Comments on: Takes Money to Make Money http://www.attentionmoney.com/2009/05/17/takes-money-to-make-money/ A community weblog for people with problems related to managing their bills, debts, and planning — and the family members who try to help them. Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:26:16 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Nick Kaye http://www.attentionmoney.com/2009/05/17/takes-money-to-make-money/comment-page-1/#comment-28 Nick Kaye Mon, 01 Jun 2009 22:02:52 +0000 http://www.attentionmoney.com/?p=146#comment-28 I love these points! It seems the thing that's changed about music publishing is the Barrier. Fifty years ago, if a person wanted to have their music recorded in a form they could pass out at shows or give to their friends, or just listen to in their own home, they would need to 1) purchase a block of recording time in a recording studio, which at that time was at least $10,000 and then 2) physically press vinyl records, and THIS is the thing that the Record Industry literally had a monopoly on. Now, an artist's options start at the price of a computer (to do digital-only distribution) and they can have a CD fully published and distributed for only the up-front costs of manufacturing. <a href="http://www.oasiscd.com/" rel="nofollow">Oasis</a> <a href="http://discmakers.com/" rel="nofollow">Disc Makers</a> How about one-stop digital licensing that an artist can build and control themselves? <a href="http://www.theorchard.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.theorchard.com/</a> What does this mean for the record industry? A lack of the physical need for large-scale record companies. HOWEVER, there is one very important thing which an "industry" provides for the individual "artist". If you are an artist, you know how to make music, but maybe you don't know how to strategize your public relations, design an album cover, or build a web page. My personal answer to this? As a strategist, designer, video director and website contractor, i have had a symbiotic relationship with a number of musicians that i really love, for whom, over the years I've done either free or inexpensively priced album covers, music video, web site or social media consultation (as I know you do, Doug). So... I believe the best investment we can make is time & energy, making contact with people one-on-one. Find out what industries people are in, and look for people who are at the same level (aspiring) in their field as you are in yours. If you have an amazing song, and find a video director who would love to simply have a song and a personality worthy of their amazingness, you're in luck! They may be as happy to have your song in their video as you are to have their talent presenting you and your song. A budding social media strategist (a bright ambitious communications major with a passion for innovation?) can give you gems in minutes of consultation at a time. Compile everyone's opinions and make your own decisions. Basically I couldn't agree more with Doug's point - there will always be people lining up to charge you money, but in this area, the best things you can do for yourself are now free in our fantastic modern world, and we should never be afraid to just go and do it 100% ourselves. If anything, do it the free way for a while first and then, with some hindsight, decide what else might be worth paying for. I love these points!

It seems the thing that’s changed about music publishing is the Barrier.

Fifty years ago, if a person wanted to have their music recorded in a form they could pass out at shows or give to their friends, or just listen to in their own home, they would need to 1) purchase a block of recording time in a recording studio, which at that time was at least $10,000 and then 2) physically press vinyl records, and THIS is the thing that the Record Industry literally had a monopoly on.

Now, an artist’s options start at the price of a computer (to do digital-only distribution) and they can have a CD fully published and distributed for only the up-front costs of manufacturing.
Oasis
Disc Makers

How about one-stop digital licensing that an artist can build and control themselves?
http://www.theorchard.com/

What does this mean for the record industry? A lack of the physical need for large-scale record companies.

HOWEVER, there is one very important thing which an “industry” provides for the individual “artist”. If you are an artist, you know how to make music, but maybe you don’t know how to strategize your public relations, design an album cover, or build a web page.

My personal answer to this? As a strategist, designer, video director and website contractor, i have had a symbiotic relationship with a number of musicians that i really love, for whom, over the years I’ve done either free or inexpensively priced album covers, music video, web site or social media consultation (as I know you do, Doug).

So… I believe the best investment we can make is time & energy, making contact with people one-on-one. Find out what industries people are in, and look for people who are at the same level (aspiring) in their field as you are in yours. If you have an amazing song, and find a video director who would love to simply have a song and a personality worthy of their amazingness, you’re in luck! They may be as happy to have your song in their video as you are to have their talent presenting you and your song. A budding social media strategist (a bright ambitious communications major with a passion for innovation?) can give you gems in minutes of consultation at a time.

Compile everyone’s opinions and make your own decisions. Basically I couldn’t agree more with Doug’s point – there will always be people lining up to charge you money, but in this area, the best things you can do for yourself are now free in our fantastic modern world, and we should never be afraid to just go and do it 100% ourselves. If anything, do it the free way for a while first and then, with some hindsight, decide what else might be worth paying for.

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