Entrepreneurship for the Indie Artist

Record-low album sales, industry lay-offs and ever-evolving changes in technology can be disheartening for the aspiring artist looking to break into the business, but nothing could be further from the truth! There's never been a better time to be a do-it-yourself artist, and this course gives you the tools to assess what you can do yourself (and how) and when you should bring in the professionals. Many musicians record and market their own music, but only a handful actually monetize those efforts. Learn the importance of establishing a brand and how to harness the power of the Internet to generate awareness and excitement around your music. Topics include creating a business plan for yourself and your brand, forming a marketing campaign, deciding on distribution options, optimizing sales through targeted use of social media tracking tools, building a fan base through gigging and merchandise, publishing and licensing, and the latest developments in promotion--all on a shoestring budget. Instruction features guest speakers, who work in various facets of the industry, to bring real-world perspective to the topics.