Sustaining a career as a music-maker, is not an easy task. Sometimes it seems like the world is against you and the odds are overwhelming. It is achievable - but only if you focus on the correct things. in the correct way, at the correct time. A good way to get started is to consider the following three questions:
What things come naturally and easily to you ? Programming beats ? Writing lyrics ? Do you love collaborating with people ?
If you didn't have to worry about making money, what would you want to achieve with the rest of your career ?
What would you choose to do, purely for the love of it ?
If you're in the 'business' of music, you cannot ignore supply and demand, so what is the market looking for and what overlap is there with your answers to the previous questions ?
That's me, accepting an award at the Production Music Awards in London, on behalf of a composer I represent. I've owned a production music label since 1999 which operates in more than 65 countries. Before that I was a songwriter/producer and also worked in A&R, so have seen a lot of the industry.
In 2002, I wrote the first ever book for musicians who wanted to learn how to get their music in Film & TV (which was imaginatively called "How to Get Your Music in Film & TV" !). You can still find it in book stores.
I regularly lectured on the music business at The European School of Economics and City University London, and I also created the leading B2B platform for sync professionals - CueSheet.net - which is now in it's 24th year.
As a composer and artist myself, I have generated over 10-million streams, been featured on BBC Radio 2 & ClassicFM, am represented by a leading Film Composer agent and been synced thousand’s of times over the past 25 years, through sync agents and publishers.
So, one way or another, I've generated a lot of income from music, and helped a lot of music-makers do the same.
Now, I'm a Music Business Coach and I'm here to help you.
If you want to brainstorm about your current situation, whatever it may be, and how you should best move forward with your career, then you can book time with me on an hourly, pay-as-you-go basis.
I am based in the U.K, but work with clients all over the world, via video call. Recording of the session will be sent to you afterwards.
The cost is $200 per hour, with discounts of up to 25% for pre-payment of multiple hours. Pre-paid hours also include email communication between sessions
One to three hours is usually enough for you get an actionable plan to move forward with. We'll look at where you are now, where you want to be and how you're going to get there.
Some of the ways I can help include:
Film/TV, commercials, computer games, corporate ... there is no end to the ways in which you can generate sync income from your music. But with numerous business models, it's not easy to decide on the best path. Whether it's working with Production Music publishers, Sync agents, looking for scoring work or even building relationships directly with music supervisors, I can personally coach you day-in, day-out, to perfect your music, your career strategy and sales pitch. Or if you'd prefer help on an "as-needed" basis, you can just schedule one-off calls whenever you like
There is a bewildering number of ways that your money can generate income, but you're not going to see all the income you're entitled to unless you've registered the right things with the right people. There are 3 main kinds of royalties payable to artists who write their own music, so if you're not signed up with at least 3 different agencies, you're probably missing out on royalties. I can look at who you're currently working with and whether you're collecting all the money that is available to you.
Are you collecting all the royalties you are due ? There are 3 main kinds of royalties payable to artists who write their own music, so if you're not signed up with at least 3 different agencies, you're probably missing out on royalties.
I have considerable experience in successfully applying to organisations, including the Arts Council, PRS Foundation and Help Musicians, for the funding of music projects. I can help you identify sources of funding, and help you write your application in the way that is most likely to result in grant money being awarded to you.
