MUSIC INDUSTRY TO INDIES: "LET THEM EAT CAKE"

Yes, we will be comparing big music and media to the French aristocracy who lost their heads in the French Revolution. No, I do not believe it to be a literal comparison, but figuratively, it’s pretty darn close.

Google’s Eric Schmidt: “I would like to tell you that the internet has created such a level playing field that the Long Tail is absolutely the place to be — that there’s so much differentiation, there’s so much diversity, so many new voices.  Unfortunately, that’s not the case. What really happens is something called a power law, with the property that a small number of things are very highly concentrated and most other things have relatively little volume.  Virtually all of the new network markets follow this law. So, while the tail is very interesting, the vast majority of revenue remains in the head. And this is a lesson that businesses have to learn.  While you can have a Long Tail strategy, you better have a head, because that’s where all the revenue is. But when you get everybody together they still like to have one superstar. So, we love the Long Tail, but we make most of our revenue in the head, because of the math of the power law. And you need both, by the way. You need the head and the tail to make the model work.”

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What Are The Vegas Odds Of Success On Today’s Major Label Record Deal?

It is a known fact that getting signed to a major record label doesn’t guarantee success for an artist, but the odds greater or lower vs. staying indie? Moses Avalon explores the “Vegas Odds” of the record deal.

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Why Don't They See It?

I think we are all tired of hearing about how the music industry is a terrible business.

I get several email newsletters every day chronicling the steady, downward spiral of the major labels. These emails also report about infringers, pirates and the fact that you need more zeros than most simple calculators can handle to find your percentage royalty share from the much loved and hyped Spotify. Doesn’t anyone in the music business talk to people who have been through gut-wrenching changes before in related (or perhaps not related) businesses?

So what are the problems? Buying and consumption patterns of the customers have changed, the labels have lost control of pricing, and barriers to entry across the spectrum have evaporated (to name a few). When I see these problems which seem completely insurmountable, I think of two companies who have lived through this firestorm, and as of today, are thriving, globally dominant operations. The first is IBM and the second is Getty Images.

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Why All Independent Musicians Need A Mailing List

Mailing lists, one of the most under used tools of an independent musician. But why is this when major labels have been using it to good effect for so many years? It seems no one’s let the “little guy” know of the power of mailing lists, instead allowing them to carry on thinking social networking is the only way to effectively communicate with your fans online. However, this simply isn’t the case.

If you’re not sure why mailing lists are effective, here’s a quick summery:

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Indie Vs. Major: Which Record Label Contract Is Right For You?

A look at the pros and cons of both indie and major record label contracts as well as some of the common, yet most confusing terms used throughout the contracts

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Rock The Biz - Chapter 2 "Indie vs Major"

In this chapter the interviewed artists, labels and player in the music business talk about advantages and disadvantages of independent- and major labels. You can watch the all 11 chapters for free at www.rockthe.biz

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