"Do what you can do best" vs "DIY" approach
"Do what you can do best" - since i've been reading "What would Google do?" by Jeff Jarvis, I started thinking that this was the right way to approach things, especially when talking about business. So, i started applying this philosophy to music business in general, and my latest release "Fragments Found" strictly follows this line - I did what I believe I can do best (composing music and playing it) and I "outsourced" all the rest (graphic design, digital distribution, etc).
I learnt a lot of things in publishing my music under my own imprint, but being conscious of my limits helped me in improve the whole process. I started, then, to imagine how this "Do what you can do best" style (which I like!) may match with another philosophy I accepted and currently practice: the "Do It Yourself" strategy. Seems these two ways of approaching music business are one the opposite of the other, right? Well, maybe it could be at first sight - but, as usually happens, it depends!
I would say that these two approaches are definitely in contrast only if we believe we can do everything alone. I mean, it maybe that someone is extremely gifted and, besides being a brilliant musician, is also a great designer, an excellent booking agent, an awesome web site builder (and i would say i know few of them...!).
But, generally speaking, this is not the case. Expecially if we are paying our bills with a day-job and we are spending nights and spare time in our music-projects. The two approaches, otherwise, come quite closer when we intend "DIY" as "Decide It Yourself". Don't you see the difference? First of all, this implies a great consciousness of our limits. And this is always a good thing: when your art and your self-development both help each other, then things give the most you can expect. Then, frustrations may decrease. I am a good musician but i can not design my covers? No problem, I choose the designer and I choose the covers he will propose me. Don't have time to follow all the practice for registering our music in our local PROs? No problem, I out-source it to the CD manufacturer. I will choose the right one. This will cost us money, that's true. I am not saying that we have to outsource everything (of course!), but waiting to have a good budget maybe a good idea. Do not misunderstand me: when we want to do things, things usually happens. In my "Viandanze" release I did EVERYTHING without outsourcing and.. I made it.
But I had more spare time to dedicate to my music, I had a lower budget (I crowd-founded it, so I was strictly linked to what i received from fans) and I was still learning a lot of things. And, moreover, I forgot some important steps in promoting the album as.. I hadn't any time to think as I was so involved with all the single steps of the production! Approaching the business in this way, helps you to feel less pressure and to focus our efforts in what really matters - the quality of our music. So, for example, here is the comparison bewteen what I decided to outsource for my last "Fragments Found" release and what I did myself: 1. Composing and playing music: I did it; 2. Selecting the titles and which songs to include in the release: I did it; 3. Concept and design of the cover: I choosed a good designer; 4. I choosed a professional studio and outsourced to the sound engineer the recording and the mastering; 5. Press release: I did it 6. Distribution of the press release digitally and to local newspaper: I did it; 7. Digital Distribution: CD Baby did it for me; 8. Sending press kits to magazine and blogs: I did it See? I am still in control of everything (at least I am trying..) but having someone in help surely gave me the opportunity to better plan the promotion of the album. So, one step further has been done in respect of my second release. And for the future? I am still in the process of learning, so everyday I add one little "brick" to my experience, but so far this are the lines which I will probably follow: a. Press kits: I did the most myself (photos, demo CD and packaging) - I outsourced to a professional copywriter the written part of it (bio). b. Live concerts: AH! here comes the pain. I am learning in these days that the "do it yourself" approach does not work (at least for me). So, naturally,
here comes the decision: I will outsource it. But here, again, my experience comes in help: I still need time to get a booking agent who will meet my expectations (and of course, who wants to work with me!). c. Press releases and distribution: I will do it again myself. It seemed it worked well for my latest release, so I will repeat it. d. Rights on my music: I will keep them, all. Now, I am curious to know your thoughts on this - what are you doing alone and what are you outsourcing? Have you any experience or ideas to share?
I learnt a lot of things in publishing my music under my own imprint, but being conscious of my limits helped me in improve the whole process. I started, then, to imagine how this "Do what you can do best" style (which I like!) may match with another philosophy I accepted and currently practice: the "Do It Yourself" strategy. Seems these two ways of approaching music business are one the opposite of the other, right? Well, maybe it could be at first sight - but, as usually happens, it depends!
I would say that these two approaches are definitely in contrast only if we believe we can do everything alone. I mean, it maybe that someone is extremely gifted and, besides being a brilliant musician, is also a great designer, an excellent booking agent, an awesome web site builder (and i would say i know few of them...!).
But, generally speaking, this is not the case. Expecially if we are paying our bills with a day-job and we are spending nights and spare time in our music-projects. The two approaches, otherwise, come quite closer when we intend "DIY" as "Decide It Yourself". Don't you see the difference? First of all, this implies a great consciousness of our limits. And this is always a good thing: when your art and your self-development both help each other, then things give the most you can expect. Then, frustrations may decrease. I am a good musician but i can not design my covers? No problem, I choose the designer and I choose the covers he will propose me. Don't have time to follow all the practice for registering our music in our local PROs? No problem, I out-source it to the CD manufacturer. I will choose the right one. This will cost us money, that's true. I am not saying that we have to outsource everything (of course!), but waiting to have a good budget maybe a good idea. Do not misunderstand me: when we want to do things, things usually happens. In my "Viandanze" release I did EVERYTHING without outsourcing and.. I made it.
But I had more spare time to dedicate to my music, I had a lower budget (I crowd-founded it, so I was strictly linked to what i received from fans) and I was still learning a lot of things. And, moreover, I forgot some important steps in promoting the album as.. I hadn't any time to think as I was so involved with all the single steps of the production! Approaching the business in this way, helps you to feel less pressure and to focus our efforts in what really matters - the quality of our music. So, for example, here is the comparison bewteen what I decided to outsource for my last "Fragments Found" release and what I did myself: 1. Composing and playing music: I did it; 2. Selecting the titles and which songs to include in the release: I did it; 3. Concept and design of the cover: I choosed a good designer; 4. I choosed a professional studio and outsourced to the sound engineer the recording and the mastering; 5. Press release: I did it 6. Distribution of the press release digitally and to local newspaper: I did it; 7. Digital Distribution: CD Baby did it for me; 8. Sending press kits to magazine and blogs: I did it See? I am still in control of everything (at least I am trying..) but having someone in help surely gave me the opportunity to better plan the promotion of the album. So, one step further has been done in respect of my second release. And for the future? I am still in the process of learning, so everyday I add one little "brick" to my experience, but so far this are the lines which I will probably follow: a. Press kits: I did the most myself (photos, demo CD and packaging) - I outsourced to a professional copywriter the written part of it (bio). b. Live concerts: AH! here comes the pain. I am learning in these days that the "do it yourself" approach does not work (at least for me). So, naturally,
here comes the decision: I will outsource it. But here, again, my experience comes in help: I still need time to get a booking agent who will meet my expectations (and of course, who wants to work with me!). c. Press releases and distribution: I will do it again myself. It seemed it worked well for my latest release, so I will repeat it. d. Rights on my music: I will keep them, all. Now, I am curious to know your thoughts on this - what are you doing alone and what are you outsourcing? Have you any experience or ideas to share?
