THE "WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE MUSIC INDUSTRY SERIES" PART 7

WHAT IF YOU DON'T HAVE THOUSANDS TO INVEST? WHAT IF YOU ARE JUST A LOCAL ARTIST TRYING TO MAKE IT? WHAT DO YOU DO?

Before I start this blog, I want to say thank you to all the readers and viewers of this and all the blog series of "Marv & Cash Chatline". The responses to the blogs have been overwhelming. Your comments, messages,questions, have all been more than appreciated. Again thank you.

Today's topic is one that I think several of my readers can relate to. I want to address where the local independent artist should invest their budget. When I say budget, I'm not talking about those with 50 or 60k to spend on their project. Although there is a blog I will be releasing for you guys. Instead I'm referring to those who are using the extra 100 or 200 dollars they made from the overtime at work last week.

This blog is about knowing what to invest your money into. The first rule is to observe every situation. For example, music seminars. If a seminar does not apply to how you can improve your situation then don't attend!! What good will it do you to know what equipment needed to make new beats if you are an artist only? You understand? Now don't get me wrong, there are some great music seminars to attend that provide lots of valuable information. One is your local Recording Academy Chapter Meetings. They provide information that pertains to the current state of the music industry and what you need to do secure and protect your product. The information provided comes from a panel of people that have help sculpt and mold this industry and its progress. GREAT INFORMATION!!


Lets move on to performances. This can be good and bad. Most local artist can only use open mic venues to showcase their talent. All open mics aren't bad, some are great choices. Others may not be so good. Again, you have to look into these things. Break them down and see how much of a benefit it is to you. It normally cost about 10bucks as a cover charge and anywhere from 10 to 25 dollars as a performance fee. Lets say on average your looking at 25 dollars per performance. In a months time if your grinding 5 days a week your spending an estimate of 500 per month. That's not including drinks, gas, drinks, more drinks, drinks, and some more drinks..lol. Within a year of doing this, who has benefit more...you...or the promoters your spending with every night? Exactly.

Now I'm not knocking anyone's hustle, get your money by all means. But as an artist it so much more you can do with 500 dollars a month. Not even that much. For example instead of paying that 25 bucks to perform you may be better off buying a drink or two for the DJ and building a relationship with him. You won't perform that night, but you can have the DJ talk about your product and where to get it. Even better he may showcase your song a few times between performances. And if you do decide to perform at the event be sure that your performance is different from your peers. Not just in the performance itself. Instead pull the promoter to the side and pay little bit more for your performance that night. Don't compete, instead have them announce you or your group as the special performance for that night. Look important. And after your performance have a few females in the crowd collecting email address and handing your product out for free. This gives a much more powerful impact then being #3 on the list. Don't do it every night. Don't do it every week, but when you do it make sure that your presence is felt. Use the open mics to build relationships, to record and document your story, to build an email data base.

Next is local magazine advertisement. This is your press. It's not a bad thing. The key to it is how you invest your dollars. What you spend should make an impact to your fans and the magazine's viewers. Now if you have the money for XXL, Ozone, The Source, King, then just having your face in the mag is an impact. But if its local press why not pay a few bucks more...write up a great bio...and pay for a full page. Make it look like an interview, as if your just as important as those they have choose to interview. I would do this once every few months, instead of paying 100 bucks every month to share your page with 6 other adds or artist.

Next is all these quick profit organizations that claim they can get you a record deal. I haven't seen one yet. Not saying its not any out there, I just haven't seen them. Look, if you make enough noise then someone will hear you. You think Jeezy paid some organization 300 a month to get a deal? Nah, he sold 250,000 mixtapes and the labels noticed. Soljah Boy exploded on the Internet and Coli Park found him. As the saying goes "if you build it, they will come". Your money can go somewhere a lot more useful ya dig.

Last is an album. I'm not saying don't let that be your goal. I just think you should concentrate on completing one song first. That doesn't mean recording it at your boy crib. That means getting the song mix and mastered properly at a professional studio. That means having the song copy written. You will spend just as much recording 18 songs on a mixtape or album, that you may not sell. That one song is what your going to use to drive your traffic. That traffic turns to a fan base. The same fan base that would be willing to pay and come see your performance. And that will finance your album.

This blog was in response to a question asked by Shawn_788. I hope the information provided was useful to you and anyone who is reading. If there are any other questions I can be reached at the web addresses below this blog or you can simply comment the blog itself. As always, thank you guys for reading and be sure to visit all the Marv & Cash sites listed below.

-CASH-

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