Tag: music industry

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Artist Advice Editorials Writing Tips

The Ultimate Guide to Pitching Music Editors (for Musicians & Writers!)

Guest Author: Daniela C.

Ever felt like your music or story is getting lost in the crowd? You’re not alone!  Music editors are bombarded with pitches daily, so standing out is crucial. Whether you’re an independent musician ready to share your sound with the world or a music writer with a passion for spotlighting new artists, this guide will show you how to craft a killer pitch that gets noticed. 

Even as the industry evolves into diverse mediums, press coverage is still super important to artists and music journalists alike. While repeated rejections or unanswered pitch emails may be discouraging, your stories and point of view are needed!

You probably just need a few tweaks in your pitching methods to get published. Ready to turn those rejections into rave reviews? Read on.

Know Who You’re Pitching To

Not all music editors are created equal. Before blasting your email shotgun-style, do some research. Figure out which publications or platforms vibe with your sound/writing style or if they’re even accepting pitches. Check out some of their recent articles and featured artists, and check their submission guidelines.

What genres do they mostly cover or have knowledge about? Also, make sure your voice lines up with their target audience. You don’t want to submit an overly serious story angle to a publication more interested in the latest TikTok dance crazes. For musicians specifically: Seek out publications that have writers and editors that dig your genre and are actively looking for new artists to cover!

Bonus: We can help curate this contact list for you with HAULIX+

Ditch the Generic Greetings

Do not open your email with: “Dear Music Editor”. Editors get slammed with dozens of emails a day, so you NEED to stand out from the crowd. Find the editor’s name and personalize your greeting. Plus, a little effort shows you care – not just about getting featured, but about building a genuine connection. The music industry is ALL about the relationships you build along the way.

Subject Line: The Click-Worthy Hook

Your subject line is the first impression, so please think of something better than “Pitch”. Here is the ideal space to give an overview of what you’d like to be covered, or simply use a working headline. Your email subject should be able to tell as much of your story on its own.

Here are some examples:

“The Haunting Synth-Pop You Didn’t Know You Needed: [Your Artist Name]”

“The Music Producer Who Recorded His Album Underwater: Meet [Artist Name]”

“This Metal-Jazz Fusion Band Toured The World On A Tricycle”

Keep it short, punchy, and relevant. Don’t be too clickbaity, but definitely pique their curiosity. Sometimes you might just have a really wild story to share.

E-mail body: Keep it interesting but to the point

This is where you make your case, but keep it concise. Don’t write your full autobiography but make sure to highlight what makes your pitch different and a worthwhile story to share. Why should people care?

If you’re a writer, here’s where you:

  • Introduce yourself, briefly. Include links to some past, relevant stories.
  • Include an interesting hook. Was this song recorded in a secluded cabin in the Arctic Circle? Mention this here.
  • Try to have most of your angle and story formed already so the editor can see your vision.
  • Extra bonus: You could suggest a few interview questions prepared for the artist you’d like to cover.

If you’re a musician:

  • Introduce yourself, your band, and genre. Briefly mention what makes your music unique to further grab the editor’s interest.
  • Tell them what you’re pitching. Are you offering an exclusive interview with your band or a chance to premiere an upcoming music video? You can also just submit your music for coverage for certain columns or features.
  • Include links to your music or a streaming platform where they can easily find the music.

Remember: Editors do not have time to read a novel in their inbox.

Proofread Like a Pro

Typos and grammatical errors scream amateur. Take the time to proofread your email before hitting send. You want to impress editors, not make them question your basic writing skills. It can seem petty but this is the only first impression you’ve got!

Follow Up (But Not Too Much)

If you don’t hear back within a week, a polite follow-up email is fine. But please avoid spamming their inbox. Respect their time, and if they don’t respond, move on and try another editor.

Bonus Tip: Be Social

There is a reason social media is so popular — it works. Follow editors you want to pitch on Twitter or Instagram. Engage with their content, show them you’re a real person with a genuine passion for music. Sometimes, a well-timed comment can lead to an unexpected opportunity. You never know!

Remember, pitching editors takes time and effort. But by crafting a killer pitch and putting yourself out there, you’ll increase your chances of getting your music and stories heard.

If you’re an artist who wants to submit your music to publications, visit HAULIX.com to read more about how HAULIX+ can take the guesswork out of pitching and help you grow your network!

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News

A New Approach To AI-Generated Vocals

The music industry is constantly adapting to new technologies and trends, however, with the rise of artificial intelligence and AI-generated music, the industry is now facing a whole new challenge: AI-generated deep fakes.

As we’ve seen, this technology can be used to create convincing fake voices of real people. While this can be a creative way for musicians to experiment with new sounds and styles, it also raises major concerns about ethics, copyright infringement, and authenticity. Most recently, the AI-generated Drake and The Weeknd track, “Heart on My Sleeve,” spread like wildfire over the internet, leading to mass takedowns. But what happens to the thousands in streaming royalties the track earned? And what do we do when the inevitable next AI-deep fake vocal track goes viral? Issue takedowns over and over while streaming royalties continue to build and be held? Well, Canadian musician Grimes has a potential solution that could create a new model for the industry.

Grimes recently announced on Twitter that she will allow artists to use her AI-generated voice to make songs, and she will give the creator a 50% split of the royalties. She and her team are also working on a program that will simulate her voice, making it easy for artists to use. Could Grimes’ plan help solve the problem of AI-generated deep-fake vocals? She is “interested in being a Guinea pig” for the process, so time will tell. Ultimately, by partnering with artists like Grimes, AI-generated music could be made with the explicit permission and collaboration of the artist, making it clear that the vocals are not authentic.

By embracing AI and working with other artists to create new music, not only is Grimes changing the way we think about creativity, but also aiming to solve a problem. This could open the door for the industry to view AI-generated vocals as an opportunity instead of a cause for concern. With this model, it could introduce additional income streams, increased artist awareness, and even assist in breaking emerging artists and producers. It remains to be seen how artists and the industry as a whole will respond, but one thing is for sure: the rise of AI-generated music is a trend that’s not going away anytime soon, and the industry needs to find a way to embrace it while also protecting the rights of its artists.

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Artist Advice News

The Importance of Sync Licensing

Hey there, music lovers! Today at HAULIX Daily, we’re going to be talking about the importance of sync licensing in the music industry. If you’re thinking, Wait. Sync licensing? What’s that? Well, friends, it’s when your music gets matched up with visuals like TV shows, movies, commercials, and video games. And it’s a big deal.

So, how can independent artists get in on the action? It’s not as hard as you might think… especially if you follow some of these steps:

Step 1: Make sure your music is top-notch

No one’s going to consider low-quality, poorly-produced music. So, before you even think about submitting your music for sync placements, make sure it’s mixed and mastered to a professional standard.

Step 2: Do your research

There are tons of sync agencies and music libraries out there, all with their own unique preferences. Do your homework and find the ones that specialize in your genre of music. Don’t waste your time sending your death metal album to a library that only licenses lullabies.

Step 3: Build your portfolio

A portfolio of your music is like a resume for your tunes. You want to showcase your best work and show off your range as an artist. And don’t forget to include both instrumentals and vocal versions, because sometimes a sync placement requires an instrumental and yours could be perfect if you provide an option without a vocal.

Step 4: Submit your music

Many sync agencies and libraries have online submission forms that you can use to send in your music. Follow their guidelines to the T, and give them as much information as possible about your music and your beautiful self. Sell yourself and put your best foot forward.

Step 5: Network, network, network

Getting a sync placement isn’t just about submitting your music and crossing your fingers. You need to network with industry professionals, like music supervisors and other sync agents. Attend industry events, schmooze like a pro, and make those connections. Who knows? Maybe the person you’re chatting with at the bar is secretly a music supervisor for a big-time movie, and they’re just waiting for the perfect song to drop in.

Step 6: Be patient

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a successful music career. It takes time to get noticed and get those big sync placements. So, don’t lose hope if you don’t hear back right away. Keep working on your craft, building your reputation, and submitting your music to different agencies and libraries. The more you put yourself out there, the more likely you are to get those sweet, sweet sync placements.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down, you might be thinking. I’m just an independent artist trying to make it in the big, bad music industry. How am I supposed to do all of this? Well, you’ve got to believe in yourself. Believe in your music. And don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. It may be scary, but it’s worth it.

Remember, music licensing is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to building a successful music career. Keep creating, keep networking, and keep being awesome. Now go forth and make some amazing music!

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News

Will AI Take Over Musician Jobs?

Guest Author: Ramiro Somosierra

Ok, yes: AI is the new buzzword, as “NFT” was last year (or was it the one before?) but if you had spent at least 5 minutes with ChatGPT these previous months you probably know there’s a reason for it.

And while seemingly intelligent chatbots are just an application of the technology, they are scarily good enough to worry us all about our jobs.

But calm down.

I’m here to tell you, most likely, everything will be alright.

Hey there, this is Ramiro from GearAficionado, an online music magazine. Apart from being a musician, I also have a Master’s in Applied Economics, and I did my dissertation on the effects of automation in the job market.

To begin with, let me say, this has already happened in other industries, and we are still here.

Arguably, we are way better than before heavy automation entered the market.

Let’s go briefly through two examples:

The Car

When the car was invented, everyone was heavy on the horse. 

Soon enough, the mechanical alternative was accepted as a more efficient alternative, and although the industry built around animal transportation came to a steep decline, ultimately the amount of business the car generated completely offset the losses.

ATMs

Before ATMs, if you needed to deposit or withdraw money from a bank you needed to talk to a human.

Crazy, huh?

More crazily, being a teller was, by far, the most common job at a bank.

Now, enter the ATM, and tellers rapidly become obsolete.

Although tragic at first, the outlook ended up being favorable.

Running a bank branch with ATMs instead of people for those tasks greatly reduced the costs, allowing financial institutions to open a lot more subsidiaries nationwide.

After a decade, the number of bank jobs not only hadn’t decreased: It actually grew.

Music

But what has this all to do with music and musicians?

Well, everything.

The first thing to understand is that until we develop a generalized AI with abilities no different than those of a human, you can only automate tasks and not jobs.

What will happen to us musician is that we will be replaced in only the most basic and repetitive tasks by robots.

But, on the other hand, it will allow a lot more people to finish more work more quickly.

Think of composing or recording a new song in 10% of the time it would usually take you.

Probably if you are on an artistic search this will not mean much to you, but if you are a composer, an arranger, or a sound designer, it could be the world for you.

On top of this, it’s likely that a lot of people interested in music, but without the theoretical knowledge required would jump in and start creating their own tracks.

Music will be democratized just like singing was when Autotune and Melodyne stormed the scene.

And, of course, these “vocal enhancing” tools can’t make you sing like Sinatra, but they helped spawn a completely new thing.

With more music out there, more music-adjacent jobs will be created.

And while perhaps your actual dream job might change in shape or cease to exist, opportunities will rise.

The best thing we can do is stay up to date with what’s happening, and don’t try to fight the technology, but rather learn how to incorporate it into our current workflows.

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Industry News News

The Future of Music Royalty Rates is Here: What You Need to Know About Settlement 2

The CRB has approved new royalty rates, set to take effect in 2023. What does this mean for songwriters and how do you make sure you’re getting paid properly?

Change is an inevitable part of life, and the same is true in the music industry. Earlier this month, the US Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) announced that it had approved a new settlement agreement for royalty rates on physical products, permanent downloads, ringtones, and music bundles. This settlement agreement—which has been dubbed “Settlement 2”—will take effect on January 1st, 2023, and will be part of Phonorecords IV.

Under this new settlement, songwriters will earn a higher rate of 12 cents per track or 2.31 cents per minute of playing time (whichever is larger) for physical products and permanent downloads, with the option for inflation-based adjustments in subsequent years. Ringtones will maintain their current rate of 24 cents per track or 4.62 cents per minute of playing time, until 2026.

What Does This Mean For Songwriters?

This news comes as a welcome surprise to many musicians and songwriters who have long been advocating for better royalty rates. The CRB estimates that these higher rates will result in an approximately 20% increase in payouts to songwriters over the next five years. Additionally, this new settlement also includes provisions that would allow for inflation-based adjustments each year after 2026.

How Can I Make Sure I’m Getting Paid Properly?

It is important that all musicians and songwriters review their contracts carefully before signing them to make sure they are getting paid properly according to Settlement 2’s guidelines. It can be difficult to keep track of all the changing laws and regulations related to copyright law so it may be helpful to seek advice from an experienced attorney or professional consultant if you are having trouble understanding any aspect of your contract or royalties payments structure, or seek out information from one of the many online resources available.

The CRB’s announcement regarding Settlement 2 is great news for musicians and songwriters across the country who have been advocating for better royalty rates for years now. With this new settlement in place starting on January 1st, 2023, songwriters should expect to see an increase in their income which could translate into more opportunities for creativity and collaboration down the line!

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Artist Advice Business Advice Editorials Industry News News

How Storytelling Separates Music Stars From Complete Unknowns

Your music may tell people your story, but that assumes they will listen.

Artists like to believe their music tells their story.

And it might—as long as someone listens to it. How do you plan to hook everyone else?

How does someone who encounters you on social media via random mention or sound on TikTok learn about you? If they want to support you financially or otherwise, are there clear ways to do that?

Everywhere you exist online provides space for creators to tell their stories. Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, Resso, and Tidal all have artist profiles. Anyone who finds you on these platforms should be able to learn about you, but a shocking number of independent artists continue to leave these spaces blank.

Maybe the motivation is artistic. Perhaps these artists feel the music should speak for itself, but again—that idea hinges on people hearing the music and paying close attention.

The vast majority of humanity—99.9999%—will judge you and your music before hearing a note if they think of you at all. You need to use every tool at your disposal to convey your music’s core ideas and motivations to your masses.

Your music is—at best—the start of your storytelling journey. As Music Biz host James Shotwell explains in the following video, storytelling serves a very important role in the outcome of any artist’s career. Knowing who you are is not enough. It might have been at one point, but everyone can reach anyone at a moment’s notice. Succinctly conveying your journey to others will help separate you from your peers and create a clearly defined, unique path for you through music.

Music Biz is brought to you by Haulix, the music industry’s leading promotional distribution platform. Start your one-month free trial today and gain instant access to the same promotional tools used by BMG, Concord, Rise Records, Pure Noise Records, and hundreds more. Visit http://haulix.com/signup for details.

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Business Advice Editorials Industry News News

5 Simple, Effective Approaches To Artist Branding

Branding is an important part of any career, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating or time-consuming.

Let’s be clear: You have a brand whether or not you embrace the idea of branding as an essential part of existing as an artist in the modern age. Your brand exists and evolves whether regardless of your participation in its progression. People will think what they will or worse—not think of you at all.

Brand marketing is the process of establishing and growing a relationship between a brand (that’s you) and consumers (your current and future audience).

Every aspect of your career, both online and in the real world, impacts your brand. Some artists spend their careers meticulously crafting personas and fictitious worlds that they use to establish a brand that audiences can lose themselves in. Others prefer a more natural approach, presenting and behaving as everyday people in incredible jobs. Both ideas can work, and both can backfire. Authenticity reigns supreme.

When learning about branding, many artists shy away from the idea because they feel it will become too time-consuming to maintain. Musicians are trying to make music, and that creative pursuit rarely adheres to a traditional business model, despite being a business nonetheless.

In our latest Music Biz video, host James Shotwell presents five unique ways artist develop their brands and explains easy ways to apply similar thinking to any career. The purpose of this discussion is not to finalize your brand but to generate new ways of thinking about your art and how you tell your story through the many elements of your career.

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Artist Advice Business Advice Editorials Industry News

The Best Argument For Making More Short-Form Video Content

Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube have given every artist a big reason to make more looping videos.

Have you noticed how every platform is becoming TikTok lately?

Instagram? Reels. And old TikToks.

YouTube? Shorts. And old TikToks. And old Reels.

Facebook? Repurposed Reels. Twitter? Old Reels, Shorts, and TikToks.

Twitter? All of the above, with the occasional original thought thrown in for fun.

Even Spotify has tested a TikTok-like discovery feature.

The copycat nature of social media may seem strange right now, but it’s happening for a good reason.

TikTok understands the value of individual experiences. Rather than treat people as part of a community based on their connection like most apps, TikTok treats people as unique individuals. No two recommendation feeds are the same, and that approach is turning heads throughout the tech world.

By offering more personalized user experiences, apps are learning more about us. That information is fueling a new era in marketing and advertising, which Music Biz host James Shotwell explains at length in this update. Click below to learn why there has never been a better time—or reason—to start making video content.

Music Biz is brought to you by Haulix, the music industry’s leading promotional distribution platform. Start your one-month free trial today and gain instant access to the same promotional tools used by BMG, Concord, Rise Records, Pure Noise Records, and hundreds more. Visit http://haulix.com/signup for details.

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Artist Advice Business Advice Editorials Industry News News

What Is Recommendation Media, And Why Does It Matter?

Believe it or not, social media is dying.

Social media was flawed from the start. At the dawn of digital connections, nobody anticipated how our real-world relationships and mutual interests would be weaponized for advertising campaigns. We probably should have considered it—maybe some even thought about it—but this was when smartphones were still a new idea.

After nearly two decades of making connections across various platforms, social media users often complain their most important relationships are nowhere to be found. “I never see ____ anymore,” people will tell you, often as a justification for missing an important event or detail. “The algorithm must not like them.”

But the problem with social media is far more complicated than simply showing you different posts. Algorithms learn from behaviors, and our behaviors have told algorithms that we don’t want to see our friends or parents in our timeline. We may like their posts from time to time, but we like memes, news, and viral content far more often. Those actions make it clear that the best way to keep you engaged is to give you more of what you already like, which creates a loop of relevant content.

Breaking these loops can be difficult, even when you no longer care about the content. In this Music Biz update, host James Shotwell explains how the infrastructure behind an entire generation of social media apps was not built to adapt to modern times and which leading service is closest to getting it right. He also explains the rise of so-called “recommendation media” and how its popularity speaks to a positive future for creators everywhere.

Music Biz is brought to you by Haulix, the music industry’s leading promotional distribution platform. Start your one-month free trial today and gain instant access to the same promotional tools used by BMG, Concord, Rise Records, Pure Noise Records, and hundreds more. Visit http://haulix.com/signup for details.

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Industry News News

The World’s Simplest Social Media Marketing Strategy For Musicians

After many have promoted the idea of constant posting across multiple platforms, Haulix recommends taking a step back and starting over with a fresh perspective on all things social.

We messed up! Shortly after launching our month-long challenge to post daily TikTok updates, the video-sharing platform released new guidance for creators. After years of so-called gurus promoting the idea of publishing multiple videos every day—an idea that has led many creators to resent the platform—TikTok now claims daily content is not required for meaningful growth.

We, like you, were already weeks into our challenge when this news reached us. We thought about continuing ahead as planned, but then we stopped and gave TikTok’s advice some serious consideration. The more we thought about it, the more we realized our mistakes. Like many social media teachers, we’ve often cited the need to be persistent in publishing content to appease the algorithm. We put quantity over quality, and—more importantly—we put it over our sanity.

Nobody can post quality content every day. That is doubly true when discussing creators only on social media to promote their passion. Musicians who aspire to write life-changing songs can only afford so much creative space and time for marketing. The idea that the only way to get ahead is to produce thousands of pieces of social content for every song they write is unsustainable.

In his latest Music Biz update, host James Shotwell guides artists trying to make their mark on social media while grinding it out in the underground music scene. He also offers an apology, along with a new plan for social media success that should make your mind—and wallet—happy.

Music Biz is brought to you by Haulix, the music industry’s leading promotional distribution platform. Start your one-month free trial today and gain instant access to the same promotional tools used by BMG, Concord, Rise Records, Pure Noise Records, and hundreds more. Visit http://haulix.com/signup for details.

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