LESSON ONEFor Educational Purposes

Black-Printed ByMike Smooth “Da Architec”

South Carolina, USA

© 2010 By Minds Over Matter Publishing

ISBN 1440499489EAN-13 9781440499487

PrefaceI spent a lot of time in studios talking with artist and producers. One thing I noticed is most of them lack the knowledge to take their musical career to the next level.

I once asked an entertainment company owner, was he plan on licensing his music, and he did not have a clue on what I was talking about. This brought me to the conclusion; this lesson series lessons has to get out.

Our goal is not to just attracted producers and artist. We are planning on going into the schools and educating the children about the truth of the music business.

Most people have this idea that all rappers and entertainers are rich and famous. Some are famous, but at the end of the day go home broke.

It is our mission to educate you about this business, because so many have been misled into thinking it’s a get rich scheme. It can be, however not all rappers are rich, some make a very good living, and a very few make it like Jay Z and 50 Cents.

This program is designed for those wanting to sell their own music. So many fail because lack of information, so please look at this as a guide to help you.

We hope one day the education system will make this a part of their curriculum. The children who watch the videos need this information. So they will not get blinded by the smoking mirrors.

LESSON ONEHow to Get Distribution

The record industry as we speak is converting to the digital realm (Downloads & Ringtones). CD sales have declined; major record companies are lying off, and a new 360 record deals (slavery) are emerging. The only solution right now is to sell your own music and keep all your rights. This Lesson was Black-Printed to edit-dictate (educate) the readers, to give you overstanding on how the record business works. We are bringing a revised way to learn. This first lesson will give an in-depth look at how distribution deals work, and how to get distribution.

 Introduction

This lesson was initially entitled “Pimpin the Music Biz” (Industry). We decided to revise it into a smaller

and more comprehensive format.  Most would like to consider this a book, and the truth of the matter is, it is in a book format. This is a lesson series from 1 to 9 (supreme mathematics). This lesson is the first of its series. This lesson series will teach anyone interested in the business of music, the basics of everything they will need to know. Breaking down the business of music piece by piece.  In near the future, the following lessons (2 – 9), we will touch on subjects such as; music publishing, marketing, promotions and advertising, music mastering, etc.  Please do not confuse this lesson series with other music business books and literature. This lesson series is in a very comprehensive format that cuts through the rhetoric and gets straight to the point. Take your time and read this lesson, and go over it until you grasp (overstand) the information. 

Content

Smoke-in Mirrors Page 7

What Is Distribution? Page 9Marketing and Promotion Planning Page 12HOW TO GET DISTRIBUTION Page 16What Is Coop Advertising? Page 22SAMPLE One Sheet Information Page 23Types of Distributors Page 25Types of Distribution Deals Page 25Practical Tips on Foreign Licensing Agreements Page 28By Wallace Collins esq.Digital Distribution Page 34What is a Digital Label? Page 35Digital Distributors Page 36The Types of Digital Music Rights Page 38How music sales and radio airplay are tracked Page 40Tracking Digital Music Page 42Barcodes Pages 43Music Distributors Page 44Sample Distributor Information Sheet Page 45Music Dictionary (Glossary) Page 48

Smoke & Mirrors

The business of music for many years, seem to be enshrined in some mystic information that only some one who attends a Universe city (University) or college can overstand.

 With hundreds or maybe thousands of music business related litature (Books, CDs, Online, etc), it maybe a little difficult to decide on what to read. And what is good advice. Always remembering some people in this business can be very shady, this is why it is important to know what is going on, and so you do not get tricked. There are a lot of sharks in this business that will come at you from all angles to make a dollar off of you, or even steal your rights (Masters). Do not get caught into the hype of things, you have to remember this is a business that’s dealing in entertainment. So you will be dealing in an illus ional world, where things, like money, sex and drugs seem to dominate the radio and televisions airways. It’s all based on stage props. Watch your back and your front. 

The music videos of today are just short musical movies with a soundtrack. This is how the record industry sells records. They (record companies) find some talent in a club or showcase or even by BDS and Soundscan charts. Signs them to a deal. Then turn them into a Gangster. Just like in Hollywood. This lesson

series is in no way, shape or form speaking out against the entertainment industry. The truth has to be told. It’s all based Product placement and good gimmicks and publicity.

Define Stage Props

From The Merriam Webster Dictionary Online

Stage Pronunciation:\stāj\ Function :noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French estage abode, story of a building, state, from Vulgar Latin staticum, from Latin stare to stand — more at standDate:14th century2 a (1): a raised platform (2): the part of a theater on which the acting takes place and which often includes the wings (3): the acting profession : the theater as an occupation or activity Prop Function :noun Date:18411 : property 3 <stage props> 2 : something used in creating or enhancing a desired effect

What Is Distribution? Dis·tri·bu·tion Pronunciation: "dis-tr&-'byü-sh&n Function: noun-: the marketing or merchandising of commodities

 

The LieEvery Rapper and or R&B Singer, you see on tell-lies visually (television) is very rich and making tons of money like some of the music videos portray. Although it is about the money, the reality is, they (Recording artist) have to give fans the Hollywood impression (Props), to sell records. Conveying a message, this is how it is, this is how we do it, and they know it’s all about marketing and promotions (Creating a hype using good gimmicks and publicity).  The TruthYou as an independent record (entertainment) company and/or unsigned artist can sell anywhere from 1 to 50,000 units (CDs) or even more on your own. You can get your music in films, in television commercials, in video games, etc. It just takes doing what is necessary to make it happen. Like creating a BUZZ (Marketing & Promoting) in your region, locally, regionally then nationally. You can start by performing in a variety of venues, developing a solid marketing plan, and creating an online presence just to start.  

Before most of us learn any form of mathematics, we have a start at arithmetic's, then work our way up to algebra, geometry and so on. The point here is math is based on problems and solutions. This lesson is the solution.  

Can you explain the different types of distribution deals? Yes there are many types of deals out there, it just depends on your label, what kind of buzz you have in your region(local or national) , the track record your Label has, as for as sales of CD's, Ringtones and Downloads . And they (distributors) will want to know how are you going to market your label and Artist(Concentrate more on the Artist- the product).  A lot of musicians think just because they have a CD, ringtone and digital distribution, that they will automatically sell units, this is not true. This is where your marketing and promotions planning and creativity comes in. There are several types of distribution deals which we will touch on. The first lesson we are focusing on Pressing (Manufacturing ) and Distribution Deals, Distribution Only Deals, Digital Distribution, and will touch a little on the other types of deals.

We know the word national sounds good when seeking a distribution deal. But if your trying to sell your music on a national level, you’ll need to have a budget of at least $10,000 to $25,000 minimum a month just for marketing and promotions.

Your marketing and promotions campaign will include, touring, radio interviews, autograph signings, etc.The distributor is looking for you to know how to market and promote your music. This is why it is very important you create a plan for marketing and promoting of your release.

Here's a quote from Wendy Day of the Rap Coalition.From the article titled

SECURING DISTRIBUTION By, Wendy Day from http://www.rapcointelpro.com

  “Let's go back a step: There are three things a distribution company looks at when deciding whether or not to distribute a record label. The quality of the product (music), the flow of the product into the pipeline (does the label have enough music to release something every few months), and the economics (does the label have enough financing to be a real record label and cause "push" and "pull" through the retail stores). "Push" is getting the retail stores excited about carrying the record so they'll order it for their stores, and "pull" is getting the consumers into the store to buy the record. Retailers are in business to sell records, be informed about artists and their releases, create store loyalty, provide a local service (sort of a music industry center in their local area), and make a nice profit. I find that if you treat them as such, and with respect, they are happy. They don't owe you anything as a new label-- bare in mind they've seen many, many labels come and go.”

Marketing & Promotions PlanningIn your plan you will need to write an overview. You will need to give information about the artist or product. This is where your Distributors sales team will get most of their information from . The plan will also need name of album the single , CD configuration of Single, UPC (Barcode) information, packaging, publicity, etc.  At this point your mind should be focused on being creative enough to move your music out of the distributors warehouse, on to store shelves and into the customers hand and making a profit. This is no easy task. You have to convince the stores managers and consumer (fan) that your product is right for them, in the case of music and videos, the buzz creates sales and bigger things. Remember this is business. We have included a sample 12 week music marketing and promotions plan, a sample distributor information sheet, and a sample one-sheet. For artist and labels wanting to place product on store shelves or for resale. You have to be on your grind promoting you music before the distributor will pick you up. Distributors and retailers are needing a sellable products, not a studio hit. 

Our advice to you is learn how to use the internet and the many free music promotional tools . There are tons of resourceful materials located at your public library as well( in the reference section). Use Google and the many other search engines to find articles and data pertaining to marketing and promotions. Please do not limit yourself. We are in the digital age, where you can broadcast content (music. videos, etc) on a using the internet and mobile technology. Be Creative and remember your plan can start out simple and be upgraded as you progress.