MUSICIANS INDUSTRY

Music has always been a big part of culture. Some view it as a vehicle for artistic
expression, some as entertainment, and of course some see it as dollar signs. Strangely
enough, it's usually musicians who fail to see the business in it. Not very romantic, I
know. But things are changing rapidly. With current technology, it is no longer required
to bond with a record label in order to be a part of the music industry. We can take
things in our hands. Enter the age of the independent artist! Let's take a look at what
needs to be done to ensure you don't miss out on opportunities and actually make
money on your quest of changing the world.

As an artist today, it is very important to understand all three sectors of the

music industry: publishing, recording and the live music sector. Each can offer a
multitude of income streams. But you need to be fully equipped and know how they
operate to be a part of them and succeed. It is important to understand, that the moment
your song is uploaded on SOUNDCLOUD or YOUTUBE, you are in fact already a part of
the music industry. The key here is to understand where opportunities lie and make
things easy for entities willing to do business with you.

Recording songs in a DIY fashion in your bedroom means that you hold the rights
to the recordings. Well then, make it official! First, register the recorded songs with
the COPYRIGHT OFFICE. Next, obtain the ISRCs (International Standard Recording
Code) for those recordings. Doing so will ensure that your recorded songs are always
trackable within the matrix of the Internet. It is also important to register with
SOUNDEXCHANGE (both as a copyright holder and artist) as they are entitled to collect
money on the behalf of the owner of the recorded music. But where is the money to be
made? Every time the recording of your song is played on PANDORA, somebody
samples a part of your song, or uses it in a movie or a video game. That’s just to name
a few. There are a lot of options. And now that you are equipped to get paid, you can
start working the field and help you luck. Remember, pennies really do add up!

Did you also compose the songs and wrote the lyrics? There are plenty of
opportunities that go with that. But again you need to be prepared. As with your sound
recordings, register your compositions with the COPYRIGHT OFFICE. This time we are
dealing with the musical composition and lyrics only, not the actual sound recording. In
case somebody wants to do a cover version of your song… It's time to join a
Performance Rights Organization (PRO). The options in the USA are ASCAP, SESAC and
BMI. But remember, we want to do business here. Make sure you register a DBA (Doing
Business As) name with the SECRETARY OF STATE first. Then, use the same one in
the PRO registration process. Now, be sure to register as both a composer and a
publisher. This will ensure you will get payed the full amount whenever your song is
performed in public. This will also allow you to seek out clients willing to license your
songs for various usages. If you want your song to be played in the next GAME OF
THRONES episode, you are half way there now.
 So your album is up and streaming, the band is rehearsed, time to hit the road!
But unless your songs are already going viral and Live Nation is bombarding your inbox,
you are probably going to go the DIY road first. Make sure you prepare your rider. It is
a document that states all of you requirements: technical details, transportation,
hospitality etc. This will allow the promoter to set a preliminary budget while organizing
the event. It is also essential to name a guarantee fee as it is going to be a running rate
for your shows and that needs to be clear to the promoter as well. You will most likely
be doing business under the same DBA name so we are already prepared for that. And
now it is time to do the research, build a database of promoters and venues and abuse
the send button of your e-mail. Chemical warfare!

All of the above mentioned procedures will give you a foundation to be a part of
the music industry and not miss out on chances and revenue streams. That being said, it
doesn't mean your career is going to skyrocket like Post Malone's did. But let’s just say
that doing so you are already on the winning side. Now it's time to stay up to date with
the rapidly changing music industry and of course never stop educating yourself. A
modern musician is one that is an entrepreneur and treats his career as a small business.
That’s the essence of the MUSICIANS INDUSTRY. But whatever happens, never lose
touch with why you are here in the first place. Make great music that will move people
and things will happen!

Bartosz Wiktorowicz
2017/12/06