By Christopher Knab
Why do I ask? Well, I can’t even count the number of phone calls, emails, and Facebook messages I get asking me to help a new artist or band “be a star”. I never have been able to understand the mindset behind that question.
Why should I, or ANY music business professional work for you for free just because you think you are so special, but have no track record of success?
Would you really ask your dentist to work on your teeth for free?
Would you ask your lawyer to work for free?
Would you ask any physician to work with you for free?
Would you ask a publicist to do your media work for free?
My point is this: What makes me or ANY OTHER music business professional different from any other professionals?
I think part of the reason I get this question is because newer acts are so caught up in their own ‘self’, that when they write a song, or perform in front of a small crowd and get a polite response…at that exact moment they give birth to a premature EGO! They fantasise that “if this small group of people like me then all I need is some connection to the music business who will recognise my unrealised dream”, and will be willing to stop whatever they’re doing to make them a star.
Well…NO THEY WON’T!!
Why? Because we are actually busy trying to make a living ourselves. We, like you, actually have bills to pay, like a mortgage or rent, utilities, car payments and car upkeep costs, doctor and dentist bills, credit card debt (maybe) and probably have kids in school and tuition to add to all our other commitments.
So, in that way…we are really not unlike yourself!
Please think about this. Never ask ANY music business professional to help you with your career for free. It is an insult and down-right RUDE to do so.
YOUR THOUGHTS?
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Interesting point, and the most obvious opinion. I do agree with you but only to a certain extent. Your job is what you make it, if the world thought this way we would have no Michael Jacksons, Whitney Houstons, Tom Jones etc. If YOU as a business man see promise in an Artist, its your job to see that Artist through. Now completely asking for you to do it for free is very obnoxious, but you must also have a dream, hope and strive to want to deliver. I am involved in film and even tho this day when certain artists come to me for video’s and I myself am intrigued because I have actually looked at the talent and strive of that person, this pushes me to not have a ” well if you aint paying, get outta here” attitude. For, if you wish to be a bridge for the world, then you too must allow yourself to be walked on.
WHEN YOU SAY “FREE”… What exactly do you mean? One of the reasons so many “Music Business Professionals” take, earn and deserve a 10-15-20% commission is because they’ve RISKED MORE, because they didn’t receive a “Guaranteed Compensation”.
I think there’s a BIG difference between an Artist/Band asking for a “Hand-Out” and looking to “Music Business Professionals” and asking for a “Hand-Up”.
We all know… this business is as much about LUCK as it is TALENT. More often than not … THE BIG BREAK comes from being in the right place at the right time. And as an Artist Manager, it’s my job to put my Talent in “The Right Place @ The Right Time” as OFTEN as possible… and to make sure they are PROPERLY PREPARED when they are there!
WHEN A BAND ASKS me to take a chance on them… they’re also taking a chance on me. If I believe in MY ABILITY as a “Music Business Professional” and I see an Artist/Band with the Talent, Look, Commitment, to succeed… YOU BET I’LL WORK FOR “FREE” (commission) for now!
Amen.
Love the article and the replies have been spot on. We (artists) contact professionals for assistance. The whole concept of seeking work for free starts when the local artist starts to create a little buzz. People locally will swarm the artist with FREE services, beats, videos, exposure etc. This “Local Hero” mindset creates a false sense of entitlement and thus the cycle is born. I know that I alone can not build a village by myself. It takes collaboration and interacting with knowledgeable people who practice what they preach.