Originally Posted by
Lowd Mowf
Yeah, I guess I can share the obvious secrets.
This is for anyone who is hoping to get anywhere.
Some of these are obvious, and some are personal lessons - combined with what you already know.
- If you're and emcee/producer - don't try and get your songs heard. Its pointless. If someone likes your music, they'll listen. SHOP YOUR BEATS. I mean, to everyone with ears. Its waay easier to get your beats heard. Everyone is looking for hot beats - only A&Rs are looking for hot artists. Do the math, and boom.
- When networking with people, have a base price on what you're looking for. Example: The average mixtape hosting cost, for well known DJs, is somewhere between $1-3k. Yes, that -is- a significant amount of money - but you can cut it down. If you have in house production/mixing/graphic design - right there you're cutting your costs. You don't want to have to rely on people who might fuck up or push back your deadlines for a project.
- DON'T SHOP AN IDEA. No one cares if you're the first person to spit an entire song while standing on your head in the booth. You're relying on gimmicks if you do this, and that will get you nowhere.
- Your money will always talk louder than you. Period. Face it, and adapt.
- Don't try and ride coattails. Your man got a hot song? Local group starting to pop off? DONT ASK THEM FOR SHIT. They don't give a fuck if you want an edge - they JUST got in the door. Even if they want to, they can't do you any huge favors at that point. The best thing to do is align yourself with acts you respect, and support. When/If they begin to rise, they will gladly share the love with you. Asking after the fact is an obvious give-away that you're too lazy to wait, and thats not good business policy.
- Being no one, can be an advantage. If you haven't found your style, yet - or if you want to change your image to try and incorporate new parts of your personality. Being unknown will make these transitions much easier. If you're already working with a fan base of over 1-2k, you're going to find resistance. Use the time you have, as an unknown artist, to polish and tweak yourself - before presenting yourself in a public way.
- When you're asking for collabs with well known people, whether it be DJs/emcees/producers/clubs, always make sure to follow up. Don't ask a price, and then once you get it - leave it to collect dust while you get the money together. Once you finally get it, they'll have forgotten about you - or they'll be annoyed it took so long. Along with that....
- Don't shop an "almost finished" product. I hope I don't even have to explain the level of novice this depicts to whoever you're hoping to work with. Have a completed project to show them ALONG with the project you're hoping to have them feature on. Trust me, that goes a looooooong way.
- Don't make promises you can't keep/ Don't bluff the big boys. I know its tempting to embellish your fan base, or the accomplishments you have. Hell, its part of the game. But know that the people you look up to, got there by putting work in - and they're not going to be impressed that "Killah Priest left me a myspace comment."
- FREE SHIT. FREE SHIT. FREE SHIT!! If you have a show, don't leave home without that good ol' free shit. Especially key for people with a low fan base. You will find it hard to shop your little mix to people, even for $5 a pop. Make a sampler, with like 4-7 of your best songs/beats on it - and give it away. Watch sales double, and performance attendance increase almost instantly. Its a lot easier to convince someone to listen, if they don't have to come off cash at first. Make sure the sampler leaves them wanting more - and they'll come looking for the full shit.
- Ego. Have one. No one likes a fathead, true. But there is something to be said for a person who can make a claim and then live up to it. Don't brag, but don't sell yourself short. People who are good, know they are good - so if you're unsure, you're probably not there yet.
Thats all yall get for now.
Feel free to ask questions, or add your own advice.
I'll do my best to help all.