subject: Getting The Music Biz - Take Small Steps [print this page] The music business is a beast within itselfThe music business is a beast within itself. It's been known to chew up and spit out artists day in and day out. That's probably what contributes to the reason that many artists don't understand much of the business itself (either because they do not want to or they've never really been informed with how things work on the inside). If you're one of those artists who doesn't understand the "business" for one reason or another, I'm here to tell you that you need to change that - QUICKLY!
The business of music can be complicated (especially once you start getting into publishing, royalties, licensing, etc) and it's also not something that one should expect to learn overnight, either. It can take some time to grasp overall, all artists should understand at least the very minimal basics of the music business and how the industry works. Knowing this information is absolutely critical, especially if you're an independent artist. While you should always seek the advice of an excellent legal professional when it comes to big contracts and other deals, knowing the industry "jargon" will help you identify who is trying to screw you over and who is trying to help you out.
Many artists overlook the business side of music, as they would prefer to not lose their focus or have their creativity interfered with. I think those who think this way are doing themselves a huge disservice. Artists that know and understand the music business are 10 steps ahead of the average guy who doesn't know squat about it. Wouldn't you want to get an edge on your competition?
Like I mentioned above, you don't have to learn the business overnight. It's all about taking baby steps. Whether it be studying the music business for an hour a day, week or month, taking the initiative is what will help you get to where you need to be. Without taking initiative, you'll be stuck at the same place doing the same thing.
There are some excellent books that I would recommend you take a look at. They are perfect for those of you who are looking to start your own record label or just learn the basics of the music business and how it works. They get into more depth and detail than I do here, and they should. If I were to write about every detail of the music business, we'd have a 400 page book on our hands.
