Breaking news: Music community helps members make money through community support

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Thedy at hitsamillion at gmail dot com

January 2, 2009, Hitsamillion.ning.com, an online music community, announces a ground breaking movement of members supporting members!

Imagine this: you’re an artist or artist manager or author and you've got an upcoming project (album, or book) and 5 members buy it, and then tell 5 people. Imagine this: you’re a songwriter who needs to build your catalogue but you need beats. Producers need their beats sold. You buy beats from the Hits producers and build your catalogue.

Or say you're a great musician, artist, songwriter and you're great at what you do, and you just need exposure. Imagine members sharing your profile and telling all their friends to check out your profile. Imagine learning something about the music industry, (i.e. write GREAT lyrics, engineer a song, create a flyer, trick out your profile, imagine members showing you perhaps at a discounted fee or for free if you do something for them. Imagine wanting/needing to talk to music industry professionals being able to meet with them online.

That’s the Hitsamillion.ning.com movement!

Thedy B, CEO of Hitsamillion.ning.com explains, "Hits A Million, the name, the logo, and bull's eye symbol in the logo is about getting to a targeted goal! Hits A Million is a movement that is about members of the music community helping each other!! Why start another online music community if the community doesn't act like one? I believe that if the members pool their resources together, they can help each other's career and their career goals. Hitsamillion.ning.com is that place where members will do just that."

With an office in Atlanta, GA but with national and international membership, Hitsamillion.ning.com is the NEWEST and HOTTEST online social networking spots for music professionals! Currently at over 1,000 members strong, hitsamillion.ning.com is quickly becoming the premiere social network for music industry professionals and is becoming a one-stop resource for recording artists, producers, songwriters, artist managers, DJs, music publishers, record labels, promoters, poets and all other music industry professionals in the music business.

"Catering to our members is our ultimate goal: Our members benefit from the many professional groups, activities, events, television programs, and forums we have on the site. The members love the site and refer new members to it all the time." "Hitsamillion.ning.com is a great site and I love making it the best it can be." Thedy B, CEO of Hitsamillion.ning.com


For more information about Thedy B, Hits A Million, LLC, and this awesome online music community, go to hitsamillion.ning.com.

Networking is not Jumping Jacks

I hear people say all the time, "I'm grinding." Yeah...? Really...? Are you...? Or are you really just doing jumping jacks: moving but you ain't going nowhere? Many people continue to do the same thing over and over again and wonder why nothing's changed. Yes, some things come through persistence. But dog, if you been doing the same thing for 10 years and nothing has happened, then perhaps you need to change what you're doing or take it up a notch. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing, expecting different results. Maybe it's time to stop doing jumping jacks, and start walking, no, sprinting to the next move in your music career!

In one of my earlier post, I gave you a total of 33 different physical places you can go to network and meet producers, songwriters, artists, demo singers, A & R professionals, new fans, and new businesses who are looking for you! But some people will read that information and then not do it. Some will read it and take off with the information, taking their career to the next level.

What are you going to do?

Thedy B
hitsamillion.ning.com

Next Hits A Million chat time is tonight at 7:30 p.m. EST!

As I mentioned, I have really enjoyed the conversation and networking that I've been able to have using the chat room on hitsamillion.ning.com! So we are doing Chat Time again. Chat time is a formal time where we get together network, listen to each other's music, get feedback, vote on each other's music and the winning tracks/songs get featured on the main page! So if you are free tonight, come join us on hitsamillion.ning.com

Hitsamillion.ning.com is making it happen for its members!!

It’s happening folks! It’s happening! On hitsamillion.ning.com, members are seeing some of their goals come true! Some are getting opportunities for radio airplay. Some are expanding their reach, their brand, and their audience by getting on-air interviews. Some are meeting producers and songwriters to help their artists or themselves put out their very first CD! Some are getting the information they need to grow as aspiring artists, songwriters, producers, engineers and record label executives. Some people are making sales! Some are finding people in their area or outside their small town environment. The members of hitsamillion. ning. com are seeing their musical goals come true and I’m happy to say I had something to do with that so I’m meeting my goal of positively affecting others’ lives! How are they doing it? The members are seeing their goals come to pass through networking! Remember all them posts I did on networking? If not, refresh your memory by checking out the month long blogs I did on networking. For real, come and check us out at hitsamillion.ning.com!

Thedy B

Starting your own songwriting or production team?

*** to see my latest blog, you may have to refresh your browser*****

I've done a week of blogs on songwriting and production teams. So my question now to all of you who write alone, are you ready to start your own production or songwriting team? If you are a songwriter or producer who writes alone and is now ready to start your own team, but don't know where to find the people that you need, then I'd suggest the following things:

1. Network!!!!! Check out all the blogs I did on networking as I think they will help you find the right members for your songwriting and production team. Go to some music conferences. Check out JaWar's blog which lists over 25 upcoming conferences on mymusicconnection.blogspot.com. Please do attend one or more of these conferences, which are located all over the U.S.! Interestingly, it's from attending music conferences that I in fact found people in my own city to collaborate with, network with, find out about other events, etc. So again, get out the studio and network, network, network!


2. Find talented, business-minded, serious members who you'd enjoy working with! Well if you just met someone at a music conference, how do you know if that person fits that criteria? Well, do you see them out at multiple events, including music conferences, beat battles, open mics, industry events or a host of other networking places that I've mentioned in previous blogs? Do they have industry contacts? Have they been referred to you by someone who can vouch for them or by someone you know? Have you heard them sing (if they are a singer), heard their songs, heard their lyrics, their production work? Do you like what you heard? Does the person have business cards? Does the person have a CD of their work? Do they have a serious web presence? Are they currently working on their craft? Or are they constantly out partying, chilling, watching television, chasing women/men, etc? You can tell if a person is business minded and serious by listening to the person's conversation: what do they talk about the most? Don't just believe someone who says their "grinding" (an overused, misunderstood term in my opinion). Watch their work ethic which says more than their tongue service! And check the person's character and their personality and see if it meshes with yours or compliments yours.

3. Once you find those individuals, establish some rules. I gave you two days worth's of do's and don'ts to help you get started with setting a foundation for your songwriting/production team. Since you've found talented, business-minded individuals, there should be no problem with establishing some parameters!

4. Set up a schedule for when you will meet.

5. Meet and work with each other for awhile (I'd suggest no fewere than 6 months together), and then if the fit is there, meet with an entertainment attorney, see about going into business with your new members, and set up the right corporation for your production or songwriting team.

6. Then make great music together!

Thedy B, Attorney/Songwriter
Hits A Million, LLC
hitsamillion.blogspot.com
Interviewed.blogspot.com
Musicpanels.blogspot.com
Mobilemusicbusiness.blogspot.com
Musiclabels.blogspot.com
globalmusicbusiness.blogspot.com

Songwriting Courses

Here's another great way to network: participate in online music and songwriting courses!!!! Join other people as you learn to take your craft to the next level. In fact, songwriters, musicians, and artists are now having to go indie and wear multiple hats. You've heard that an artist has to be a triple threat to stand out (triple meaning sing, dance and play, or sing, dance, and rap). Now everybody in this music game has to in some way wear multiple hats.

So if you simply a songwriter or musician, why not learn how to do some of the things you wait on others to do when you're ready to record? If your songs aren't getting raving reviews or people willing to pitch them, then perhaps learning a little more about the songwriting craft will help you! Stop waiting on others: take your own music career in your hands, and educate yourself!

So if you want to learn how to write a hit song, learn to play an instrument online, or learn how to mix online, then keep reading! You can take some weekly lessons from your home and start playing an instrument! It's not too late. You also save money from not having to pay others to do now what you can do! You can study when you want and how you want. Check out this online songwriting, music instruction, music theory and mixing courses:

1. MusicianUniversity.com Songwriting Courses
2. MusicianUniversity.com Piano Courses
3. MusicianUniversity.com Guitar Courses
4. MusicianUniversity.com Bass Courses
5. MusicianUniversity.com Mixing Course
6. MusicianUniversity.com Music Theory Basics Course

Check out my other blogs and go mobile, go global, watch interviews and listen to music panels! A list of my other blogs is located at bottom right of this blog!

Thedy B,
Attorney/Songwriter
Hits A Million, LLC
myspace.com/hitsamillionllc

The Do's and Dont's of Networking in Music Forums

(c) 2008 all rights reserved



If you like reading my blogs, subscribe today and tell a friend!

In my prior blogs I gave you over 40 tips on the do's and don'ts of networking in the music business. Check out those prior blogs. Now, here are the do's and don'ts of networking in music forums.

1. Do post your ad on a social networking site. Don't overpost or you will most likely be flagged or banned for spamming. Most sites have a limit on the number of times you can post your advertisement so if you want to stay on the site and want your ads to stay up on the site, don't overdo the posting of ads. But do post some if allowed.





2. Don't simply go into forums just to post your advertisement. Actually meet people. Become part of their discussion. Ask questions. Be sociable!








3. Do start your own forum topic. Then invite others to discuss that topic with you. Before you start your own topic though, I do suggest doing a search in the forum section of a site to see if someone else has started a forum on your topic. People hate duplicate forum topics. Some sites will even delete your topic if someone else just posted a similar topic.







4. Do put your website and/or contact information in your signature line. Doing this is another small step in helping people find you and find out about your music.







5. Don't abandon your forum. If you post in a forum or start your own forum, remember to go back to it. Check and see if someone has responded. Follow up on comments and questions.









6. Do go into relevant forums. This is related to tip #3. Find forum websites that cater to musicians, songwriters, artists, fans, etc.







7. Do google music forums and find new ones to join. A simple google search will likely turn up hundreds, if not thousands, of music forums to choose one.








8. Don't post in unrelated forums. Please don't go into unrelated forums just to talk about your music. Your music has a specifically targeted niche. Find your niche and stick to it.








9. Do invite the people in the forum to contact you. If you are posting on the right website and posting on the right topic, invite the people in that forum to contact you directly. If, as in tip #4, your website and contact information is in your signature, they can easily contact you.




10. Do post. That should be self-explanatory but many times people "lurk" on forum topics and never post. Perhaps you simply don't have anything to say but perhaps you do. The people that go to forums like to talk, discuss, meet and network so don't be afraid to post. You might even post just to say you've been enjoying the conversation and let that be it.






11. Do try to keep what you say positive. While controversy is sometimes good, you want to attract the right people so keep your conversation positive if at all possible. That is, if you are going on a forum to network.






12. Do find out what others need and offer your services or products. If the site allows you to post your website or advertise, then by all means do it!




13. Do read the terms of service for the forum. You'd be surprise what actions some sites will deem as spam, offensive or objectionable and will ban you. Some sites won't even let you put certain things on their sites to advertise. Your only choice then is to not join that site, leave the site, and find another site that is less restrictive. (I'm about to put one website on blast so keep reading!)







14. Start your own forum website!!!! Bring people to you! That way you can make your own rules. You know people are interested in what your site has to offer. You can post as many ads as you want.




15. Do have good, accurate information. When you provide good, relevant content (as I heard JaWar say all the time, content is king), people will naturally gravitate towards you and the information you provide. So make sure what you say is good and accurate. Adding to the conversation and not taking away from it.




16. Do keep your post short (I violate this rule all the time (:-)) If you keep your post short, people are likely to read it.




17. Do allow others a chance to post their comments. If you over-comment, you will be perceived as argumentative or abrasive.









18. Do spell check. Do use proper grammar and proper punctuation.








If you like reading my blogs, subscribe today and tell a friend!

Thedy B, Attorney/Songwriter


Hits A Million, LLC


myspace.com/hitsamillionllc - network with me!


hitsamillion.ning.com - network online here!

ASCAP Writer's Roundtable - Part 2 (the Scoop)

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Here's why I say you need to get out the studio some and network. And yes you can network because I've given you over 40 tips on the do's and don'ts of networking at music conferences, the do's and don'ts of networking via email, upcoming music conferences where you can network , explaining why networking is important, how it's helped me, and gave you over 30 places where you can network.

In my last blog, I told you that I would reveal what was said during the songwriting panel at the ASCAP Writer's Roundtable, which was held on March 6, 2008 at the Robert Woodruff Library Exhibition Hall at Clark Atlanta University. Okay, so here it is:

1. Publishing - much was said about this subject, a subject that is near and dear to the hearts of all songwriters.

• If you can wait, wait. Most of the songwriters suggested that you wait before getting a publishing deal. In particular, wait until you have a single and wait until the publishers are coming to you asking you for a publishing deal. The reason behind this advice was so that you can get a better deal. Having a single will provide you better bargaining power. If you instead only have album sales, you still can get a publishing deal but the publisher will most likely not give you the best publishing deal because you don't have a single. By album sales, I mean you have a song on someone's album and you have sales only because people bought the entire album, but your song wasn't released as a single.

• If you need the money, then do the deal. Depending on how desperate you are in terms of money, you should decide on whether to sign a publishing deal or not. Again, if you can wait, then wait.

• Sign a publishing deal that requires the least amount of published songs. Johnta Austin, one of the panelists, mentioned that publishing 10 songs a year or even 4 songs a year is still a lot of songs. Why? Because most publishing contracts require that you publish a certain number of whole songs. If you collaborate on the song with other writers, then you only get credit for your portion of the song. So if you and a 3 other writers wrote a song, then you'd only get credit for writing 1/4 of a song. You still have 3 3/4 published songs to go. If you use samples of a song, you may also have to share a portion of your song with the original artist and that will again, cut into your credits. I say may because RL indicated that he refused in one instance not to give up part of his publishing to a producer who unilaterally chose to use a sample in his music to which RL wrote the lyrics and melody. Since RL didn't make the decision to use the sample, he refused to allow his portion of the publishing to be diminished because a sample was used. Plus, the publishing contracts require that the songs be published. Since the number of albums being put out are diminishing and the number of artists are too, then getting your required number of songs published is harder than it was previously. For these reasons, the panelists suggested songwriters sign a publishing deal which requires the least amount of songs.

• Be sensible about the amount of money you are requesting in your publishing deals. Why? Because first, you only get paid after recoupment. Publishing contracts are essentially loans that you must pay back. You only get paid after the publishing company recoups the money loaned. So with that in mind, the panelists recommended that you make sure you only get the amount you need and don't spend your advancement on frivolous things yet.

• Publishing contracts have bonuses in them. There are bonuses in some publishing contracts that will reward you if your song is ranked, and the length that it is ranked, and I think also if your song is placed with major artists. They all said they liked the bonuses.

• Artists may try to get a portion of your publishing. They indicated that some artists will attempt to get a portion of the songwriter's publishing. Artists will sometimes ask to get a writer's publishing because of the artist's reputation or because they want to be seen as part of the writing team, and/or because they want some of the publishing money even though they didn't write any of the song. So the panelists recommended that you consider the source of that request. If the artist is major and you know that your song will be a single, then perhaps giving up a portion of your publishing will be worth it. Johnta Austin and Manuel Seal both said that even if you gave away all your publishing to a major artist, you will still win because your name is on the song and your name on the song will now lead to other songwriting opportunities. However, they indicated that if the artist is just starting out, is not signed, etc, then there may be less of a reason to give up portions of your publishing.

• People get publishing deals because they are scared. Lyfe Jennings said that. He said people get publishing deals because you are scared of what to do with your success and the money. He suggested having a plan for what you are going to do with the money that you get from a publishing deal, such as investing it into real estate or a business.

• In addition to keeping your deals to the lowest number of songs, keep the number of years of the publishing deal low too. Lyfe Jennings said that he was in a three-year publishing deal which he liked because afterwards he can do his own thing. He doesn't need the publishing deal after that.

• Know why you need a publisher. New writers need publishers because they don't know anybody in the business. They don't have direct access to major artists. They need help with getting placement of their songs. They need better relationships. However, once you become a seasoned writer with some hits, you then have direct access to major artists. The artists themselves will call the writer asking to write with that writer. No in-between person is needed then. At that point, the writer needs a publisher just to exploit the copyright to its maximum by getting the song licensed to say film, ringtones, overseas, etc. So know what you need and why you need it.

2. Writing - the essence of what we do!

• Write real records! By that, each panelist meant that you as a writer should write songs that you can feel. (This goes back to my three key elements needed to write a hit, one of which was that the song had to be heart-felt).

• Write songs that are timeless. Don't "date" your record by simply writing songs that are going to be hits now. Johnta Austin noted that some songs, when they are timeless, may not be hits at the time the song comes out. But because the song is timeless, it still has the potential to become a hit. He gave examples of Lyfe Jennings' CD which during its first week sold only 3,000 copies but is now a platinum album. He also cited John Legend's album as another album that didn't have a lot of sales the first week out but because it was a good album, has sold millions of copies and go on to win various awards.

• Real, timeless records will always in the end win. Johnta Austin noted that because Clive Davis believed in Alicia Key's talent and sound, he kept her with just her piano and vocals without the use of rappers on the track. They said so don't succumb to writing songs that are dated or try to keep up with the times just to stay relevant.

• Hit records consists of: a great melody, great lyrics, a good song concept, great production, great performance of the song, believeability of the song, and a team who believes in, and works, the song, according to Manuel Seal. He said that a great performance of the song where an artist really believes what he's singing and the song is ringing true to the artist will make a good song a great song. He said that it used to be that artists were really worked in the studio on making the song believable and making sure the artist felt the songs they sung. I recently saw an example of this when Sean "P. Diddy" Combs refused to allow the men from the Making of the Band IV (or Day 26 as they are now known) to go into the studio and record until the men became passionate about what they were singing about. P. Diddy got the guys a vocal coach, Ankra, not because they were off key, or needed vocal training, but to help the fellas connect with the song and with their audience.

• Write simple words and hooks: Atozzio said that he had to simplify his lyrics to keep up with the times. He noted that at times he wrote a more catchy hook by simpling repeating a line. Lyfe Jennings said that his hardest problem with writing was saying more but saying it more concisely.

• Reseach your song concept idea: Cri$tyle said that she researches her song ideas before writing the song. She studies whatever she is writing on so that she can clearly and effectively write a song about say, water. For her, researching helps her creativity. And I agree. I recently wrote a song about a subject that I myself wasn't familiar with but always wanted to know. I researched the subject by going to Wikipedia. It helped my creativity.

• Spark your creativity: Cri$tyle indicated that she prays before writing every song. Atozzio and Johnta Austin related that their songs sometimes come from his experiences or from things they simply wanted to say but couldn't. Lyfe Jennings indicated that he tries to put himself in the song as well as think of other people who are also going through the same situation and how they must feel. RL said that sometimes because writing is so personal that sometimes its a writer's therapy so don't be afraid of what content comes out during difficult times. He indicated that the songs he wrote while going through a divorce were all related to those feelings. I laughed in agreement to this statement since I was recently looking at the slant that all my recent songs were taking and thinking they all dealt with one subject, love.

• Write and then move on. Cri$tyle indicated that she would mistakenly marry her songs. By that, she explained she meant that she couldn't write another song because she was still worried about the last song she wrote. She knew that the last song she wrote was great so she worry about its placement and what everyone else was doing with that song, instead of just writing. I could definitely relate to that as well! Write, give the song to your publisher, let them deal with the particulars, and just keep on writing!

3. Building business relationships - each person opened up the panel discussion by talking about how they got started in the business. Inevitably it all boiled down to meeting the right people.

4. Humility- All of the artists expected greatness from themselves but they were so humble. Cri$tyle was the most humble as she said several times that she felt so blessed to just be able to write for the people she has been able to write for. When asked does she get upset or feels it is unfair that a track is being given to her as well as to other more seasoned writers who have the ability to directly talk to the artists and find out exactly what the artist wants to talk about, she said no, she doesn't get upset. Instead she expressed her gratitude about even being considered in the same category as these writers to get the same tracks they get. She said that as a new writer, she understands paying her dues. She understood that she doesn't have the business relationship with an artist that say a Johnta Austin has since he's been in the business much longer and has written for so many different people and has some awards and hits under his belt. So the point is, be humble, stay humble.

Thanks for reading! And remember, if you like reading my blogs, subscribe today and tell a friend!

Thedy B

Hits A Million, LLC

myspace.com/hitsamillionllc - network with me!

hitsamillion.ning.com - network with others!

25 or More Places to Network

(c) 2008 all rights reserved

In previous posts, I've given you over 40 tips on the do's and don'ts of networking at music conferences, the do's and don'ts of networking via email, upcoming music conferences to network at, telling you why networking is important and how it's helped me. Now I want to give you some physical places that you can network as a songwriter, producer, engineer, musician, artist, band, group, and music executive. Some of the places noted below are typical places but some are not typical. Later I will provide some more general places online where you can network.

• music conferences - look for ones in your area, in other cities, and even abroad. Read my prior blogs and JaWar's blogs at atlantashowcase.blogspot.com and mymusicconference.blogspot.com for details on upcoming conferences.
  


• music seminars - look for local groups who are putting on one-day events. Read my prior blogs and JaWar's blogs at atlantashowcase.blogspot.com and mymusicconference.blogspot.com for details on upcoming conferences.


• talent showcases - again you can find artists, producers, A & R folks, etc at these events. In fact, I just bumped again into Bryan-Michael Cox, Kawan KP Prather, DJ Nabs, and some of the other panelists from Patchwerk's Music University that I attended in January at Rovella William's Almost Famous Artist Showcase. You just never know who you are going to meet at these events. JaWar again has a complete list of talent showcases at atlantashowcase.blogspot.com and mymusicconference.blogspot.com.

• open mics - you might get a hodge podge of folks at this event but it still may be worth your time. I'd choose the ones where people have to audition to perform over just simply an open mic but still it's better than nothing. Read JaWar's blogs at atlantashowcase.blogspot.com and mymusicconference.blogspot.com for details on upcoming open mics.
  
• open auditions - American Idol auditions usually bring out hundreds of thousands of folks! Sometimes I wonder where all these people are at when the music conferences come to town! Seems everyone wants to sing, and not many want to learn the business! Then folks wonder why they get taken! Okay, I'm off my soap box but network at these events; learn the business at music conferences or again read books on it.


• beat battles - these are cropping up all over the U.S. for producers. As a songwriter needing producers, I'd definitely check this event out. Producers and songwriters are always looking for each other.


• clubs - I personally don't typically go to clubs. But if you want to network with DJs, you've got to go to the clubs to find them to get your music played there.


• music industry parties - join some of the newsletters to find out where and when these events will take place or read JaWar's blogs at atlantashowcase.blogspot.com and mymusicconference.blogspot.com


• performance right organization's parties, especially the special event parties such as holiday parties.

• songwriter organization parties and events, ex. NARAS puts on different events such as meet the producer or songwriter events, or host special parties to recognize their members.


• record pool events - there have already been two of these this year.

• DJ conferences - another great place to meet DJs and get them your material.
  
• Film and TV conferences - since you want placement in film and TV, this is an excellent place to network. Don't forget indie film and TV.

• New Media/Digital Music Conferences - the music biz is changing - stay up on the game.

• Mobile Phone/Mobile Website conferences - folks we are moving into mobile - network with phone companies about getting your music put into mobile phones.

• Award shows - if you live in LA, there are always award show events being held there. Go to some of them. At the very least you can meet and make some new fans of your music. You might even meet some people in the industry.

• Networking events outside the music business - since it seems everybody is a rapper/producer/singer, you're bound to meet other music creators at other networking events. I met a producer and singer and a woman needing a songwriter at a Millionaire Mind Intensive seminar.

• Karaoke bars - if you are looking for demo singers, this may be a spot to check out. Plus, by doing karaoke, you know that they don't mind singing for cheap (:-O
  
• Studios - here's the place where you can meet engineers, mixers, producers, professional demo singers, artists, etc. Plus some studios will have their own events that they put on. Patchwerk is one of the studios that does events from time to time.
  
• Concerts - haven't we all seen the "flyer guy" at the doors of a concert passing out flyers? You can do the same thing with your CDs and make some fans of your music.

• Music retail stores - are you kidding?! You can meet plenty of musicians, producers, engineers, DJs, songwriters, etc. at these stores. Plus, just meeting the people behind the counters who know how to work the music equipment you're about to buy is good enough reason to go there and network!
  
• Bookstores - in the music section of the book store are learners and students of music just like you!
  
• Colleges & university - Sometimes colleges, universities, law schools and even high schools have music business departments and music business groups which put on music conferences and seminars. Sometimes you may want to just go when there is not a conference, just to meet the professors and network with the students.
  
  
• Trade shows - like NAMM, NARM, NAB are good trade shows where you can network with music merchandisers. Digidesign in fact will be at NAB (April 14­-17, 2008) in Las Vegas.

• Radio Broadcaster Conferences - this will help you not only meet radio personalities, but you'll also get some good tidbits on what PMs are looking for.
  
• Gamers Conferences - since more and more music is being placed in games, you want to attend these events as well.

• Targeted Niche Conferences - go to conferences that will also help you learn what your particular niche is wanting and buying. For instance, Billboard is hosting a number of conferences this year which target teens and men.

• Record label parties - there are plenty of record labels that host events introducing either their label or their new artists. I recently attended one of those in December and met a lot of great industry folks who came out in support of the new production team, or artist!

• Producer parties - Sometimes producers will open up a new club, a new restaurant, or showcase their new signed artists. Check out those events.

• Magazine parties - I was invited out to a party being sponsored by a magazine and many, many industry people were scheduled to come.

• Music festivals - if your city or a surrounding city hosts things like music festivals, go! Make some new fans by passing out your CD. Find out who is putting it on and see if you can open up.

• Basketball/baseball/football games - arenas are always looking for groups to sing the National Anthem. Perform that song, then pass out your CD. Your name and group gets out and so does your music.

• Clothing stores - I heard this tip from JaWar - stores play background music all the time. Network with clothing stores and see if they will play your music or mix tape.

Want to know where to find some music conferences, showcases, open mics, and when they will be held? Check out my prior blog posts on upcoming conferences and JaWar's blogs at atlantashowcase.blogspot.com and mymusicconnection.blogspot.com

Thedy B
myspace.com/hitsamillionllc - network with me!
hitsamillion.ning.com - network with others!

Network Anyway - Pt. 2

I've dedicated the past two weeks of blogging on networking. And some of my readers may be saying, but I don't feel like networking. In my last blog, I said network anyway! But the question is how do you network anyway when you don't feel like it? Here's some affirmations to help you when you don't feel like networking:

1. When you hear yourself ask, "When is my big break going to come?" Just tell your mind, "Some things happen when we least expect them to." Tell yourself, "when it comes, it's going to be great!"

2. When you feel like quitting, tell yourself, "action is rewarded." Tell yourself, "keep it moving!" Tell yourself that you've come too far to quit now. Tell yourself that if you quit now, then all the work you've done will be in vain. Tell yourself that quitting is not an option!

3. When money becomes an issue, tell yourself, you really can't afford to not network. Tell yourself, "I am investing in myself. I am investing in my career. I'm investing in my dream."

4. When you hear yourself say you hate to network, tell yourself that you love what you do, regardless of its ups and downs, its advantages and disadvantages, its rights and its wrongs!

5. When you get tired of meeting new people, tell yourself that your big break may be just one person away.

6. When you feel like you are tired of traveling to network, tell yourself that you are making a name for yourself. Tell yourself that at the very least you are seeing places you've never seen before.

You may get tired of the grind sometimes. But keep on grinding, mashing, pushing forward, seeking, expecting, anticipating, and loving what you do. Don't give up now! So network, network, network!

Thedy B
myspace.com/hitsamillionllc - network with me
hitsamillion.ning.com - network with other songcreators.

Your Network Determines Your Networth!

Networking is so important! At a recent songwriting conference, I learned that success in the music business is 33% talent, 33% hard work, and 33% relationships. Those percentages are true for any field, not just music. In fact, Peter Drucker said, "More business decisions occur over lunch and dinner than at any other time, yet no MBA courses are given on the subject."

T. Harv Iker is the best-selling author of The Secrets of The Millionaire Mind. You can google his name but essentially, he was born to immigrant parents. He started working at age thirteen because his parents were poor. He was able to go to college but left after one year to study how to become a millionaire. He started several business, and in two years became a millionaire! I was recently listening to The Millionaire Files CD that I got after attending the Millionaire Mind Intensive and heard T. Harv Iker and one of the millionaires he was interviewing say, your network determines your networth!

Your network determines your networth! He also said that you can predict where you will end up financially by looking at the people you hang around. He said that your income will be within 10% of your closest friends' income. So the old adage, birds of a feather flock together is still true.

Think about it: we have seen a number of celebrities lose what they had because of the people they choose to hang with, the people they choose to marry, the people they choose to learn from, and the people they choose to emulate. So we have to pick and choose who we want to hang with and work with if we want to be successful.

So if your circle of friends and associates aren't bringing you closer to where you want to be, then I suggest you enlarge your circle! Meet people! Meet people! Meet people! Network! Network! Network!

As I said over and over, get out of the studio, start networking more, and attend some upcoming music conferences. If your networking skills need some help, learn how to do it! I suggest reading my blogs on the do's and don'ts of networking at music conferences, the do's and don'ts of networking via email, and purchasing some of the recommended books on networking. But network, love, network because your network determines your networth!

Thedy B,
Hits A Million, LLC

The Do's and Don'ts of Networking - Part 3

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In my last two blogs on the do's and don'ts of networking at music conferences and via email, I gave you over 40 tips on how to effectively network in the music business. I've also shared with you my own personal success story about how networking has continuously changed my songwriting career. Because I believe you can never know too much, continue honing your networking skills! Continue building your songwriting library! So, in addition to buying some of the melody and lyric writing books as well as music business books, music production books, music publishing books, and music industry resource books, buy and read one or more of these well known, inexpensive, and practical networking books:


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Think you got great networking skills already? Then register to attend and network at this music conference!!! Click on this image for more information!

Again, if you like reading my blogs, subscribe today and tell a friend! Thanks for reading.

Thedy B, Attorney/Songwriter

Hits A Million, LLC

myspace.com/hitsamillionllc - network with me!

hitsamillion.ning.com - network online here!

The Do's and Don'ts of Networking through Email

(c) 2008 all rights reserved

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In my last blog, I discussed the do's and don'ts of networking at music conferences. This blog, however, is dedicated to the do's and don'ts of networking in the music industry through email. Though some of these networking rules are really simple, I know personally that they are often broken. And yes, some of what I'm saying I'm repeating because the same rules of networking that apply at music conferences, seminars, talent showcases and open mics also apply via email. However, some rules do differ for email correspondence. So here are the do's and don'ts of networking via email:


1. Do say hello first. Don't be so eager to approach a music executive with your burning question or request that you don't say hello first.

2. Do say hello. "Yo, mami, papi, sweetie," won't cut it! Slang is not cute when first approaching a stranger, whether it's in person, phone or email. If using slang is a part of your "act" and a part of your show, great: Use it during the show, not in email communications to business professionals unless you already know the person.


3. Do include a unique subject. Busy music executives get a lot of email. If you want yours to be read, try including a unique subject that will get the reader's attention.


4. Do state the email recipient's name. Saying a person's name is universally accepted. Using that person's nickname or pseudonym is acceptable too. Alternatively, you can never go wrong with just saying, Hello, Mr. or Ms. _______, and use their last name. Remember rule #2 - do not call someone "mami, papi, sweetie." If you don't remember the person's name, see if the person's name is included in the email address, ask other people who went to the music conference for it, or keep the brochure/pamphlet/agenda that you received at the music conference and look for the person's name on it. If that doesn't help, try googling the name of the business and see if the person's name comes up. Or call the business and ask the receptionist for that information. If none of that helps, simply say hello and introduce yourself.

5. Do introduce yourself. You can say, "Hi, my name is ____. I'm a __________. My company/band/group is ________. I met you at __________. And my question is ___________ or I was wondering if you would do ________ or tell me _________. Letting people know where you met is a good way to break the ice. However, if you meet someone in person again, please do not say, "do/don't you remember me?" It puts the person on the spot and makes them uncomfortable.

6. Do keep your introduction short. No one wants to know everything about you during an introduction. It's just an introduction, not story telling time. Keep it simple sam mie is still a good rule of thumb. Anything too long will have the opposite effect: instead of you looking like a professional, you'll look like an amateur.

7. Do have a point to the email. Whether it is to ask a question, give a compliment, set up a meeting, thank the person for coming, or simply just to continue introducing yourself, make sure you express the point of your email. Hi, my name is X. I just wanted to introduce myself and invite you to go to my myspace page at myspace.com/hitsamillionllc. And if you invite someone to listen to your music or go to your website, again have a point to asking someone to do that. Many people email me saying yo, listen to my music. I don't typically listen when I get that type of email unless I'm told why. If you say, I'd like for us to work together, possibly do a collaboration on some future projects that I have coming up, please listen to my music and let me know if my music is something you can write to, THEN I'll listen. Or if you said, I value your opinion, please listen to my music and give me some feedback on it, I'd appreciate it. Then perhaps I'll listen. The point is to have a point to why you are emailing the person and why you are making the request.

8. Do ask just one or two questions per email. It shows you value your time and the reader's time. Asking one or two questions will also help you narrow down the questions you have to the one that is the most important ones to you. If you have additional questions, you can always send another email. Or ask the person can you set up a meeting so that you can ask a bunch of questions at once.

9. Do have a solid question to ask a music executive. Try to do your research before emailing a music executive so that you aren't asking questions that you could find out in a 10 second google search. There are some basic things that every artist should know about the music business. In fact, I again recommend you buy and read some of the songwriting, music industry, music production, and music resource books I recommended in my prior blog before approaching a busy executive, even a consultant with a question. There are melody and lyric writing books that help with songwriting issues as well as music business books, music production books, music publishing books, and music industry resource books. These books will answer some of your questions when a busy music executive cannot.

10. Do keep your question(s) short. Again, time is important so keep your one or two questions short. Plus, you want the person to be able to understand the question upon first reading it. No rambling or the executive will ask their assistant to respond with some general, "thank you for emailing us" response. If you keep your question short, it is more likely that they will understand you the first time you ask and reply accordingly.


11. Do keep your email short. Again, time is money. Don't waste it. Remember keep it simple sammie!

12. Do use punctuation. Failing to use punctuation is a major reason people won't respond to your email! Please don't expect anyone to be able to understand what you are saying when you fail to use punctuation when writing.

13. Do use spell check. I realize that sometimes we all, including myself, make spelling errors from time to time but really, try to keep the errors down to a very minimum by doing spell check.

14. Do use proper grammar. Again, use the grammar check function in Word or WordPerfect and check for grammar errors before hitting the send button.

15. Do use English. Again, slang is not appropriate, neither is French, i.e. profanity.

16. Do use capitalization correctly: DO NOT USE ALL CAPS WHEN TYPING AN EMAIL TO PEOPLE BECAUSE USING ALL CAPS IS THE EQUIVALENT OF YELLING. DoNt UsE AlTeRnAte UpPeR aNd LoWeR CaSe either. It's annoying! Instead of your message sounding, and being considered, as important as you intended it, it instead appears amateurish.

17. Do not name drop! For most people that is a turn off. Build your own reputation and then you won't have to name drop. If you are mentioning someone else's name because your mutual paths have crossed, then telling the music executive you know the mutual person is fine. If you are name dropping to make yourself appear more important, it doesn't give others that impression. Again, this tactic does the opposite by making you look like an amateur.

18. Do no lie about whom thou knowest. If you don't know someone in the business, please don't pretend to know them. The music business is very small. People do know others in the business. They can simply use their cell phone now, check your reference, and find out you're a fake in less than 10 minutes.

19. Do include contact information. Include your name, the name of your business or group, your email address, your physical address or P.O. Box, telephone numbers, and website.


20. Do include a picture. This is true especially if you are on MySpace or any other social networking site. I personally don't even reply to profiles that don't have pictures. I think having a picture is a nice touch and it helps people who remember others by face to remember you by face. And please don't use half nude pictures. Try to use the best pictures you can.


21. Do email your best 3 songs. If you email music to someone, make sure that you choose your top 3 songs and that's it. Make sure that you include the lyrics. Make sure your songs are properly mixed so that it sounds good.

22. Do not include more than 3 songs. Again, this is an introduction. No one has time to listen to a whole album! If the music executive wants more music, they can ask. Or, you can send more music in another email.

23. Do include a bio. In some cases, like for instance, in corresponding via email to a publicist, it is appropriate to send a bio.

24. Do thank the person(s). Thank them for taking their time out to read and answer your email.

25. Do ask for a follow up. Ask to meet the person, offer to take them to lunch, invite them out to an event where you plan to perform, ask can you meet them at their office or other convenient location, etc.

26. Do not spam but do be patient and persistent if the person does not follow up with you within a week. Some business professionals travel often. They need time to read and respond to their email. Some get hundreds of emails a week. Some professionals have mobile access to their email; some still do not. Do not send an email every day or every other day. Your emails will get ignored or you may get blocked. Instead, I think waiting a week after you email the person is a good time to follow up.

27. Last but not least, if you yourself are too busy to properly follow rules 1-26, hire an assistant to email for you! It is better that you appear to be a professional, than for you to send a rush email to someone and appear amateurish!

Now that you've got the do's and don'ts of networking via email, and the do's and don'ts of networking at music conferences, remember to get out the studio and network, network, network at the upcoming music conferences!!!

Again, if you like reading my blogs, subscribe today and tell a friend!

Thedy B, Attorney/Songwriter

Hits A Million, LLC

myspace.com/hitsamillionllc - network with me!

hitsamillion.ning.com - network online here!

The Do's and Don'ts of Networking at Music Conferences - Pt 1

(c) 2008 all rights reserved

If you like reading my blogs, subscribe today and tell a friend!


In my last blog, I suggested that artists, songwriters, producers, musicians, bands, groups, rappers, etc., get out of the studio, start networking more, and attend some upcoming music conferences. Big breaks in the music business have somtimes come through networking at music conferences such as the ones I mentioned in my prior blog. I recently blogged about the power of networking and how networking has really helped me in this music business.

So I decided to help songwriters, producers, singers, artists, etc., network effectively by doing this first blog on the do's and don'ts of networking at music conferences, talent showcases, seminars, and open mics. All the blogs I'm about to publish on networking, I believe, will help you get noticed in the music business in the right way, leave a good first impression, help you possibly avoid some rejection, which we all face from time to time, and help you build some relationships with people in the music industry. (Subscribe to this blog today by clicking on the subscribe button to at the top right to be the first to read my new blogs!).

So here are the do's and don'ts of networking at music conferences:

1. Do smile! Smiling says you are friendly, open, approachable, likeable, and charismatic. Great people want to work with great, likeable, friendly, approachable people. Smiling gives people that impression and it takes away some of the apprehension that a busy executive may have about meeting a lot of new people at one time. So smile and you just may have someone approach you!

2. Do say hello first. Don't be so eager to approach a music executive with your burning question or request that you don't say hello first.

3. Do say hello. "Yo, mami, papi, sweetie," won't cut it! Slang is not cute when first approaching a stranger, whether it's in person, phone or email. It just isn't cute or professional. If using slang is a part of your "act" and a part of your show, great: Use it primarily during the show, not when you just walk up to someone and are introducing yourself.

4. Do shake hands. A nice firm, solid handshake still says that you are professional and that you are about business.

5. Do introduce yourself. Introducing yourself helps give the listener some perspective on what you are about to say before you say it and hopefully it gives them something interesting to talk about. You can say, "Hi, my name is ____. I'm a __________. My company/band/group is ________. (Insert a sincere compliment here - no butt-kissing, just a sincere "thank you for the information you presented today" or "I appreciate you coming out today.") And my question is ___________ or I was wondering if you would do/tell me _________.

6. Do show appreciation. In the last tip, I mentioned that before you ask a panelist anything, show some appreciation by giving them a sincere compliment. It shows that you appreciate them, that you were listening, and that you are interested in learning more from them right now. But don't overdo it. Most people hate butt-kissers.

7. Do keep your introduction short. No one wants to know everything about you during an introduction. It's just an introduction, not story telling time. Keep it simple sam is still a good rule of thumb. Anything too long will have the opposite effect: instead of you looking like a professional, you'll look like an amatueur.

8. Do ask a question. At a music conference, as a rule of thumb, it is better to ask a question rather than make a comment.

9. During Q & A time at a music conference, do have a relevant, general, expertise type comment to make if you must comment at all. You can preference the comment by saying, "I have more of a comment than a question." But do make sure that the comment is worth everyone hearing. Some great comments that I've heard at conferences are where an audience member offered their services to the audience members, told the audience about a great opportunity, and went into greater detail about one of the topics and therefore showed some level of expertise on the subject. But just standing up just to be seen and heard is not appropriate. Keep your comment very short!

10. Do ask just one question or make one comment. At a music conference, there is typically a line of folks that would like to talk to the panelists. Be considerate of other attendees and ask one question. Asking one question will also help you narrow down the questions you have to the one that is most important to you. If you have additional questions, ask for the person's contact information and then ask when is a good time for you to contact them so that you can ask additional questions. Just say, "Well, I see there are plenty of people in line that would also like to talk to you, and to be courteous, let me move out the way. I do have some additional questions for you though so can you give me your contact information so I can reach out to you."

11. Do have a solid question to ask a music executive. Try to do your research before going to a music conference so that you aren't asking questions at a music conference that you could find out in a 10 second google search. There are some basic things that every artist should know about the music business. I again recommend you buy and read some of the songwriting, music industry, music production, and music resource books I recommended in my prior blog before approaching a busy executive, even a consultant with a question. There are melody and lyric writing books that help with songwriting issues as well as music business books, music production books, music publishing books, and music industry resource books. These books will answer some of your questions when a busy music executive cannot. When you go to a music conference, you should go there wanting to know updated information.

12. Do keep your question or comment short. Again, time is important to not only the music executive but also to others waiting to speak to the music executive. So keep your one question short. You don't want to be embarassed by being cut off. Plus, you want the person to be able to understand the question upon first hearing it. If you ramble on and on, that person will eventually ask you, "so what's your question?" If you keep it short, it is more likely that they will understand you the first time you ask.

13. During Q & A time, do ask general questions that will benefit the entire audience if you are asking a question for the audience to hear. There's nothing that I hate worst than for someone to stand up during a music conference, and use up the very few slots that are available for the audience to ask a question, and ask what is essentially a very personal question to the panelists. Your question is too personal when the facts in your question would only really apply to you and a few other people. Personal questions should be held for the time when you are speaking to the music executive one on one.

14. Do thank the person(s) you talk to for taking their time out and answering your questions.

15. Do have some promotional material to present to the panelist at the end of your conversation. Have a CD with 3 of your hits on it (but see my other blog on other ways to distribute your music), have a business card, and/or a flyer. (I will be doing another blog on how to effectively use these promotional materials to stay in contact, make a good first impression, and brand yourself).

Now that you've got the do's and don'ts of networking, remember to get out the studio and network, network, network at the upcoming music conferences!!!

If you like reading my blogs, subscribe today and tell a friend!

Thedy B, Attorney/Songwriter

Hits A Million, LLC

myspace.com/hitsamillionllc - network with me!

hitsamillion.ning.com - network online here!

Get out of the studio!

As I said in a prior blog, success in the songwriting business is based on many things but one of the most important things besides writing a hit is networking. You CANNOT succeed in this business without networking. The music business is about who you know. People sometimes get mad because certain songs get played on the radio. Those who get mad often feel the song they wrote is much better than the songs that are on the radio. But those people who were able to get their songs on the radio may know more about networking than the person complaining. Just to show you how networking is working for me, here's just one example.

I met JaWar, author of the Music Industry Connection book series, Cappriccieo Scates, an associate director for SESAC, and Dr. William Ashbourne, a professor at Alabama State University and an entertainment lawyer, at the Atlantis Music Conference in August 2007. I started building a relationship with these three great guys. Since then and through these three individuals, I've met other prominent people in the industry and this is how.

JaWar told me about Tempo Tuesdays at the Atlanta SESAC office so I started regularly attending that event and meeting people. I also purchased JaWar's book, the Atlanta Music Industry Connection book (which I highly recommend) and later read his music industry blogs. From that, I learned about additional networking opportunities, such as music conferences, seminars, showcases, etc. Then I decided to get out the studio more and go to some of these events he'd mentioned. It was through going to these different events that I met people and from continuously going to different events, people in the industry saw (and see) my passion, zeal, and seriousness about my craft. I just recently attended the Southeastern Entertainment Awards (SEA) in Tunica, MS and there I learned about getting songs played on the radio.

After returning home, I contacted Cappriccieo from SESAC and told him about what I learned and how I'd like to learn more about that subject. Tempo Tuesday occurs every second and fourth Tuesday of the month and during this event, Cappriccieo invites different music industry guests to help songwriters learn more about the music business, finances, real estate, whatever he feels would benefit the whole person. So because of our discussion, this time he invited a radio DJ to the next Tempo Tuesday to discuss getting songs played on the radio. Those at Tempo Tuesday that night met an AM radio DJ who is looking for new music. Had I not gotten out of my studio and stopped my songwriting for an hour, I would have never met this radio DJ. I would never know he's looking for music. I would not know the format in which he prefers artists to submit their material to him. I wouldn't know what types of songs he is NOT looking for. I wouldn't know the format of his show or that he changes it up often unless, of course, I listen to his show. He and I also exchanged numbers and he called me the same night. We have been in communication since then. I anticipate that not long from now, my new songs, like one of my other songs which was played on the number #1 gospel radio show in Seattle, WA, will also be on the radio. I've never been to Seattle but that didn't keep my networking efforts on some of my social networking sites from causing someone to take notice and put my music on that station.

These stories aren't to name drop or brag but just to remind artists and songwriters to get out the studio sometimes and just meet people. In fact, nowadays, you can network from the comfort of your home thanks to the Internet and social networking sites. Looking for some sites? I have a few social networking sites that you can join and meet some of the people I've met so join me at myspace.com/hitsamillionllc and hitsamillion.ning.com. Bottom line: network, network, network! You'll never know what may transpire from just meeting a few people!

Thedy B, Attorney/Songwriter,
Hits A Million, LLC
myspace.com/hitsamillionllc
hitsamillion.ning.com
thedyb.magnify.net