Module 1 of 3: Music Business

Introduction To The Music Business

• Record companies and how they work
• Roles and responsibilities in the music industry
• Management / agent / publisher - roles and rates
• New music industry models - an introduction

Rights, Societies and Intellectual Property

• The role of PRS, MCPS, PPL and other agencies
• Rights and licensing - what you need to know
• Royalties: What can I earn?
• Rights issues for the digital era. What's new?

Record Companies and Recording Contracts

• A&R: how an artist is signed to a label
• Advances & recoupment
• Things to look for in a recording contract
• Introduction to legal issues

Publishing Companies and Publishing Deals

• Publishing deals vs. record deals
• Licensing and synch opportunities for music
• Exposing your music via adverts, games, film
• Opportunities with Universal Music Publishing

Management, Contracts and Negotiation      

• Why do I need a manager?
• Why do I need a lawyer?
• Types of contract: what to look out for
• What do we mean by a 360 deal?

Radio, TV and New Media

• How to get exposure for your music
• Pluggers and publicists
• Playlists and promotional tours
• YouTube, social networking and viral campaigns

Music Businees Career Paths: How To Get There

• Growth areas in the industry: how to exploit them
• Writing songs for other artists
• Producing tracks for library music
• Setting up and running a digital label

File Sharing, Piracy and Digital Downloads

• Making money from digital music
• Will piracy hinder your career in music?
• How internet is affecting and changing industry
• Hot topics: Pirate Bay case, YouTube vs PRS

Alternatives To The Traditional Industry Model

• How to have independent success
• Entrepreneurial skills: becoming a a self-starter
• How to make a living from music
• What's next? Spotting business opportunities