Thisl Artist Tips – How to Sell Records

Thisl of Full Ride Music Group shares tip for aspiring Christian rap artists on selling records.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZtGAGU4p7GE

Believin Stephen: Advice on Projects, Promotion and Artist Development

 

 

 1. I think it is wise to check out the following you ALREADY have before putting out a project. Looking at followers on twitter, views on youtube, checking sites to see if people are expressing interest in the upcoming project- are all ways you can gain an accurate assessment on what your fan base is. Also if you are one who has put out multiple projects this helps you get a better sense of what to expect. I think if you are and underground cat and consistently making good music the fan base will gradually grow and the next project will normally be more “successful”.

2. It is a must to take it to the Lord and remember the true reason why you make music. For me it is to glorify the Lord and so if I get caught up in this disappoint I have to remember the main reason why I make the music is not about me. It is wise to go in prayer to God and ask Him to help you be content with the audience He has you to reach. It may be to reach 500 hundred people; 5,000 people or 500,000 people. Even if the audience being reached is small it is still being reached and lives may be impacted in a positive way. Through this I’m learning that it is dangerous to compare. We end up being like Peter when he said, “Which one of us will sit at your right hand when we get to glory?”. When we want to be the greatest and start envying other’s position and this is not healthy.

3. It’s easy to sit and complain about respect you don’t get but feel you deserve. I see too many artists do this but then don’t do anything productive to work on their craft.

First of all I think the best music comes from the heart. When one is passionate about what they are spittin about it will be better music. It also allows the artist to be themselves which helps the audience connect with them. Once the project is complete I think it is wise to do the following

-ask others to listen to it and see if any changes should be made
– after the artwork is done release the artwork about 6 weeks before the album drops
– release a few singles before the release date
– pick a release date and stick to it (don’t pick a release date until the project is 90% complete)
-drop a promo vid or a music vid before the project drops
– put out a video of you or someone else talking about the album
– put out another video after the album has dropped
– do as many quality shows as possible

4. I think it is wise to read reviews of your project. Also reading the encouraging emails and tweets people send about a previous project helps you to know what things in particular your fan base is feeling. I say read the reviews but it’s wise to read them with a grain of salt. Meaning- don’t believe everything in them as set in stone. I’ve had reviewers praise me for a certain song and my flow on a song and then had another reviewer clown the song and say the flow was weak- they were talking about the exact same song and the reviews are just 1 person’s opinion. However, if 15 people are saying the same thing about a project then it is wise to consider what they are saying.

I am against studying what is popular on the radio or popular amongst CHH and then trying to come up with a formula to make hits or something trendy. But I think it is wise to pay attention in areas which may be a weakness for you as an artist. For instance; if lyricism is a weakness- listen closely to good lyricists and how they form their bars. If content is a weakness – listen to people who stay on topic well and see how they do it– not to bite but to appreciate how it can be done.

5. I’d say it means being happy with what God has given you. Saying, not my will but your will be done God. Saying, “If you want my fan base to grow then help me stand firm while it does and glorify you and if you do not want it to grow help me stand firm while it doesn’t and still glorify you.

6. It helps to have the right mindset and also to have realistic expectations. When my next album comes out I don’t expect to win a Grammy, a Dove award, even a Holy Culture award, lol.
I expect to sell a thousand copies or so and for many people to not even hear it. This doesn’t mean I won’t promote it well or try to market it well but just being realistic. If God chooses it do exceed these expectations that would be great but will ask He would let me be content if it doesn’t. ” – Believin Stephen