The Power Of Building A Network
Published: Mon, 09/15/08
In my last newsletter I talked about the importance of building a network of friends and colleagues who are all working towards mutually related goals. Today I want to expand on the idea and give you a couple personal examples of how networking has helped me to both achieve many of my music business related goals as well as helped others achieve their own related goals. Hopefully this will help you generate some ideas for ways you can build a more powerful network as well that will help you and your network move forward more easily.
When I first started recording songs with the specific goal of licensing them for use in TV and Film I was broke. I was in my late twenties and I definitely fit the stereotype of the struggling artist. I was making enough to get by but I had very little extra money to spend on things like gear, recording equipment or studio time. My perceived lack of resources held me back for quite awhile. But it was actually the person who ended up becoming my publisher, and a mentor of sorts, that helped me think about my situation differently. She encouraged me to develop relationships with other people who had what I lacked in order to help each other move forward.
For example I met several people who were willing to help me record and produce my songs for free in exchange for a percentage of money I earned from the songs. This helped the producers earn extra money and one of them in particular ended up getting his own publishing deal through the connection he ended up making with my publisher. Through our relationship and working together I got free studio time, he earned extra money, he got a deal with my publisher and my publisher found an extra songwriter to work with. This is what Stephen Covey, the author of the "Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People' describes as a win-win relationship.
I have worked out similar deals with background vocalists and lead vocalists as well who were willing to sing on my recordings in exchange for building their resume and a very nominal back end percentage. There are many different ways to be resourceful to get things done. I have met many of the people I've worked with and have become friends with over the years by simply posting or responding to ads on Craigslist. If you live in or near any decent size city you will find that there are no shortage of people who are also looking to make connections and colloborate.
As you may already know, I offer a program on the music licensing business called "The A-Z Of Music Licensing". I created this program about a year ago based on everything I've learned about the music licensing and music publishing business. I walk you through the exact steps I took to get started and I show you how you can do the same. I also cover the technical side of the industry, I go over things like how you get paid, how copyrighting works, how to present yourself professionally, how to record music on a budget and much, much more! The program also comes with an updated directory of WHO to send your music to. There are over 130 listings for publishers, supervisors, music libraries, etc... I've heard nothing but good things about my program. Here are just a few of the actual emails I've received from people who purchased "The A-Z Of Music Licensing":
Aaron,
Hello Aaron,
Mike
I thought I would pass on to you the fact that I also got my whole catalogue (47 tunes) signed to one of the libraries in your directory.
Thanks for your help!
Colin
Hey Aaron,
I'm in the process of signing two songs to a publishers thanks to your info! Thank you!!
Stacy
hi aaron,
thanks for all your info and directory. such a great help!
Tracy
Thank YOU!!!
I must say I find your products extremely helpful....keep it up!!!
Tammy Hunt
Great, inspiring information....exactly what I was looking for in regards to publishing and the like. Much appreciated!!
Brian Thunberg
Yesterday I purchased your Film/TV directory and I must say it is a whole lot different from "Song Writers Market" book. It's great!
Mark
Hey Aaron,
I did purchase your 'A-Z of music licensing and the directory. I think they are great!
Mike
I have several different versions of the program. The material is the same in all of them, but I have both a hard copy and online version, and I also have different coaching services that are bundled with the program. Here are the different versions I offer:
1) The A-Z Of Music Licensing Hard Copy With Phone And Email Coaching - This version comes with both the hard copy of the program as well as additional coaching from me both via the phone and email. I only have ten hard copies left of the program and after that I'm going to be offering the program strictly as a digital product. I'm currently offering this package at the lowest price I've ever offered it at. Get the program with coaching for only $89.99. Once the hard copies are gone the offer is gone:( Get the package here!
2) The A-Z Of Music Licensing Hard Copy - Get the A-Z Of Music Licensing hard copy version by itself. Again, while quantities last. $65.00 - Get The Program Here!
3) The A-Z Of Music Licensing Online Edition With Email Coaching - This is my newest package. It has the A-Z Of Music Licensing in an online format bundled with additional coaching via email. This is great if you want extra support but can't afford the phone coaching package. I'll answer your follow up questions and give advice and feedback via email. $49.99 Get the online version with email coaching here!
4) The A-Z Of Music Licensing Online Edition - And finally I offer the A-Z Of Music Licensing in an online format by itself. Access the program immediately online. $40.00 Get the online version here!
Ok, I that's it for now. I think this is the longest one of these emails I've ever typed! Time for a coffee and guitar playing break....
Happy Songwriting!
Aaron Davison