Author Tim Sweeney is head of Tim Sweeney & Associates, who are entering their 18th year of being, "the only true artist development company in the world."
Tim is one of the music industry's most sought after experts and consultants, and has written several influential books including "Tim Sweeney's Guide To Releasing Independent Records".
Send comments or questions to Tim Sweeney.
© Tim Sweeney
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Click here for a printer-friendly version of "Invest In Yourself Before Asking Others To Invest In You".
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One question that always comes up at Music Strategies that we always discuss in-depth is how and when to approach investors. For decades, artists have approached investors the wrong way.
Usually when a demo is done, an artist will approach a potential
investor with a copy of their music and business plan that is not based
upon Market By Market research but by using general statics of the music
industry and CD sales. Because of this, the artists either get a "no"
response or a limited amount of money that really doesn't help them
accomplish what they need to.
Before you go chasing after an investor follow this advice. Record and
release your own CD instead of merely making a three or four song demo. Forego
sending it to A&R at every major and independent label you can find
(whether they handle your style of music or not) begging for their
attention and a deal.
Understand that they are looking for artists with initiative. The Vice
Presidents of Marketing at these labels (the person who controls the
promotion and marketing of all releases) love artists that can help
themselves and with their campaign. All major label executives love
artists that have a sales history, and so do investors!
Investors prefer to fund artists that are showing consistent CD sales
and have built a sales history before contacting them.
Promote your CD and play shows before looking for someone to promote
your music. Push yourself and make the contacts. Most of the people you
are trying to get to help you can't promote your music as well as you
can.
So the moral of the story is, invest in yourself before asking others
to. Think of it this way, what are you saying about yourself and your
music if you can't invest in yourself?
Interested in learning what you need to do to attract investors? Check
out my books and services at at www.tsamusic.com If you are ready to take your career to the level, check out www.MusicStrategies.com.
Additional Columns by Tim Sweeney
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- And 54 more in the Guest Columnists series, view the index
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Vol. 17, No. 2: Feb.-Mar. 2012
