For someone from the outside looking in or someone new to the music business, the music industry may seem like all fun and games, riches and fame this of course is far from the truth. The reality is no matter how hard your try you will not be able to please everyone all the time. By attempting to do so you run a serious risk of becoming confused and losing your way, rendering you ineffective and inefficient to yourself, family or community let alone the industry.
Below you'll read two messages on the music business. The first message was sent to me via my myspace page. To ensure you are not able to identify the person or their company I changed some of the information in their correspondence to me. You'll also find the text that I changed in bold for clarity. Last I corrected the spelling of my name as originally posted in their message from jawar to JaWar. Other than that their message is in tact as they sent it to me.
DeAngelo Muhammad, CEO, Da Real Hometeam has made over $10,000 using the Atlanta Music Industry Connection Book. It should be noted that the message below didn't come from him, but from someone else who has made at least that amount of money from the Atlanta Music Industry Connection Book.
There is much that may be learned from this post. Read the information carefully, share it with your business partners and learn from my experience, so you may build a solid music business. Your comments are encouraged.
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Hello JaWar, (John-Not Real Name) here,just wanted to let you know,it amazes me that you have never place (my company name- intentionally left out) ent events on any of your things,we are a very successful companythat is constantly growing,i never ask anything of you ,only given,i gave you a deposit of 50 dollars in good faith,for future business,but we never did anything,with that,(not your fault )i purchase quite a bit of books from you and wrote the check for you,not that i thought i needed the books but because i wanted to help and support you around world(by the way our first event this year in (a city in the south-city name left out on purpose), we sold every last one)now leaving (another city- original name left out on purpose) audition and (another city- original name left out on purpose), wanted to get more books,but decided not to,why?glad you ask,i see and talk to people you promote and support and they have told me they give you nothing,but you guys have a good relationship,so you promote them,i know i dont get to your events,but we try and support you finanially,but we get no love,i am not asking for favors but you get our emails,you would think you have some love for us some times,dont get it twisted,we made money off the book,but at the same time we are promoting JaWar,we are a self made company,that have now moved to (an upscale part of Atlanta- the section was changed on purpose), with some major players,so we are doing great,we have our conference at the (hotel name changed on purpose) (sure you know about that,(this summer-month and date changed on purpose) almost sold out at ($$$-exact amount changed on purpose) per person(only invited (a limited number- exact number left out on purpose) people)are we not getto enough or street enough or what,why are we not part of your click,you are a part ours,because we sold your book,people relate us to JaWar,whats wrong with this picture,i very rarely check this myspace,my staff do so,so if you would like to respond this please do so at my email (JaWar intentially removed the email address)
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MY MUSIC BUSINESS RESPONSE
Greetings (John-not real name),
Thank you for the correspondence. It is great to know you and your company continue to move forward. May you continue to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Your company was included in the Atlanta Music Industry Connection Book at no charge. Even after telling me you made $10,000 from just one client because of my book it took you over a year before you decided to do business with me. While we had no formal arrangement it would have been great if you were to give a financial token of appreciation by sending my company a referral fee, a standard business practice. This helps keep the Atlanta Music Industry Connected in a way that we can all benefit financially and ensures our long-term growth. At bare minimum I'd ask you to give my company the opportunity to further promote your business, yet you declined to entertain the discussion.
On several occasions I've asked you to participate in the Music Therapy 101 Music Business Workshops at the public library. It was yet another way to promote your business as well to give back to others who find themselves not able to pay some of the fees normally associated with a larger music conference. However, to date you have never attended nor participated in any of the Music Therapy 101 Workshops, Seminars nor promoted them through your network of music business professionals or aspiring artists, producers and managers, etc.
You did purchase a number of books from me, but low-balled me on the existing wholesale price. Within the same breath you asked me to purchase a $20 ticket to attend your event. Reducing the monies my company would have made from the sell of the books even lower. I didn't consider this good business, but I'd much rather have a happy client than haggle.
After writing and publishing three music business books, an audio book, organizing the longest running music business conference and workshop series in Atlanta, Music Therapy 101 and including you in the Atlanta Music Industry Connection Book at no charge you have never asked me to participate in any of your events. For this reason I am not sure. However, with my past and existing contributions to the music industry at large and the Atlanta Music Scene in particular it would seem fitting you would ask me to participate as a speaker, as I have ask you to participate in Music Therapy 101.
As you read the details below that you received via your Myspace Page you will notice several links. The link going to (one of my sites-site name left out on purpose) has your (event-changed on purpose) listed. Including a direct phone number were people might call for more details. Ironically enough this was done prior to you sending your myspace message.
START MYSPACE MESSAGE
I'm here to help you make money online in the music business. By reading through the websites below you have the opportunity to learn how to make money online. By visiting the sites below you'll get updates to future music conferences, talent shows, open mics and relevant information to help you make money online and boost your music career.
After the music it's about the money! Get paid, make money online in the music business.
Join the email list on each site to stay updated on new ways to make money on the Internet and how to boost your music business. Link to the sites below.
Want to Make Money Online? Click Here www.moneygoldmine.blogspot.com Remember to link to this site from your myspace or official web page.
Want to Perform and Network with Music Industry Professionals in the "A"? Click Here www.atlantashowcase.blogspot.com Remember to link to this site from your myspace or official web page.
> Want information on the music business? Click Here www.gojawar.blogspot.com Remember to link to this site from your myspace or official web page.
Want to Updates on Future Music Conferences? Click Here www.mymusicconference.blogspot.com Remember to link to this site from your myspace or official web page.
END OF MYSPACE MESSAGE
It appears as though we have some fundamental differences in how business should be done. At minimum there has been miss communication. Now that we have begun to flush out our concerns, perhaps we can move forward in a way that is mutually beneficial to the music business at large and to our businesses in particular.
If I have not addressed any of your concerns or you would like for me to revisit my comments do not hesitate to contact me. I'm an email or phone call away. I may be reached at 678-887-….
How would you like to proceed from here?
Eternal Success & Hotep,
JaWar
SPECIAL NOTE: Using ALL CAPS IS LIKE SCREAMING AT SOMEONE. I adjusted your message (above) to remove ALL CAPS, so it may be easier for you to read referring to your original message.
