Don’t Get Lost in Your Record Deal By: Ty Cohen Are you serious about getting a record deal? Chances are that if you are reading this then you really want one! Unfortunately, some people get tunnel vision on the quest to getting signed that they often forget about all the legal issues involved with recording contracts. That is exactly what it is, a contract, a legally binding agreement between you and a corporation, so you have to be careful. Once you get out there and get noticed you may start getting some offers. There are some important rules to follow. Rule number one, don’t be naïve. Rule number two, don’t jump at any offer like you are some desperate little puppy. Rule number three, seek legal advice from the get go. Tragically, musicians and artists have fallen victim to bad deals from their record company and it has left them at rock bottom. We are going to delve a little deeper into rule number three. If there are people in the industry interested in talking to you, then you need to get hooked up with a lawyer that knows a thing or two about how to get a record deal. These lawyers are called entertainment law attorneys and you will need one. As I mentioned before, you don’t want to jump on board with just any record deal that comes your way. Do some research on the company. Are they an Indie or a Major label? What are their distribution details? Who all is on their roster? This is important because you don’t want to get “lost in the sauce,” this could lead to failure. Some other things you might want to consider about a record company is their publishing procedures? Are they fair and clear? Do they give you enough of a slice of the pie? This again is why a great lawyer is necessary in this phase of the game. You attorney will also have to negotiate merchandise deals, options, promotions, your advertising budget and how much you will receive from the sale of your albums. There are so many details in the process of learning how to get a record deal. You don’t want to hop on board with the wrong record company who does not have your best interest in mind. An attorney is crucial in negotiating all terms on the contract so it is crucial you have one. Don’t be a victim of a bad circumstance. This is not being said to scare you be to prepare you for the best and worst of the music industry. Be prepared and you will have none of this to worry about in the future. About the author: Ty Cohen, the online music industry's most recognizable voice is the former owner of a successful independent record label, current owner of Platinum Millennium publishing and nation-wide music industry seminar speaker and panelist. He is also the author and creator of over 40 best-selling music business books, reports, courses, audio products and other music industry "How to" resources, that have helped tens of thousands of individuals like you to successfully find their way in the music business. Visit EZRecordDeal.com for more How to Get a Record Deal.

The Marketing A, B, C’s of How to Get a Record Deal By: Ty Cohen Every aspiring musician out there desires to know the secrets of how to get a record deal. I know, I know, there are so many record labels out there; it is so hard to know what every one of them is looking for. Fortunately, there is one common thread that they all share. They are all looking for someone who is marketable! For a record company, how much money they see themselves making off of you is ultimately the deciding factor. Your music, your performance, your lyrics and your talent are crucial as well but they have to be able to sell you in addition to your music. On the quest to getting the ultimate record deal you may find that you have to somewhat “reinvent” yourself. Now, don’t get me wrong, you don’t have to change who you are as a person but you may need to sit back and take a look at how you present yourself or your band. Do you have charisma, a star quality, sex appeal, uniqueness---all of the above? What are the defining characteristics of your style? What sets you apart from the thousands of others out there trying to get signed by a record company? Do you look and act the part? This is what it all boils down to! You have to be confident, experienced, dedicated, professional and original. Originality is key! The music industry doesn’t need another Brittany Spears or 50 Cent. The music gurus want new, fresh people that are going to rake in the dough! If you are serious about working on how to get a record deal then you need to get creative. Add to your list of things that you have to offer the music industry. See a stylist, write more songs, network, take music lessons, get a website, prepare a demo package—market yourself because no one else is going to do it for you! If you are having a blockage of ideas of how to be creative and original then take a look around you. Who are the top selling bands/musicians out there today? What makes them marketable and unique? Different genres will have different answers but doing this may give you some clues. Don’t go and copy people because this defeats the purpose of the exercise. But explore ideas of what is out there. If you desire a record deal then look at those who have one and figure out why they got one! Not every musician will have their fame handed to them on a silver platter. If you are not related to someone in the industry or don’t already have an “in” then you are going to have to work to get that record deal. Remember, image is everything in the music biz so get one that is memorable and most importantly marketable. About the author: Ty Cohen, the online music industry's most recognizable voice is the former owner of a successful independent record label, current owner of Platinum Millennium publishing and nation-wide music industry seminar speaker and panelist. He is also the author and creator of over 40 best-selling music business books, reports, courses, audio products and other music industry "How to" resources, that have helped tens of thousands of individuals like you to successfully find their way in the music business. Visit EZRecordDeal.com for more How to Get a Record Deal.