Networking on a Budget
get the opportunity to submit work for critique either to the group as a whole (I have won studio time and books this way), or to the rep in particular. I have had several demos picked up this way, and have even had some publishers approach me afterwards and ask me to submit material for their consideration (making you now solicited, not unsolicited material).
You may not get actually signed (I’ve had my share of that sort of heartache), but you do get the benefit of going through the process, and often get to meet many valuable contacts during the journey. Also, the more you get “out there” and submit material, the more confident you become, and the more you get an idea of what is needed for you to win that contract, or find a co writer or band simply by viewing what does get accepted and why others do not. Because of these exercises I now have a pretty good idea of how I need to write to create an interest-generating demo, but am still gathering information so I can learn to get past that to the next stage of actually signing a deal. I have at least gotten two licensing deals at this juncture, and a nice collection of open-door publishing contacts and rejection slips from major label A&R reps for my efforts. It’s a start, but it’s a constant learning process, and it’s often not the best, but those who persevere that “make it.”
ADVERTISE
Many communities have free advertising for musicians. Find out if there is a local underground paper—many have a musicians’ section that offers free short ads, and comes out weekly. For a small fee, you can often submit a longer ad, and rewrite it several times until you can say exactly what you need in as few words as possible. I bounce my ads off someone before submitting, too, and have been glad to have some embarrassing wordings exposed so I could change them before I sent them off for submission. The local music stores and music schools often have bulletin boards you can leave a message on to post your need for writers, musicians or your wish to barter services in exchange for studio time or musical duties—yours or others’. It is said that this is how Jimmy Page found John Paul Jones when he was looking for members for Led Zeppelin, so don’t discount
Latest Articles