statistic of dire importance to the brander or marketer is that 56 percent of direct tweets to companies are being ignored. As the platform becomes rabidly more popular, this will change, but for some brands it is relatively uncharted territory, with a lot of mysteries. 69% of new follows are suggested by friends, so once you have followers they will absolutely do some of the work for you. But just like Facebook, the crucial stage of the game is building a fan base, or organic followers. Here are some tips to get that little white bird singing out to the masses with confidence!

Having targeted material

The 80/20 rule of advertising is one that tells us to focus on ourselves and our products 20 percent of the time, and the other 80 percent of the time is reeling viewers in with other popular topics. This can really work in your favor, especially as a freelancer or someone who has samples of their own work like a life coach. Constantly tweeting about yourself or your brand can turn people off in the long run, so there is another strategy to make it more legitimate. Let’s say that you are a site that provides recipes, or sports enthusiast information. You can keep your material strictly to the subject matter, tweeting only about recipes and sports events, especially if some of them are from other users, even competitors. That way, when new people come to your page, every single tweet they see is relevant to the subject matter; even if it is not your own home brewed content.

Having real interaction

This is one of the toughest things to master. Even on very successful companies’ Twitter pages, you see them just broadcasting out links about themselves or other relevant matter, and not much back and forth. Actual conversation, or tweeting “@” other users, is what really drives interest and gets people checking out your brand. A common mistake is thinking that followers on Twitter just want to devour new information, and not be a part of the process of thinking and creating. You can definitely get by with just the bits of information, but other great strategies exist. Retweeting someone who you may want as a new client, or someone whose products are similar to yours is a great start. Most large companies use metrics that alert them whenever they are retweeted, and with one click, it will draw them right to your page. Other very successful users gently joke with their followers, and show the world positive reviews of their work. If you love another brand or want to do business with them, show them your love by tweeting right on top of their page with the “@” function, letting them know you are taking notice.

Critique your own Profile

When you look at your profile, get introspective and ask yourself if you are someone that you would enjoy following. It really seems that posting what you had for dinner and very personal details about your relationship has gone the way of the axe… for good. In the writing community, engagement is at an all time high. There are so many authors cross promoting each other, asking you to come to their signings, and tweeting out excerpts of each others’ material. It could be considered a bit more close knit, and not as cutthroat. One of the best ways to get your profile looking like a good follow is valuable information, like how to articles.

Now that we are in peak travel season, vacation guides and series of photos are always a big hit. When you are critiquing your profile, do you ever sound negative and bored? This can boost views a little, but in the long run people enjoy following someone happy. As far as adding organic followers, by Twitter’s suggestion or by searching through other’s, a general rule of thumb is that 60 followers a day is what Twitter deems non aggressive. Using Twitter’s own recommendations of “Who to follow” is also a great start, to the left of your dashboard. It may seem like a long wait for tons of traffic, but trust us (and the little white bird), it’s worth it!

How to Land a Job in the Entertainment Industry

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Landing a job in the entertainment industry is a task that will take a lot of perseverance and also one that you will need to have very excellent people skills for. This can seem very daunting; and one reason for this is the size of the personal network it may take to succeed. This is one arena of marketing yourself where you may apply for every official “job” listing online, through company portals, and all the official channels, and someone you know will ultimately be your best asset. Years ago going West out to Los Angeles carried a lot of risk, and now it may carry even more. There are still some basic principles that apply to landing a job in the entertainment industry, and will always be excellent first steps into landing the job you want. We’ll take a look at some of the best things you can do to get a job in the entertainment business, and also the very important skill of riding the ups and downs that come with the turf.

The value of internships

Popular enough to be the subject of a movie on the big screen last year, internships are still thought of as one of the most important stepping stones into the entertainment industry. With a media company, film entity, or other entertainment complex, the first question you will be asked is going to be “Why should I hire you?” or “What in your track record stands out that meets my needs?” With the experience of an internship under your belt, you have the best possible chance of at least showing that you have had your foot in the ever changing door. With student loans, rising costs, and housing we know that it is hard to do an unpaid internship but if yours happens to be with a big name company, it will give you a more than solid base for the future. Working for free may seem like a rough reality in the beginning, but if you are young and do not have much experience beyond high school, can really train you for the future and give you contacts you can utilize. Even though urban legend has it that interns are always treated bad, you can absolutely be surprised by the mellower vibe of many startups.

The Production Assistant: Gateway to Infinity

Ok, it may not be truly infinity, but could be an incredibly valuable asset to your portfolio. Yes, it may mean fetching coffee and tedious callbacks, but the PA role is essential in many aspiring entertainment industry folks’ rungs of the ladder. If you can find your way into this role, do not be taken aback by the mundane duties you are carrying out, or the egos of the people that may be your superiors. Simply getting on the set with people is one of the most important ways to secure some sort of future in the industry. Having a smile but still working quickly, and not letting anyone’s demands get to you too entirely much will help you along the way. As low down the totem pole as it may seem, the production assistant role has bred many careers in entertainment, partly because it shows your willingness to get your feet wet, and gets you around some of the key players that will help you down the road.

How to handle your first few years

Especially if you want to become a director or own your own production company someday, the first few years could feel turbulent. Even if you feel like you are spinning your wheels and not getting anywhere, constantly reach out and make new contacts. Be positive always and if you feel you don’t have much experience under your belt, highlight the good contacts that you have made and be inquisitive about what everyone you meet is doing. When you are looking for a job in the entertainment industry, you may feel an entire set of challenges bombard you and make you feel as if you may not make the cut. Be it makeup, writing, producing, editing, or advertising, there are absolutely empty spots waiting for you. Using your skills in cross promotional ideas for restaurants, other brands, and unique writers can give you an edge in the entertainment industry game as well, by showing you can get people to see the value in any cutting edge product or artist. When you finally do land your dream job in the entertainment industry, the steps you took on the way up will be worth it, and from behind the lens or mixing console, you will reflect on your journey up and ambition.

Sample Press Release

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Example of press release that follows the correct structure. The key goal of a press release is to answer the: who, what, where, why and when.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Title: Brazilian Rockstress Reah Valente Debuts “My Way Back Home”

Short description or highlights of press release content: Album Production By Legendary Producers, Paul Fox & Dave Cobb (10,000 Maniacs with Natalie Merchant, Sugarcubes with Bjork & Shooter Jennings)

City, State  Month, Day, Year — Brazilian Rockstress Reah Valente releases single, “My Way Home” as she prepares for her US debut and upcoming promo tour this summer.  The album also entitled, “My Way Home” [Avaras, Inc.] features production from legendary producers Paul Fox and Dave Cobb who fuse Reah’s powerful songwriting ability with her heart compelling voice.

“My Way Home” follows the success of Reah’s debut album “Certain Relativity” [2005, Japan] and showcases her superstar potential and individuality as a singer along with highlighting her creativity as a record producer. In addition to the mind capturing lyrics of “My Way Home” and her collaborative band, the 10 track album features uptempo songs like “Your So Special” and the beautiful Portuguese “Coisa Linda.”

Valente has completed four music videos with award-winning music video director, David Brodsky (Fall Out Boy, Helmet, Hatebreed); the videos will be serviced to major music channel networks and available for download within the coming months. The first video “My Way Home” can be seen on Reah’s myspace page in May.

As she continues to create a new mold for female rock artists, Reah Valente unveils new trends in her aspirations to become one of the most prominent international singer-songwriters. She has recently performed throughout Japan, Canada and the United States and her voice often noted to be “intensely compelling because it is a mirror to her mind.”

The Brazilian native discovered her love for music at a very young age and shortly after begin to pursue her music career in Japan before moving to New York City.  Reah Valente will launch her promotional tour later this year along with other public appearances.

About Reah Valente

When she was three-years-old, Reah began playing all of her father’s albums becoming particularly obsessed with Credence Clearwater Revival, Pink Floyd, The Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel. Born to a disco-hopping German fashion model and her father, a Portuguese lawyer by day and DJ by night, Reah was eager to begin playing music. After moving to New York City in 2005 to pursue her music career, she finally met hip-hop producer Andy Thelusma, Red Spyda (50-cent, Eminem, Macy Gray) who later introduced her to legendary producers Paul Fox and Dave Cobb in Los Angeles.  Reah then moved to LA to work with the dynamic duo and finished recording 10 tracks that would showcase a more mature, worldly and vastly more secure Reah

Media Inquiries:

A&M Entertainment
Voice: 1 (800) 000-0000
E-mail: [email protected]

 

Nirvana, It’s an Interview – Part 3

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Nevermind It’s an Interview is the only officially released interview CD of American grunge band Nirvana. It was only a promotional release and was never commercially available. Released in limited-edition form worldwide in 1992 by Geffen Records, written, produced and engineered at WFNX Boston by Kurt St. Thomas and Troy Smith (authors of Nirvana: The Chosen Rejects, St. Martin’s Press, 2004).

The original interview sessions were recorded by St. Thomas the night of Nirvana’s first appearance on NBC’s Saturday Night Live in 1992. It contains over an hour of audio interview with live and studio recordings. Copies of the CD are rare and have become collectors items.

Nirvana, It’s an Interview – Part 2

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Nevermind It’s an Interview is the only officially released interview CD of American grunge band Nirvana. It was only a promotional release and was never commercially available. Released in limited-edition form worldwide in 1992 by Geffen Records, written, produced and engineered at WFNX Boston by Kurt St. Thomas and Troy Smith (authors of Nirvana: The Chosen Rejects, St. Martin’s Press, 2004).

The original interview sessions were recorded by St. Thomas the night of Nirvana’s first appearance on NBC’s Saturday Night Live in 1992. It contains over an hour of audio interview with live and studio recordings. Copies of the CD are rare and have become collectors items.

Go to Interview Part 3

Nirvana, It’s an Interview – Part 1

by

Nevermind It’s an Interview is the only officially released interview CD of American grunge band Nirvana. It was only a promotional release and was never commercially available. Released in limited-edition form worldwide in 1992 by Geffen Records, written, produced and engineered at WFNX Boston by Kurt St. Thomas and Troy Smith (authors of Nirvana: The Chosen Rejects, St. Martin’s Press, 2004).

The original interview sessions were recorded by St. Thomas the night of Nirvana’s first appearance on NBC’s Saturday Night Live in 1992. It contains over an hour of audio interview with live and studio recordings. Copies of the CD are rare and have become collectors items.

Go to Interview Part 2