Can authors quote your lyrics in their books?
For someone to quote lyrics in a book, or liner notes, it requires special permission and is not covered by the set fees or processes of music licensing. Read the post.
Music Business & Music Management
A collection of articles from the Disc Makers blog that relate to music and artist management, especially concerning the independent musician.
How to Launch a Music Project
Whatever your next music project is — be it an album, tour, video, single, or anything else — the first step is always planning. These four steps will get you off on the right foot. Read the post.
Work-for-Hire: A Musician’s Perspective
In a follow up to our Work For Hire post that looked at these agreements from the producer’s perspective, this post gives advice to musicians being asked to perform/record and sign a WFH contract. Read the post.
Work-for-Hire Agreements: A Producer’s Perspective
If you’re hiring musicians (or other contributors) to work on a music project, these tips from a music industry lawyer can help you navigate a Work For Hire agreement. Read the post.
Five things to do before pitching your music to Spotify playlists
Getting your music on Spotify playlists can be difficult. Let’s start at the beginning and focus on the things you should have in place before you even start pitching your tracks. Read More.
3 steps to get your songs in music libraries
For indie musicians and songwriters who don’t yet have connections in publishing and licensing, music libraries are one way you can seek music licensing opportunities. Read the post.
How to book high-exposure music gigs as an independent artist
Here’s the strategy I used to book high exposure music gigs opening for Rick Derringer, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Joan Jett, Fuel, and many others. This same method will work for booking gigs at local venues as well. Read More.
Use a SWOT analysis to focus your music marketing
A SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) is a tool used by some of the most innovative companies in the business world, and you can use it too. Read More.
5 things you should do before you seek a music licensing deal
These five steps might not be fun or glamorous, but they’re necessary if you’re serious about seeking a music licensing deal. Read More.
How cue sheets help you get paid for TV and film placements
A cue sheet is a written synopsis of the music used in a production and is one way to ensure all the stakeholders in a song are compensated adequately. Read More.
Managing conflict in a band
If you’re in a situation where there’s conflict in a band or among musicians you work with, the first step is to address it as a group so that all voices can be heard. Read More.
Copyright termination: McCartney, Duran Duran, and the YMCA.
Copyright termination is giving music artists the opportunity to reclaim the rights to their songs. The stories of Duran Duran, Paul McCartney and The Village People’s Victor Willis tell the tale. Read More.
Pricing merch for sales and profit
While pricing merch competitively is important, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. There are a number of other factors to consider if you want merch to be really profitable. Read More.
Five things to do before you sign that record deal
It’s easy to get caught up in the buzz of your music career taking flight, so here are five reality checks to ensure a record deal and label are a good fit. Read More.
Handling difficult people in the music business (and anywhere)
When you encounter difficult people – in the music business and elsewhere – it usually has everything to do with THEM and nothing to do with YOU. But sometimes, you still need to deal with the situation. Read More.