I Don't Need a Record Deal! : Your Survival Guide for the Indie Music Revolution

by SCHWARTZ, DAYLLE DEANNA

• ISBN13: 9780823079483
• ISBN10: 0823079481
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2005-06-01
• Publisher: Billboard Books

Summary

Thousands of people want to be recording stars, but lack a deal with a record label. While today's musicians have all the tools they need to build a recording career on their own-pro-tools for inexpensive recording and home recording, marketing on the Internet, and opportunities to license their music for use in films, television, advertising, and video games-they don't always have the skills to use them.I Don't Need a Record Deal!is a completely comprehensive step-by-step guide to the new world of independent recording. Drawing on interviews from over 150 musicians and industry pros,Schwartzshows readers how to put out a CD and market it through the media, radio, clubs, and retail. But more importantly, she shows musicians how to create a business around music and to develop opportunities for earning a living. Truly a survival guide for novice and professional musicians alike,I Don't Need a Record Deal!brings information on developing one's own independent music career together, adding new resources and taking the reader into the future of music. The only book that gives independent musicians everything they need to have a sucessful career Author's previous Billboard Books,Start and Run Your Own Record Label(0-8230-8433-7) andThe Real Deal(0-8230-8405-1) now in their second editions, sold 30,000 and 20,000 copies respectively in three years in their first editions Over 150 interviews

Author Biography

DAYLLE DEANNA SCHWARTZ is a music industry consultant, self-empowerment counselor, and successful author of many books including I Don’t Need a Record Deal and The Real Deal: How to Get Signed to a Record Label. She has appeared on more than 300 television and radio shows, including Oprah and Howard Stern, and has been quoted in many publications, such as the New York Times and Billboard. Schwartz lives in New York City.

Table of Contents

Introduction	15	(4)
Meet the Players	19	(13)
Why Be Independent?	32	(14)
You Can!	33	(5)
Taking Control	38	(3)
Major Label Exodus	41	(1)
Would You Take a Label Deal? Maybe...	42	(2)
Would You Take a Label Deal? No!	44	(2)
Do You Have What It Takes to Be Independent?	46	(12)
That Good!	47	(1)
Fame vs. Earning a Living	48	(1)
Flexing Your Indie Muscles	49	(2)
Giving It Your All	51	(3)
Balls!	54	(4)
Ask and Ye Shall Receive	55	(2)
The Powerful ``E'' Word: Embellish	57	(1)
Me, Inc.	58	(11)
Do You Wanna Make $$$?	59	(1)
Giving Your Product Value	60	(1)
Behaving as a Professional	61	(3)
Packaging with Care	63	(1)
Keeping Records	63	(1)
Creating a Plan	64	(1)
Getting Legal Protection	65	(1)
Arming Yourself with Knowledge	66	(2)
Insuring Your Business	68	(1)
Indie Teammates	69	(9)
Networking 101	69	(4)
Communicating for Success	71	(1)
Creating Alliances	72	(1)
Your Performing Team	73	(2)
Your Business Team	75	(3)
Mental Independence	78	(13)
Using Your Power Tool: Faith	78	(2)
Building Confidence	80	(3)
Everybody Doesn't Have To Love You	83	(1)
Hangin' In There	84	(5)
Creating a Support System	89	(1)
Stoking Your Musical Passion	89	(2)
Recording Independence	91	(6)
Going Into the Studio	91	(2)
Using New Technology	93	(1)
Recording at Home	94	(3)
Healthy Independence	97	(10)
Good Health = Prosperity	97	(2)
Beating Exhaustion	99	(1)
You Are What You Eat!	99	(1)
Controlling Alcohol and Drugs	100	(1)
Protecting Your Hearing	101	(1)
Avoiding Injury	101	(2)
Caring For Your Chops	103	(3)
Internet Health Resources	106	(1)
Indie Resources	107	(15)
Sponsorships and Promotions	107	(6)
Organizations	113	(6)
Songwriter Support	115	(3)
Local Support	118	(1)
Legal Support	119	(1)
Publications	119	(3)
Independent Street Marketing	122	(9)
Showing Your Fans Love	122	(2)
Free Music Samples	124	(2)
Street Team Power	126	(2)
Creating Opportunities	128	(3)
Creating an Indie Buzz	131	(21)
Buzzin'	131	(2)
Working the Press	133	(1)
DIY Publicity	134	(7)
Getting Radio Play	141	(7)
Promoting Your Tour	148	(4)
The Indie Store	152	(11)
CDs and Merchandise Pay Bills!	152	(2)
Marketing Your CD	154	(5)
Alternative Marketing	159	(2)
Keeping Track of Sales	161	(2)
Buzzing Online	163	(11)
Organizing Your Website	163	(3)
Selling CDs and Merchandise Online	166	(4)
Online Promotional Opportunities	170	(2)
Creating an Online Community	172	(2)
Marketing Your Talents for Cash	174	(12)
Branching Out	174	(1)
Getting the Jobs	175	(2)
Teaching	177	(1)
Session Work and Jingles	178	(4)
Music Production	182	(1)
Weddings and Bar Mitzvahs	183	(1)
Charity Projects	184	(2)
Songwriting Options	186	(14)
Protecting Yourself	186	(3)
Writing Songs That Sell	189	(3)
Making Contacts	192	(1)
Writing for Others	193	(4)
Getting a Publishing Deal	193	(2)
Cowriting	195	(2)
Songwriting Contests	197	(3)
Licensing and Other Music Income	200	(22)
Getting Started	201	(4)
Educating Yourself	203	(1)
Music for Free?	204	(1)
The Serious Biz End	205	(2)
Film and TV	207	(7)
Advertising	214	(2)
Video Games	216	(1)
Music Libraries	217	(3)
Alternate Markets	220	(2)
Performance Opportunities	222	(22)
Clubs	222	(4)
Performing Covers	223	(1)
Open Mics	224	(1)
Listening Rooms	225	(1)
College Markets	226	(6)
Children's Events	232	(1)
Festivals	233	(2)
House Concerts	235	(2)
Busking: Playing in Public Places	237	(2)
... And More!	239	(3)
Creating Your Own Venue	242	(2)
Putting Together a Domestic Tour	244	(20)
Lessons from the Road	244	(6)
Band vs. Solo	248	(1)
Should I Move to a Major City?	249	(1)
Written Agreements	250	(2)
If Only I Had a Booking Agent!	252	(4)
Finding Gigs in Other Regions	256	(4)
Getting On the Road	260	(4)
Tackling International Markets	264	(25)
What Music Works Where?	265	(4)
Songwriting Biz	269	(1)
Music Conferences	270	(3)
Getting a Record Out	273	(5)
Distribution	273	(1)
Licensing	274	(4)
International Touring	278	(7)
International Promotion	285	(4)
Some Final Advice	289