- \n
- You do not need to regularly perform live.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- You do not need to live in a major music city like LA, New York, or Nashville.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- You do not need a bunch of money to get started.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- You do not need to possess or display genius levels of talent.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- You do not need thousands of facebook likes or even thousands of email subscribers to make a full-time living doing what you love, on your own terms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- You do not need to be exceptionally tech savvy or interested in digital gadgets and gizmos.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- You do not need to have exclusive inner circle connections to \u201cpull strings\u201d for you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- You do not need to be particularly good looking or fit into some pre-approved mold in terms of appearance or personality.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- You do not even need earth shattering<\/i> or even fantastic songs\u2026!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
I can hear a collective gasp from the crowd as I even dare utter such blasphemous ideas. Of course great songs are what it\u2019s all about for most of us, but the statement remains valid.<\/p>\n
In the modern music business, there are only two required components for success.<\/h3>\n
These two components are the bare minimum building blocks for a successful career as an artist or musician in the modern\u00a0music industry.<\/p>\n
A. You need to love what you do, and…<\/p>\n
B. You need an audience that loves and supports it.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s all folks! Simple formula that works every time.<\/p>\n
But simple ain\u2019t<\/em> the same as easy.<\/p>\n
In The Modern Music Business you do NOT NEED… <\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
- \n
- a vc or \u201cinvestor\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- a record label.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- a publisher.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- a publicist.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- a manager.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- an art gallery.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- an agent.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- an seo or social media company.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- someone to handle the \u201csales and marketing\u201d for you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- You do not even need to TOUR.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
As you\u2019ll learn in an upcoming chapter, it turns out that success is scientific. Their is a universal cycle of success that is mathematical and predictable. It is called the success or failure cycle, and we\u2019ll be going over that shortly.<\/p>\n
But let\u2019s quickly unpack one of the MAJOR areas of concern I see today\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n
- \n
- A survey conducted by Reverbnation and Digital Music News revealed that 75% of unsigned artists listed a major label record deal as their goal.<\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Still makes me wince a bit. Certainly clues me in that we need to do a better job reaching and teaching artists just how in control you really are. Let\u2019s discuss the primary reasons why you do not need a major label record deal, and why you should never start there anyway, or until you have something that you must have before they’ll even notice you anyway.<\/p>\n
Why You DON’T\u00a0Need or Want a Major Label Record Deal or Publishing Contract<\/b><\/span><\/h1>\n
![\"You](\"https:\/\/jamieleger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/waiting-in-line.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nLet\u2019s take a quick step back.<\/p>\n
Well. Let\u2019s start with economics.<\/p>\n
Mathematically you will just pay too much.<\/p>\n
Despite any ill conceived notions about her, miss\u00a0Courtney Love has the floor for a couple of minutes, and she does indeed weigh in with some just plain spoken truth, spoken in the kings plain ol english. I think her take and all that’s she’s been through represents the highs and lows, the ups and downs, and ultimately the unsustainability of the \u00a0traditional music industry pretty clearly.<\/p>\n
My goal is not to grandstand, it is not to point fingers, (though some may have it coming) it is to plainly illustrate a need for a better way forward in the modern music business.<\/p>\n
Though i don’t agree with every notion she brings up, and her arguments may be a bit over the top at times, I fundamentally stand behind most of what she says, and that it is what made the traditional record\/music industry sick and die.<\/p>\n
“Today I want to talk about piracy and music. What is piracy? Piracy is the act of stealing an Artist\u2019s work without any intention of paying for it. I\u2019m not talking about Napster-type software.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m talking about major label recording contracts.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s piracy when the RIAA lobbies to change the bankruptcy law to make it more difficult for musicians to declare bankruptcy. Some musicians have declared bankruptcy to free themselves from truly evil contracts. TLC declared bankruptcy after they received less than 2 percent of the $175 million earned by their CD sales. That was about 40 times less than the profit that was divided among their management, production and record companies.<\/p>\n
Somewhere along the way, record companies figured out that it\u2019s a lot more profitable to control the distribution system than it is to nurture artists. And since the companies didn\u2019t have any real competition, artists had no other place to go. Record companies controlled the promotion and marketing; only they had the ability to get lots of radio play, and get records into all the big chain store. That power put them above both the artists and the audience. They own the plantation.<\/p>\n
New models<\/strong><\/p>\n
Record companies stand between artists and their fans. We signed terrible deals with them because they controlled our access to the public.<\/p>\n
But in a world of total connectivity, record companies lose that control. With unlimited bin space and intelligent search engines, fans will have no trouble finding the music they know they want. They have to know they want it, and that needs to be a marketing business that takes a fee.<\/p>\n
Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n
I\u2019m looking for people to help connect me to more fans, because I believe fans will leave a tip based on the enjoyment and service I provide. I\u2019m not scared of them getting a preview. It really is going to be a global village where a billion people have access to one artist and a billion people can leave a tip if they want to.<\/p>\n
For the full article click here<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
If you want to see how Major Record Labels and the major label record deal aren’t what you really want anyway…<\/p>\n
Watch the 30 Seconds to Mars-case study (trailer for the Documentary Artifact can be found here<\/a>)<\/p>\n
We could go on and on, but, i’m going to go out on a limb and just say this as a rule a thumb, (a broad, vague, sweeping statement) is that the major record labels are a bad bet. See that about sums it up right? I’m being tongue in cheek, but it’s a safe assumption and I encourage my clients and students to air on the side of caution.<\/p>\n
![\"you](\"https:\/\/jamieleger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/gatekeeper1.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nOur new GAME Flips the industry on it’s head and breaks down the resulting situation and evolution into our modern music business. Talented\u00a0hard working Artists, they are still here, only now everyone else works for us. The modern music industry is truly and couldn’t be more about the real gift of music, it’s power to UNITE. It’s power to connect, to heal, to influence, inspire, empower, transcend.<\/p>\n
The tools and technology of the modern world allow us to do that better than ever before. The jump has been exponential and the marketplaces are already flooded and new opportunities are generated every single hour, across our globally connected culture and community.<\/p>\n
See, the best part about it is that the time we’ve been dreaming about forever, is now. The Artists Revolution is about us, the artists and creators, and our fans. Everyone else can prove their worth and try to add value to us. Artists are the value creators, after all.<\/p>\n
If I start to sound like a jaded combat veteran that wasn’t willing to compromise with my passion and my purpose… That’s because this has been a major series of breakthrough, a long journey, trial, and battle i’ve fought for a long time.\u00a0It really is an abundant and amazing time for everyone, and this movement, the one you and I are involved in-is how we can truly liberate the experience of music for the fans, and cultivate the development and proper nutrients required for the complete artist development, that simply unites and makes us all better.<\/p>\n
I think you’re great, but tell me how you can help me exactly? <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
Seriously, I think you have lots of talent and potential, but even though we don’t want to invest in helping you grow that fruit, let’s cut a deal for how we can get a piece of that apple?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
We cannot kid ourselves, labels don\u2019t want us because they see and believe in our unique talent, or that they want to invest in us as an act of goodwill\u2026 They want your audience and the fan base you\u2019ve built up. They believe that you will payoff at some point, and are willing to bet on that.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s not get it twisted\u2026 Labels today won’t sign you for you. They’ll sign you for your Fan Base. Of course, what modern musicians and everyone else around here refer to as their Relationship Database.<\/p>\n
Be very careful before signing anything. Take your pick of horror stories\u2026 From The 30 Seconds to Mars fiasco – or any number of Bad deal stories, to the many signed-to-soon<\/i> cases, which can derail the career of an artist for a very long time with very little control all the way through. I don’t think we need to spend a whole lot of time bashing or calling other organizations or individuals out, as of right now, i just don’t see it as necessary in any way that will be beneficial.<\/p>\n
Music Business and Music Career Super Secret #1\u00a0<\/span><\/h1>\n
No matter what, you have to build a grassroots fan base first.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n
![\"Grassroots](\"https:\/\/jamieleger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/Grassroots-Music-Marketing.jpg\")
<\/a>Grassroots Music Marketing gets it right at the source first.<\/p><\/div>\n
\u00a0You have to work the ground you got, managing your resources effectively<\/p>\n
\u00a0Bottom line, before you have this\u2026 do not pass go, do not collect 200.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Before you have this\u2026 You do not need a manager, or a label, or a promoter\u2026.<\/p>\n
\u00a0No matter what your goals are in the future, we believe this is the place to start. If you don\u2019t have a Core fan base built before you try to get signed, then you are putting yourself at a huge risk, a disadvantage, and don\u2019t really have much of a career yet anyway. I don\u2019t mean to sound harsh, my tone isn\u2019t negative, it\u2019s just that in the modern music industry-that\u2019s the bankable asset that makes you appealing to any professional organization. Not to mention that foregoing the phase of developing your content and building that grassroots following, that loyal base of core fans that you truly connect with and experience your career with, then you are in some ways skipping parts of the natural process of Modern Musician skills development, in some ways it won\u2019t be Complete<\/i> Artist Development.<\/p>\n
Empower yourself NOW-honor and embrace the opportunities around you right at this moment. Today. Start from where you are and build up. Realize that you have what you need to make progress now. That you don’t need to feel trapped between where you are now and where you want to be. It will start with a shift in your thinking pattern or perspective, and then you\u2019ll be on your way to growing your career in the modern music business.<\/p>\n
Complete\u00a0Artist Development Starts with Grassroots Career Development<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
An incredibly bright, talented, beautiful, emerging comedian. Jennifer was an enthralling performer. She was totally funny, down to earth, extremely engaging and was getting pretty good feedback at the open mic nights she was doing a few times a month.<\/p>\n
She was still working her day job, which she did not enjoy much but did it anyway because it was how she paid her rent and her bills.<\/p>\n
She came to me because she was interested in making the jump to a full time comic-but was not only afraid, she wasn\u2019t sure what to do or how to do it in order to make the transition\u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cI have always dreamed of playing Madison Square Garden\u2026\u201d She told me.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll bet you will someday,\u201d I replied.<\/p>\n
I had no reason to doubt her capability, nor would i ever discourage anyone\u2019s dream or ambition.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is a fantastic goal, Jennifer. What, if you don\u2019t mind my asking, is your plan to get there?\u201d I said with sincerity and curiosity.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, to be honest I don\u2019t really have one,\u201d she admitted with a little smile.<\/p>\n
When we sat down to sketch out some basic planning questions It became clear that<\/p>\n
she hadn\u2019t really ever written down her ultimate purpose, or detailed a Vision in writing, or had a written Mission statement. She certainly didn\u2019t like the idea of \u201csetting goals,\u201d and she had a little bit of resistance to formulating a \u201cStrategy\u201d and creating \u201cOutcomes.\u201d<\/p>\n
After some discussion and pointed questions we found that internally, intuitively, on some level, she felt that doing all that \u201cgoal setting stuff\u201d somehow infringed upon her \u201cgo with the<\/p>\n
flow\u201d spirit and value system of \u201cjust enjoying and being the moment.\u201d Just being an \u201cArtist.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you think having some basic and measurable goals would require you to give that up?\u201d I said with curiosity, because certainly we all want to enjoy being in the moment right!?<\/p>\n
I told her about the deceptive ways of the Starving Artist Syndrome, but my attempt to convey the point missed it\u2019s mark. She sort of shrugged it off, \u201cit\u2019s all so official sounding, so serious!\u201d She said with an innocent and carefree tone of voice.<\/p>\n
She noticed that my facial expression and body language changed. I hadn\u2019t bought in to her attitude, nor was i swayed by her charm. She saw that my face had wrinkled and I was about ready to wish her good luck and good day, when she said she would play my game.<\/p>\n
It didn\u2019t take long for us to realize that playing madison square garden wasn\u2019t even really what she wanted to do. When it boiled down to it, we determined that she wanted to make a full time living doing what she loved, when and where she chose.<\/p>\n
\u201cOk. So what does that take?\u201d I probed.<\/p>\n
\u201cwell, making more money, getting paid gigs\u2026\u201d She snapped back.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo basically you need to find a way to get paid to continue to do what you love, enough to cover all your expenses in order to do it full time and quit your job, is that right?\u201d I asked.<\/p>\n
She nodded her head. \u201cThat about sums it up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ok. \u201cSo where\u2019s the gap between that vision, and where we are at here in this moment?\u201d<\/p>\n
She poured out\u2026 \u201cWell I don\u2019t have enough material, and what I\u2019ve got isn\u2019t polished enough,<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t know how I\u2019m going to make money\u2026 How to get a paid gig\u2026<\/p>\n
all valid concerns.<\/p>\n
\u201cOk. Forget about all that stuff for a moment. I don\u2019t know the first thing about how to get a paid gig as a comic, but i know that\u2019s not what you really need. What you need is what every Artist in this catch 22 situation needs. See, the problem is that you need to go to \u201cwork\u201d to pay the bills, but you need to be spending that time at \u201cwork\u201d DEVELOPING yourself as an Artist!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo\u2026 What would the solution be then?\u201d I prompted.<\/p>\n
She looked at me like I had lobsters crawling out of my ears\u2026 \u201cWell, how about YOU TELL ME!\u201d<\/p>\n
She facetiously implied that if she could answer that question, she wouldn\u2019t be talking to me!<\/p>\n
I read it right and came back at her with an alarmingly simple solution.<\/p>\n
Get PAID to develop her content and grow her career as an ARTIST.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, wouldn\u2019t that be nice\u2026\u201d She puffed out of her lips.<\/p>\n
I love this part, so I had to work hard not to ruin the big \u201cbreakthrough moment.\u201d<\/p>\n
It came after I asked her if she thought there were 10 people in the world, that she could reach, who would pay her one or more new pieces of content every month\u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m\u2026 pretty sure\u2026\u201d She said\u2026 \u201cok, so is that a yes, or is that a no?\u201d I prodded\u2026<\/p>\n
Ok. Well, IF I really tried… yes, I could find 10 people.<\/p>\n
Ok. Great. I said. So there you have it. You\u2019ve answered your question.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s when the lightbulb went on\u2026 \u201cjust go out and find 10 people to pay me to develop more content…\u201d<\/p>\n
Precisely!<\/p>\n
That\u2019s your next mission. \u00a0Let\u2019s stop the conversation. You have your marching orders Jennifer. Don\u2019t come back to me until you complete the mission.<\/p>\n
Before the wheels now turning in her brain had a chance to land in \u201cguess again gear,\u201d I quickly walked her through exactly how to setup the technical details involved in creating an autoresponder and protecting a page in wordpress as well as how to accept payments. She then enthusiastically shuffled off to enroll her first 10 paying members in her \u201cbackstage pass\u201d membership area of the website where she simply uploaded exclusive new content once a week and delivered it to her customers.<\/p>\n
I had taught her how to setup her very own fan conversion system. A very simple process using automated technologies that leveraged her email program and her website and repackaged much of the content she had already made to create a mini-sales system that worked for her on autopilot.<\/p>\n
- A survey conducted by Reverbnation and Digital Music News revealed that 75% of unsigned artists listed a major label record deal as their goal.<\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- You do not even need to TOUR.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- someone to handle the \u201csales and marketing\u201d for you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- an seo or social media company.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- an agent.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- an art gallery.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- a manager.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- a publicist.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- a publisher.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- a record label.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- a vc or \u201cinvestor\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- You do not even need earth shattering<\/i> or even fantastic songs\u2026!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- You do not need to be particularly good looking or fit into some pre-approved mold in terms of appearance or personality.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- You do not need to have exclusive inner circle connections to \u201cpull strings\u201d for you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- You do not need to be exceptionally tech savvy or interested in digital gadgets and gizmos.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- You do not need thousands of facebook likes or even thousands of email subscribers to make a full-time living doing what you love, on your own terms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- You do not need to possess or display genius levels of talent.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- You do not need a bunch of money to get started.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- You do not need to live in a major music city like LA, New York, or Nashville.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n