So a major part of what we do – is educate – the artist who we interact with on social media. WE FORGET that many of you – cannot – make good decisions when left on your own – and – we forget that many of you – do not know how to keep your eyes on the prize.
AS A RECORDING ARTIST there are levels to this – if you are NOT ready for certain things – you need to understand <~ forcing yourself to get involved – puts you at risk. Your desire to get heard – your desire to be listened to and appreciated for your art – puts you at risk – so be clear: You need to read all of this and start moving smarter.
WE OFTEN FORGET that many people – do not – understand the basics when it comes to conducting business – THIS IS FOR YOU – if you do not want to read – you can – go to the video below – BUT – we suggest – you take the time – and read this piece for your own sake.
WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF FRAUD ? For many of us – we assume – we know what fraud is – but – we end up using the word – in the wrong way. Calling people frauds based on how they say things – or the way they look – will let you – believe – someone who is well spoken and dressed nice – can’t be a fraud. FUNNY because you don’t want to be judged for how you talk or how you dress – so maybe – apply that thinking when dealing with others <~ and it will help you see people for what they do – and – who they really are. #CharacterLesson
People who commit fraud – are very good at spotting the weakness in others. People who gossip – are weak <~ and easy to manipulate. Most scammers – will use that to figure out – how to get you to trust them by – showing you they relate to what your dealing with – and – pointing at someone – or something – as the real cause to their issues.
FOR EXAMPLE: Artist who go to school of rap or – attend my shows – often – group up – with a bunch of other artist who are not patient or mature enough to understand – that people who cannot get their way – will start to plot and scheme so they can – get their way. FOR THE MOST PART – that means they get to jump on stage and perform – no matter who is in the room and who is paying attention. THE NEED to be heard/seen is a major – red flag – because the ones who are too pushy <~ end up being the ones who keep the negativity circulating – and help the people who want to “benefit” from the drama.
USE SOCIAL MEDIA as a tool – do not CONDUCT BUSINESS or make agreements on social media you believe are binding. BY DOING SO you put yourself at risk of falling for scams because NOBODY has to be <~ certified to claim they do something or work for some company.
ACTUALLY this is more common then you would believe. MANY PEOPLE will not admit they are not employed or under employed while pretending to know how the business works. MOST PEOPLE think – if you sound good – look good – that’s it – you have what it takes to be rich and famous – 3 years later – why aren’t you rich or famous ? You still look good – you still got talent – I know – it must be the scene – the people you talk to – or that fat guy who keeps yelling at you.
BUT HOLD ON – there is more – you can’t just ghost on social media but understand what you are doing when you use social media. SHORT thinking – your doing it to connect with fans – right… because we all know how that works for everyone with a free app and soundcloud link. (It doesn’t)
HOW ABOUT – you use it to connect with LIKE MINDED people <~ indie artist who are struggling to garner attention JUST LIKE YOU – so why not connect with them <~ and start making noise – BUT – HERE WE GO – artist want to charge fees to other artist – want to create popular circles based on following and engagement rates <~ leaving a whole group of people – on the outside based on silly things – like number of followers / age / etc…. ONCE YOU create a circle of popular – vs. the ones who are not <~ you open the air for potential fraud.
ARTIST PAYING FOR STREAMS AND VIEWS – are scamming themselves because the attention they get from having a lot of streams / views – basically is fake <~ and – they start believing they earned that attention when that’s not the case <~ same thing when artist throw money around – nobody loves them – they love the money <~ and in many cases – get close so they can get the money or enjoy the perks of being around someone with money.
WHILE IT MAY FEEL GOOD – it’s a cheap thrill <~ and – if you need cheap thrills – you will avoid real – and follow fake – there is no changing that – you need to figure out WHO YOU ARE before you decide to go down those scary roads.
EMAIL COMMUNICATION is a must <~ yes – we all like to talk on the phone or via text or – even on social media <~ but – anyone – who tries to conduct business USING SOCIAL MEDIA – is giving a good sign that they may not be QUALIFIED to help you OR they are just lying and out to get your money.
GET USED TO SAYING, “I would love to learn more – can you send me a email?” or – “I really want to get involved but I need you to send me a email so I can go over the offer.”
SIMPLE – polite and – respectful – someone who is legit – or – has the best intentions – will understand and follow up with email communication. SOMEONE WHO IS NOT – will insist you make a agreement and try to hold you to that agreement vs. respecting the way you conduct business.
ONCE YOU GET THE EMAIL – YOU MUST VERIFY <~ the claims that are made in the email and <~ you must not <~ assume <~ that the person you are dealing with <~ can make anything happen – outside of what is in the email <~ even if they are nice to you and claim they are some industry connect – you must – hold them to the terms in the agreement you make with them – OR – you will be allowing the bad things that everyone hates about the industry to go un punished.
IF SOMEONE TELLS YOU THEY ARE WITH A LABEL – ask them for their OFFICE ADDRESS AND A DIRECT NUMBER TO THEIR OFFICE <~ DO NOT – accept <~ a cell phone number or GMAIL <~ as contact info <~ and <~ if they cannot give you a address with a direct number – CALL THE LABEL – ask for the person who you have been talking to or the lead A&R and if – the person you are asking for does not work with the label – make a point to block them immediately.
CRIMINALS ARE ALL AROUND <~ these people will try to get close to you so they can hurt you because they think <~ you must have something of value since your doing music <~ you must be aware of WHO YOU COMMUNICATE with and WHO YOU TELL THINGS TO <~ because <~ most people are talking to everyone <~ if they are quick to talk to you <~ So make sure you take this article into consideration when you decide to start “networking” in the music business.
- Learn the definition of FRAUD AND SCAM – because that is something a lot of us do not think we need to do and – we do need to understand WHAT a fraud / scam is so we can identify real threats.
2. USE SOCIAL MEDIA to PROMOTE YOUR MUSIC – CONNECT WITH NEW LISTENERS and LIKE MINDED PEOPLE <~
3. NEVER do business on social media – collect contact info including EMAIL ADDRESSES <~ do NOT sign anything without having it reviewed by a trusted friend/family member and/or LAWYER <~ depending on where you are in your career.
4. TRUST – BUT – VERIFY <~ never believe the people – TRUST THE PROCESS <~ KNOW THE BUSINESS enough to understand what makes sense – and what doesn’t make sense.
PEOPLE WHO KNOW <~ will NEVER – rush you <~ to make a payment <~ people who are on top <~ will not <~ have a deadline <~ THAT BEING SAID <~ people who have jobs – may not be able to do their job – to the best of their ability <~ so – they may make – good opportunities – look – scammy <~ but – that’s not always the case – so you – need to know <~ the business enough <~ to decide <~ WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU <~
IT
IS
OKAY
TO ADMIT – YOU ARE NOT READY OR YOU CAN’T AFFORD SOMETHING <~ That is reasonable…. #StrictlyBidness
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