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Industry Basics

Getting started in the music business, career profiles, recording a demo, salaries, internships, self employment, funding for music projects, music contracts
Build a Music Press Database
The music business quick tip for success for the week of Sept 1 2008 involves building a music industry media database.
Work with a Music Industry Investor
If you're struggling to pay the bills in your music career, the thought of a music business angel or other music business investor can sound like a dream come true. That dream could turn into a nightmare really quickly if you don't give the whole deal careful consideration. Find out the pros and cons of working with a music business angel.
Concert Promotion Costs
If you're a music promoter, the cost of putting on a show obviously makes all the difference to your bottom line. Find out more about the concert costs you need to know about before you book that gig.
One Sheet Template
One sheets, or record sales sheets, are used by distributors to sell releases to stores. Information that could help the store sell your album should be included on the album sales sheet, as well as information the record shop needs to know, like the dealer price for the record and the formats. Find out how to put together a good one sheet that shows your music release in the best light possible.
Write a Music Funding Application
Getting a music project off the ground isn't cheap, whether you want to record an album, start a record label, or any other idea you have cooking. There is help out there in the form of music business loans and music business grants from arts councils (subject to where you live), but if you don't go about applying for music business funding the right way, you won't stand a chance of getting the cash you need. Find out how to write a music business funding or arts council application.
Music Business Loans and Grants: How to Spend It
If you're lucky enough to get funding for your record label or music project, you could soon find yourself in the red again if you don't make good choices about how to spend it. Find out how to prioritize your record label expenses, and the best ways to spend your music business loan or music business grant.
Apply for Music Business Funding
Paying for a music career is just about the hardest part of keeping the whole thing going. Bands, record labels, promoters, music managers, agents and often face a constant battle of completing their projects while paying the bills. But how you get your music business funding and what you do with the money makes a big difference. Find out what you need to know before you try to get a loan to start a record label or any other music business purpose.
Music Industry Investors
You've got the dream, the drive - now you just need the dollars. Getting music industry funding can make or break your music career, but it can be hard to know where to look. Find out about these common sources for music money to see which of these music investors is right for you.
Pay for Your Music Career
Deciding you want to work in music is the easy part. Paying for a music career? Now that's hard work. Find out about your different music business funding options so you can keep your music career dreams alive.
How to Shoot a Music Video
Music videos used to be the domain of major labels, with the budgets to shoot the videos and the pull to get them on MTV. That has all changed. Not only can you shoot a music video yourself for very little, there are plenty of new ways you can get your music videos to your fans. Find out how to become your own music video director and follow this step by step guide to recording a music video.
Managing Music Career Disappointments
Working in creative industries can be fraught with disappointments, and the music industry is no exception. The trick is to deal with the disappointments without losing track of your goals. Find out how to handle some common music biz bummers.
Find Music Distribution
Distribution is the key to getting your album in the stores, but finding it easier said than done. Find out how to get started and what to look for in a distributor.
Music Career New Years Resolutions
New year, new music career. Make this the year that you accomplish all of your music career goals - this article will give you the help you need to get everything on track.
Guest List Dos and Don'ts
Everyone is your best friend when you have control of the guest list, but managing it properly is important to building good relationships and getting your music heard by the people who can help you.
Make the Most of the Holidays for your Music Career
The holidays can be a hard time for independent bands and labels to get attention in the press, but that doesn't mean that all is lost. You can use the holidays to connect with your fans, while having fun and generating some interest from the press - find out how.
What's the Deal with the Internet Royalty Rate Debate?
You've no doubt heard a lot about the internet radio royalty debate, but you might not know the basics. Learn the facts so you can make an informed decision about this issue.
Music Business Rules - How to Get Ahead in the Music Industry
The music business is highly competitive, and getting a foot in the door can be notoriously difficult. If you have music business aspirations, however, there are a few things you can do to make yourself stand out from the competition. Following these rules can help you get noticed for all of the right reasons - give them a try if you want to get ahead.
What's the Difference Between Licensing and Distribution?
Many smaller labels are faced with a decision between licensing and distribution, especially when it comes to getting their albums out in foreign territories. What's the difference, and which one is better for you? Find out the ins and out, and the pros and cons.
Payola: Influencing the Charts
A look at the music industry issue of payola.

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