This Email Might Offend You And I Dont' Care!
Published: Tue, 04/01/08
Hi ,
A question that almost always comes up when I'm working with clients that I coach on how to get started in this business is the issue of how to approach people working in this business. People are often, understandably, hesitant about making contact with professionals working in the music business. It can be intimidating. Should you call? Should you email? Should you send in a form letter? What do professionals working in the business prefer? Of course, there is no blanket answer to how you should approach people working in the business, because there is no way of knowing the preferences of all the individuals that comprise the music licensing business.
So, what should you do? Well, I think you should do what YOUR most comfortable with. But whatever you do, you have to make yourself heard. Are you good on the phone? Then pick up the phone and start making calls. Are you patient in terms of getting a response? Then try email. Most of the smaller companies WILL respond to emails, at least in my experience.
But whatever you do, don't forget that the music business is driven by MUSIC and the people who create it. So quit thinking of yourself as a pest and start thinking of yourself as the reason this business exists in the first place. Will everyone like or need your music? Of course not. But don't let that deter you. If you are passionate about the music you are making then keep making it and keep pitching it and things will happen. Rejection is simply part of the process. In everything you do! It never amazes me how what typically are my most successful emails for this business, in terms of sales generated, are often times the one's that seem to offend the most people as well. I almost invariably get one or two people who seem to be offended that I'm trying to help them and sell them my products and services at the same time. It doesn't hurt my feelings! I have bills to pay and I love the fact that I can pay them while simultaneously helping people get started in a journey, that for me at least, has been one of the most rewarding (and frustrating) journey's of my life. If you don't need my help - more power to you!
The first step to licensing your music is to start submitting your music to people working in the industry. Over the last few years I've put together a very comprehensive directory of places to submit your music in the TV and Film Music Business. This directory is a priceless resource that will provide you with specific information on how to get your music to the right people and companies who can get your music placed. Check it out here.
If you're already pretty business savvy and you have songs that you feel are high quality and ready to be pitched, all you'll need is the directory. It has over 125 listings and is updated regularly. When you buy the directory you get free updates for life. It's a great directory and I use it myself on a regular basis!
A question that almost always comes up when I'm working with clients that I coach on how to get started in this business is the issue of how to approach people working in this business. People are often, understandably, hesitant about making contact with professionals working in the music business. It can be intimidating. Should you call? Should you email? Should you send in a form letter? What do professionals working in the business prefer? Of course, there is no blanket answer to how you should approach people working in the business, because there is no way of knowing the preferences of all the individuals that comprise the music licensing business.
So, what should you do? Well, I think you should do what YOUR most comfortable with. But whatever you do, you have to make yourself heard. Are you good on the phone? Then pick up the phone and start making calls. Are you patient in terms of getting a response? Then try email. Most of the smaller companies WILL respond to emails, at least in my experience.
But whatever you do, don't forget that the music business is driven by MUSIC and the people who create it. So quit thinking of yourself as a pest and start thinking of yourself as the reason this business exists in the first place. Will everyone like or need your music? Of course not. But don't let that deter you. If you are passionate about the music you are making then keep making it and keep pitching it and things will happen. Rejection is simply part of the process. In everything you do! It never amazes me how what typically are my most successful emails for this business, in terms of sales generated, are often times the one's that seem to offend the most people as well. I almost invariably get one or two people who seem to be offended that I'm trying to help them and sell them my products and services at the same time. It doesn't hurt my feelings! I have bills to pay and I love the fact that I can pay them while simultaneously helping people get started in a journey, that for me at least, has been one of the most rewarding (and frustrating) journey's of my life. If you don't need my help - more power to you!
The first step to licensing your music is to start submitting your music to people working in the industry. Over the last few years I've put together a very comprehensive directory of places to submit your music in the TV and Film Music Business. This directory is a priceless resource that will provide you with specific information on how to get your music to the right people and companies who can get your music placed. Check it out here.
If you're already pretty business savvy and you have songs that you feel are high quality and ready to be pitched, all you'll need is the directory. It has over 125 listings and is updated regularly. When you buy the directory you get free updates for life. It's a great directory and I use it myself on a regular basis!
If you want a comprehensive understanding of how the music licensing business works as well as information about the "how to" aspects of getting started in the business then you should get my How To Program, which also comes with the directory. This program walks you through the steps I took to get started and shows you how you can do the same. It also covers some of the more technical aspects of the business, including different types of deals you'll encounter.
And finally, if you're really serious about getting started in the music licensing business, the most comprehensive program I have is called "The A-Z Of Music Licensing". This program comes with a hard copy of the directory, the how to CD, and several additional bonus discs about the music licensing business. The program is available by itself or with one on one coaching from me. I'll work with you to help you develop a specific game plan that is tailored to your own unique situation that you can implement immediately to achieve your goals.
Until Next Time.... Happy Songwriting
Aaron Davison
How To License Your Music.com