Surviving the Music Industry Jungle
Free Music Business Survival Guide Launched to Help Artists Take Advantage of the Digital Music Revolution
25 January 2010
Davenport Lyons has launched a new Music Business Survival Guide at MIDEM 2010.
When Davenport Lyons published the first edition of its Music Business Survival Guide back in 2005 it did not anticipate the enormous demand for copies. Now, with some 3,000 copies in circulation, the Guide has become an established reference guide for artists seeking a readable, straight-talking guide to the music industry. It has also proved popular with a wide range of readers throughout the music industry for its user-friendly overview of the commercial and legal side of the business.
Davenport Lyons is now publishing the second edition of the Guide to take into account the massive changes in the music industry since 2005. It now includes new sections on live performance, “DIY” distribution, “360”/ All-rights deals and brand tie-ins, whilst still covering the nuts and bolts of management contracts, copyright, collecting societies and recording artists deals.
David Gore, Head of Davenport Lyons’ Music department says, “The music business can seem like a complicated and sometimes cut-throat world to new artists. We wanted to ensure that they are aware of the potential perils and pitfalls and are able to make the most of the new possibilities which are offered by the digital world”.
To give a taster of the Guide, Davenport Lyons has produced the top tips below for artists drawing on the contents of the Guide.
TOP TIPS FOR ARTISTS
Band
Make sure your band name is not being used by another band anywhere in the world. There is nothing worse than building up a following only to find that you have to change your name due to a dispute with another band.
Managers
Never sign a management deal unless the manager has a really good reputation or you have positive and reliable feedback from other established artists they manage or from industry insiders.
Copyright
There is no need to register songs and recordings in this country for copyright to subsist as it comes into existence when work is recorded in a permanent form.
Publishers
If you are a songwriter, only sign your publishing rights to an established publisher with a network of sub-publishing arrangements in all the major markets.
Collecting Societies
If you are a songwriter, register yourself with a performing right society such as PRS for Music. If you are a performer, register with the PPL to collect your share of income from the broadcast and public performance of your recordings.
Funding
There are a number of organisations, besides record and publishing companies, that offer funding for all sorts of different music enterprises. A good place to start your search for the cash is the DCMS’s “Money Map”, which provides information on the funding opportunities. It is available on their website www.culture.gov.uk
Fans
Start building your fan base as early as you can through gigs, record releases, websites etc. In particular the social networking sites present a massive opportunity to spread the word. Always collect email addresses and contact details so you can keep your fans up to date - but make sure you comply with data protection laws.
DIY / Self Release
Try to get your music out to as many people as possible through as many channels as are available to you and make sure that any distribution agreements are short term (up to 12 months) and, if possible, are non-exclusive. Making your recordings available for digital download can be virtually cost free and can be very effective in generating both income and profile.
Live Performances
If you are a member of PRS for Music, then it may be worth signing up to their clubs and gigs scheme, through which you may earn public performance royalties even from your gigs at the local pub.
Insurance
You may want to consider insuring your instruments and equipment, especially whilst on tour. You may be surprised at the kind of deals some insurers are prepared to offer new bands.
Please click here to request your free copy.
