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Click on a category below to see its contents or on a question to see videos and articles that address that topic.
Artist Development
General information on making money or launching a career as an independent artist.
Where do I start?
What are the major challenges I will face and how do I avoid them??
How do I improve my chances of success?
How do I establish a good reputation in the industry?
What can I expect in my music career?
How do I set myself apart from the crowd?
How do I attract the interest of a record label?
Band Management
How to put and keep a band together. Also includes legal issues that should be addressed.
How do I pick the right band members?
How do I keep my band together?
How do I get everything done that goes with running s band?
What band structure or format is best for me?
How do I get more done at band practice?
Booking
How to get gigs, where to find them, how to price your act, the truth about booking agents etc.
How do I book myself until I can attract a booking agent?
How do I pick the right venues to perform in?
How do I get gigs when I don’t have a following?
How do I get more people to come to my shows?
How do I improve my chances of getting booked?
How can I fill my calendar?
How do I move up to better gigs?
Should I take every gig that comes along?
What do booking agents do and how can I get one?
How do I get booked back into venues?
Where else can I play other than in bars?
I appeal to an older audience. Where can I play?
How can I book myself as a singer?
What does a booking contract look like?
What do I need to do to get gigs?
How can I put on my own concerts?
What other tips can you provide?
How do I know if I am making a profit from my gigs?
Branding
Refining your image, your sound, your marketing and your reputation so they are consistent with what you want your fans to expect from you.
How do I identify my brand?
How do I establish my brand?
How do I protect my brand and reputation?
How do I change my brand now that I have established a fan base?
Business Management
Setting up and managing the business side of your career.
Why do I need to learn about general business?
What exactly do I need to know?
How do I manage and increase my income?
What do I have to do on a regular basis to grow my business?
How can I improve my chances of success?
How do I make music industry contacts?
Should I start my own record label?
Should I attend music conferences?
I can’t do it all alone. Who else do I need? How do I find and attract them?
How can I get an endorsement (sponsorship) deal?
Career Development
Important information on developing a career as an indie artist.
What advice can you offer to help me with my career?
Can I really expect to make money as a musician?
All I know is that I just want to be successful! Now what?
What will it take to be successful?
How can I improve my chances of success in the industry?
How can I move my career to the ‘next level?
How can I get the industry to take me seriously?
There is so much to do! How do I get it all done?
My career is slowing down. What can I do?
Money is tight. How can I still get the tools and other things I need?
Why is my career moving so slowly?
Am I missing any big opportunities?
How do establish myself in Nashville?
I want to start a music ministry. Any advice?
Financial
Managing the financial side of your career.
How can I Increase my income?
How can I make a living as an artist without touring?
Where do I make money and what are my expenses?
What income do I need to report on my taxes and what write-offs am I entitled to?
How do I know if I am making a profit?
How do I price my act for gigs?
How do I get paid for Internet radio play?
How much will my next recording project cost?
How can I get the money to fund my career?
General Music Business
General music business articles, videos, resources and more.
What quick tips can you provide to improve my chances of success in the music industry?
What will it take for indie artists to solidify their role in the overall music industry?
What has really changed in the music industry in the past 30 years?
Inspiration and Motivation
Articles and videos that will inspire and motivate you to keep pushing forward.
What kind of mindset do I need to maintain to succeed?
How do I keep from getting overwhelmed or depressed?
How do I deal with everyone else’s expectations for me?
How can I use my music to make a difference?
Legal Issues
Vital information to keeping yourself legal and protected.
How do I protect myself when using or hosting social media?
How do I protect my songs?
What legal issues do I need to be aware of?
What does a 360 deal entail?
Management
Info on what management is, what a manager does in today’s market and how to find a manager.
How do I attract a manager?
What exactly does a manager do?
How Do I Choose The Right Manager?
Marketing
How to effectively market your act and your music, use social networks, manage your fanbase, get publicity, convert fans into buyers and more.
How do I promote my music and shows online?
How do I promote my act or my shows offline?
How do I attract new fans?
How can I get more people to come to my shows?
How can I sell more music And merchandise?
How do I build a great website?
Is it OK to design my own website, CD cover etc?
How do I get the best promo and live photos?
How do I promote my songs and songwriting?
How do I protect my image and reputation online?
How do I develop and retain my fanbase?
How do I develop and utilize a street team?
Why do I need a newsletter and how do I use it to help my career?
How do I develop my niche?
Why would I hire a marketing professional?
What marketing tools are available?
What non-mainstream ways are there to make money with my music or songwriting?
How has marketing changed in the new music industry?
How do I put on a showcase for the music industry?
Merchandising
Information on choosing and selling the right merchandise.
What kind(s) of merchandise should I sell?
What style t-shirt should I sell?
Music Licensing
Powerful information on how to get your music licensed for film, TV, commercials and more.
What does a music supervisor do?
What online resources are there for licensing my music?
Where can I license my music other than in film and TV?
How do I get my songs into film, TV and commercials?
Musicianship
Information on improving your musicianship
What are some other great websites for musicians?
What is the Nashville number system?
Performance
Advice on becoming a top-notch performer and ways to make your performances stand out from the crowd.
Should I play cover tunes?
How can I protect my voice?
How can I improve my voice?
I am having problems with my voice. Any advice?
How can I improve my on rapport with the audience?
How can I improve my overall live performances?
How can I get the very best vocal sound in the studio?
Can I still make a living making music if I am a less than stellar musician or singer?
How can become a better harmony or backup singer?
How can I overcome stage fright?
How can I deal with, avoid or overcome common musician injuries?
Publicity
Generating publicity for your act s is often the least expensive yet most effective way to attract new fans and build credibility.
What are some inexpensive ways to generate Publicity?
How do I develop my image using PR?
How do I write an effective press release?
How do I develop a PR campaign?
How do I get covered by blogs?
Radio Promotion
Tips on getting your songs played on both terrestrial and Internet radio stations.
How do I get terrestrial and Internet airplay?
Recording and Producing
In depth information on the entire recording process and the people involved in it. Covers recording demos as well as your own projects.
How do I get great vocals in the studio?
How do I plan for my next recording project?
How do I get good audio from my home PC?
Should I hire a producer?
What exactly should I expect from my producer?
How can I get the best recording within my budget?
How do I get great demo recordings of my songs?
How do I budget for a recording project?
Songwriting, Publishing and Pitching
Songcraft,building a career as a songwriter,all about publishers and songpluggers and more.
How do I get started as a songwriter?
Should I join a songwriter organization?
What resources should I have and how much do they cost?
What do I do with all of my poorer or partially-written songs?
How do I get my songs cut?
When will I need to have sheet music and who creates that?
What are some strategies for being a successful songwriter?
Where should I go to improve my chances of success as a songwriter?
Do you have any specific songwriting advice or lessons?
I don’t handle rejection well. What can I do?
What is different between writing songs for myself and writing songs to pitch to other artists?
What does a publisher do. and do I need one?
What are some resources for licensing my music?
How is digital technology changing the music industry?
Touring
Vital information on setting up and managing your tours.
How can I make more money on the road to cover touring expenses?
How do I balance touring with a family life?
How can I best prepare for touring?
How do I plan a profitable tour?
How can a non US citizen tour the states?
Video Production
Tips and tricks on creating strong and captivating live and concept videos.
Why do I need a video?
How can I get a high quality yet reasonably-priced video?
