I’m not going to spend a lot of wasted time talking about nothing. So lets get to the point. The time has come when any musicians can create their own Digital Record Label from almost any computer.
I am not going into business start up, just Google that information. But with all the social networks, podcasting and online radio, there shouldn’t be any excuses why you’re not doing it.
With tons of resources it maybe a little hard to know where to start. I will say myspace.com can start as your home base, snocap.com as the store, and cdbaby.com as a physical and digital store just to start. Lets keep it basic for now.
A recent news report says, T Pain has started his own digital record label, called Nappy boy digital. Which means a lot of artist will follow in his footsteps and the major record labels will strictly be marketing and promotions companies.
If your money (budget) is tight then read closely. I have a good friend who started his own search engine, like Google. His technological skills and idea is on point, he lacks marketing creativity, and he has no clue on how to invest ineffective marketing and promotions. My point is do no get caught in to the flashiness of the Internet is all about good content. Lets use craigslist.com for another example; it’s a simple but very good website, its not flashy at all. But effective, I built an interior paint company just off of Craig list. I created a niche and ran with it.
NOW. As I state above use myspace.com, Cdbaby.com and snocap.com to start your label. Write a short bio (for now), keep it simple. Use this same bios on all your websites and promoting your music.
How am I going to get people to my websites? If you’re a performing artist and not a studio artist, you know it best to create some club flyers, and if your money is tight go to clubflyers.com an they off 500 free 4×6 flyers for free, you just pay for shipping, about $12 for the Atlanta area.
If your not a performing artist, you will need to find all the places independent artist book the own performances, sometimes for a small fee, which is worth it.
For a very extensive and informative book, you will want to check out, written and published by Jawar, the book is titled “Music industry Connections“, He is a very good example on how to make money in the music business.
Ok back to the subject, now you have found a list of places. Invest in a digital camcorder; most can take photos as well. At your performances video it. Keep and use this video for your myspace and other sites. Video your performances, and do your own self-interviews, which can be scripted.
Well until the next time peace
Since the conception of the overstanding the music biz lesson series, a lot of thought and time has been invested to make this thing right. This lesson was first titled “Pimpin Da Music Biz”, which was sold and promoted thru Murder Dog magazine.