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12:49 am
June 10, 2011
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QuoteI'm not actually asking you to tell me yes or no, I'm just trying to get some input to help make a decision. If I had money to burn, I'd just take the darn class. I know it's good.
I'm probably overly sensitive. And I'm probably not the only one here who has thrown away money on so many things that really didn't help my career: publicists, radio promotions, etc. John is the first one to really give me what I paid for (and more).
I guess the key thing I am struggling with is cost vs return for placing music for advertising in the markets I am likely to fit into as a smooth jazz artist. I have one placement success (not advertising). I got a song as background music for The Weather Channel's Local on the Eights. However, if I only had that to recoup my money, I would have lost because I spent about $800 to produce the song and my return for getting it on TWC was somewhere around $350 in BMI royalty payments. Fortunately, the song is on my CD, so I have lots of other actual and potential revenue streams. So, really, I look at the placement as a bonus and some exposure/credibility.
If I was a multi-instrumentalist and competent audio engineer, my only ongoing investment would be time. But I have to hire musicians, recording, mixing, and mastering. I trust myself to compose; arrange; and record my sax, wind synth, and second keyboards. I just don't know what this stuff normally pays, or what my chances are for multiple placements, etc.
I shouldn't be freaking out over $400. I should just let my wife do that. Crap... 
1:13 am
June 10, 2011
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Hi Charley,
I watched the webinar, it was a good intro into the area of Licencing. I have restrained myself from throwing more money into the struggle (no money to burn either as you) as I did not receive a reply to my question on the day of the webinar.
It is my understanding, from her talk, that Sarah is mostly concentrating on Ad placement. That is, music to sell products by. As my music is more cinematic and downbeat, it is not quite appropriate, and I am more interested in film/tv etc. I asked the question as to whether she will primarily focus on advertising, which is/was her area, which really isnt of much use to me, unless again the info was free or I had no other uses for my finances in the eternal music career struggle. As I did not receive an answer I have not participated. I have been burned too many times with schemes (even well meant ones) that just don't deliver 'for me.'
George
7:31 am
June 11, 2011
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True, I agree.
I sat in on the webinar and just by the way Sarah was talking about licensing I could tell she knew her stuff. However, it seemed like something was lacking. I personally feel getting your music licensed could be a huge revenue stream, but I wasn’t sold from the webinar.
At one point John asked a question, and I’m going to paraphrase this because I don’t remember exactly what he asked, but it was something along the lines of “if I’m a musician just starting out from scratch, how do I go about getting my music licensed?” It seemed as if she just brushed the question off and answered in a kind of “roundabout” way, but didn’t really answer the question at all. She just continued with her presentation.
Now, I’m not knocking Sarah because I think she is very knowledgable on the subject and seems to have a lot of experience and success with her program, but once again I wasn’t completely sold. That’s just my opinion…I can’t speak for everyone who was listening, but my two cents would be to hold off for now because (like you) my funds are pretty limited at the moment and I’m looking to put my money on something that I’m 100% on.
-Mike
9:03 am
June 15, 2011
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I agree with you. I wasn't sold directly either. Maybe it's because it's alot to take in at once. Since I'm already very busy working on all the material provided here and in MMM 2.0. Also, I was really hoping John would put up a lesson about how to licence your music here in the Insider Circle. Or is this something he can't offer us...
Hey guys,
For what it's worth, the webinar was not an Insider Circle thing. It was something that went out to the whole list. It seems there was a little confusion there. The things we do here will not be attached to promotions, as a general rule. You will always have [Insider Circle Members] or [Insider Circle] in the subject line of an email that is just for you guys.
I send out a mix of content and promotions to the general list. I think it's all cool stuff or i wouldn't send it, but I'm trying to keep the IC the end of the line in terms of selling stuff.
When I do a promo for the general list, I basically find something or someone that I think is cool and then let them sink or swim on their own.
I think Sarah is great, and she really is the real deal. With that said, you're not the first to feel that maybe the webinar was a bit light. Again, I think most of that comes from the fact that it was a free webinar that was meant to give people an overview of licensing and to introduce people to Sarah and her workshop. If anything, I was pretty scattered and didn't ask enough of the questions I should have.
Regardless, the workshop is closed up now. If you signed up, I'm very confident you'll get your money's worth. If not, the sky will not fall. There are a million opportunities to learn things. Spend money in accordance with your budget and your immediate needs.
@Alien Skin, there must have been a bug in the system because I did not have any questions come in,from you or anyone else for that matter. I tested it it first and it was working, but maybe some of the technical problesm we were having carried over to the questions function as well. Hopefully you guys know by now that I answer 100% of my email 🙂
It really ticks me off when my email doesn't get answered as well, so I make it a point not to do that. For the record, if ever you email me and don't hear back within a few days by myself or someone on my behalf... I didn't get the email.
@Jap Jap - Re: "I was really hoping John would put up a lesson about how to licence your music here in the Insider Circle. Or is this something he can't offer us…". I'm sure we'll cover that here at some point down the line, I've got a pretty big list of stuff I want to teach you guys.
Next month's training will be on membership sites per the member requests.
Having trouble with your marketing? Wish you could have an experienced direct-to-fan marketing expert look over your actual campaigns, music, or content and offer feedback? Or perhaps you’re just looking for a little one-on-one assistance so you can ask questions that pertain to your specific goals and get a second, more experienced, perspective? Click here to book a session with me now.
4:57 pm
June 10, 2011
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Ok…I phrased my question poorly. I’m going to try again, even though it appears to be too late for Sarah’s class. I know Sarah knows her stuff. I know the class is good.
Scenario A: Someone who is a singer/multi-instrumentalist with a DAW can essentially be a little music factory. I know people like that who can churn out a pop/rock song in a day. If that song gets placed two or three times at $200 – $300, it’s not a bad day’s work.
Scenario B: Someone like me writes a song, records some scratch tracks, charts the song, hires a keyboardist, a bassist, a guitarist, a drummer, a mix/mastering engineer. If I produce a jazz or smooth jazz song and it gets placed two or three times at $200 - $300, I’ve lost money.
My perception is that the music for advertizing world works more like Scenario A. I just didn’t want to spend $400 to find out.
Unfortunately, I had a gig and family in town, then it was the fourth of July weekend, etc., so I missed the webinar, and I was late hearing the re-run.
I think Sarah is great. I’ve signed up for her mailing list. She has a video for those who sign up with some good info regarding licensing in general (not necessarily just advertizing). I don’t even hold it against her that she teaches at UCLA. (Fight on for old ‘SC!) 
Most of the people that I know that are making good money with licensing do have inexpensive recording options. Meaning that they are either a solo act or they have a studio set up of their own and it doesn't cost much to crank out a tune. I'm definitely not the expert on this, but in your shoes you might just attempt to get placements with what you have, ask for feedback along the way, and then when you record your next album crank out some additional mixes based on the feedback you get from music supervisors. Meaning, make the art you want to make but create some quick alternative mixes that might increase your chances for placements in the future. I think that's one the things that is great about what Sarah is offering, you actually get feedback from a music supervisor on your music.
There are also people who pitch independent artists for placements. I am reaching out to some people in that world and hope to be able to have an interview for you guys at some point. I think it'd be a great perspective on all of this.
Having trouble with your marketing? Wish you could have an experienced direct-to-fan marketing expert look over your actual campaigns, music, or content and offer feedback? Or perhaps you’re just looking for a little one-on-one assistance so you can ask questions that pertain to your specific goals and get a second, more experienced, perspective? Click here to book a session with me now.
8:13 pm
June 10, 2011
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Thanks, John. That's all VERY helpful. With the right collaborator, I think the mass-produced stuff is a viable option for me - it's just not something I think I should do now. I'm still interested in other licensing options.
12:16 am
June 7, 2011
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Sounds good Charley.
Having trouble with your marketing? Wish you could have an experienced direct-to-fan marketing expert look over your actual campaigns, music, or content and offer feedback? Or perhaps you’re just looking for a little one-on-one assistance so you can ask questions that pertain to your specific goals and get a second, more experienced, perspective? Click here to book a session with me now.
6:14 am
June 10, 2011
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No problems John, i know you always put in your best 🙂
7:17 pm
June 10, 2011
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After I e-mailed her, Sarah actually called me back on her own dime and told me that the class was not for someone like me. She also gave me some very helpful advice in a personal e-mail, which I really appreciated. If I were able to do the kind of low budget quick turnaround pop music that dominates that industry I would definitely take her class. I'd also recommend that you all sign up on her list -- she does give some good info for free
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