Real Rad Magazine : Winter 2016

I • Merchandising/Branding
If nobody can see you, then you are a ghost, you don’t exist if you are not visible.
This requires branding, which is simply making yourself visible both online and inperson,
and making a great impression in the process. Merchandising goes hand inhand
with this business practice, and can range from album cover art to bumper
stickers, and anything inbetween. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for,
and so you should keep in mind that anything with your name on it is often a firstimpression
of you upon anyone who listens to you.
There are many different companies that provide merchandising services
for musicians. One cheap form of merchandise with a high return rate, that many
independent and major artists employ, are T Shirts. Selling your merchandise when
you perform live is an easy way to earn extra revenue when fans come to watch you
perform live, or when you catch a new fans attention at the show. True fans like
to feel connected to the product, so you should think in the mindframe of a fan, so
that they will support you to the fullest.
“True fans like to feel
connected to the product”
II • Public Performance Royalties
As the name implies, you (as an artist) receive royalties [almost] anytime that your
music is played. This rule applies when you perform on a stage live, and also applies
anytime your music is played in a public establishment; such as a restaurant, club/
bar, stadium, elevator, and etc. You also receive royalties when your music is
played on territorial radio (am/fm), satellite radio (Sirius/XM), and internet radio
(Apple Music, Google Play, Tidal, Spotify, Pandora, etc). In the USA, there are 3 major
publishing rights organizations (or PROs); ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC.
The process for joining any of the 3 PROs are similar, with fees associate to
join as a songwriter for SESAC and ASCAP. To join with BMI as a songwriter is free. You
can join by visiting any of their respective websites. After joining, you can register
your songs into your catalog. Then anytime your music is played, you will get paid.
Also make sure to register your live performance setlists, to garner royalties
on your live performances (tour, festival, local showcase, open mic). Typically
speaking, every quarter (3 months) you will receive a check or direct deposit of
your royalties. It’s “free money”, so you might as well cash in on it like the major
publishers, labels, and artists do.