Fame Wizard By Jonathan Widran Success as an independent artist in the contemporary, digital distribution driven music industry requires strong business acumen <strong>and</strong> entrepreneurial skills like never before. Few are as familiar with the shifts in the l<strong>and</strong>scape– <strong>and</strong> the best strategies for success in the current DIY artist dominated realm–than the Fame Wizard team backed by former major label executives, Grammy winning artists <strong>and</strong> music biz legends. Founded in 2010 as an artist platform with a strong educational development focus, Fame Wizard (http://famewiz.com) has evolved into a dynamic Artist Development Company dedicated to growing the careers of musicians through a strategic program that includes one-on-one coaching as well as insightful lessons <strong>and</strong> webinars that teach musicians how to achieve success as an indie artist. Dedicated to demystifying the modern music business, the organization also offers exclusive opportunities to expose their members’ music to new fans <strong>and</strong> influential professionals within the industry. A powerful (<strong>and</strong> self-empowering) response to the new music business paradigm, Fame Wizard was founded on the simple premise of guiding <strong>and</strong> developing artists who are serious about their music toward a pathway for success. The site includes a comprehensive educational curriculum, catalog of courses, lessons <strong>and</strong> webinars—but the key element is building a positive/productive working relationship with a Fame Wizard Coach. Fame Wizard’s COO Tony Delmercado likens the presence of the coach in the musicians’ life to “working with a trainer rather than just having a gym membership.” Each artist consistently works with his or her coach, who acts as a guide, career strategist, mentor, accountability partner <strong>and</strong> friend throughout their Fame Wizard experience. These Coaches—many of whom are successful musicians with vast industry experience <strong>and</strong> degrees—also administer the curriculum, guiding artists through educational topics relevant to today’s indie music marketplace. The courses are concise, interactive <strong>and</strong> serve as a starting point for many deeper <strong>and</strong> profoundly more impactful discussions when applied to the individual artist’s needs. The catalog of courses, lessons, webinars <strong>and</strong> interviews are available online 24/7 allowing the individual artist to customize when <strong>and</strong> how deeply they want to review the content. Each course listed on the site opens to a number of specific multimedia lessons (four to 10) featuring written information, video, audio <strong>and</strong> external links. The courses include Performing Rights Organizations <strong>and</strong> Other Key Organizations; Copyrighting <strong>and</strong> Legal Protection; Getting Radio Airplay; Getting Your Music Reviewed; Marketing <strong>and</strong> Promotion; Distribution; Br<strong>and</strong>ing; Using Social Networking to Engage <strong>and</strong> Grow Your Fan Base; Networking <strong>and</strong> Professional Development; Getting Press; Financial Responsibility <strong>and</strong> Fundraising; Booking Gigs; Scheduling <strong>and</strong> Planning Tours; Building a Professional Team – Including Developing <strong>and</strong> Guiding a “Street Team”; L<strong>and</strong>ing Licensing Opportunities; Selling (<strong>and</strong> Giving Away) Your Music; <strong>and</strong> How <strong>and</strong> When to Get Professional Recordings. “Rather than just another distance learning company streaming tons of information,” says Delmercado, “we’ve created a regimented, customized path, or funnel, that is geared towards serious <strong>and</strong> ambitious artists whose entry point is any level of the business. We’ll work with someone who has never done a gig, released a CD or created a copyright differently than we approach a client who is already touring regionally or has a notable discography. “We strongly believe that there has never been a better time to be a DIY musician,” he adds, “but of course there is also more competition because the barriers are lower. One of the biggest problems we notice is the vast amount of misinformation that exists among up-<strong>and</strong>-coming indie artists. While consumers have adapted to the digital revolution, musicians sometimes still think if they get their music to one key person, that person can make their career happen. But being an indie artist now is more like being an entrepreneur <strong>and</strong> major label deals are not a predominant force. Our mission is servicing indie artists <strong>and</strong> helping them gain meaningful exposure to rise above the noise.” Fame Wizard’s membership application is in-depth by design, in line with the organization’s desire to work not only with talented musicians with great career potential, but those serious <strong>and</strong> dedicated to the hard work that lies ahead. “Seriousness of purpose is a must,” says Delmercado. “That’s as important an element to success as anything else.” Contact Fame Wizard, http://famewiz.com 16 April 2013 www.musicconnection.com
April 2013 www.musicconnection.com 17
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