Music Business 002: Music Business, #2

Introduction

What I Do............

As owner I was essentially an artist manager responsible for negotiating recording deals, performances/concerts, advertising deals, and overseeing P/R and promotion of my artists and their music. I also did radio promotion. I oversaw the operations of a booking agency, a publishing company, a record label, and a production studio. I made it a habit to write down as a priority everything I did daily.

As Executive Producer I wrote the checks!

Good communication skills, solid understanding of business and marketing procedures and techniques, strong sales, and networking skills. Mostly communicating by phone and email with program directors, promoters, theater operators, press and other media. Also planning advertising and marketing promotions. I have been in sales, marketing, and management for 35 years. Trying to get artists to understand that this is a business where we must make money before they can make their art. - Don't sleep much!

Very little leisure time, it is work and job 24/7. Read all I can about the business. Learn to network like crazy, that's what this business is based on more than any other. Develop tough skin and be persistent as hell! Find someone else to write the checks using their money.

Chapter 10