FOOD FOR THOUGHT how to make yourself hot pt 2 How To Make Yourself Hot pt 2 is filled with information I compiled over time after talking to various industry execs, DJ’s, artists, meshed with opinions and thoughts from my own experience. I don’t claim to know it all, but this is the purpose of the publication is to let you know whats real. 100 Hip Hop has changed with the times; evolving right along with the digital age. Everything from the way music is received to how artist distribute and promote music has changed; and so has the road to success. In order to be successful in any industry you must be able to adapt. With that said, the days of actually selling your CD or mixtape out your trunk are gone. In store CD sales are down and music fans are just not buying CD’s anymore. So, in order for an artist to make a big enough impact in the industry and sell a massive amount of CD’s; artists need to be creative in the delivery of music, invest a lot more in themselves to build a fan base, develop his/her brand, and create cash flow.
How To Make Yourself Hot Pt 2
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brand; whether it’s another project or more effective promotion and marketing. Some independent artists fail to realize that the hip-hop industry is a business. It’s a business where products (music) and services (promotion, marketing, distribution, etc) are sold for money. So the old saying is true, “It takes money to make money”. Record Labels are like investment banks, they invest in your product (music) with money, time and resources to get you seen and heard not only so you can make money but so they can make a Return on Investment—In return for investing in your music they get a percentage of the sales, royalties and other things (shows, merchandise, licensing, etc); it’s a give and take situation.
Before they invest a substantial amount in your product you need to build and develop your product. Don’t look for someone to dump six figures in your lap for an undeveloped product in an oversaturated market. As an artist you need to put in the work to build your product and make them look for you instead of you looking for them. Don’t get me wrong wRITTEN bY cLINT eASTHOOD you NEED to network. But networking is not looking for people to just help you, but finding people on the same level In terms of cash flow I mean, if an artist invest a solid as you with you both having something to offer each other. $2,000 - $5,000 (over time) into a well put together And sometimes that does include you paying them for their service. project(s) with the right promotional and marketing plan it will put his/her music in position to make a return on investment (ROI) Everybody can’t help everybody. So don’t get upset or take it personal when someone who is further along than you doesn’t want to help through live show bookings, digital sales, and quality press. With or can’t help you for FREE. Working relationships are reciprocal, so that in place an artist can survive. don’t expect for someone to work for you free without you being able to offer them something or help them progress. The #1 problem up and coming and indie artists have is spending more money than they make on their image ; cars, clothes and Here are a few suggestions on how to put your money in the right bottles. While some artist OVERSPEND on their actual project, but don’t spend any money on promotion or marketing. What’s the place. Don’t jump at every opportunity out there that looks good. When companies want to invest money, spend money, or partner with sense of spending $100,000 on a new Mercedes if you can’t put another business; they perform a background check known as due gas in the car? Same thing with music! Why put all that money in diligence. They do their homework on a company, group or individual production and presentation but nobody hears your music or sees as far as references, who they have worked and done business with your video. Some artist consider a co-sign the “end all, be all” to and track record. You should do the same with whomever you do their promotion plan. A co-sign will only go so far, you still have business with in the industry; from A&R’s, managers, producers to put in the work to get it seen and heard. and studios, to online promotional and marketing companies. What FOOD FOR THOUGHT—A lot of artists come in the game with you’re looking for is to see if what they are offering matches the price they’re charging. Make sure that it’s parallel to what you’re trying to an external source of income and after investing in themselves accomplish. Remember, you have to ensure that people are who they they make the mistake of blowing that money instead of resay they are and know who they say they know. investing. Once you invest in yourself as an artist and make a profit take what you originally invested and put it back into your CONTINUED ON PG 29 21