Hello again,everyone. We thought we would celebrate the arrival of June with a surprise second post this afternoon, so below you will fine a column aimed at helping Haulix clients increase engagement with their promotional invitations. If you have any questions about the content of the blog, or if you would like more information regarding the distributional services offered by Haulix, please email james@haulix.com and share your thoughts. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.
Haulix is the most preferred and trusted distribution service amongst music bloggers, but it can often be hard for even the best artists to make writers engage with their promo. As music writers ourselves, we understand that this is not always a result of bloggers not caring, but more often than not is due to a lack of time on the bloggers’ part to properly interact with every promotional invitation that comes their way. We cannot guarantee how many clicks any single promo will receive, but by following the tips below clients can increase the likelihood that bloggers will want to engage with their promos:
Customize Your Promo Design
Over the last several years the Haulix development team has strived to create a system that looks good ‘out of the box,’ but at one point we realized that in order to serve our clients needs promos needed to be customizable in order to grab the attention of distracted/rushed bloggers clicking through cluttered inboxes. With this in mind our team built and released a number of tools and options for promo creation, including color changes, multiple messaging option, image inclusion/placement, banners, backgrounds, and more. That list may seem overwhelming, but we believe our design has made these tools easy-to-use, even for novice publicists.
There are well over 5000 promo invitation sent out using the Haulix platform every day, and that is not even considering the thousands likely sent out on our competitor’s platforms, or the artists contacting journalists through file sharing services (mediafire, dropbox, etc). If you or your client are still struggling to gain the attention of the press, customizing your promo design should be the first course of action to try and spur a few additional clicks. For additional information on getting started with customization, click here for a three step guide to creating eye-popping promos.
Personalize Every Promotional Message
As your contact list grows, it can be very tempting to send the same promo to every single contact, or at least a large portion of your contacts, at the same time. After all, time is of the essence when working on album promotion, and if we’re being completely honest the information shared with one person is almost certainly the information you will share with every person you message. The problem, however, is that no writer likes to feel like they are just another faceless entity you leverage for free content. Like musicians, many writers have fragile egos, and they like to feel as if they are needed and or wanted by the world. Generic press promotions are a dime dozen for them, but personalized messaging in much more rare.
There is no doubt that sending out a generic promo to a large enough contact list will receive engagement, but content delivered with a personal touch will almost assuredly perform better with press. When you write to people and use not only their name, but facts about who they are and/or what they do you convey a sense of caring that forges a much stronger connection than a message delivered with marketing lingo and sales information could ever hope to achieve. If people believe you care for them and take in interest in what they do they are far likelier to want to work with you, regardless of what type of content you are trying to push. Networking is a force like no other, and learning to network well can make a world of difference in the trajectory of not only your career, but the careers of everyone you know as well.
Send out reminders, especially when promos are about to expire.
This may seem like a given, but having spent over half a decade writing about music I can tell you first hand that only a small percentage of publicists/bands ever follow up on the invitations that they send. They might resend that same promo, sure, but actually taking the time to reach out to individuals with personalized messaging to remind them a promo is available or alert them that promos may expire is far more rare.
Make time for reminders. The average music writer receives well over 100 emails a day, and as much as they may desire to give attention to every email that catches their interest there is simply not enough time in the day for such a thing to occur. Many probably tell themselves they will catch up the next day, but then they awake to 100 new messages and the process starts all over. Reminders add to this clutter, yes, but they also reenforce the messaging you are trying to convey. Sending reminders gives you another chance to grab a writer’s attention, and taking the time to personalize the messaging further increases the likelihood of engagement/response.
Hello and welcome to another week of music industry insight and advice here on the official blog of Haulix. It’s the first week of June and we are kicking off our content with our second collaborative piece with Daniel Alvarez, attorney at law and music business aficionado. We will be working with Daniel a lot in the months ahead, and we think the perspective he has on the business today is one that can aide both artists and industry professionals. If you have any questions about the content of the blog, or if you would like more information regarding the distributional services offered by Haulix, please email james@haulix.com and share your thoughts. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.
If I were designing a business industry that consistently favored one party over the other, I would be hard pressed to plan anything better than the music industry. Take young business-naïve, creative types with big dreams on one side and add ultra-sophisticated business-savvy folks with high-powered attorney on the other and what do you get? What it looks like the first time you get your label contract!
It’s supposed to be one of the highlights of your music career but in reality it is the perfect storm forming against you. The thing is, you are the only one that doesn’t know it and they are counting on that. The answer is to fight fire with fire or in other words, get your band an entertainment lawyer!
Now lets be realistic, just because you have an entertainment lawyer doesn’t mean that everyone on the other side will be scared or that the deal you’ve been offered is going to get 100% better. What will happen is that you will know what you are getting into. Would you ever sign a 35-page contract without understanding what is in it? Well that happens every day. In fact, I can point to a band on Warped Tour this summer that did that this year. That is the worst thing you could do. Don’t be that band.
Additionally, an entertainment lawyer helps level the playing field. The other side now understands that you won’t get the wool pulled over your eyes. They might not admit it, but when you show up prepared with a representative who will advocate for you a label is on notice. Artists think that if they try and negotiate the pieces of a contract, they will lose their deal. They won’t. Someone who knows what they are doing can and should get you some edits on the contract. It happens all the time. Just keep your expectations real.
Once you get through your initial label contract, don’t fire your attorney. Keep him or her really close! Loosing contact is a rookie mistake. There will be tons of things you need to call them for. Having a strong relationship makes the flow of business easier. If they are used to working with your label from previous experience they will have a lay of the land.
Artists always tell me they think they can’t afford an attorney. My response is always the same – can you afford not to have one? You either pay a little now, or keep paying a lot through the life of a really bad contract. You’ve heard the stories of the artist who sells thousands of units, but has no payout. Those are not made up. They are real. Don’t be the next version.
To accentuate the point, I hope you have noticed that I continuously am referencing not just a lawyer, but the fact that you should get an entertainment lawyer. If you don’t know one or can’t find one, a normal business attorney is better than going at it alone. I would prefer you find someone who is versed in the nuance that is entertainment law. To the untrained eye, what is normal inside a music or acting contract may seem odd and something unreasonable. You don’t go to a ear, nose and throat doctor when your foot hurts do you? We all have our areas of disciplines, make sure you find the right entertainment lawyer.
So, do you need an attorney? Clearly I think they should and need to be part of your overall team – management, booking agent and entertainment lawyer. Other people are clearly apt to negotiate on your behalf but to think that negotiation is all an entertainment lawyer does leaves you intellectually short. An entertainment lawyer understand, contracts, asset protection, copyright, intellectual property, employment law and business law among the many areas an artist’s business life touches. You and your manager should be well versed in those areas, but the reality is that you probably are not. An entertainment lawyer is a vital part of a long and successful music career!
A lot has been written about the supposed dire state of the music industry, but truth be told there are a number of successful and growing companies, including record labels, that are thriving in 2014. In this column we bring together every job opening we can find from the companies responsible for building the future of the business and present them to you, our reader, in hopes of aiding you on your journey to join the global music industry professional family.
Each Sunday we scour the internet for the latest and greatest job postings throughout the music industry. You can help us better serve our community by sending any job openings you find or have to james@haulix.com. Be sure to include the name of the company hiring, a detailed description of the position being offered, a desired start date, contact information, and any additional supplemental information you feel may be needed.
Job summary: The HR Coordinator is part of the HR Generalist team assigned to the Rhino Entertainment and Warner Bros. Records population, and reports to a Vice President, Human Resources. The HR Coordinator provides administrative support for: day-to-day HR activities; recurring HR processes such as biweekly payroll and annual performance reviews; and the execution of HR initiatives such as employee training. There is a possibility the position will be temp-to-perm.
Job summary: The Income Tracking Analyst position will have a number of responsibilities, including analyzing multiple Income Tracking reports for the discovery of unpaid or underpaid royalties in the US and Canada, assist in ensuring royalty accountings are reported accurately in compliance with agreements and on a timely basis, recover unpaid or underpaid royalties in the US and Canada.
Job summary: OPB is looking for an individual passionate about supporting Portland’s local music scene and knowledgeable and experienced in station programming to be opbmusic’s Music Director. The Music Director is a new position in a growing multi-platform music service, directing music content on our 24/7 audio channel, and helping develop content in video and other platforms.
Job summary: This job is based around project management skills, including the ability to schedule many projects simultaneously. It is essential to be able to work to multiple production deadlines. Should have skills in office administration, oral and written communication, industry networking, budgeting and financial management are required. Because label managers deal with artists, they need tact and diplomacy. The label manager must have a thorough appreciation of and commitment to the multiple genres of music that the label deals with. It’s useful (but not necessary) to also have some technical knowledge about recording and production in order to understand the needs of the artists when setting up recording sessions. Technical knowledge of digital marketing strategy will help.
Job summary: Emmy Award winning production company looking for a temporary (possibly leading to permanent) Music Coordinator to join the team in our LA (Culver City Adjacent) offices. Under the direction of the Executive in Charge of Music, this position will be responsible for acting as the department’s music coordinator across multiple projects.
Job summary: Universal Music Group is currently seeking a Team Coordinator position in our Hollywood, CA office location. The purpose of this position is to provide strong administrative and organizational support to the VP of Adult Programming.
Job summary: A leading, cutting edge, Culver City Entertainment company is looking for a talented and enthusiastic Music Supervisor position to join the team. The candidate will be expected to manage the demands of entertainment marketing, working under high stress, with urgent deadlines in a fast pace environment. The candidate must possess a vast knowledge of all types and genres of music and have preexisting established contacts at labels, publishers, and music marketing agencies and have a complete understanding of the music clearance process.
Job summary: Looking for a music clearance coordinator to assistant of various projects. Minimum 1 year previous experience in film & tv music clearance and/or licensing. Must know how to perform song searches on the various PRO’s. Must have exceptional attention to detail. Duties will include song research, sending out quote requests, tracking approvals, processing licenses and payments and other admin duties. Must be able to work in a faced paced environment.
Job summary: Sony/ATV Music Publishing Los Angeles is seeking a detail-oriented, highly motivated, and career-minded Creative Assistant to support two A&R/ Creative Executives. The candidate must be able to work well in a fast paced environment, have the ability to multi-task and be knowledgeable of music as a whole. Major duties of the job will include answering heavy phone volume, booking travel, and maintaining various creative documents for the A&R staff.
Job summary: To be one of the leaders of the core agency team responsible for developing and executing effective advertising campaigns for Axcess TV & Radio. The Media manager is responsible for setting the bar for strategic and creative thinking in all media services.
Job summary: Barsuk Records is seeking an experienced individual to join our Seattle office. As a small company with a select roster of artists and where most current staff have worked for 5-10 years or more, there’s a fair amount of responsibility-sharing at Barsuk. Ideal candidates will have experience (3-5 years minimum) in one or more record industry disciplines, including but not limited to marketing & promotion, A&R, project management, warehouse operations, artist management, event planning, bookkeeping, copywriting, and/or design. Familiarity with Barsuk’s catalog and 15-year history is strongly preferred, but not necessary.
Job summary: Atrium Music, a new-model, boutique music licensing and publishing company is seeking an experienced, well-connected and highly motivated team member for the position of music supervisor/sales agent to pitch and place the company’s vast catalog of artist and composer music.
Job summary: As a key member of the Digital Marketing team within UMe, the Manager’s position marries strategy with execution across all digital channels for a designated set of projects, from start to successful finish. The Manager will work collaboratively with internal stakeholders and global counterparts, per project as well as with external industry and consumer facing outlets to develop online, social, and mobile opportunities. In an unconventional approach to catalog priorities, this role will also take on the onus to develop core, genre comprehensive campaigns to elevate and optimize deep catalog titles, tracks, and artists. The Manager will report directly to the department head for Digital Marketing.
Job summary: Securing from music publishers any and all rights required in order for WMG’s U.S. record labels to exploit any musical compositions embodied in the sound recordings and records that those record labels release, negotiating the corresponding mechanical and other licenses covering those musical composition rights, and paying those music publishers the corresponding mechanical and other license advances, fees, and/or other royalties in an accurate and timely manner.
Job summary: This position will provide administrative support to the Business & Legal Affairs contract administration staff, and assist in digital rights management and administration. Advances/Payments/Checks: Manage the requisition and distribution of all contractual advances and other payments.
Job summary: Scout Staffing is actively seeking an experienced and personable Administration and Licensing Manager for Nashville’s fastest-growing independent record label. Working closely with the Director of Administration and VP of Publishing, this role includes both publishing and record label administration duties while also managing a full-time coordinator. If you have a passion for licensing, a team-oriented mindset and management style, and a want to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, then this role with an innovative label may be the one for you!
Job summary: Under general supervision, performs increasingly responsible and complex duties in developing and serving an account base and attaining sales goals of company products in an assigned territory and within a team environment.
Job summary: Wonderful opportunity for the right candidate. TEAM provides talent and union payroll services to music clients in the Film, TV and Sound Recording industries. The Music Payroll Coordinator is a “team-player” position that requires accuracy, attention to detail, initiative and a pro-active approach to duties and responsibilities in working with intercompany departments, clients and colleagues. Discretion in handling company and private or personal client and employee information is required, along with a positive attitude, professional ethics, appearance, and conduct.
Job summary: Are you interested in driving highly visible initiatives for MTV Artists? Do you enjoy working in an entrepreneurial environment solving complex technical problems and delivering innovative solutions? MTV is looking for a Technical Project Manager to help us make our MTV Artists website and apps even better! This role will provide project leadership, mitigate project risks, make tradeoffs, and balance business needs versus technical constraints. You will work with various software and business teams around the company to identify and drive innovative solutions that achieve business goals. This is an opportunity to shape the next generation of MTV artists!
Job summary: Assist Coordinating Director of Music, Music Director and Music Coordinators in the preparation, filing, coordination and organization of music licenses and related music documentation. Oversee the management of digital audio resources, storage and organization of the department’s audio libraries. Handle the update of music data to the cue sheet management system, as well as the distribution and handling of cue sheets to licensors.
Job summary: The Country Music Association is currently seeking a Senior Manager, Market Research to manage a broad range of research initiatives related to CMA initiatives and the country music industry as a whole under the direction of the Sr. Director, Market Research. The position will design, manage , implement and report primary and secondary research to provide a multi-dimensional and in-depth understanding of the Country Music consumer and marketplace. Position will also manage CMA Insiders – CMA’s proprietary consumer panel.
Job summary: Gibson Brands, Inc. (f/k/a Gibson Guitar Corp), the world’s premier manufacturer of musical instruments and professional & consumer audio equipment, is building out its Product Management function in Corporate Marketing and is seeking to hire six (6) Product Managers. The Product Managers will be located in Nashville and report directly to the Executive Vice President of Product Planning. They will have responsibility for managing existing product lines as well as creating and integrating new products and product changes within their specific product line.
Job summary: Yamaha is seeking a dedicated Office Manager to work on a temporary basis for a period of approximately three months. The length of the temporary assignment may vary contingent upon business needs. Individual will be responsible for various clerical and administrative functions in the office.
Job summary: The Maintenance/Process Supervisor is responsible for overseeing and executing the work of maintenance staff. The maintenance staff is responsible for the upkeep of vinyl presses and other machinery needed to produce a high quality product. The role also provides support to the execution of the production schedule. The successful candidate must have strong communication and troubleshooting skills, and possess the ability to perform maintenance duties as needed.
Job summary: You love music, technology, operations and the coming together of all three. You have the ability to look at music on the asset level and understand data trends surrounding it. On a day-to-day basis, you aren’t afraid to dig into databases for more information and know how to communicate your findings to a broader team. You execute quickly on projects, are detail oriented, love creating processes and enjoy troubleshooting issues. You understand music as a digital asset and know what it takes to move an asset along a value chain to generate revenue in today’s complicated music landscape. You will work closely with our global sales group, contributor services, content curators and contributor relations teams. Your focus is to ensure that our high quality music offering grows online and offline while also spearheading delivery of our music offerings to existing and new customers. You will also be a conduit between our contributor base and music partners and facilitate our music submission process when necessary. You must understand music licensing as a business and technical formats for digital music assets. Most importantly, you must like working on a diverse team, love to execute according to a plan and learning as you go.
Job summary: Oversees and manages the LA Phil’s accounting practices, financial controls, financial reporting, audit and tax filings, cash management, payroll, insurance and retirement plan administration.
Job summary: The Manager Membership of the GRAMMY Museum is responsible for all aspects of a highly successful membership program, including strategic planning and growth; providing a significant base of unrestricted annual support and donor cultivation; providing excellent benefits and services; developing effective marketing strategies and programs; increasing and improving member renewal, retention, upgrades and acquisition.
Job summary: The finance team provides financial reporting, accounting, planning, budgeting, financial compliance and auditing for the company. TheFinance Director reports to and partners directly with the Chief Financial Officer to assist with a broad range of Finance activities including shared supervision of Finance Manager.
Job summary: The Director & Chief Curator leads all activities directly related to the GRAMMY Museum Mississippi® collection and exhibitions in carrying out the organization’s mission, vision, strategic plan, and budget.
Job summary: If you are tired of the typical AdOps jobs and want to provide higher value beyond the execution of campaigns, you are ready to work with Complex Media. Set up a meeting with us to learn how you can be part of the team that is making Complex Media’s Digital success a reality! Bring in your creativity! The idea is to stay ahead of the market by offering digital advertising products that are unique – we provide the venues to challenge the established guidelines.
Job summary: Sonicbids (part of Backstage.com) is looking for a Director of Marketingto grow its two-sided opportunity listing marketplace. The Director of Marketing will grow band and promoter (venues, festivals etc) signups via acquisition marketing at high volume and low cost. You will be responsible for narrowing Sonicbid’s marketing focus and solving the marketplace chicken vs egg problem. The Director of Marketing will manage the marketing team and work in partnership with the Director of Brand and Content.
Job summary: Candidate will support the A&R team. Responsibilities will include booking studios, coordinating travel, assisting with budget preparation, preparing expense reports and heavy phones.
Job summary: Warner/Chappell Production Music is looking for a results driven, professional, flexible, hardworking individual for the full-time position of Director of Licensing- Trailers in our Los Angeles office. This is a fun and challenging position in fast-pace environment.
