There are several reasons why artists in particular do not like asking for money. Here are some to chew over:

1. Value: They either do not value themselves enough or have placed no real value on their skills/abilities/creativity, or do not know their worth. What is Value: What are you worth? What do you think you deserve? The question of value is so key to financial success in the music business but many do not even think about it. I know of many good artists who have helped promoters build their own business to the artist’s financial detriment. (I am not having a go at promoters but trying to educate the artists). The value an artist places on themselves will determine how much effort they put into their career and how much they ask for in relation to the supply of services such as PAs, session work, backing vocals etc.

The interesting aspect of this whole issue of paying artists for performances is interesting because there is a code 1003 that says “If you do not ask for money you don’t get it!” Most venues can at least pay toward the artists’ expenses but they do not because the artist does not ask and the artists’ do not ask because they have not placed a value of their craft!

2. Wrong industry perception: Some artists believe that you do PA’s for free until you have a hit record. This is totally untrue. It is a wrong industry perception. At this point let me clarify some things: – If you are just starting out as an artist you must be prepared to do some gigs for free. To hone your craft, to develop confidence, to learn crowd interaction, to learn how to use the stage, to develop your stage presence and so on. Once you have achieved some success doing this, (I mean you have become good enough to add value to a promoter’s night) you deserve to start getting paid.

Of cause having a relative hit whacks up your earning capacity, but you still need to invite people to contribute towards your expenses! What I am saying is Ask for money! Ask for money! Ask for money!

3. “If I ask I will lose the gig!” Guess what? That could be true! There is always a price to pay for stepping out of your comfort zone. My question to you is how long do you intend to continue financing other peoples’ businesses to your own detriment? How long do you want to be in debt for someone else? How long do you want to continue eating beans on toast whilst those who are not as good as you are eating in fancy restaurants and driving by in convertible BMWs, waving at you at the bus top while you’re busy lugging your kit to the next free gig?

Here is some good advice until I see you next time: 1. You need to place a value on what you are worth per gig and start asking. May be the first time you ask you might not get it because of the way you put your request. But get some coaching skills if you need it and keep on asking. You will get it. 2. You must be so good that it will be silly not to pay you. Work of your craft; be amazing on stage! 3. Have a quest for improvement every time!

Next time we will talk about how to maximise your gig.

 If your answer is yes, then you must enrol in Sledge Media’s

 Free Music Management Course!

 What you will learn from this Free 5 Part Music Business Program:

•  How to find and keep customers
• How to create a working business model
• Time management skills
• Negotiation skill
• Secrets of success in this industry
• How to make money from the music business instead of just participating
• Essential business skills for the 21^st century without the theory
• Work sheets that will help you put into practice everything you’ve learnt
• … and much more!

 We are confident that if you do all the work sheets associated with this Music Management Program and put into practice what you learn, you will see results and your business will grow from an insignificant brand to a money making business label.

 To enrol, simply drop us an email with the subject line: “I wish to enrol” to info@sledgemedia.co.uk. Over the next 5 weeks you will receive each part of the course and subsequent modules delivered straight to your inbox.

 What people have said about our courses:

“ Extremely useful” – Pauline Henry (Chimes)

“Validated! Ready to go!!” – Frederick Baptise

“Informative and educational” – Honey Kalaria (Diva Entertainment)

 Although we are aware of the possible demand for the course we are only willing to offer it to the first 50 people who register. The course is absolutely free – so register now by emailing info@sledgemedia.co.uk.

This is your chance to change and grow your business!

£30.00

Join Boomy Tokan A leading Music Business Expert Plus Guest Speakers at they unveil

• how to present yourself for funding
• loans
• available Grants
• other unusual sources of money for music business and how to access them!
• And much more

An enlightening look at the ways to make money, how potential funders and investors perceive the music business, the methods of increasing your chances to access funding plus the grants and loans available for your business.

This course will reveal how you can package yourself like a business through the language and methods used to translate your ideas to a business plan.

This eye opening and not to be missed class will empower any business that needs to make money.

£80.00

Learn How to Run a Successful Music Business

UNDERSTANDING THE BUSINESS OF MUSIC

If you want to grow your Music Business, save £1000’s and avoid loads of pain; if you want to truly understand the Business of Music, solve your current business issues, be inspired to run a profitable business and learn how you can make a living from your passion, you need to register to attend the Understanding The Business Of Music course.

On this course you will discover simple yet effective ways to chart your releases, distribute your products both online & offline, generate interest from radio stations & stores, create a business plan and market your products effectively!

The Understanding the Business of Music course is a must for those wanting to start in business as well as recording artists/bands, studio & label owners and existing music businesses in need of a refresher and who are seeking a fresh insight into how the industry works today!

This All Day Course will teach you:

1)    How the Music Business Works

2)    How to create a Business Model that works

3)    Contracts – The important terms to include and how they work!

4)    Copyright – How to benefit from it

5)    Marketing – The best way to market your business today

6)    Using a studio effectively – How to save money and get what you want

7)    Distribution Deals – how to get one and how it works

8)    Business planning – How to create a working plan

Your host for this course is music business expert Boomy Tokan.

Our Expert Guest Lecturers on the day include:

-       Chris Summers: Rough Trade

-       Kwaku: BBMC

-       Lee Parsons: Ditto Music

The Understanding the Business of Music course will be taking place on Saturday 27^th February 2010 from 10am to 5pm.

The Course Venue will be the Holiday Inn, Silver Town Way, London E16 1EA (nearest Tube/DLR station – Canning Town)

*Tickets cost £80 before the 27^th of January 2010. Thereafter it will rise to £100.  The price includes all course materials. Lunch is provided along with beverages.

Those who book before the 27^th of January will also reap the added benefit of receiving a free 45 minutes Business Consultation with Boomy Tokan – this is worth the price of the ticket itself!

(Tickets must be purchased in advance before the event.  There will be no sales on the door.)

What the people who came along to our last course (How to sell 5-10k of every release) said:

“Extremely useful to meet the experts” Pauline Henry

“I’m ready for action” Nyilah Ferguson

“Motivational” Adjoa

“Informative and educational for those who wish to pursue their career with understanding.” Honey K.

“[these are the] Specialists in Music” David Houghton

“The course has given me the thing to do” Blue G.

“Validation!  I feel set ready to engage” Frederic

*Tickets can be purchased at www.seetickets.com/?a=sledge+media from www.sledgemedia.co.uk or by sending a cheque (made out to Sledge Media) to Sledge House, 70 Scott Road, Grays. Essex RM16 4EJ

Money Back Guarantee

If you put to work what we tell you and it does not improve your business within 60 Days, We will give your money back in Full!

£60.00

Add consultation

£15.00

This masterclass will help you to do exactly what it says on the tin!
The class focuses directly on the Process, the Method and the Execution of the Method to enable you to walk a path that few have been able to!

Selling 5–10k of every release will not only ensure you obtain the much needed support from industry players; it will also place you in a strong financial position – Deals will chase you rather than the other way round!

With lectures from a variety of leading Music Business Experts, this course is a must for all aspiring and existing artists and music businesses!

• Day/Dates:        Saturday 14th November
• VenueExpress By Holiday Inn, 1 Silvertown way
• Nearest tube – Canning Town (Jubilee and DLR Lines)
• Time:  10.00am – 5.00 pm
• Online Booking Mates Rate £60 or Mates Rate Plus Consultation £75 (£100 at the door)

This programme will be headed by Boomy Tokan; Boomy Tokan is Operations Manager for Sledge Media, Business Advisor at the Portobello Business Centre and lecturer at City University on the Cultural Industries. The programme will also include other leading business owners and advisors. The expertise and experience of Boomy Tokan and the guest lecturers ensures that the highest quality of support and advice is granted, providing the participants with expertise and opportunities for development.

Through this initiative various opportunities will be available particularly for that not in education and thus diverting the attraction to crime by placing emphasis on positive achievements.

The programme will consist of seven young people from a diverse cultural and educational background. The participants will start the programme with their own business ideas and they will be assisted in elevating their business ideas from that stage into successful businesses. The programme will be working towards the prospect of a one million pound combined turnover within the first 18 months of the businesses.

The programme seeks not only to establish the businesses of the participants but also to create long term employment, raise the self esteem of the participants and develop them into good role models for their peers.

The requirements for such a programme to be successful vary from financial to equipment based. Currently the project needs eight laptops, internet services, stationary and financial contributions towards various transport needs and guest lecturers. The total financial cost of the project has been estimated at £35,000-50,000.

Please kindly forward your response or information on any assistance you can provide to boomytokan@sledgemedia.co.uk. Furthermore if you would like anymore information about the project please contact me via the email address that has been enclosed. Your support will be much appreciated.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Boomy Tokan
Sledge Media

£TBC

In today’s internet accessible world, music businesses have to seek other methods of generating new, additional sources of finance. Licensing, Compilation & Synchronisation Deals offer us invaluable alternatives.

This teaching covers the method, what the potential profits are and how to explore ideas you need to generate and access the income from these sources.

This class comes as a package which includes access to 12 agencies (obtained by emailing us) where you can potentially get your products licensed to today! The practicality of this teaching makes it useful for anyone thinking of maximising profits!