Why do it yourself?
Why on earth would anyone want to release their own music?
There are a number of reasons why you would want to release your own songs:
- You have full control
- You own 100% of the rights and royalties
- You don’t want to sit around waiting for a label to sign you.
These are just a few of the obvious ones. I don’t doubt there are deeper reasons behind some releases like “I’ll show everyone mwaa ha haaa” or less sinister meanings like “I just fancy trying it to see what happens.”
MONEY
Ultimately it can cost you a fortune or cost you very little – it depends how you go about it. However you’re inclined to approach releasing your own music you must understand that this is one of the strangest business models ever and would trouble even the most basic entrepreneur.
When you first go into it it seems quite straight forward. Make some music, get some CDs pressed, sell them, recoup your costs and make a bit on the side….. No! Let’s be realistic – that only happens when you’re established and have an outlet. If this is your first time then forget about making money…. think about NOT wasting money. It’s the savings where you’ll win and it will be enjoyable – if you make money then great but the rewards will come in time.
ATTITUDE
You need to have a Never Give Up and Never Say Die attitude toward what you’re doing. Yes you’ll have rejections. Yes there will be people who don’t know what they’re on about or miss the point completely. Of course there will be times when is seems like nothing is happening. There will also be times when you have too much to do.
I can’t tell you how to be as a person, but I can tell you from experience that one of the key elements to managing your own music career and music releases from albums to singles is networking. I hate the word, it’s so American, but networking can mean the difference between being seen and going un-noticed.
Be strong, be positive and be your product.
PEOPLE
You may think that because you’re in control of your own destiny and own singles and albums that you and you alone are the one who is making it all happen. Please, please, please promise me you will not get big headed. Remain focused and remember that without other people your own music releases would be nothing.
It’s not enough that you want people to buy your music, you need people to praise your music – and the only way you’re going to go someway to getting anyone to listen to you is by listening to them and giving to recieve. This can be anything from free copies of the single or album you’re promoting. Free live performances at clubs or radio roadshows. Don’t expect people to drop at your feet – they won’t. But they will give you their time if you’re generous and complimentary toward them.
SATISFACTION
Probably one of the biggest things you can get from releasing your own music and songs is a sense of achievement. This can come in many different waves for different reasons from your PRS/MCPS statement to hearing your music on a radio station for the first time and oddly you don’t recognise it (this happens by the way – the first time I heard “Make the Night Worthwhile” by HOLICE on the radio my brain didn’t register it as our song)
MORE…
We’re just touching the basics here and we will get more indepth into the workings and what/who/where and why you need to do things and speak to certain bodies.
