Dealing with local music scenes these days is very challenging for management, booking, promotion companies or record labels. To be able to get any artist to the next level takes the being able to take a product and sell it to the public or other entertainment professional or company. Unfortunately the product is rarely worth buying or even helping anymore. Artists have this notion that “Without the music you have nothing” when dealing with professionals. While this is true to an extent, it’s not the whole story. We can hire songwriters that have a proven track record, hire musicians to record it and make our own successful bands that we own and control. We don’t need local artists with attitudes, no work ethic or drive to drag us down and not be productive. Unfortunately we all do what we love for a reason, it’s not always just being successful but for the satisfaction for seeing someone achieve their dreams so we keep diving into the murky waters of local musicians to find one that is worth partnering with.
The package has to be ready to go and that is the artists responsibility to get there. It doesn’t fall on anyone else’s shoulders to make this happen. There is no excuse anymore with all the free info out there that an artist can’t figure out the basics and make something happen to a big enough level that they become attractive to people who can help them get to the next level. Until that happens, it’s hard to get a manager, booking agent or anyone else to be excited about making 0% of 0% because they artist has created absolutely no demand for themselves. This is 15 years ago. The money isn’t there anymore so the artists chances of getting signed are slimmer if they don’t have an attractive market value. Here are some of the reasons that artists shoot themselves in the foot. This is by no means a comprehensive list. It is just some obvious points.
1. Not booking enough shows: I know most bands want others to do this for them but in truth and reality, the artist should be booking their own shows until they are gigging at least 80 dates a year regionally and making money doing it. Why would anyone want to waste time booking a band that isn’t willing to do it themselves, plus poor promotion and making a small percentage of absolutely nothing? There are no short cuts here. Pick up the phone and dial for dollars.
2. Poor promotion: Most artist spend almost no time promoting and usually post a gig once or twice on some form of social media expecting people to see it and show up on such short notice. This is absolutely pathetic. Especially when there are many members in a band and only one person promotes it. In no way shape or form is this acceptable, nor will anyone look kindly on an artist that does this. You don’t deserve to get paid at all if this is how you sell your band. Believe it or not, we all look at this and notice how well people promote themselves. Also this is not the only form or promotion needed. You still need flyers, advertisements and many other forms of promotion. It is not everyone else’s job to do all your promotion. When you are looking for opportunities with your gigs and no one shows up for your shows, you just lost any chance for you to get anything.
3. Misuse of Social Media: If all you do is complain about the venues, management or any other form of the music business, you are signing your death warrant. Again, everyone sees this and who would want to book you back if this is your level of professionalism. You are a business, act like it. Grow up and quit using your bands page to complain. If you want to do that, do it in private where we can’t see it. This is common sense that seems to have escaped many artists.
4. Spending time goofing off on Facebook: If you have time to post a million personal things on Facebook but can’t promote a show you aren’t serious about this business. Stop spending time goofing off and start making things happen for your music. Facebook is a great networking tool when used right. The excuse “I am so busy” is quite weak when we can see your profile. This goes for both sides of the business not just artists.
5. Not getting back to people: When you approach someone and ask for their advice, services or whatever else and then say you’ll get back to them but don’t. The usual excuse again is, “Sorry, I was so sick” or “I have been so busy” but again we can see your social media so if you are well enough or have time to do that, you are well enough to send an email at least. This also applies to when people offer you a show and you don’t get back to them.
6. Not doing your research: Approaching people about services they don’t even offer. This happens all the time. You see a business name and just assume what they do but don’t even research the company. You are wasting everyone’s time and showing how lazy and unprofessional you are.
7. Not taking gigs because you don’t have the money: “Sorry we don’t have the money to drive that far.” You don’t have the money to drive to open a new market but you do have money to buy beer, party with your friends, buy drugs, go camping or visit someone 3 states away. Again, your Facebook page gives this all away. If you aren’t able to be dedicated to your vision and dream then don’t even bother approaching anyone.
8. Not having an appropriate press kit: Everyone just about has been doing this long enough to know you need one. No matter if you are a band, solo artist or musician looking for extra work. Everyone should have a press kit. If you don’t no one is interested.
9. Sending one line emails saying you need representation: Again if you don’t have a press kit and I don’t mean Reverbnation or if you can’t take the time to type of a proper introduction/cover letter, don’t even bother. All you are doing is showing how lazy you really are. Be professional always.
10. Only being able to play weekends: We are all looking for bands than can tour, not just play every now and then. It’s hard to break a new market and build a fan base when you can only play one quarter of the year. Not only that you are competing with so many other bands for these bookings when weeknights are so much easier to get. This is why people with families often get passed by. It’s too hard to coordinate everything. We all make choices in life and once you decide to get married and have kids more often than not you aren’t able to be on the road enough. No one makes any money if you can’t play so they won’t sign you. It may not be fair but everyone involved has to pay their bills so why would anyone sign a band that can’t make them money? It’s not about the music when it comes to getting signed it’s about people making a living.
11. Expecting to work without a contract: First of all one of the first rules of the music business is always get a contract, so why you would you even consider asking someone to work with you without one? Why would a smart business owner work relentlessly to help you just so you can walk away with the success they brought you? Another agency comes along and offers you a deal and you go with them and there is no contract so there is no buy out clause to protect them. The current manager is totally screwed. I know the rap goes that the “business” people are the ones that screw over the artists but I know from experience that artists are fabulous about breaching contracts because they don’t want to pay someone. Are courts are full of artists being sued by companies for breach of contract it goes both ways. No one should EVER work without a contract period. No one should risk his or her business on a promise or handshake agreement. You will get screwed every time.
After years of doing this and dealing with all kinds of artists, the most common thing reason for artists not getting signed is the artist not being focused on their end goal. They spend money on things they don’t need such as alcohol, drugs or video games instead of putting it where it needs to go. To be successful means spending money on your career, missing friends because you are busting your but working and being on the road a lot. You expect your team to do it for you, to be focused on you and your career when you can’t even do it for yourselves. This makes no sense what so ever and nor should anyone involved themselves with an artist that can’t work as hard as everyone else.
These are also the reasons most artists will be let go by a professional company. More often then not, these reasons make it very; very difficult for anyone else to help you sell you or make anything happen for you. This is a business and the artist needs to treat it like one. Be professional at all times, work hard always and get focused. Quit blaming everyone else for what you are not doing for yourself.
Without having a great package to work with and sell, people just aren’t interested in not being able to make any money. It is the artist’s responsibility to build their business to an appropriate level before expecting or seeking help. Remember this is business and everyone needs to make money, not just the artist.
Good Luck!
David Lowry is the President of The Lowry Agency, a full service artist management agency that works with musicians, speakers, entertainers, actors and models based in Nashville, TN. David manages the musical careers of Brother Cane, Damon Johnson (Brother Cane, Thin Lizzy, Alice Cooper), Rob Balducci, Kris Bell and Mindset Defect. For more information please contact The Lowry Agency at http://www.thelowryagency.com.
Original post here: http://lowryagency.wordpress.com/2011/11/19/reasons-why-local-artists-dont-get-signed/
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