Becoming a music producer

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Fade

The Beat Strangler
Administrator
illest o.g.
That's very true, however that's also borderline "holding your hand" sometimes. We all know how hard it is to get your point across by typing!
 

Greg Savage

Ehh Fuck you
ill o.g.
Some good advice in here, but these articles at the end of the day never talk about how to actually get clients. How to close deals, how to get the NEXT clients ETC. You can talk rates all day, but with no customers its a waste of time.

I think people make the client finding part harder than it needs to be. Closing deals? I mean.... what type of deals?

Lets start a new thread and get these questions answered
 

thedreampolice

A backwards poet writes inverse.
ill o.g.
Battle Points: 21
I mean how to close a sale. Most people don't know this. Or the art of negation. But yea let's talk. How do you find your first client that will pay 5k for you to produce their album. I know it took me 3 years and a ton of hustle, so I think this would be a good starting point.
 

Greg Savage

Ehh Fuck you
ill o.g.
I mean how to close a sale. Most people don't know this. Or the art of negation. But yea let's talk. How do you find your first client that will pay 5k for you to produce their album. I know it took me 3 years and a ton of hustle, so I think this would be a good starting point.

Want to close a sale quickly

then say "yes". Seriously, the sooner you say "yes" the sooner you close, the more revisions, terms and negotiating the harder the close is going to be. Most of this is going to depend on you and your client of course and what you and they are willing to settle for. Put things in the favor of the client you'll close everytime

Finding clients that'll pay 5k to produce an album

Go for those who are making money, those who have established a fanbase, 5k is a drop in the hat for them, it's a write off for them, it's nothing to them. I don't know who you're targeting client wise, but if it's hiphop and they have no name 5k isn't going to pushed in your direction unless you have a track record. If you can't prove why the 5k is relevant they aren't going to spend 5k.

5k because you're going to make the beats, mix, master and assist with the writing... No, we want to know what happen to the last acts that used your services. It's still dumb because you can't control your clients success unless you take on the role of a song plugger, manager or marketer, but it still makes the client feel good knowing that your past clients are going somewhere

Pay attention to charts, local charts and especially bands and acts that tour. If they tour, they are generating an income and that's who you want to target "if" you're trying to produce an album

Finding the client is simple, them actually feeling your material is worth the price that's a different story

It takes years to reach this level

Maybe, for some it does for some it doesn't, it depends on the person's resources and circumstances
 
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thedreampolice

A backwards poet writes inverse.
ill o.g.
Battle Points: 21
Lets talk closing the sale for a sec. There is a thing called a Mexican standoff in negation. It happens to you almost everyday you may not even know. When you are looking to purchase good's or services and the person selling tells you the price. The next person who talk's looses! So if you are on the phone with an artist and you say "This project will cost you 10k" SHUT THE FUCK UP until they talk. If they talk first most of the time you will get your asking price, if you talk first they will almost always talk you down or not buy at all. People hate awkward silence so much they are willing to agree to a deal to end the silence. Also you can tell who has sales experience and who doesn't by observing this. Lots of fun!

Of course this is much more difficult over email. If you ever want to see an interesting pitch letter read the one Steve Albini wrote to Nirvana to get the gig to record and mix "In Utero" It's AMAZING!

http://imgur.com/a/p0tKn is the link to read it.
 

Greg Savage

Ehh Fuck you
ill o.g.
Sounds interesting, can't say I have knowingly experienced that. I can say that I've been contacted by companies with a specific budget in mind and based on the amount of work and compensation I've either negotiated up or agreed to terms

Most of my negotiations upward have always been accepted. I'm always 1st to speak after hearing the budget. I've also been asked how much I'd charge for x amount of work..given the price quote and have been asked if I'd be willing to drop prices and have stuck to my guns and it ended with a "sorry we couldn't do business"

My answer to anything outside of my budget is going to be "no" regardless of who's speaking 1st. Music, real estate, tax liens, sites... I've sold quite and purchased a few things and can't recall experiencing what you have outlined...

What markets have you seen this work in? I ask because now I'm i'm thinking of all the telemarketers out there. Good vs horrible ones
 
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