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Music Business 101:
Making Music Your Life
At the Music Business Academy, we have two primary goals: first, we aim to teach musicians how to use the Internet to their financial advantage, whether that means using the Net to sell
more CDs, 'get the word out,' or simply to make some extra cash. Secondly, we aim to arm musicians with all the
information they need to move their music career forward in the 'real' world, with or without a major label record
deal. Find out more about our online music business courses and studies, read our music promotion blog, read our music business articles and tips,
or get help with planning strategies for effective music promotion on the Internet!
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Get Educated - Online Music Business Courses
We are pleased to offer music industry programs in songwriting, arranging, musicianship, music marketing, music production, music law, audio mastering and mixing, concert promotion, Pro Tools, publishing, artist representation and
so much more. Our online programs provide the highest quality
education that empowers our students for success in today’s music
industry. View the music business course catalog.
The Latest Additions...
Music Business Articles & Tips for Musicians.
Have an article or commentary about the music industry that will help and/or encourage independent musicians?
Submit your own music business article here.
View all music business articles in our topical index.
Do You Know How to Get a Record Deal? Take the Test.
Take this 100 question T/F test to find out how much you really know about the music business, getting signed and what getting a record deal is all about. Article by Chris Knab.
16 Timeless Music Business Self-Promotion Tips
The following tips are essential, life-long suggestions, for any and all
musicians to remember as they establish and/or maintain their music careers. Article by Chris Knab.
Do You Believe What You've Heard About How the Music Business Operates?
The history of the music business is filled with stories of musicians being misled or exploited by record labels, managers, attorneys, and other characters. Until the early 1980s, it was difficult to find information about record label contracts, marketing strategies, publishing issues, or anything else about the inner workings of the industry. That was then, and this is now. Article by Chris Knab.
An Inside Look at a Live Venue Merchandise Deal
Everybody
should subscribe to Bob Lefsetz's free newsletter. Today there was a posting about a complaint from Jeff Beck's Manager about the merchandise deal at a certain venue, and the following is the response from the person in charge of the venue and who initiated the contract signed by Mr. Beck's manager. It gives you an inside look on how live performance venues deal with selling merchandise. Article by Chris Knab.
What is a Band Agreement and Why You Need One
A band agreement (sometimes called a partnership agreement) is proof-on-paper that there’s a commitment within your group to deal with the everyday realities of being a professional musical act. How many times have you heard the phrase "money changes everything?" Well, it’s true, and it’s one of the main reasons that you want to sit down with your fellow band members and work out on paper how you’re going to deal with the successes or failures that come your way BEFORE you start making money as a band or musical group. Article by Chris Knab.
Digital Servicing Myths
One of the new tricks to confuse artists is "digital distribution"
or "digital servicing". This is a service where the following is
supposed to happen: You pay a small fee to have your audio sent to
radio stations, then the person at the station listens to your track,
plays it, and the service then tells you who played it. Problem is,
it's very misleading. Article by Bryan Farrish.
Mick Jagger on Royalties and Getting Paid for Music
"When The
Rolling Stones started out, we didn’t make any money out of records
because record companies wouldn’t pay you! They didn’t pay anyone!
Then, there was a small period from 1970 to 1997, where people did get
paid, and they got paid very handsomely and everyone made money. But
now that period has gone." Commentary by Chris Knab.
Money for Your Music: Facts About Music Licensing
Where music meets
licensing, there's money to be made. How much money? We have all read
about the multi-million-dollar deals for icon bands like the Rolling
Stones and Led Zeppelin, but what about the money for the rest of us? Article by The G-Man.
How to Double Your Music Business Income
Want more money from your music business? Sure... But that would involve a lot more work, right? Not really... In fact, you probably are already doing the work; you're just leaving money on the table. Article by David Hooper.
Changes in the Music Industry
I've been spending some time lately reviewing my book, "The Complete Guide to Starting a Record Company,"
endeavoring to be sure it remains relevant and up to date. This got me
to thinking about "change" in the record industry. What kind of changes
have there been, and over what period of time have they occurred? Article by Keith Holzman
Social Media: A Lesson in Self Defense for Musicians
Social interaction with your fans is a good thing... to a point. But it would be wise to give yourself a few rules to go by; rules to help protect you not only from yourself (you can be your own worst enemy), but also those who follow you that may or may not have your best interests in mind. Consider this a lesson
in social media self-defense. Article by David Nevue.
The "Secret" to Selling Lots of Music
I just received my biggest single payout ever for digital music sales from CD Baby.
Over $2,000 just in digital music sales. That
got me thinking. Why do people buy music? What is it that
makes someone, a total stranger, actually go out and PURCHASE music? Especially when, in this day and age, people can find so much
music for free on the Internet. To what do I owe my great digital sales success? Article by David Nevue.
House Concerts: Be an "American Idol," One House at a Time
You may scoff at the idea of playing a concert in a
persons home because you are concerned about SIZE. The size of the
audience doesn't matter. In fact, you will likely find, as I did, that
playing a concert to a small audience in a home is much more effective
and financially lucrative than playing in a "typical" venue. Article by David Nevue.
Making a Living From Just Your Music
Can it be done? Can it really be done? The answer is yes. I've
been doing it. I've been making a living from music for the last seven
years now. Living the dream. Doing music full time. Commentary by David Nevue.
CD Baby Passes $100 Million in Indie Music Sales
If anyone tries to tell you independent music is unimportant, has no significance, and no market of any value - just them that CD Baby has now paid over $100 MILLION to independent musicians. In addition to retail sales, CD Baby distributes the music of its artist members to services such as iTunes, Amazon.mp3, Rhapsody, and Napster.
Read more about CD Baby here.
See Also:
The Four Fronts of Your Music Career and Internet Promotion 101.
Have an article or commentary about the music industry that will help and/or encourage independent musicians?
Submit your music business article here.
Quote...
"I've been promoting my music on the Internet since 1995. I'm
now doing music full time. I didn't need a record label to accomplish that. I did it on my own, by the grace of
God, and in fact, I really don't care if my music ever is 'discovered' by a major record label. What I do care
about is the fans who listen to my music every day, how it touches their lives, and how it brings them joy. I get
such encouragement from my fans, email from people I've never met from all around the world. And now I'm able to
work from home, write my music, and spend more time with my wife and beautiful little boy.
That is my definition of success." - David Nevue, author of How to Promote Your Music Successfully on the Internet.
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