Today's Music Biz

I’m told by some that Drake is a “reverse rapper”.  Most successful rappers go to TV. Drake was a teenage TV star on Digrassi The Next Generation before his rap career took off.

Either way, there is no denying DrizzyDrake is everywhere with the fan base to follow.

So what are some of the secrets to Drake’s success in Today’s Music biz and what mistakes can you avoid?

1)  Build your brand.

If you Google Drake you’ll come up with DrizzyDrake (Drake’s AKA) and Octobers Very Own or OVO.  Drake’s brand. He built this brand before he signed to a label.

2) Listen to constructive criticism from your fans.

In a recent interview with Billboard magazine, Drake states that he’d “rather have great reviews than numbers”. Implementing feedback can take your music to the next level. I’ve seen it happen.

3) Positivity matters.

Drake’s song “Successful” and the lyrics to the majority of his songs are aspirational.  They talk about what he’s accomplished, or wants to accomplish (even if it’s marrying Nicki Minaj).  This is how he connects with many of his fans.  You have to have dreams and goals to be successful in Today’s Music Biz.  You have to believe in them, sing or write them to act on them.

4) Get your music cleared before announcing a release date.

Drake’s first album Thank Me Later release was pushed back due to licensing issues after the date had been announced.  It may work for someone with a large enough, established, fan base but you don’t want to build anticipation and then let your fans down by not being able to release your album on time.

5)  Leaks can be good.

He’s quoted in Billboard.com saying “the night that it leaks is the night by album release is…that’s when you start hearing feedback. That’s how we gauge things now”.  His latest release ended up dropping on the night of an awards show where he had the opportunity to let everyone know on national TV during his performance that it sold 700,000 units.

6)  Be loyal to those who give you a chance.

Drake’s first album with Lil Wayne’s Young Money hit #1 on Billboard top 200. His most recent deal for the release of Take Care was signed with Young Money/Cash Money/Universal to make sure Lil Wayne got paid off everything he did.  Just for believing in him!  This album just hit #1 on the Billboard top 200 as well. My guess is he’ll be winning more awards next year and thanking Lil Wayne.

 7)  Fame is fleeting.

Drake Says you get 30 days for an album, of media and radio air play. Drake connects with fans by singing about situations they are going through.  But everyone’s situation changes day by day.  Whats hot in music changes from day to day. That’s why we teach you to The ABC’s of Music Marketing.

There are  more lessons to be learned from this successful rapper.  One we’ve talked about many times at TMB is collaboration.  Drake’s success in working with others such as Trey Songz,  Jay-Z,  and Mary J. Blige and so many more has been phenomenal. Drake even wrote Un-thinkable (I’m Ready) with Alicia Keys.  Collaboration done right always leads to success and other opportunities.

We’re here to help you Succeed in Today’s Music Biz.

Today is the age of the “fail”. Can you believe that people actually search the internet for ‘fail videos’?

Why Are We discussing Rebecca Black?

Digital Music News Reported

Ms. Black has sold $198,685 on YouTube and iTunes alone.

(1) YouTube = $102,000

• Plays approaching 102 million  (as of April 14th)
• at a $2 CPM, with a 50% content owner payout, the total equals $102,000

It seems that the only way to succeed in marketing these days is to fail. Speaking of fails, at the time of this post, Rebecca Black has sold over 196,000 digital downloads of her singe “Friday”. In addition, Ms. Blacks’ video has gone viral, gaining over one million views on YouTube.

I have to admit, Rebbecca Blacks success defies the odds. To say the song is…well, not good would be being nice. I personally don’t enjoy listening to the song. But no one can deny with 96,000 iTunes downloads, and 100,000  in digital sales on YouTube, ‘Friday’ is a big payday for Rebecca Black.

I also have to admit that I love when the Underdog wins

Rebecca Black was the Underdog now she is the top-dog. This young girl is not even in high school yet and has sold more singles than most in the Music Business. She is a role model for chasing your dreams.

As the story goes, Rebeccas’ parents invested $4,000 to have a song and video produced for ‘Firday’. The return on investment is an estimated $98,000 (even if she only got 50 cents per sale). So just doing simple math you can see that her parents investment gave them a huge payback.

In addition, her efforts have gained her fame. Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Taylor Hicks and others have performed ‘Friday’ to audiences reaching millions of fans.

Friday is not perfect. But they say, “perfect is the enemy of good”. So, if you are an up and coming musician, don’t worry yourself about perfection. Instead get your music out there and let your work speak for itself. You may have to deal with horrible comments  about your work (like Rebecca Black).

I realize that every musician is sensitive about their work. But take it from Rebecca Blacks’ example: get your music out there and hope that millions of people have something…anything to say about it. You may be able to sell a few hundred thousand copies and laugh all the way to the bank like Rebecca Black.

“Ah ha, you know what it is”…

Wiz Khalifa (pictured above in the hoodie) is getting higher using Radio Promotion

It’s your Man – Jeronimo Black with another story of success in today’s music business. Hip-hop Rapper, Wiz Khalifa is rolling up on the radio charts with 2,226 spins on radio this week (a 74 percent increase from last week).

Wiz has another radio chart-topping hit titled “Roll up”.

If you’ve listened to hip-hop over the last year, then you may remember hearing Wiz Khalifa’s 2011 Pittsburgh Steeler’s anthem “Black And Yellow”.

But even if you’ve never heard of Wiz Khlaifa don’t let that distract you. He is just part of the bounty of information you’ll learn today.

Are you are an up and coming;

• Recording artists

• Producer, Music Publisher

• DJ

• Music Manager

• Record Label

If you are then, I’ll bet that Wiz Khalifa knows something that you don’t…that is how to get thousands of spins on radio.  If you think you need to pay to get radio airplay. OK…I respect your belief.

But the truth is you don’t need to pay to get radio airplay.

You don’t need to be on a Major Record Label.

Wiz khalifa has released many chart-topping singles on Independent Record Label Rostrum Records.

Some are saying his album titled “Deal Or No Deal” is a response to his frustrations with his former Major Record Label (Warner Brothers).

The release of “Deal or no Deal” was a shocking success rolling up to number 10 on the Billboard Rap Charts. He also did something that I recommend anyone to trying to promote their music biz do…

(I reveal that in Radio Promotion Secrets)…Wiz then went on the road with the tour and eventually landed another deal with Atlantic / Rostrum.

In a recent interview with Radio Station Power 105.1 (on the Breakfast Club) Wiz stated that he wanted to get his brand together and his music out there. He is using radio to build his brand.

That’s why I am profiling Wiz Khalifa.Power 105.1 reaches millions of listeners.

You can easily multiply how many millions Wiz has managed to reach with over 2,000 spins on radio stations across America.

So, what’s in this story for you?

A reminder that radio promotion is the strategy used by the successes in today’s music biz.

Sure, the internet is a powerful weapon…Just not as powerful as getting your music heard by thousands to millions of people listening for new music. Radio airplay brands you more powerfully than any other music promotion method.

Radio Promotion as part of Wiz Khalifa’s music marketing strategy has been growing his popularity. He’s also put out a half dozen mix-tapes…that I’ve never heard.

What echoes in the heads of Wiz Khalifa’s Fans (all over the globe) is two words heard on radio…”Black and yellow”.

Wiz Khalifa took a pinch out of the promotion stash at Warner Brothers Records and used it to reach top 25 on the U.S. R&B Chart… on an Indie Record Label.

Now, who else wants to learn how to succeed like Wiz Khalifa?

I don’t care what they say…Radio Airplay is the way to become a Music Superstar.

What causes music lovers to wait in line to buy records?

This time around, I’ll tell you a secret…that secret is what’s called a Pre-sell. Successful Musicians (or their team) understand the process of pre-selling music.

Pre-selling music is a a marketing method used by promoters, artists and anyone who refuses to risk their time effort and talent to chance in today’s music biz.

Any musician trying to sell music will be doing themselves a favor by using pre-sell strategies. Pre-selling music will give you an edge.

What Is Pre-Selling?

Pre-selling is the process of telling Fan’s (or potential fans)… about your music or event – before the sale officially begins.

For example, Justin Bieber’s pre-sold his movie Never Say Never at least six weeks before it was to play in theaters. Thousands of teens stood in-line waiting…often in the cold…to see the Musician they love and adored. It is very possible for every Musician in every genre can have fan’s lined up outside of their events (sales).

I’ve seen it locally many times. More importantly, I’ve been a part of many pre-sell events. Some pre-sell’s have been out of this world successful.

For example, the Janet Jackson 4 Jamz pre-sell Promotion. The Janet Jackson pre-sell promotion was an immediate success for the mid-west based concert promoter I helped.

Pre-selling Prevents Music Promotion Failure

More importantly…pre-selling prevents local musicians from loosing mass amounts of money promoting sales that are not going to give a return on investment.

I’ve seen many musicians waste time and money for concerts that didn’t peak any interest during pre-sell. I won’t name any names. But the smart ones ended the concert promotion. The not so smart musicians (or their promoters) didn’t stop the promotion and the result was failure.

It sucks to lose money… but it really sucks to lose hundreds or thousands of dollars on a promotion that loses money.

The good news is that you can use a pre-sell to help you prevent a poor promotion from ever happening. So here’s what you can do before you burn your hard-earned dollars on a promotion that may…or may not succeed.

• Offer special discounted price (for a limited time):

  
  I’m sure you’ve heard of someone calling themselves someones number-one Fan? People like getting an advantage. When they can, people will give themselves an advantage. A special price offering gives the Fan the opportunity to take or give that special advantage to themselves.

• Offer special access to Fan’s who take advantage of pre-sell offers:

  One of the greatest pre-sell methods is to offer additional access to the musician. Backstage, and VIP Access offers a compelling reason to buy that drives sales like very few other methods.

Even better news is…Musicians can use pre-sell events and specials for digital music downloads as well as off-line sales and concerts. There is no reason to suffer through another failed music promotion. Not when pre-selling provides promotions insights as well as if your sale will return your efforts a return on investment.

Fergie, lead female vocalist for The Black Eyed Peas was recently named Billboards Women of the Year for 2010. What was one of Fergie’s secrets to success? Fergie and her fellow musicians “The Pea’s” are perfect examples of using anthems to stay on top. “Where Is The Love?” was The Peas first major hit. I don’t know if I’d call it inspirational but it did make you think. The people loved it. It landed at #8 on the Billboard Top 100.

Have you ever been at concert and the crowd was chanting to the music?

Through the years all great causes have had songs to create and maintain movement. From the Civil Rights movement to We Will Rock You, Anthems work! Even if your cause is self promotion. Why? Because…

Music Unites People.

How do you write an anthem to unite and inspire or even to Rock? Well, Today’s Music Biz Team has broken Anthems down into 5 categories. Each one of them has brought various artists success in their music career.

Party Anthems and Dance Moves – Music created to move the crowd. The Twist, da Butt, Soulja Boy…need I say more. Also any shuffle works to move the crowd and cross social boundaries.

Inspirational - Songs that people connect with that make them feel inspired where ever they are in their life or that moves them in some way. As I mentioned above, The Peas charted with one. “I’ve Got a Feeling” is another good one. Every genre is full of inspirational songs.

Supporting a larger cause – We’ve seen this more this type of Anthem more this year than ever. Artist came out and wrote songs to causes close to their hearts. To help Haiti. will.i.am, of the Black Eyed Pea remixed The Who’s song “My Generation”. Artists came together to re-create “We Are The World” for New Orleans. Country Musicians were on the forefront of The Tennessee flood. We continue to hear songs from the past, some even passed down through generations, songs that support great causes.

Break up anthems – This type of anthem touches people personally. There are songs about the pain and never getting over you, but many successful songs are about moving on and kickin’ the ex to the curb. Beyonce with “Irreplaceable”, Number 1 and 3x Platinum. Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats”, Number 1 and 3x Platinum. Cee Lo Greene is already nominated for a Grammy for his hit song “Forget You!”

Your name (or a derivative of) – “Fergalicious” featuring will.i.am topped the charts at #2. Fergie’s album The Dutchess went 2x Platinum in the US. I have to mention Soulja Boy again here because he practically succeeded in becoming a house hold name.

It’s about Unification. Music unites people and Anthems are proven to be successful.

What great Anthems do you love? What are your memories associated with them? Leave a comment below and tell us.

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Today’s Music Biz

Promote Your Page Too

Who Else Wants To Learn The Secrets Of Using The Power Of Radio To Sell More Music To Up To Millions Of Fan’s?

I’m a 20 Year Veteran of the Radio and Records Industries in the United States. If you’ve ever dreamed of hearing your songs played on the Radio, now there is a powerful resource to make your dream come true.

I’ve had the pleasure of working on Music Promotion campaigns for Destinys Child, Janet Jackson, Prince, R. Kelly, Jay-z, Big Pun, EMINEM, 112, T.L.C., James Brown, B.B. King, Mary Mary, Mike Jones, 3/6 Mafia, Ginuwine, Busta Ryhmes, Eminem and many more.

I’ve worked for some of the most successful stations, in diverse formats like; Adult Contemporary, Country, Hip-Hop & R&B and Rock just to name a few. Working for non-commercial and commercial radio formats, I’ve witnessed the awesome power of how getting one song played on the radio can send your record sales from 0 to 100,000 almost overnight.

Before Nora Jones sold over 20 Million Copies of her Debut CD, she was an unknown Indie Artist. Nora Jones was so unheard of that her Record Label only printed 10,000 copies of her music. But her Record Label also had a secret; the knowledge of how to get Nora’s Music on the Radio.

Although her second song, “don’t know why” only reached number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 song charts, this song would establish the, Indie-Jazz singer as a respected new artist. Nora Jones would go on to sell over 40 million units after releasing two albums.

Radio is the Secret to Nora Jones Selling 40 Million CD’s

There are special Music Promotion resources that Nora Jones used to get her music heard on radio. Her team used these resources to promote her music at Radio Stations. The downside is that many people can not afford to pay thousands of dollars for access to these resources. In Radio Promotion Secrets, I tell you these resources, for under $100.00.

Here’s the ugly truth: without radio airplay your music may never live up to it’s true potential. Without radio airplay it’s almost like your music doesn’t matter to anyone else but you. The ugly truth is, the majority of people will not take you seriously until they’ve heard your music on the radio.

Without radio airplay you are missing your only realistic shot at Music Super-stardom in the Music Biz.

Why is it that so many below-average artists get played on the radio?

Remember back to a horrible song you heard on the radio? You may have said to yourself, “my songs are WAY better than that song”. The fact is, those who follow the “system” get airplay. Those artist who don’t follow the system don’t get airplay.

That’s why I’ve published “Radio Airplay Promotion Secrets”. This easy to download eBook reveals the exact secrets on how to successfully promote your music to get your music heard on radio. Radio Promotion Secrets tells you how to get your music on the air and possibly sell millions of songs.

Would you love to hear the sound of your music on the radio?

Radio Airplay is The Best Way to Become A Music Star”

• Once your music is played on the air, you’ve turned your ”Star Machine” on. Once your music is heard on radio people who doubted that you would “make it” start believing in your success.

• Many artists have become rich and famous with only one song on the radio.
• Radio Airplay gets you noticed by the Record Labels
• Radio airplay brings tons of more people to your shows
• Radio makes it possible to sell millions of your CD’s

You may be wondering, “what will I get”?

When you order Radio Airplay Secrets, first, I show you exactly how to Get your music ready for radio airplay. You wouldn’t believe all the people that don’t get radio airplay because they make simple mistakes like sending their material to radio stations before it’s ready for airplay.

In this report, I’ll show you how to package your material to send to radio stations. I’ll show you how to label your CD’s and how to easily mix your music down to Radio Specifications (“Spec’s).

I’ll show you why 98% of Artists and Band make simple mistakes that prevent them from getting airplay and exactly what to do step-by-step to get your music on the Radio.

Second, you’ll quickly understand how on-air radio works. This report will tell you how to connect with key people at radio stations, and how to influence them to play your music.

Third, you’ll learn how to find the stations that will play your music. Too many Artist send music to the wrong Radio Stations hoping that the station will play an unrecognized talent. This is a dream. The reality is you have to choose your stations wisely.

You’ll learn how to avoid the mistake of sending your music to the wrong stations.

Bonus in section three, you’ll get access to websites that make it easy to find any radio Station in any format in America and Canada in a few simple clicks. Most importantly you’ll be shown where to submit your music to get airplay. I’ll give you proven techniques to get your music heard and on the air that Major Record Labels use, but don’t want you to know.

Fourth, You’ll learn the proven system of getting radio airplay.

Fifth, You’ll learn how to make your pitch to radio stations. There are so many mistakes that prevent so many artist from persuading radio station staff to play their music. Radio Airplay Secrets will show you word-for-word exactly what to say to get radio airplay.

Sixth, You’ll learn what to do after you get radio airplay – to keep you getting radio airplay. There are so many secrets to keeping the momentum going that one-hit wonders never have taken advantage of. These secrets are free to use and can generate more publicity and sales than 98% of artists and bands. Best thing is these secrets are free to use, once you learn them.

Seventh, get Bonus FREE access to Top Secret Radio Websites and FREE Top Secret Radio Resources. “In this report, you’ll get 5 additional bonus pages of FREE radio websites and services that are 100% guaranteed to get your music heard by major players in the Radio Industry”.

Do you have the passion to get your Music heard by millions?

Do you want to get noticed and get a Record Deal? Would you like to be a Star in your City, Country or around the world? If you do, You can, and it all starts with radio airplay.

WARNING: This system is not ‘Payola”. Payola is illegal and can land you in jail or ruin your future. The system I show you is an honest one used by successful Independent and Major Record Labels as well as Radio Promoters – to get their projects on the radio.

Order Thousands of Dollars Worth of Radio Promotion Secrets now for Only $47

Radio Airplay Secrets is delivered to your email as soon as PAYPAL confirms your order payment

“Jay-Z is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America”

When no major record label would give him a record deal, Jay-Z and two of his associates started their own record label, Roc-A-Fella Records. Jay-Z would not be as successful as he is today if he hadn’t taken risks in his musical career. No one’s risks have paid off more.

Here are 5 risks that are well worth taking to advance your music business and succeed in Today’s Music Biz.

Incorporate. This means register your music business at the state level. There are several types of business structures. You’ll have to research to find out which is the best for your situation. If you are still not sure, hire an attorney who knows corporate music business law. IRS.gov/business is a good place to begin your research. It’s not difficult to register, but there are fees associated with it.

File your taxes. Now more than ever before, there are benefits such as tax exemptions for small businesses. Some tax benefits are specific to the music business. It’s best to hire a tax professional who is knowledgeable in Music Business tax laws and provisions so you can take advantage of all the exemptions available. Make sure you prepare though out the year by saving any receipts related to your Music Business, including travel, equipment, and business meals just to name a few.

Brand yourself. Make sure your image is consistent with your message. Then stay consistent. If you are a record label owner, think about what you want your label to stand for. If you are a musician or band, you are your brand. Make sure to represent.

Reach out. You never know what opportunity is on the other side of a click. Fans need to connect with you, so use the resources available to you to communicate with them. I check out many artists, just because they sent me a nice email or a dm on twitter and we usually end up interviewing them on our BlogTalkRadio Music Biz Podcast. Today’s music biz is about relationships. So always remember to be professional. Nothing on the internet is private.

Write your goals. This is the most important of them all. It could be a very important aspect missing from your music business. Writing down your goals and visualizing what you want to accomplish brings you one step closer to achieving them.

What risks have you taken or are considering taking in your music business? Do you write down your goals? Tell us what you’re trying to accomplish in Today’s Music Biz. Please comment below.