There's an expression that I've always loved that says luck is what happens when preparation and opportunity meet. This has always rung true to me and this adage is particularly relevant to the music business. There's often times an element of luck and timing involved in the music business. For example, sometimes nothing is propelling your career forward for months or years and then suddenly someone who heard your music and liked it gets into the hands of a major supervisor and you have exactly what they're looking for at that time. Or maybe a music supervisor is perusing the internet looking for music his latest film project, comes across your website, and signs your music to his feature film. I've known songwriters who have experienced both of these situations.
In the above examples, these were really lucky breaks. At least in the sense that the writers involved didn't directly initiate contact with the interested parties. Of course they had produced great music, promoted and marketed it and made great efforts to let people know about. But ultimately success came to them through indirect channels.
So if luck is such a big element of succeeding in the music business, what are musicians to do? I think this is one of the biggest challenges of being a professional musician, just dealing with the uncertainty of it all. Fortunately though, I think there are a lot of things you can do to become "lucky" more often.
If luck really is what happens when preparation and opportunity meet then this implies two very specific areas that you can focus on:
1) Preparation - The preparation category includes everything pertaining to your music. The songs you write. Your production. Your performances and vocals. Your CD artwork. Your packaging. Your sense of proffesionalism. How you come across and communicate to others. How educated and knowledgeable about the industry you're working in. Do you know how sync contracts work for example? Do you know how publishing works? Are you easy to do business with?
All of these elements are important and combined they paint a picture of just how prepared you are to successfuly meet opportunities that either you find or present themselves to you. The more of these elements you have mastered, the more "lucky" you're going to be.
2) Opportunity - The other half of the luck equation is opportunity. Sometimes opportunities present themselves in big ways, such as in the case of musicians who have a "lucky break" that moves them forward dramatically. But opportunities can be sought out, you don't have to wait for them to come to you. And more than likely they will be a series of small opportunities that gradually leads to bigger and bigger opportunities. Sure, there are stories about musicians who get really luck really fast, but more often quote on quote "big breaks" are preceded by years and years of very gradual success and hard work.
In the context of the music licensing business, you can seek opporunities out. Research different companies and find out what their needs are. Call supervisors and ask them what projects they are working on. You don't have to wait for opportunities to come to you, you can go find them!
The 90 Music Licensing Challenge is a 90 day long program all about how
to get your music in TV and Films that combines one on one coaching with me via
phone, 90 daily licensing leads, weekly video tutorials covering
different aspects of the music licensing business and much more.
How It Works:
When you sign up for "The 90 Day Music Licensing Challenge" we'll set up a time to talk one on one. During this consultation we'll discuss your specific situation, your music and specific strategies and steps YOU can implement to successfully license your music.
Then, once a day for 90 days you'll get a different lead of a specific place to submit your music. Leads will consist of music libraries, music publishers and music supervisors all looking for new music.
Throughout the program you'll also learn even more about the music licensing business in the bi-weekly video tutorials that discuss specific aspects of the music licensing business like music publishing, music supervision, music production, music licensing contracts and more.
Then, at the end of the program we'll touch base one more time on the phone to discuss the program and your results.
And finally, you'll get a ton of free bonuses that will teach you EVEN MORE about the music licensing business!
Here's a
breakdown of everything that's included in the program:
-Two One On One
Half Hour Phone Consultations With Me
-Email Coaching
With Me Throughout The Duration Of The Program
-Up To Date Daily Music Licensing Leads Of Specific Places To Submit Your Music
For 90 Consecutive Days
-Bi- Weekly Video Tutorials Covering Different Aspects Of The Music Licensing
Business.
-The Program,
The A To Z Of Music Licensing
-The 2013 TV
And Film Music Business Directory
-A Songwriter's
Guide To Music Licensing Ebook
-Member's Only Forum
Free Bonuses:
-Bonus Audio Interviews
With Ten Different Music Licensing Professionals (Songwriters, Publishers and
Supervisors)
-My new, 205 page ebook, "An Insider's Guide To Music Licensing"
-The Music Licensing Newsletter Compendium
-The A To Z Of Creating An Information Product Business
Purchasing all the coaching
and content included in the 90 Day Challenge separately would cost over $500.00.
Register between now and Friday, or when all the slots are gone (just 25), whichever comes first, and get everything for just $99.99!
Register here:
http://www.howtolicenseyourmusic.com/90daychallenge.php
To listen to a recent participant talk about his success in getting his music licensed as a result of taking my 90 Day Challenge program check out my recent interview with the artist Alexy:
http://musicmoneyandlife.podbean.com/2013/06/12/getting-started-licensing-your-music-with-alexy/
To see another example of an artist who has successfully licensed his music as a result of going through my 90 Day Challenge program, check out Greg Savage's case study of the 90 Day Music Licensing Challenge:
http://diymusicbiz.com/music-licensing-success-pt2
To hear from yet one more artist who has had success licensing his music as a result of the 90 Day Challenge, check out my interview with musician Chuck Hughes:
http://musicmoneyandlife.podbean.com/2013/05/07/how-to-make-50000-a-year-as-a-freelance-musician-with-chuck-hughes/
The next 90 Day Challenge is starting on Monday, September 23rd. For more information and to sign up visit:
http://www.howtolicenseyourmusic.com/90daychallenge.php
