Take Care of Your Music Business 5 Questions For John Kellogg

John Kellogg is a practicing entertainment lawyer and assistant chair of Music Business and rote the book "Take Care of Your Music Business", Second Edition.

1) What’s the first step an artist should take to advance his career after the album is recorded?

Kellogg: The artist actually needs to take steps before the release of the album. They should test-market their songs before a live audience before deciding which ones to record and then record only the ones that are resonating with the audience.

After finishing the recording, they should copyright their compositions (music and lyrics) by filing a performing arts registration with the copyright office and protect their sound recordings (SR) or the fixation of sounds that make up a recording of the composition.

If the artist is a do-it- yourself artist (DIY), they can affiliate with an aggregator like Tunecore, Nimbit, or CD Baby, to have their music distributed digitally and/or physically.

I also have to advise they hire both an Internet public relations firm and/or an independent record promoter to promote radio play in a number of media outlets.

2) In your book you talk about ‘The Three Big P’s being the “keys to success in today’s new music industry.” Will you tell us about them?

Kellogg: Powerful product is a great song, recording, live performance or even an app that best displays the creators talent. Powerful product stands the test of time – if, indeed, it is powerful.

The second big P is Proper Perspective. It’s important for artists to perform live and build an engaging live performance that will develop fan-loyalty which will last for a number of years.

Then there’s Professional Attitude. I tell my clients and students, it’s very important for anyone in this business to understand that you have to have respect for the people you do business with throughout your career, from beginning to end.

3) What are some red flags which artists should be aware when they are approached by a label?

Kellogg: I say that everybody knows somebody in the music business. But you have to know who’s who. It should go without saying to do research on a label that is courting the artist. You want to make certain the company is financially capable and can properly produce, market and distribute the artist’s recordings.

4) What is a 360 degree deal...?

Kellogg: A 360 degree or all-rights deal, allows a record company to participate in the complete circle (360 degrees) of an artist’s earnings. In addition to profiting from the sale and use of the artist’s recordings, the labels will also get a percentage of the artist’s live performance, publishing, endorsements, sponsorships, acting, and other types of earnings.

Knowing and understanding the workings, the basics, of the music business will prove to be invaluable to everyone who wants to move forward and be steps ahead of their peers.

...

see full article on Musicthinktank

#Artist #Sales