What Every Artist Wants ... If this is YOU, get a consultant

The names were changed and text edited, but was a classic exchange of how every consultation begins.

If This is YOU (and I'm sure it is or was or will be)......
Please read before you end up with 1000 cds in your garage...

YOU NEED ADVICE OF THE STRONG MEDICINE TYPE!

3/12/2006
Hi Mr. Madeupname ... I'd Like to help, but you're asking for alot and offering very little. Please read. I'm in BLUE.

Mr. Madeupname wrote on 3/12/2006, 12:49 PM:

> Yes, we need to meet for 5-10 minutes first.
> You should have the physical output product by now in your mailbox.

got it, listened...

>
> You may or may not like it, and may or may not know of people in that subgenre of interest (?)

i like this genre and have recorded similar styles..

>
> My top 3 goals ranked
>
> 1) Method to SELL lots of copies of the CD I gave.
> 2) Method to get those songs Into Movies, TV, radio (without payola schemes, and better than the usual TAXI.com route)
> 3) Working with larger artists and promotors, without sweat circuit tours.
>
> My top constraint
>
> 1) I have a full time job, and family with two small children 5 & 8.
> (so anything that sounds like go ahead and tour to grow your audience, does not apply in my case).
>
> Some possible out
>
> I can quit my job and remove that constraint, when the cash starts coming in, but not before. So its the usually business dillemma....

In some fashon, you have asked the top 4 questions all artists ask me during consultation....
how do i get a manager?
how do i get a booking agent?
how do i get a record deal?
how do i quit my day job?

you won't want to hear this, but you need a 3-5 year plan.
what i heard on your cd was adequate, but without a substantial fanbase, nothing that singles your music out as special enough to warrant a deal. bands in this genre make it through touring and fanbase in general.
to bypass and go to film/soundtrack is a good option, but requires the schmooze and wait factor.

if you want to make it based on the cd alone, you'll need marketing $$$ or a more unique sound.

in general, i liked the cd, saw the 'promise' but not the substance. not to say you can't hit the jack pot with a new label steaming with money from foreign software engineers who think they can get rich. you might even know a few.

it's a tough business, getting tougher. with wife and children having needs, you're in a tough spot, but not insurmountable.

give that background, it doesn't help my credibility with my contacts to offer you to them knowing the 'gig' requires 2-3 years of touring and scuffling and $$$ to float yourself and family.

you're in a tough spot. be glad you still love music and are still creating. work your website, build your community, schmooze and spread your dollar... don't be stingy with 'consultants' or hired gun artists at the top of the food chain... they may not be directly responsible to show quantitative 'results', but could lead other bigger horses to your water at some point if they like you. it's all about relationships, less about your music.

>
> Lets confirm a slot on Monday via email. I do have a webcast 11-12 Tuesday, but I can meet around 12:30 Tues or some near time....

that's my 10 minutes of free time ... if you want to schedule more, it'll be on the $ clock.
i wish you the best.
cookie marenco 650 591 6857