Finally, we get to launch the site.
It’s taken at least three months longer than expected and it may well be a little wobbly and scruffy for a while whilst we get our heads around how WordPress works!
Bear with us, please. It might not look like we have done a lot, seeing as this is a simple blog with just the one post so far. But, I promise, we have done a hell of a lot of work behind the scenes and have written around 100,000 words of advice to publish here, in email newsletters and eBook guides as we move forward.
Please check the ‘About’ page and the ‘Why’ page for more background about what this is all about.
Then, please go and download the free guide from the sign-up box on the right. In many ways, that is what the work we have done to get this site up is all about. It only exists as an avenue for us to pass on advice and that eBook is the first bit. I’m really proud of it and think that there’s a lot of wise words that you won’t often hear from people in the Music Business. It’s solid straight-forward advice about what you need to do to make it as a musician and artist.
Once you’ve read it, come back to this post and leave a comment. We really value your thoughts and will do our best to find the time to respond and give as much advice as we can.
Go on – download the free Guide now.
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{ 77 comments… read them below or add one }
Ian,
But, the VOICE………. (‘Can’t get no satisfaction’ playing in head)
While I didn’t WANT to agree with everything in your ’10 key steps you must take to succeed in today’s music business’, I couldn’t disagree, even when I wanted to. Yes, even about having an attractive lead singer. I would add a refining point, however. Thinking back on Clay Aiken’s success, the first thing American Idol did after he had proven he had talent was to make him more ‘user friendly’. While he’ll never be handsome, he turned out pretty cute in an offbeat way. IMHO his rise to prominence on AI should be a model to others who aren’t traditionally attractive. An easy exercise as it was broadcast to us, week by week. As a final point, each person’s definition of attractiveness is varied. One man’s meat is another’s dog food. Speaking of dog food, I’ve never understood Mick Jagger’s appeal to members of my gender. Ew…….
And, I’ll end with that, IMHO THE definitive ‘hook’ song.
Molly
So if you’re not traditionally attractive let slip your dream of being a lead singer? I think there were some good ideas in your book but this was really a bit discriminating.
I’m not saying that you can’t make it without a traditionally attractive lead singer – there are plenty of examples where someone different, quirky or even downright odd, has made the grade. But….if you aren’t attractive, then, to have your best shot, you need very special attributes to compensate. I don’t like it any more than you do, but it’s an unfortunate truth in this very nasty and shallow business.
The point of the book is to try to set out the things you need to do to have the very best shot, and that would be one thing I, as a manager, would be looking at. I suppose the real bottom line is not, ‘is this person attractive?’, but more, ‘is this person a star?’
Ian,
I like that better re: “Is this person a star.” Charisma is what people respond to more than looks, IMHO.
Hi,
I have found your information very useful. Some of your advice I was or I’am aware of at present. I think its a great thing you guys are doing, sharing valuable advice to muscians.
When i read your 10 keys steps, i realised i had actually done about 8 of them…..and i’;m definately in agreement with them…..
I find all the e-mails you send through, regarding various things like social media sites and going about utilising them to the utmost , very helpful and intersting!!! thanks guys!
We’ve received sound advice from these guys (‘scuse the pun) and we’ve seen our fan base building up gradually thanks to the Myspace tips, it is definitely worth $17 (that’s just over £10 to us Brits).
Most of the advice though is free and you can’t complain at that!
All things we had already worked out.
But if you want to save time, plus trial and error.
JUST READ THE GUIDE !
Not realy optional these days if you want to make it.
Cheers
Hi, I have to say I am learning a lot from the emails and the guide – I’m ramping up a major new project and after years of watching them fizzle out after a while I am determined that this one is going to have the energy to get somewhere. To that end I am trying to make maximum use of every resource I can… but having limited time, I have to be as efficient as I can with where I put the time and energy I am able to budget for promotion. Getting a couple of focused, tested tips once a week or so is a great help, so I’m quite glad I signed on. Keep them coming!
thanks again,
tobias
Hello!
I have an Artist that needs a motivated person to assist in getting him to the next level.
C/O his website at http://www.orchestratedent.com
If you are interested, I am definitely available to speak with you.
I can be reached at contact@orchestratedent.com
Thanks in advance!
Hi Brandy
I’m not looking to take on any more artists as a manager – this site is keeping me busy enough!
I listened to the material though and it shows a lot of promise.
Use what we talk about to build a fanbase and he’ll do OK.
Best of luck.
Ian
I do agree an attractive lead singer is a plus, we are lucky enough to have 22 year old male lead w/ blond hair and blue eyes, about 6 foot, I do see one thing that glares at me w/ a lot of local live acts I have seen. That is that they come to their gigs dressed like they just came from a backyard barbecue, Sandals, shorts, wife beater t-shirt.! Now I am not so old as to forget grunge but, I believe that including having a great tight sound you have to remember that when non musicians come to a show you are presenting yourself as one or more of their fantasies. It is not enough.IMHO, to play extremely well, you also have to present an aura of being something they are not.! I don’t mean this to sound as though we. as musicians are better people than our audience, I mean it in the sense that when you see a great musician play, say for example, Stevie Ra y, or Steven Tyler, I know , I date myself but, the point is, when either of them were in the studio, they were in say, jeans and a t, and all the movement and expressions are not there. I can tell you, as a guitar player of over 30 years that I do not need to strain to bend a string 2 octaves but, when I play live I make it look hard as hell. The dress, the movement, the interaction w. your audience needs to be honed as much as your playing ability and you can watch video of any of your favorite icons and find that this is absolutely true. Our studio has a wall of mirrors built into it just for that purpose, to see how we look to our audience. No mirrors, find a video camera. I know this is a long winded response but eh,! you asked for it, and I truly believe the show is a major part of the success. If you are not gorgeous, You should at least dress to the part and move w/ the music. Watch an old Temptations video, you think those guys just moved like that naturally, HMMMMM.?
Man this guide is awesome! Some of the material I have always known but I love the refresher course as well I was able to show others that I wasn’t making this shit up. Everything discussed in the manual is pertinent. I Manage a recording Studio In Scottsdale Arizona (Crush Recording Studios) and almost every band that comes through the doors wants me to help them take it to the HNL so I just sit them down in front of the guide and tell them to read this first then we can discuss a strategy. It’s been a life saver. I look forward to the updates and add-ons sent to my e-mail as well.
Keep up the good work.
Well, thanks. We do try to tell it like it is and give great advice as much as we can.
Ian
thanx for the great advice, most of it i thought was basically common sense but i did appreciate being reminded of some key points like networking and band image et al, i’m the oldest member of our band but one of the youngest looking members (i’m blessed with good genes)i’m 35 but am constantly mistaken for being mucho younger, 22 was the last incorrect guess of my age, i’m not really bothered about this as i’m the drummer an i don’t think my age will be a problem i notice lot’s of bands nowadays have a much older member, my experience has gained us loads of gigs and i have a good rapport with promoters, sound engineers etc, anyways the advice you give is fundamentaly very good, keep it coming my friend, alex
i’d like to add as Sibling Rivalry said, the information u provide is invaluable and i really appreciate the fact you are sending it to me for free, cheers guys, keep it comig and check out The Katet. alex inferno
I’m not young, and no longer wishing to make it in the conventional sense – but have found the tips and emails from Ian & Amanda useful and a means to concentrate my mind on what I can do. Further (and maybe this is my lack of attention) it would be great if they tackled “making it” from different perspectives (such as song publishing)…I’ve been lucky in that an ageing geezer like me can write, perform and record songs quite easily these days – my only problem seems to be making a true living out of it!!!! Thanks again Ian & Amanda and for taking the trouble to respond to my emails.
Thanks for takin the time and effort to share your wisdom and experience.
Your blogs and information are extremley helpful in starting up a music company. Please continue spreading the knowledge. Louis
hey ian i enjoyd the new letters ive joind a band in my area and the drummer only wants to play out twice a month & me & the lead singer wants to play out every weekend
im learning lots from the letters
the band im in the drummer & lead guitar player only wanna play classic rock only
songs they chose are way out of date & me & the singer we have current songs
im talking bout cover songs ……
me & the singer wanna play goth style music but the other 2 members are in there 50s
me & the singer are in our 30s cause in my area the clubs & bars are where people in there 20s 30s go to 2 listen to current cover songs by a band theres not any goth clubs or bars here in my area …..so should me & singer stay with this old band or move on….
Joe
That’s always a tough choice and only you can know whether the band you are in is going to give you what you want – whether that’s regular local gigs and a little beer money or some big commerical success.
It sounds to me like you’re thinking that a new line-up with some younger guys into the same style is what you want.
If it is, then I’d go for it.
Ian
I found your guide and follow-up emails really helpful – I save them all! It’s advice that is super-helpful and really easy to read. Thanks, Ian!
Kate
:O And Amanda!
Oops!
Great e-book and great follow up emails.
“Treat it (your music business) like a real job, get up every day and kick the sh*t out of this”..
..that sums it up for me.
Along with Derek Sivers and Ariel Hyatt, this has to be the one of the best music marketing resources out there.
Atul hit the essence of it dead on…
And in the process got me to check out his blog (nice job!)
Your blogs and information were extremley helpful to me starting up a record label. Please continue spreading the knowledge and keeping music live and independent. Chris
Thanks Chris – we’ll keep doing our best.
Ian
Excellent information that I have passed on to the community I have built over the past 6 years via Zest Radio Show. I pass on all the free and valuable info you provide to us all. Thank you for providing a resource that can be practically applied by independent and unsigned musicians whom maybe can ill afford the cost of overpriced marketing firms services. You are appreciated and have the respect of the Zest Radio Show community world wide. Peace, ZEST
Your support is really appreciated. We’re only going to make this site better!
Hello! I just wanted you to know how helpful your info and guidance about the music industry’s been to my music project. This knowledge is simply priceless and I, and my band mates are really grateful for what you’re doin’ for guys like us (independent). We’ve got practically all of your posts bookmarked, lol! Thx for everything and Best Regards!
Many thanks – we’re trying hard and have loads more great stuff to come.
Ian
Your guide helps me. Thanks !
Thanks for reading it and taking the time to comment here.
Best of luck to you Vince
I think it’s a great guide & even though there may be things I don’t like about it I do agree that just because I see things differently doesn’t mean I’m right.
I’d recomend it to anyone.
Steve M.
Thanks Steve
I’d love to know which bits you don’t agree with. All opinions are valid. Leave another comment or email us on support@makeitinmusic.com.
Ian
Hey Ian,
Just wanted to say thanks for all the tips and guidance so far. I stumbled across this blog and the e-book a while back but I can say with confidence it has been one of the primary resources I have used to navigate the industry. As someone who is just starting out, its nice to know there are other people out there who are genuinely willing to help you succeed, even if they have never met you and have no idea who you are. You’re advice has been invaluable and believe me your efforts do not go unappreciated. Thanks again and I look forward to the next email soon!
Zain
Zain
Thanks for the support. It means a lot to know that people are taking it on board and using it.
Ian
Thanks Guys,good to have a helping hand
Glad to help!
Hi Ian and Amanda,
The 10 Key Steps Guide has been really useful and I am so pleased that I have found this site. The articles that you send out weekly are packed with information that I am finding invaluable, each week there is something new for me to consider…
Grateful.
NatRaj Recordings.
https://www.facebook.com/natraj.recordings
Thanks Nat. It means a lot!
No, thank you !
Most of the guide does not really apply to my artists (main artist is my husband) as they all already have label deals and/or publishing deals, have been in the business professionally (ie: no side job) for at least 10 years, and are certainly not in the White Cotton Panty Rock category (ie: cute girl/boy lead singer doing fairly formulaic song writing), but I like to read your posts, as well as many others I subscribe to.
Your guide is something I direct young musicians to (I direct them to your site, along with the CD Baby Podcast series) who contact me claiming they “need” a manager: which mostly is untrue since they have nothing yet to manage, like trying to hire a store manager when you don’t have a store.
I know a lot of artists making a decent – and sustainable – living outside the tired industry structures (GREAT example: http://www.warrenellis.com/?p=12929) and I think where you guys really excel is in providing advice to newbies that fall in between the old-school-model and DIY model…. and certainly to those under 21 who want to break into the pop-rock world.
It is a huge undertaking of effort that you put out and I genuinely appreciate that on every level.
Keep up the good work and I will keep reading, and referring!
All the best,
Melissa
Melissa
Thanks very much for that considered and lengthy comment.
I have realised since writing the guide that I did have in mind the young artist whose goal was a record deal or sustainable DIY career somewhere around the mainstream. I take your point about who it is most suitable for! Nonetheless, much of what we write about on the blog – particularly social media promotion, DIY musician stratgey and Direct to Fan marketing and sales – does apply to the older artist and there’s nothing to stop someone signed to a label applying much of it (hopefully with the label’s support).
Thanks for recommending us to all and sundry as well!
Ian
The 10 Key Steps Guide is amazing! It really guides! Thank you Make It In Music! You´re the best!
You’re very welcome. We aim to radically improve the amount of help in the next few months.
Ian
Damn dude, u r deep!
I’ve been using your newsletters to write articles which i believe have been helpful lots of my readers considering the feedback… and of course i always attribute you as my source and hope that some of those readers have taken their time be a part of what u do.
As an artist manager, your stuff has been greatly timely as half of the time, i hardly know what to do with my clients. But I do read your stuff religiously when am stuck and apply em appropriately
!
Hope u don’t take any offense knowing that i use your stuff as my source amongst others in my articles…
Would like to discuss with you more business related stuff but i don’t think that here’s the place for it. Lemme know if it’d be OK to email you with my proposal.
Regards,
V.
Thanks Vicky!
I’m happy to have you using our site as source material for your own articles – give a us a link now and then.
Feel free to email us at support@makeitinmusic.com
Ian
Hey. Your ebook was super helpful. Shattered a lot of illusions. I would’ve liked to know more about the actual process of going up to a studio, sending demos and all that, and actually getting signed. Hope you reply quick.
Hey Dee – thanks for the comment.
The articles on the site ought to help you on the actual ‘how to’ topics and if you’re not following them, look for our ‘Daily Tips’ on Twitter or here – http://makeitinmusic.posterous.com/.
We will be looking at those specific points that you raise on the site in the future so keep coming back, but I would say that the key these days is not to make and send demos to get signed but to build your fanbase in the ways that we talk about and, if you want a record deal, let the labels find you when you have created a buzz.
Ian
(from Portugal)
You have the hard work! We artists only have to read it! And retain your good advices!
If we believe in us as an artist and pratice your advices everything good can happen!
Thanks Nina!
Musicians are very lucky to be able to have such great tips at their fingertips, we had to learn the hard way! Well written and easy to understand advice for musicians at a wide range of stages, well done and thank you, I always readand then forward the emails to artists on my rosta!
Kris – that’s our aim. Thanks for spreading our efforts.
Thanks so much for the guide guys! It’s really informative and packed full of useful tips. It’s great that you are helping musicians who are serious about earning a living from their music.
Thanks for your support too!
Hey thank you for such amazing tips, it really works and if you apply it it can lead you to succes, really helpfull… Thanks a lot.
Very helpful, informative and insightful. Trying to navigate through the maze of self promotion in the music business is a daunting task. You have done all the work and made it readily available to musicians who are focused on their music. I sincerely thank you. Please keep it going on.
Thanks very much for the kind words – we are doing our best.
Hi Guys, A useful free download indeed. Some very relevant stuff in there, as with many things, as soon as it is published some things tend to become out-of-date, but hey that cannot be helped. Some really interesting comments from other readers on here too, all of which have valid points.
With regards to the ‘attractive lead singer’ issue that seems to have appeared commonly here, remember that not all famous lead singers are super-attractive (Bjork, Florence, The Gossip etc – sorry gals!). They seem to be famous enough without stunning model-like looks. So whilst it may be of use to have an attractive lead singer, it is not essential.
I think that image, branding and the music are the important things that people look for – not the ‘hot or not’ factor of the band.
Anyway, a great start on this ’10 steps’ guide, thanks guys and please keep up the good work.
Jason
Thanks for letting us know that you found the eBook useful. It is admittedly nearly three years old and it does sorely need an update – its way too MySpace heavy and nowhere near enough on Facebook and other stuff like mobile.
I haven’t read it lately (let alone updated it) so not entirely sure how I phrased the good looking singer bit, but it was my intention that this be guidance rather than gospel and sought only to point out that they had better have something very special about them if they were shall we say, challenged of appearance. You can make it as something other than what most people would call attractive but you’d better have a great voice or next level material. Your examples prove that – Bjork I’d argue is striking in appearance but has a unique sound to her voice and has carved her own niche; Florence, again, has a great look that stands out and again a unique voice; Beth Ditto – well, she’s one of a kind and that works too.
Music first is hopefully the key theme of the book – if that’s not how it comes across, it will when we get a moment to rework it.
Ian, Absolutely – totally get where you were coming from. I hope that everyone else can see past this issue too. I mean if people remember Michelle McManus from a few years ago (Pop Idol??) she was told that she was not of an acceptable appearance to be a pop star, however she still landed a short-lived contract and made a brief living from what she loved doing. It is a contributing factor in today’s modern music industry ‘sex sells’ ad campaigns, we can see this everywhere all of the time. Airbrushing scams, the works, anything to make a buck from music artists.
Please keep me updated, if there is a rewrite coming at all, please let me know if you need any input at all!
Thanks,
Jason.
Thanks Jason – it will definitely get an update as soon as I can find the time!
Ian
Thank you guys for making such a wonderful tool for budding professional musicians! The free guide was filled with great tips, and the emails are very awesome, helpful, and motivating. Great starting point and not too “pampering” Good, straightforward starting point for someone looking to enter the music business.
Thanks Tony!
Very good! Keep writting useful stuff like this!
Great points. Although there are some I might question. Each artist or musician just has to make a few adjustments.
Thanks – and that’s a fair point. This is a guide, not a rule book!
Loveeeeeeee the blog!!! And all the emails you sent! So many amazing tips!!!!!
Thanks – glad you found it helpful.
I know your guide is written mainly with bands in mind, but there was still plenty for me to think about as a mature composer/recording artist. I will keep up with your new posts.
Gary – take what you can and give it your own twist.
Hey Ian, Thanks for the insight in 10 Steps To Make It in Music. Derrick certainly has done much for the Indie Music scene and obviously you have some heavy experience to draw from as well. The points you made about Myspace and other sites is as relevant today as it was in 2009. Can’t wait to implement more of your suggestions as time allows. Can’t do anything about the beauty (or young) aspect, but i def agree with the need for drive. So I’ll keep plugging away and carve out my niche. BTW – did you hear about the new app that gives you 25 hours in each day?
Howie – I could do with that app! Let me know if you find it!
Great stuff!
Thank you very much for your guide, which I found very helpful (same for your email newsletter, I always enjoy receiving them:). I come from Switzerland, which is a small reality when it comes to music industry, so some self promotion activities may work differently, I will find out. (In case, sorry for my English)
Jessica
Your English ids a lot better than my Swiss. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.
Ian
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