Bruce Warila | 11162007 2007 - Do You Need A Record Label?
Do you need a record label? Most artists think they do.
File this one under more interesting Google AdWords data...
I run a few variations of Google text ads promoting this site. I noticed when looking at the Impressions column in my AdWords account that the combined keywords "Record Labels" and "Independent Record Labels" exceeded every other relevant search term by a factor of six to one.
MY ADWORDS CAMPAIGNFor a six day period "Record Labels" and "Independent Record Labels" combined generated 4,376 search impressions, and the next closest search term, "Music Marketing" generated 688 search impressions (click to enlarge the graphic).
In fact, all the other search terms combined barely exceed the gravity of searching for labels.
This could data could have multiple meanings. However, my reaction to this data is that artists still feel that being signed to a record label equates to achieving success.
In spite of all of the Music 2.0 tools, MySpace hype, Facebook hype, iTunes, and the plunge in CD sales, artists are still struggling to find a solution to cut through all of the noise.
I expect this will be the case until we have reached "Music 5.0 Nirvana". The utopian solution is a music universe where artists make radio-ready songs, the songs are placed into the Exposure God, the great ones percolate to the top, the shit ones drop to the bottom, everything is automatic, mass exposure is guaranteed for the best songs, the entire system is frictionless, and royalties are automatically deposited into your account.
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Reader Comments (5)
In an interview on our New Revolution blog , Jason from <http://globallistic.blogspot.com">MuSick in the Head said that "bands will always need experts, because they’re not". I agree with him and I'm sure it's for that reason bands are still searching for a record label. The point is that the record label they are looking for cannot be the old label we know. Bands need new record labels 2.0! We are realizing this dream, but we need everybody's support in order to do that...we're not enough!!
It is what the "Record Label" has always represented: Time, Expertise and Money. When Madonna signed her new "Record Deal" with a concert promoter rather than a traditional label - you know that times are changing.
Mind you having said that - I think I'm gonna just kick back and wait for Bruce's Music 5.0 - sounds awesome!
The staggering plunge in CD sales I believe ( I guess because of an article in Time Life, but what would they know) is attributed to certain genres while others are doing just fine. CDs are becoming obsolete and will be, just like the 8 track and tape, be phased out. MP3s are just a compressed file of an original, which I think sound like crap. The artist that labels, publishes,records, engineers, masters, mass produces and distributes their own material are going to be the wave of the future. A self contained unit that is totally self sufficient and needs no other affiliates to distribute thier album will be on top. Even Nashville is feeling the strain of the independant artist. Walmart and other retailers noticing this trend have made it easier than ever to sell your own CDs and media. The internet allows you to reach almost everyone on earth. Target your audience and get thier attention. You dont need a label, all they are is crooks with alot of mula. They suck you for all your worth and take what is left of your pride and flush it where they just shit. Your a number...........market yourself, if you dont.........who will? NO BODY
Market yourself, yes, but how do you get enough exposure to get someone to pick you up on a tour? generally, they wanna see some numbers before they make those decisions.
VERY GOOD INFO. IVE BEEN APPROACHED BY SEVERAL PERSONS WHO CLAIM THEY CAN DO SOMETHING FOR ME.BUT I FIND IT HARD TO LET SOMEBODY TAKE WHAT BELONGS TO ME.
THATS WHY THERES COPYRIGHTS. ITS TIME THE SONG WRITERS GET THE CREDIT. NOT THE SHARK'S!!!!