3 Reasons Authors MUST Develop Their Own Platforms (a blog post from Michael Hyatt)

This is a blog post from Michael Hyatt, CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers. Mike is spot-on in his assessment (and as CEO of one of the largest faith-based publishers in the world he should know!). And we concur.

But equally, we believe the same general principles apply to recording artists. But in music biz terms, we call it "making fans."

So whether you like the term "build your own platform" or "make fans," it still comes down to one underlying theme for both artists and authors: YOU are responsible for building your career, not the publisher and not the record label.

At my agency, D-Squared Entertainment, we can help you. With 27 years of experience in working with artists, authors, record labels, publishers and film companies, we can show you how to build your platform, make fans, build a career.

Give us a call or send an email for a free one hour consult.
(615) 287-9215 or dennis@d2entertainment.com

Read Mike’s post here.

Visit my agency's website here.

Things That Make You Go, "Hmmm..."

Today's DigitalMusicNews.com e-news blast contained two interesting tidbits for those of us in the music industry at large, but more precisely for the Christian music business in particular and for independent artists (of all genres).

Warner Music for Sale?

In a niche industry such as Christian music, it's already a monumental challenge for three major labels/distributors to exist simultaneously and profitably. With Warner Music owning Word Entertainment and EMI the parent of EMI Christian Music Group (which includes Sparrow Records), any deal involving the merger of the two music giants will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the operations of their respective Christian music divisions. I won't speculate on the various scenarios that could result, but between the FTC anti-trust issues and the relative miniature size of the Christian music arena, commonsense dictates that major shifts in the Christian industry would have to take place should Warner and EMI come together as one.

Superstars Bleed, Too

For indie artists and labels of all genres (including Christian music), it's always been a challenge to be competitive and profitable. The web-induced promise of a more egalitarian music business where indie artists/labels could thrive and experience significant revenue growth may actually be more of a pipe-dream. The IFPI report is worth a read. Download it from the link in the article.

As Dylan stated, "The times they are a-changin'"; and as "Duke" Wayne stated at the beginning of his 1970 film, "Chisum": "things usually change for the better." In our case, things are a-changin' almost daily...but I'm not sure how much is for the better just yet. But I do know it makes me go, "Hmmm..."

What say you?

"May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us-yes, establish the work of our hands." -Psalm 90:17