Video Blog: Why Aren't North and South Carolina Artists Blowing Up?

So why aren't North and South Carolina artists blowing up? There is plenty of talent here, so what is holding us back? Let's See what DJ Chuck T. has to say by clicking the link below:

{{ DJ Chuck T Shares His View On The State of Carolina Hip Hop }}

How Much Does It Really Cost To Break A Record Main Stream? The Answer May Shock You!

So one of the questions I get asked the MOST frequently is how, and more importantly HOW MUCH does it cost to actually break a record main stream. And even though I have heard many answers to this question even to the upwards of $100,000, I was reading an article this morning that may interest you guys. Check it out below:


{Sourced from 'Makin It Magazine' 09/15/2014}

We asked a panel of seasoned radio programmers and industry professionals, “How much money does it take to start pushing a single?” After a few minutes of discussion about relationships and passion, we were presently surprised to get a very honest and straightforward answer from Sonja Norwood, music consultant and mother to R&B Super-stars Brandy and Ray-J.

Stating in very simple terms, she explained that artist should be ready to spend roughly $50,000 for phase one of their campaign. This means $50,000 should be set aside to cover your Publicists, Radio, Travel, Marketing, Promotion, etc for the first three months. That $50,000 does not include the production cost of the record (Beat, Features, Recording, Clearances, etc). That $50,000 covers the first 3 months and when that phase is complete you will need more money for phase two of your campaign.

When the words $50,000 left her lips, I could hear the hearts and dreams of independent artists across the room shattering in unison. The room stood still. Major labels and publicists have done such a masterful job selling people on these rags to riches stories that people neglect the years of hard work and small FORTUNES spent to make those successes possible. The truth is, most independents haven’t and will never spend $50,000 TOTAL on their music, let alone solely on promotion for a 3 month period. Instead, many jump from one “get-on-quick” scheme to the next, spending money on whatever sounds like the most popular option of the day. They scrounge together money for Worldstar, Livemixtapes, Radio Promo or Opening for Major Artists. They often spend the majority of their money on big ticket promotional gimmicks without ever having put together an underlying plan.

The purpose of this article is not to disparage any promotional service or dissuade artists from doing music. My intention is to simply open artists eyes to a very basic truth… YOU CAN NOT EXPECT $50,000 RESULTS WHEN YOU’RE NOT SPENDING $50,000! You have to understand how much it really costs to get the results you are looking for. Once you understand that, you can be realistic with your goals and spend your money much more effectively. Artists often come to us complaining about the money they've spent on publicists, shows and campaigns with other companies and how they didn't get anything out of it. When we start asking questions, it's easy to see the problem was less with the service than with how they used it or what they expected to gain from it. Often the campaign failed because they could only afford PART of a plan. You can’t look at a $50,000 campaign, decide to do one piece of it and expect the same results. Spending your entire $5,000 budget on radio but having no money for supplemental promotional material, Public Relations, DJ Servicing or traveling to the markets to support your record will not get you shows. Worse, in six weeks your song will be snatched from rotation and you’ll be left with nothing but some BDS reports and stories about that song you had on the radio.

In summary, independents often focus on the results they want with no regard to what they will need to invest to yield those results. This is why an artist can talk at length about wanting to get on the radio, paid shows and touring but then look dumbfounded when asked what their budget is. If you have $50,000 set aside for PHASE ONE, you’re in good shape, but If you don’t, you need to start re-evaluating your goals. Understand, it is possible to take the $5,000 you do have and help build your brand and position you for potential sponsors and investors. It is possible to take the $2,500 you do have and properly structure your business to secure a $50,000+ line of credit so you can finance your own project and keep 100% control and ownership. But these are all options you won’t think to explore as long as you keep operating in the dark about your budget.

- See more at: http://www.makinitmag.com/blog/how-much-does-it-really-cost-break-new-record-answer-might-shock-you#sthash.2GzlebPz.dpuf

Creating An Internet Presence - Digital Distribution

Hi guys!!

So we all know that the industry changes daily. The methodologies that worked in the 90's, no longer work in 2014. We live in a "hot pocket" society and in order to keep fans and create new ones, we have to make every thing EXTREMELY accessible. Basically, at your finger tips. Hence, why the digital world has taken over the industry. People aren't buying records as frequently any more, and many record stores have basically gone out of business. RARELY, nowadays do you see record stores, and long aisles with cd's in stores any more. Why? Because of the word, DOWNLOAD.

Downloading and streaming music is not only more convenient, as you can do it from home or a cell phone, it also makes choosing what you actually WANT to hear, even easier. You can download only the songs you want and leave the rest, as well as it being a lot faster. You no longer have to drive 10 miles to the nearest f.y.e to get your favorite track. Every thing again, is AT YOUR FINGER TIPS.

But before we go any further, let's make sure every one understands what Digital Distribution actually is. Digital distribution is the process of releasing your music online and placing your music in online retail stores. Unlike physical distribution, which is the placement of your music in actual physical stores such as Target, Walmart, etc, DIGITAL distribution is a lot cheaper, easier to get, and can help you get your music to a larger audience, faster. Literally, over night.

So how can a new artist on a budget get his music to the masses? How can an artist on a budget, who is NOT signed to a major label, still be able to make an impact online and reach his target audience new and old, without breaking the bank? Take a look below at an email I sent an artist who inquired about this with me just last night. The email below is a recap I sent to him this morning, to follow up our conversation. Mind you, though I'm GIVING you this information free, there are a lot of of people who make a living charging big bucks, as consultants, SELLING YOU this same info. Consider yourself privileged. ♥♥


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Hi Tyler!

So just to follow up on our conversation from last night here are the links that I think may give you a good jump start on creating an online presence. I went through the sites and got the links for you so you don't have to search for them.


Digital Distribution
Tune Core - This is the site I told you would create you an iTunes account for you in addition to other digital distribution outlets like Google Play, Spotify, Amazon.com, etc.

http://www.tunecore.com/


Press Kits (Electronic) -

If you were interested in creating the EPK we spoke about, here is a great site you can create one on without paying hundreds of dollars. EPK's run about 4 to $500. This will save you lots of money. In addition, there are several major industry heads who use this as well. Look at the samples, they are DOPE. They look like mini websites. And depending on how well you create yours, you may not even need a website in addition to this.

http://www.myppk.com/

Sample: http://www.powerpresskits.com/PPKs/indexC.aspx?PPK=3989


Reverbnation "PromoteIt"

Now, let's say you didn't want to use Tunecore, or MY PPK, you can always use Reverbnation. Reverbnation has a promotions department of it's own that does really well in regards to digital distro and press kits. Go to the links below and check it out. It's pretty neat.

You can get ad space: http://www.reverbnation.com/promote

You can get Digital Distribution (Includes iTunes): http://www.reverbnation.com/band-promotion/how-to-sell-music-on-itunes

You can get Press Kits: http://www.reverbnation.com/band-promotion/epk-electronic-press-kits

MTV Beta

Here is another artist site that can help build your online Buzz: With this site you can link your other sites, like FB, Twitter, IG, etc. so that when you click one, they are all tagged together making it easier to Google you. Because the real key to creating an online presence, is the ability to be able to "Sync" your sites and relevant information, allowing you to pop up in search engines, etc.

http://www.mtv.com/artists/about/

So! Hope this gets you started. I have tons more info and sites with ways you can create an online presence as well as how to get some major media placements on sites such as All Hip Hop.com, Hype Magazine, etc. And just remember, with the internet, you can LEARN ANY THING. All you have to do is put in the time. I spend some times 3 - 4 hours PER DAY researching and learning this industry. I'm up all night some times! That way, NO ONE can sell it to me. And you should do the same.  But! If you're still too busy after reading this, or is not internet savvy enough to figure this stuff out yourself, you should then hire some one to do it for you. Nowadays this industry is like 30% talent, 70% BUSINESS. Your best bet is to find some one who knows it.

Please call me if you have further questions. ♥

Vivian Cash| Indie Promoter| Founder, C.B.M