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Is This A Business Or A Game?
He calculates and determines that the yearly SOURCE Awards in Miami is the place to launch his label, so he makes sure that he is prepared. He first buys a full-page ad in the Special Awards issue of the SOURCE magazine and two Platinum tickets each for himself, his partner and three artists. Now he is guaranteed a chance to walk the red carpet and sit near the front of the auditorium. He buys two used motor coaches to transport his 60-member crew in, rents a mansion on "Millionaires Row" for three days to house part of his crew and to have a place to hold an exclusive private party. Knowing that the real ballers need to be seen, he rents five rooms at the Loews hotel for three days just for himself and four trusted lieutenants. His three acts must look good, so he gives each act a clothing allowance budget and sends them out to shop. Having seen how the greatest rap artists party, he rents the VIP room at the hottest clubs in town for three nights and makes sure that he has plenty bottles of Moet, Grey Goose and Dom available for his guests. He has setup performances by each of his acts every night, and partnered with the club owner to have a major recording artist "after party" in the club while he hosts their VIP area. Within his crew are his Street Team members, who will drive two wrapped vans around the event and make sure the city is saturated with flyers, posters and mix CDs. His lieutenants have visited the main strip clubs in Miami, and now he knows that he will have beautiful people at his private party. His party plans are a huge success, and he now knows that his label will be the talk of the weekend. Let's look at his total expenses: Transportation: Motor Coaches: $100,000
Housing
Food
Liquor
Promotion
Entertainment
Shopping
TOTAL: $245,950 This does not take into consideration studio costs, producer fees and individual artist costs. What has Karl received for his money outside of a wonderful, fun-filled weekend in Miami? * Show Off Records' name has been blasted over the radio every night, but none of the Show Off Records music has been played. If Karl has an accident or for some unforeseen reason cannot function as the head of the label, who will take over and save his investment? * The creation of a written document outlining the agreement among partners should have been one of the first things he did. How will he keep in contact with the many different individuals and companies he and his crew have come in contact with? * Incorporation of the business will give Show Off Records the tools needed to create a corporate bank account, savings certificates and a corporate credit card. Additionally, it will also give him the basis for paying his taxes and the ability to keep open and honest legal documents. Most important of all is the staff that Show Off Records must utilize to accomplish the type of marketing and promotion they will need to place product into the mainstream. * Staffing should consist of a primary industry professional (consultant), an office manager, and at least three office workers, all who should be computer literate. Unfortunately, what I am finding more and more of this the young entrepreneur who really only desires the fame and popularity associated with the entertainment industry, and not the basic business acumen needed to initiate and maintain a viable entertainment business. "BALLIN" has become a game of one-upmanship to see who has the brightest "iced out jewelry," the biggest most expensive cars, and the latest fashions, who can market themselves into a major deal, yet not have any professional team available to maintain a deal. Recently, I spoke at a conference and during a private networking session, I was asked how to just "jump over" all that old fashioned business and go directly to having a major record deal. My response was that it would be really easy to do if you have met someone in the position of power at the major labels that wanted to immediately sign you and spend their money on making your career. The only issue I can see would be how you would keep a deal of this magnitude without chosen individuals around you that know the business, have connections, and will work on your behalf to ensure your continued success and well being. In other words, where is your trusted team? Why not develop the business structure you will need now, acquire your trusted team, develop your database of industry connections, and prepare yourself for success? Here is a basic Record Label startup expense sheet based for a six (6) month plan. The difference between the two expense sheets is phenomenal. Office
Hardware
Computer 5 each, $5,000
Software
Salaries
TOTAL: $142,600 This does not take into consideration studio costs, producer fees and individual artist costs, but now you still have money to create product, test it, sell it, market and promote. So my question becomes, IS THIS A BUSINESS OR A GAME? Why venture into the entertainment industry if what you really want is your personal 15 minutes of fame? The duties of a record label are to produce, manufacture, market, promote, sell and collect monies on the music that is created by the company. Anything less is not a record company!
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