Hi ,
Let's face it. The music business can be a tough nut to crack. It can be discouraging at times. If you don't have really thick skin it can be very easy to second guess yourself. I'm sure you've all heard stories about how bands like the Beatles were turned down by a gazillion record labels before they signed their first deal. Basically every artist who has succeeded in the music industry has a story that is a variation of this story. You are inevitably going to be facing lots of obstacles on your path to success.
Why is this and what can you do about it? Well first let's look at the obvious. There are, simply put, a lot of musicians trying to "make it" in the music business. There are several MILLION bands on myspace alone. Of course a lot of those bands aren't very good.... but I'm digressing. There is a lot of competition. But if you love making music and you're passionate about it I don't think you should let that slow you down one bit. Music is personal and although there are a lot artists making music no one is making the music that you make. And the more you cultivate your craft the more true this becomes. And a lot of the competition will simply quit and resign themselves to working in a cubicle for the rest of their lives. Sad but true.
OK. So you accept that there is a lot of competition and you're not going to let that stop you. Now what? Well there are two things you can do consistently that if you keep doing will take you as far as you can conceivably go, in time of course. Are you ready? The first thing you should do, on a regular basis, is educate yourself about the music business. This should seem pretty obvious. If you want to succeed in the music business you need to know how the music business works - how things happen. The path to success in this industry has a lot of variables but there are overlapping elements that exist in almost all success stories. What are those elements? Well you should think about this and come up with your own list. But obviously exposure is a big one. If no one is exposed to your music no one is going to know you exist in the first place!
So start thinking about how you can generate more exposure. There are lots of ways. I focus on music licensing as an avenue to generate more exposure. This is a great path to pursue because you can pursue licensing deals from anywhere, regardless of age or image, and it also happens to pay well too! You need money to stay in the game. But there are certainly other avenues for generating exposure. I've shared several success stories of artists who marketed themselves creatively and generated a lot of press and CD sales as a result of their marketing strategies. Hopefully these stories have provided some inspiration. Be as creative with your marketing as you are with your music!
Next, you need to take the education and strategies that you've armed yourself with and implement what you've learned. Then, and this is key, celebrate every success you have along the way. Success breeds more success. At the risk of sounding all new agey and woo woo I can't emphasize this enough. When you start having success you will find ways to create more success and when you shift your focus to your victories, as opposed to your obstacles, you'll feel much more empowered and you'll create the momentum you need to keep going.
So if you want to start licensing your music get started by taking action every day. Make a new contact, pick up the phone, work on a new track, read my newsletter, network with other songwriters, submit your music to different places, etc... If you take action in this way every day things will start to happen. It worked this way for me when I first started licensing my own music and I'm currently going through the same process with my new music marketing company. If you build it they really will come. Well.... if you build it well...
If you're interested in getting more exposure through licensing your music 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,
How are you? My name is Tim Byrd and I purchased your online version of your program. It's great.
Hello Aaron.
I just ordered and downloaded your audio files and .pdf files and though I haven't put in effect any of your ideas, I see where you are headed.
I think this is some wonderful information and will soon be using it.
Hello Aaron,
I sent you an email a few weeks ago asking about your thoughts of pitching my music ( Mostly Blues & Jazz ....But also Guitar instrumentals, folk, French cabaret, Christmas and some Traditional Country )and actually making any money at the library thing. Your reply was that these genres were not yours and you couldn't really comment on that domain .
I appreciated your honest answer and went ahead and bought your repertoire of libraries, publishers etc...
Well here's the lowdown after 3 weeks of hard work sending emails and submitting songs online and via CD by mail.
I've signed deals for 27 songs and there's another 60 or so that are being screened as I write this email....
Out of all the addresses I've checked so far there wasn't ONE library that I knew ( that's good ), because through the other independent company I was a member of I had made connections with about 10 libraries and have signed in less than a year about 100 songs with companies in L.A., Texas, U.K. etc.and had one placement on The Everybody Hates Chris TV Show....So a total of 127 + songs...And 60 + in waiting...
Mike
Hey Aaron,
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 six 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