I talk a lot about different subjects here, but since I am getting to doing my workshops next week, thought I review my overall approach and let some people start thinking about it. As always, anything I write is meant to share and pass on. Some people cut and paste it and that is fine. Anything to give people a little help on their musical journey.

In my experience and perspective, there are always FOUR DISTINCT parts of the music industry, we all have to be aware of. Some people will focus on one or two and forget the others. Everyone wants the "secret formula" and there really isn't one. A lot of people think they can just "phone it in" and never have to leave the comfort of their living room. Tough. It's a lot of continuous work, and for every hour spent on the stage or studio, there are hundreds of hours focusing on the other's.

And so much of what I see on a day and nightly basis I know a lot of people are NOT THINKING about this stuff, because they are sure NOT DOING IT. So here are my BIG FOUR.

#1. CREATION OF THE SONG.
There are a BILLION SONGS RELEASED a MONTH on the Internet. Most are just uploaded, some are streamed everyone is putting everything out there all the time. We write songs ALL THE TIME!
Effective co-writing.
So how do you create something that STANDS OUT in all that competition for people's attention?
Making choruses or refrains being very self evident.
Having HOOKS, both musical and instrumental.
Having an easy to follow story line.
Having relatable subject matter.
Not being so DAMNED DEPRESSING!
Wrapping it up effectively.
NOT SUCKING!

#2. PRESENTATION (LIVE AND RECORDED)
Performing where people embrace what you do.
ENUNCIATION IN SINGERS!
Playing with DYNAMICS.
Reading an audience and having a variety of songs
Doing effective recordings
Approaching reasonable video
Being cautious in bad recordings or bad looking video
Getting effective "bang for buck" on CD's or EP's.
Passing auditions

#3. NETWORKING
PAYING IT FORWARD!!!! (HELPING OTHERS WHILE IT HELPS YOU)
Starting, Building and nurturing, RELATIONSHIPS.
With FANS, FOLLOWERS, THE INDUSTRY COMMUNITY
Finding avenues for music, finding artists (for non-artsits)
Finding Experienced writers (for artists)
Building TEAMS
Effective social media
Giving people the biggest BANG FOR THEIR BUCK
Finding and developing the NICHE
Festivals, conferences, writers nights, talent shows
Keeping the momentum

#4. BUSINESS
Getting rebooked in venues
PRO's (ASCAP,BMI, SESAC)
Online product sales
Managers
Agents
Publicity
Creating healthy bottom lines for all involved
NOT SUCKING!

These are the BIG FOUR. As you review what you are doing, what are you good at and what are you MISSING? Doing the combination of all of these are a successful music career, if you are just shooting for the hometown hero ,the online prince or princess, or the National sensation.
Without the first three, the fourth doesn't happen. But elements of all of them are in play in everything YOU DO.
I enjoy when people respond to these things with their own comments, questions, thoughts. Please let me know if you would like to address any particular one or more. For blogs, articles, etc.

See sites like MUSIC STARTS HERE, INDIE CONNECT, or my web site, www.marcalanbarnette.com
For more direct questions or detailed responses, go to MBarne4908@aol.com

Always nice to hear from you.
by Marc Alan Barnette
www.marcalanbarnette.com