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By Boomy Tokan
Recording the complete album without market testing any of the tracks.
All
too often new artists record like the superstars; lock yourself away in some
nice bedroom, record the complete album and then go platinum. If you are recording
your first 2-3 albums, market test the tracks with your focus group as you
go along so that they can offer advice in a way that makes your album more
acceptable to the required audience. Once the whole album is recorded, making
changes that may produce improvements may not be possible or will require additional
extra financial costs. So Record and Test and then Record and Test again; then
finish the project with the support of key players.
Poor Album Theme.
What is the essence of the album? When I listen to the songs
what are they trying to communicate to the listener? Is the album an inspirational
album, a studio album, a DJ friendly album? What is the album genre? What other
artist are recording similar music and how does your new album fit into the
existing market?
An answer to such questions will help to think through the reason for the
project and aid the creation or sell literature such as press releases and
the like.
Some imagine that a good idea or theme is to have 10 different genre styles
on the one album. Such an idea can actually be detrimental, as the radio doesn't
know where to place the product and the shops don't know where to rack the
album. For the first three albums the artist/label should establish themselves
in the desired genre firmly!
Excessive or Escalating Recording Costs.
There are no two projects that can
drain money like the property business and the music business. People know
30 different ways you can promote your music for a fee but not many can offer
suggestions on how you can sell your music. Recording costs can sky rocket
if not managed well. Know what you want before you go into the studio. Practice
as much as you can before the recording dates. The recording studio is not
the rehearsal room. Many times people are working on a song in the studio where
the money clock is ticking! When you are getting new musicians and asking for
a live feel to the tracks know that it will cost money. Changing your mind
every now and again costs money. Working with incompetent musicians will cost
money.
A block booking is a better agreement for recording studio than an hourly
rate, which should be avoided like the plague. There are so many studios around
nowadays that getting a good rate should be much easier than it was even five
years ago. Also, working with a studio that has other add-ons such as distribution,
DJ contacts, label contacts, and promotion contacts is essential in reducing
costs and increasing saleability. Avoid creating an album that will never recoup
your costs.
Boomy Tokan a Music Business Expert says there are many
ways to make money with your music and build a lasting career in the music
business but you need to have the business "Know How". Visit http://www.musicbusinesstools.com for a free Music Business Management course Now!.
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