In the music industry today, everything, and I mean EVERYTHING is subject to change. So what does that mean for the music makers (artists, session singers, musicians, arrangers, producers, songwriters, studios and studio engineers, etc.)?
- Music will continue to be made. Where, how and with whom will change, but people’s listening ears will always want and need music.
- Free and pirated music is here and will stay problematic. However, music that an artist or label gives away always has a promotional purpose. According to a promotional plan, free music is used to create other income streams such as ticket sales and merchandise as well as to introduce the artist to larger fanbases who end up actually buying music.Therefore, music makers will still be hired and music will still get made.
- Session work from big publishing houses has fallen off. Musicians can no longer depend on most of their work coming from major publishers which have become vulnerable to inefficient business models.
- Major writers may find themselves with more indie cuts and less major windfall radio singles that play for years. New alliances and networking is vital; some of the old contacts are going out of business.
- Many music makers will need to have side businesses, day jobs or other multiple income streams. This does not mean, however, that they have to give up on music. They just have to consider fresh horses and re-think lifestyles and strategies.
- The cautious, safe (boring) music making of recent years needs to become braver, more creative, authentically passionate and experimental. Indie music and niche markets are becoming the new ‘major’.
I see the future of our business as bright for several reasons; a big one is that I believe we are moving from a market model of competition, bottlenecks and scarcity of top-40 radio play slots to an industry based on community, sharing of resources and an explosion of distribution possibilities.
One of the best places to learn current music business strategy is at Cartne.com.We have to keep up, or quit. I’m not done yet, and neither are you!
This is a well-written, timely post. You are right on track with your description of the changing music industry. It will take a different approach, new strategies, and a lot more work to achieve success in this new music business, but the opportunities are still there.
Interesting. I hope radio stations change with the industry. I'd love to hear more indie artists and more than the same few songs over and over for months.
This is an incredibly exciting time for musicians–and for listeners, too.My hat's off to you, Judy, for being so forward-thinking and for embracing these tumultuous times.If you don't read him already, I think you'll get a kick out of Seth Godin's blog. Marketing is changing, too–Seth is one of the new marketers and I find everything he says relevant to my projects–whether it's recording an album, writing an eBook, or building the songwriting blog one article at a time.Great article. I'll be back!
Forgot the url! http://sethgodin.typepad.com
Thank you all so much.. glad you are seeing this, too. Nicholas.. yes, I have been following Seth Godin for quite a while… a maverick voice of community, a creative genius in marketing and promotion and one of my heros.Mike, I had a feeling you would agree, because this is how you've taught me to do business, too. Leigh Ann.. I sooooooo feel ya, and would love that, too for my own bored ears! HA!
I agree, Judy. What you bring up is important matters. We have to rethink and adjust “the coarse” before it’s too late. Nothing will be like it used to. I’m not thinking of abandon Country Music, but I have a plan to do some changes. Maybe record fewer songs at a time also. I’m still unsure were to go, but I’ve put any recording plans for me on hold ‘til I find out how to bypass the problems we all face.
Thank you, Arne… yes, there are so many things we think we have to do the same way that we… don’t! Keep in touch… community antennae’s rock!