PatchWerk Recording Studios Music University 4

"I would have paid $300

to get the information I got
[at Music University!] "

The 4th annual Music
University, hosted by
PatchWerk Recording
Studios was an overwhelming
success. So much so that
the "students" were saying
they would have paid an
upwards of $300 for the infor-
mation they received that
day....

read more

How to REALLY get your single played by DJ's in the club??

How to REALLY get your single played by DJ's in the club??

* Make sure first, that the song is "club friendly"; meaning mixed (and mastered if needed). What your track sounds like is definitely a big deal.

* Keep in mind, club DJs get paid to keep the dance floor full so make his job easy by bringing as many people with you to the venue. If you do not have enough willing friends, consider organizing a street team by paying their way into the club or promising them future returns. Most people would be interested in free entrance to an event they already intended on paying for.

* Presentation is everything! Make sure you come to him in a professional and nonchalant manner. Hand him your CD and offer to buy him whatever he's drinking, and make sure you give him a healthy tip ($) for helping you out.


Kervins C.

Market Effectively & Efficiently, Save Time & Money

Market Effectively & Efficiently, Save Time & Money
Yes to/No to List



Say No To. . .Business Cards
Say Yes To. . . Phone # in Cell


Explanation:
Business cards are becoming very much like flyers. They are disposable, and can easily be misplaced. They also cost money. A less costly and more productive alternative would be to have people store your information in their cell phone. Stand with them as they store your name, email, and a brief note about what you discussed when you met, and how they might remember you.

Say No To. . .Spending Money
Say Yes To. . .Making Money

Explanation:
Spending a lot of money can get you a lot of things. But spending money wisely can get you a lot more. Spending no money is a challenge but will be worth it if you do it right! Get creative, seek out alternatives to get things done. Also, try and teach yourself how to get things done yourself. Often times people pay others to do things for them. You end up paying a lot of extra money that you otherwise could have pocketed had you tried to do it yourself!

Say No To. . .Billboards/Outdoor Ads
Say Yes To. . .Live Performances/Events

Explanation:
Don't just sit back and pay a lot of money to have advertisements do the work for you. 9 times out of 10, they wont work for you if that's all you do. You need to be seen; make a personal physical connection with your market. Get out there and perform and showcase your work. If you don't have that opportunity, at least get out and network at as many events as you possibly can.


Say No To. . .Clutter
Say Yes To. . .Simplicity

Explanation:
No one likes to, or knows they need to dig through the clutter to get to the main point of a promo. Stay away from too much text, or too many graphics that get in the way of your message.


Say No To. . .Promotional CD's
Say Yes To. . .Music Downloads

Explanation:
90% of Promotional CD's get thrown in the trash, and they cost a lot of money too! Instead upload your music to a website that allows others to download your music. It is a lot less expensive, there is no footwork involved, and many sites offer opportunities for you to get paid when someone downloads your song.

Say No To. . .Flyers
Say Yes To. . .Stickers

Explanation:
Flyers get thrown in the trash. And many times they don't even get looked at before they go there. Instead try stickers. For a little bit more money, stickers can be a permanent or temporary fixture that will increase exposure for you when one person sees another wearing or displaying it.

Say No To. . .MySpace
Say Yes To. . .Official Websites

Explanation:
Myspace is great for access to you and for networking, but everyone has one and it wont make you stand out from the crowd. Instead you can invest as little as $11 a month on a yahoo website (for example) and be able to customize a professional website that will allow you to stand out from the competition.


Say No To. . .E-Mail Blasts
Say Yes To. . .Networking, Private Meetings

Explanation:
Again, being personal is key. Face-to-Face meetings are key as well. Reach out to someone on phone and ask if they'd like to meet in person to discuss any thoughts you may have. After you've met, wait a week, and send a "Nice to have met you" card or letter in the mail. Trust me, they will remember you much better than if you just sent an email and left it at that.


Say No To. . .Lots of Money on Advertising
Say Yes To. . . Radio, Television, Magazines

Explanation:
Television, Radio, and Magazines, are the most effective advertising mediums to reach an audience. They also are some of the most significant signs of your perceptual credibility. These are the most costly, of things to spend your money on, but it would be well worth it not to spend your money on anything else, if you just spent it on these! So save up the big spending for these mediums.

T.Elise Brown

When I Grow Up I Want to be a...

When I Grow Up I Want to be a... Booking Agent!


Description:

A booking or talent agent is the person in charge of representing artists in putting together their live performances. In many cases the manager handles this portion of the artists career, however when this happens, it is an extra load on the manager. A booking agent takes care of hotel accommodations, sound, transportation, lights, meals, and solidifies contracts and other arrangements with the promoter(s) of the show. Booking agents usually represent artists who are with major labels with major distribution deals.



A Day in the Life:

A booking agent is VERY busy during their artists' tour season. During preparation for the tour an agent, may have meetings with the venue regarding dates, payments, and logistic matters. The agent may also meet with the promoter to negotiate contracts. An agent must also secure lodging, and transportation, and meals for everyone, including all roadies, background dancers, band members, back up singers, managers, stylists, and especially the artist. In short, most of the agent's day is spent in meetings and on the telephone.

Education and Experience:

In most careers in the music industry, a formal education is not necessary, however, it would be beneficial. The average person is not necessarily the best business negotiator and a formal business education could help with that aspect as well as the others. It is almost impossible to apply to be a booking agent. These positions are acquired by those who have a certain level of experience in the music and or business industries and have been noticed for their achievements, professionalism, and abilities. In most cases, experience is education. Even if you don't have the education, become an intern and get the experience.

Remember, we are never too far away from our dreams. So "Dream & Go"!

Beliria S.

Future-Me.com...Network Your Way Into The Future!

Future-Me.com...Network Your Way Into The Future!
What is one of the most talked about curiosities in the world? What is the one thing that we all look forward to? What do we spend our entire lifetime planning or working day to day for? What's the one thing that is inevitable no matter what anyone does or doesn't do? Some of us believe we can control it while others believe that we have no direct command or power over it. This thing will exist day after day and year after year whether you like it or not. Do you give up yet? THE FUTURE! This month's featured article will focus on a website that will help you to build your future in the music business, or any business for that matter, exactly the way you want it to be.
Future-me.com is a new social networking site that allows users to communicate with their futures, experience the future now, and browse the future of everything, including entertainment. I'm sure this sounds a bit funny but really you are able to tell it exactly what you want to do, have, become, experience, etc. You set your deadlines for when you want to meet these goals by sending them into the future, and Future-Me.com helps to keep you on track.
Users are also able to promote ideas, and events, upload images, and create their futures' coming attraction by assembling a vivid full page slide show of the lifestyle they want. In my opinion one of the coolest features is the time capsule, in which you can leave messages, pictures, videos, etc. to be opened up at a specified later date, as in: "10 years from now." This is cool, because I can leave a video to my self in the future or to friends, or leave a photo of myself when I was 13, or compose a message of what I think the future holds. According to the site's creator, Jonathon Prince, "I've been blessed to have utilized Future-Me before I developed it for the public, and I know it works. I told my Future-Me I wanted to be recognized for achieving something no one has ever done, hence when I ran across America to raise money for Hurricane Katrina victims, it was no surprise to me that it actually became my reality. So, I know it works, the secret is consistency." There are a lot of people who believe that social networking sites are fads and that they'll get old with time. Well Future-Me.com is certainly an exception.

Future-Me.com

Beliria