Day 3 - No Budget: How do I meet quality producers and writers?

Day 3 - There are really levels to this business and as an artist, meeting talented producers and writers all depends on what level of your career you are on. I find the key to independent artists connecting with the best producers and writers, if you do not have the machine known as the record label funding your recordings, is to get with your performing rights organizations and attend the networking events they coordinate. These events are for artists like you who are trying to connect with other talented artists, producers and writers. If you have a relationship with your P.R.O. representatives and know about these events, nine times out of ten, you are a quality producer and writer. 

It's amazing how many musicians I come across who do not know what a P.R.O. is. This lets me know that they do not have royalty checks coming in and then it further let's me know what level of their career they are on. The most popular performing rights organization in the United States is ASCAP. The second most popular is BMI. The third most popular is SESAC. (FYI, your P.R.O. is responsible for paying out your royalties when you get placements that produce mechanical royalties.) 

#GoogleThem

If you are independent (you are not signed to a major record label, therefore, you do not have an A&R finding producers and writers for you) then I suggest becoming affiliated with SESAC. SESAC has fewer affiliates than ASCAP and BMI. This is because it is required that you go through an assessment process with SESAC. You must submit your work and it will be reviewed for you to become accepted. Also, SESAC pays royalties monthly now which is great for independent artists who may depend on various streams of income. Another reason, I find, is their networking events are the best for connecting artists, producers and writers together. If you are lucky and your rep really believes in your talents, he/she may go above and beyond to personally find you placement opportunities. That's not their job to do, but I've seen it happen time and time again with talented musicians at SESAC. 

We've talked about getting the music right, we've talked about making sure you are mastering your craft, now it's time to get hooked up with the right people. Visit all P.R.O. websites online, do your research and homework on all organizations, figure out which one is the best fit for you, become affiliated, then attend their events and get to networking! 

Start the social conversations using hash tags #ADD and #JCouturePR

-Joy A. Young, CEO of J.Couture Productions

Visit www.JCoutureProductions.com to submit for a one on one consultation!