Music Business - Work for Free

Below are my comments responding to people talking about how they wouldn't work for Diddy for free. Many people work in the music business for free to get their foot in the door. Many of you are working for free now and think you're in the music business. 


It's interesting how many responses are talking about how they wouldn't work for Diddy for free, yet Diddy and many others have worked in the music industry for free in order to learn the music business from the ground up, to build solid relationships and network with the top brass. Additionally, Diddy has a solid track record of several hits under his belt. He must have done something correct as this entire forum is dedicated to him and his brand of business.

It's always easier to criticize and critique when you haven't walked in that persons shoes. I invite everyone to achieve certain levels of success in their craft, profession and business and get others talking about you. At this point you would have made such an impact their your brand will be marketed even when you didn't invest or spend a dime. For more industry commentary, links, videos, resources, ebooks. 


Remember to get your music contracts and music business plan asap. This way you don't have to always work for free!

Music Business Contracts Needed

A personal account of why music business contracts are needed.

Sometime ago I was invited to speak at a music conference. The conference was away from my home market and required that I either fly or drive. It was not terribly far, but far enough to warrant securing a hotel room, so I decided to drive.

In any event I discussed my request with the music conference organizer and they agreed to what I'd requested. Unfortunately, there were other provisions that hadn't been discussed verbally, but were said to have been emailed to me -I'm still checking :-). Honestly, I don't recall getting the correspondence concerning the other provisions as they may have deterred me from attending the event. There was never a written document (music business contract) clearly outlining the expectations of both parties.

After hearing what considerations/accommodations had been provided to other speakers I felt slighted. I contacted the music conference organizer and let them know how I felt in addition to giving constructive criticism about the conference. Feeling slighted was totally my fought as I should have requested more. Let me explain how this works contractually and why having music business contracts are needed. Additionally, I will explain what I consider to be as my mother has taught me "THE PROPER THANG TO DO!"

1. Music Conference organizer contacts JAWAR about speaking
2. Conference organizer and I verbally or over email discuss expectations from both parties
3. We conclude on the expectations, considerations and accommodations
4. My company would email/fax contract to conference organizer
5. The contract would have all of the provisions discussed and a clause that states equal and/or better accommodations shouldxyz were to change
6. The conference organizer would email/fax back the contract with any changes
7. My company would contact organizer about any changes and send the contract back
8. The conference organizer would resubmit the contract signed
9. My company would sign the contract
10. Both entities would receive a copy of the contract

In this scenario we went through the process from conception to completion. Without question both parties then are protected and receive what is considered fair and equitable treatment contractually. Because of this experience my company has upgraded its' policy on having me speak at any event. It has been said over and over again that in business "you get what you negotiate not what you deserve."

Although I hadn't requested certain provisions "THE PROPER THANG TO DO" from the conference organizer's standpoint was to give equal accommodations to all of the speakers, especially the one's who had already demonstrated the value they brought to the conference. The value I'd shown prior to the event was by actively promoting the music conference online.

My goal was to provide you with first hand experience on how miscommunication and not having a music business contract in place may lead to misunderstandings. You'll want to have a competent entertainment attorney to review and draft contracts on your behalf. You may find a list of entertainment lawyers in both the Los Angeles and Atlanta Music Industry Connection Books.

Music Business Retirement

When should you or someone retire from the music business? When are you to old to be rap artist in the music business? Who should decide when someone should retire from the music business?

Everything in existence has its' life cycle growth, maturity and decline. However, who is the next person to decide when someone should and should not retire is my concern. Had some been able to retire Clive Davis we may have never heard "Fallin" or any of the other hit songs Alicia Keys wrote and sung. -As far as the rapper who is 45 years old still rapping at local events who has never been signed by now one may know that being signed is not the end all be all, especially in todays music business climate. Perhaps the 45 year old rapper has built a local or regional fan base, enjoys what he/she does, sells products and merchandise and is happy doing just that. Nope, they shouldn't retire from that.

Come on now retirement is a direct reflection of age be it 25, 35, 45 or 65. You just set the stage for age in your example by stating that a rapper who is 45 years old...

My response to when should a person retire is when they are ready to. I don't think the next person has a right to ask such a question unless they are asking for personal guidance in that case the question may be asked when should I retire.

If one never achieved a certain level of career success what are they retiring from? In the example of a 45 year old rapper who didn't get signed I liken that to someone who has been turning in job applications, but never got the job how can they retire if they never got the job? However, if the person is independent and doing their thing then they may ask themselves when should they retire?

When do you think someone should retire from the music business, destroy their music industry contracts and keep it moving?

Music Business-Songwriters Slept On

Do you think you're being slept on by the music business as a songwriter?

The question becomes how do you raise awareness for your craft as a songwriter in the music business? How do you make networking in music business forums and social media sites BOOST your music business and career? How do you turn networking in online forums, music showcases and conferences into tangible results? How do you marriage the online word with the off line reality so that you begin to make money doing what you love doing?


Remember to have written music business contracts in place before starting work to ensure you get paid now and later. You'll find a list of entertainment attorneys in the Atlanta and Los Angeles Music Industry Connection Books.

Music Business - Future Business Model

One of the great things about the music industry and the Internet is you truly have an opportunity to work your business model. You know doing something different at the right time and place may make you a small fortune over your lifetime. At one point big-blue (I.B.M.) was the largest computer company in the world.

A young geek decided that he wanted everyone to have a computer in their home or office this was during a time that a computer would take up the size of a medium sized house. People thought this young geek was crazy and maybe he is/was, but it made him during some years reportedly the richest man in the world -his name Bill Gates, his company Microsoft.

Point is keep working new business models, work your plan relentlessly. Market and promote your company as best you can. Whatever your business model you'll need a business plan and music contracts to ensure you give your ideas and vision the best opportunity for success.

Music Business - Is File Sharing Bad?

Below is a response given when asked about the music business and if file sharing was bad for the industry.

The scenario is self-perpetuating. One does all that they can to legally protect their intellectual property indeed. However, technology continues to move faster than the law. More importantly there are opportunities being missed by attempting to fight the end user/consumer/fan. Had it not been for bootleggers/illegal file-sharing there are a number of artist who would have never been able to create such a strong street buzz or build a solid fan base. Remember to have music business contracts on hand and access to music attorneys.

Again I point to a situation wherein their are positives to the bootlegging/illegal downloads at least one should attempt to find them. Major record (media) labels aren't investing the type of monies they use to on new releases and artist development. Illegal file-sharing as much as we may not like it is an alternative to mass-marketing music to potential fans without having to invest large sums of money. Think about it this way. As majors and major-indie labels sign more artist to 360 recording contracts there may come a time sooner than you think were the labels say hey "we have this great idea, why not give the music away as a lost leader and make money from all the other revenue streams." After all since they now participate in all the revenue streams it would make sense.

For the record some of the Music Industry Connection Books have been copied page for page and sold to other people without me receiving a dollar. However, some of those same people that got the bootleg version later bought the original, attended a music conference I spoke at and/or became a client that I consultant. No, I don't want people to copy my work and I not get compensated for it. However, there are positives that may come from it. Sometimes these positives come in a residual situation later on.

Music Managers

Recording and performing artist shouldn't pay their music managers on the front end for management services. Likewise the manager shouldn't be expected to pay one cent towards developing the artists career, paying to perform in music showcases and talent shows, etc. The roll of the music manager is to manage, possibly develop talent and the talents opportunities and resources.

With that being said the manager and artist will normally negotiate between 5% - 25% of either the gross (before taxes and expenses) or net (after taxes and expenses) revenue to be paid from the artists income to the music manager. It's always best to have a written music business contract between the music manager and recording artist.

The promotions side various depending on if the promoter is working a particular project in some instances they may be paid a set amount for the project for a certain period of time. In other situations the promoter may be paid a monthly retainer to execute certain marketing and promotional duties. The manager and promoter or two separate job descriptions that may overlap from time to time.

TRUTH TIME - If you don't have any money, get a job (9 to 5), make money online, save your money and cautiously invest it in marketing that will give you the highest return. Humbly, I suggest using the Internet by creating a website(s), blogs and a number of other social media profiles. It will be very difficult to get your name in the market place without commitment and money.

When the artist has the right attitude, constantly works to perfect their craft and performs every chance they get the right manager will find that artist. If no, manager is approaching you, you aren't creating the best music possible and performing that music frequently. When people like what they hear they will approach you. This isn't what most artist want to hear, yet this truth will allow you to know if you're ready to advance your career or go back to school and become a doctor, lawyer or accountant which are always in demand.

Make sure you have a written music business contract. You'll also want to hire a music attorney.

Start And Run A Successful Record Label

Start And Run A Successful Record Label!

In Order To Operate A Serious Music Business, You NEED A document that summarizes the operational and financial objectives of your business, and contains the detailed plans and budgets showing how your objectives are to be realized!

In plain English, it is extremely important that you possess a well written business plan that shows not only you, but also potential funding sources that you have carefully thought out how you plan to operate in order to make your Music Business venture A SOLID SUCCESS!

Start And Run A Successful Record Label!

Mission Statement.
This section helps you define the general purpose of your music company, stating the main reasons it is in business, while it also serves as a reminder to the public and the employees within your company what you and the founders envision. General business purposes are mentioned here. Yours could be to dominate the Music industry offline and online across the world by producing and promoting high quality entertainment products. You can also add any additional goals for your music company such as becoming active in charitable activities, etc.

Executive Summary.
This part summarizes the main highlights of your business plan, including what products and services you plan to provide. Important facts such as projected sales and profits, the number of unit sales, profitability and the keys to your companies success are mentioned here. This section also allows you to highlight any important information that you would not want anyone including potential investors to overlook.

Start And Run A Successful Record Label!

The Management Team.
This component of your record label business plan identifies the individuals operating in key positions within your company, and what their duties and responsibilities will be. In addition here is were that person's educational, business experience, and significant accomplishments will be highlighted which they will in turn bring to the table in order to contribute to the success of your music company.

Music Industry Analysis.
This provides an overview of the music industry and recent changes, including mentions of digital music sales versus Compact Disc sales, single track downloads versus digital album sales, and other relevant up to date information that is important to be included in your music business plan.

Start And Run A Successful Record Label!

Marketing & Promotion.
This is an actual blueprint to work from or customize as it presents detailed marketing and promotional strategies from the initial release of music product, to subsequent releases. Some areas covered are promotion to Radio, television and video networks off-line and online with proper timelines and sequence in place, setting up interviews and public performances for the artist in support of the release, up to date strategies for creating demand online and off-line, and more...

The Financial Plan.
One of the most important components of a Business Plan is The Financial Plan section. This part includes a Projected Balance Sheet with yearly totals, Music Project Production cost sheet, Projected Statement of cash flow, Break Even profit analysis, Use of funds statement, and all other parts that make up a detailed financial plan for your company.

Start And Run A Successful Record Label!

Music Contracts

You'll want to consult with a competent music business attorney before signing or negotiating any contracts. You may find a competent entertainment attorney in the Los Angeles Music Industry Connection Ebook.

At $150-$350 per hour many people simply can't afford to hire a music industry lawyer to draft and/or negotiate a contract on their behalf. The next best thing is having the ability to look over sample music contracts, so you aren't intimidated by them.

You've probably heard the sad stories of how recording artists, singers, songwriters, producers and musicians have been ripped off because they didn't hire a music attorney to consult or didn't have the right music contracts in place. 

Here's your opportunity to get the music contracts you need to ensure you properly protect yourself and your music. In fact, you'll want to register all your songs and music with the U.S. Library of Congress. This will give you the most amount of protection should someone steal your original songs or lyrics.

Your music business when set up properly may help you earn for the rest of your life +75 years after you've passed on. Those royalties may be left for your children and their children to benefit from. Ensure you protect yourself by getting music contracts today.

After you've downloaded your music contracts remember to continue to "THINK, PLAN, EXECUTE!"™