There are few industries as fragmented and as difficult to define as the music industry.

From independent musicians and recording studios to major labels and renowned music venues, there are dozens if not hundreds of elements that make up the industry as a whole – and they aren’t always connected or integrated in any discernable way.

But if you have a passion for music, and you’re determined to build your own music business or be a part of the industry on some level, here are seven things you should know about the state of the music business.

1. Most musicians are early adopters of new technology. Whether it’s the latest social media or crowdfunding platform, musicians are often the first to take new tools for a test drive, and some find success this way. For instance, independent musician Daria Musk found traction on Google Hangouts.

2. Sometimes, there’s no rhyme or reason for success. This is particularly true with something as personal and subjective as music.

3. Technology is changing the way studios work. LANDR is an online tool that automatically masters recorded music – and reportedly, the finished results are quite good. Ongoing developments in technology continues to reduce the need for traditional big-budget recording studios, and the production process is being automated more and more. Home recording equipment is also affordable and high quality.

4. The blockchain may be the future of the industry. The technology underlying popular cryptocurrencies, such as bitcoin, is known as the blockchain, and it may offer a way for more music businesses and musicians to monetize their work without third parties taking a larger slice of the pie. But the current industry structure is preventing this from moving forward.

5. It’s the only industry with Payola. It’s illegal for radio stations to play music on-air in exchange for money unless they disclose it as “sponsored airtime.” Sadly, corruption continues, and mainstream airwaves are dominated by top 40 music, which represents the extremely popular minority. If you thought Arctic Monkeys was “independent”, you’re not even scratching the surface of the independent majority.

6. Music streaming is a growth market. And we’re going to continue to see innovation and new developments in this area. There may be dozens of streaming sites now, but that number will likely rise to the hundreds, and maybe even thousands.

7. Human beings may not have creativity cornered. As it turns out, machines are capable of producing beautiful, emotional music, something long thought to be impossible. Will this change the way music is made? Will it make musicians obsolete? It’s hard to say.

Every day, all over the world, people are investing in their career. Maybe they’re investing in ads, web design, flyers, or even business cards, whatever it may be, they are still investing. Have you ever heard the expression, “It takes money to make money”? It refers to the fact that you have to, at some point, invest your money into something to get more money back.

What does this have to do with music? Well think about it. Lets say you’re a music artist, a Rapper for example and you want to sell your hip hop album. The first thing you need is to do is find some beats for sale. This could cost you anywhere from $10 to $30 if you’re looking for a lease or non exclusive license. Alright so you got a beat, now you need to write some lyrics. So you go out and buy a notebook, $1 – $5, and a pen which is around $0.99. Without even realizing it, you’ve already invested $11.99 into your music career, you see where I’m going with this. So now that you understand what investing means, let’s go ahead and get into what you should invest in and why it is important.

1. Beats / Instrumentals: If you’re a rapper, r&b singer, or music artist, it is very important that you have some professional, high quality beats for your project. It’s crazy that a lot of people don’t see the importance but a catchy beat can really go a long way. For example, have you ever turned on the radio and heard an artist you don’t particularly care for but you like the song anyway because of the beat? Or have you ever bought a new CD and as you heard the beginning of a song you changed it because you didn’t like the way the beat was sounding? That’s the power of a beat. It can make you stay if it sounds good or make you leave if it sounds bad. So in a way, beats are the most important thing you can possible invest in.

2. Studio Time: Having your vocals recorded by a professional can really make a difference in the quality of your music. People don’t want to buy a CD and hear home studio quality, they want to hear clean clear vocals.

3. Microphone: If you would rather record yourself, then investing in a good high quality mic is very important. I myself use a Shure SM7B microphone and it works really good for a variety of different vocals, but the key is finding the best mic that works for you and your style. Most recording studios don’t just have one mic, they have a bunch for different mics for different song genres and vocal tones. For example, one mic might sound great for rap, but not so good for r&b where you have to hit high notes. So investing in a good mic would be a pretty good idea if your going to be recording yourself.

4. Website: The days when record labels would go to local shows and gigs in search of talent are over. Now in days you need to be all over the internet and in their face for them to even notice you, and if you don’t have your own website they won’t even bother listening to your music. Plus a website is an awesome way to keep people engaged in your music. Lets say you sell a CD to someone on the street. Cool! But wait, how do they find more of your music? How do they buy your new albums down the line? If you had your own website you could write your web URL on the CD and if they liked it they could easily find more of your music! So make sure you invest in a website.

5. Ads: Facebook ads are a great way to get people to find your music or your website. They can be a little tricky but if done right you could beat your competition and get a whole lot of new fans listening to your music.

What You Should Know about Graphic Design

The more information you provide, the more likely the final result will match your objectives.

Graphic designers work on an hourly rate

It pays to remain loyal

Trust your instincts!

When it comes to graphic design, I am an idiot. I’m not embarrassed to admit it, although I probably should be since I manage the marketing for three exhibit companies. Yet, there’s rarely a day that I don’t make graphic design decisions about our websites, sales literature, email marketing broadcasts, and trade show displays. Does my lack of graphic design expertise show? I certainly hope not. Frankly, I think we do a pretty good job. 

Like most marketing managers, or any manager who understands his or her limitations, I rely on talented people, such as graphic designers. Not only do they understand the tools, such as Photoshop, Illustrator, or Quark, but they spend their days immersed in graphic design issues.  They understand the nuances and the trends. They remind me that this color text on that background is unreadable and that I’ve created visual clutter and confusion in my effort to say and show too much.  If I ask them to add a “star burst” with a price, they guide me to a more contemporary solution that doesn’t reek of 1980’s clip art. 

Fortunately, I’ve learn some valuable lessons over the years regarding graphic design, which I’ll share. These aren’t font, color, or layout tips. Remember, I’m an idiot. These are tips for anyone working with graphic designers, tips that hopefully will save you time, money, and slow the aging process. 

Four Valuable Lessons about Graphic Design

It’s Your Project, Part 1:  I’d hate to be a graphic designer and work with most clients. Their expectations are unrealistic, their directions are vague, and their budget is pitiful. Most clients don’t know what they want and expect the graphic designer to be psychic. Clients will use terms like “modern” and “visually striking” and “colorful” and expect those concepts to be transparent to anyone. They are not, any more than a “tree” looks the same to someone living in New England or the Pacific Northwest or Australia. 

Take ownership of your project. The more information you convey to the graphic designer, the more effort you put into prepping the project, the more likely the final result will match your objectives. Take the time to collect examples of ads, websites, and sales flyers that you like. Graphic designers are visual. They’ll take those cues and use them to create your design. Too often I hear someone say, “I wanted something original and didn’t want to influence the creative process by being too specific or showing them examples.” Really? When did vagueness become a muse? Go ahead and be lazy. Just don’t pretend that your laziness is a brilliant creative design strategy. 

It’s Your Project, Part 2. Let’s say you decide to ignore my advice in Part 1. I’m not offended, but I am snickering behind your back. Your graphic designer loves and hates you. You’ve made their job much harder, but you’ve made them a little richer. Most graphic designers work on an hourly rate with incremental time minimums. You are now paying for pondering and investigating and false starts. Each back and forth is getting you closer to your perfect design, but you’re paying for the privilege of having a graphic designer at your beck and call. If you work best following this process and have the budget, then hire a graphic designer full time or recognize that time is money, your money, and don’t complain when you get the final bill. 

Mind Meld = Success and Increased Productivity. I’ve worked with the same graphic design firm for over four years. They are good, which is the most important criteria. Equally important is that we now have a history together. They understand what I want. I understand how best to communicate with them. They understand the exhibit industry and, in fact, have gone out of their way to learn about the trade show business — the graphic requirements, the shows, the publications, and much more. They have grown with us and have been instrumental in developing the graphics and branding for multiple product lines and marketing programs. 

The lesson . . . once you’ve found a graphic designer (or design firm) that you respect and like, it pays to remain loyal. They’ll watch your back with ad agencies and suppliers. They’ll guard your branding, even when you want to trample all over it because of a wild idea at 2 am with a shelf life of 24 hours. You’ll develop a communication shorthand, which saves you money and them aggravation. Each project is still your project but getting from point A to Z, generally skips about half the alphabet. 

 The individuals who become effective Graphic Design for the most part have an extraordinary mix of abilities. They are savvy individuals who are learned in a wide scope of zones, happy with making plans that mix pictures with words and media to deliver outwardly reproducing ideas. Visual originators can work alone and collaborate with customers and different experts. They know about the most recent innovation and ready to join it into their work for crisp thoughts, while at the same time promoting themselves, their work, and their gifts.

… in the event that you think innovatively and legitimately.

A great many people go into callings that utilization one side of their cerebrum or the other. Bookkeepers, for instance, utilize the left half of their minds for sensible, diagnostic reasoning. Craftsmen and on-screen characters will in general utilize the correct side of their cerebrums, animating imagination and instinct. Visual architects will in general utilize both side of their cerebrums to come up with imaginative yet discerning manifestations. They get and use information to make new plans and to work inside the limits of programming applications. Visual creators perceive how a task may look outwardly through each phase of the structure procedure, yet they can thoroughly consider the movement in a consistent way too. They can settle on basic choices that impact a structure and they can see how those choices may influence the later phases of the plan procedure. Visual originators can use their time most adequately through their hierarchical abilities. Commonly, they are associated with various ventures without a moment’s delay, so they need to work under due dates and inside budgetary confinements.

… on the off chance that you like adapting new innovation.

Graphic Design may at present include a couple of representations on a sheet of paper, yet the improvement of innovation throughout the most recent quite a few years has upset the Graphic Design industry. Plan formats are made on PCs so it is basic for visual originators to have the option to utilize programming in their mastery. They additionally should most likely adjust to new programming as innovation progresses. This may require learning at work. Graphic Design can utilize their innovativeness and rationale to make sense of how programming functions and how it tends to be utilized adequately in their present ventures. Notwithstanding the mechanical skill, visual architects have a wide learning crosswise over kinds of sight and sound. They work with liveliness, photography, and Internet applications. As innovation in these zones builds up, a visual planner must adjust to those mediums also.

… on the off chance that you have a masterful side.

While basic reasoning and rationale are imperative to the visual depiction field, creators are over all specialists. Shading, structure, and lines all convalesce into unique plans. Similarly as craftsmen use pictures and images to pass on importance, visual creators use those standards just as varying media segments to pass on significance. They can express clear messages through their work in an enlightening, yet engaging way. So despite the fact that a client may just observe a handout or a logo, there are natural aesthetic characteristics to the venture that were made by a visual architect.

… in the event that you have marketing prudence.

Business is additionally a basic angle Graphic Design. Visual creators must interpretation of the jobs of offers and supervisory crews sometimes. As advertisers, they should most likely offer their thought for a plan to customers or different experts. As administrators, they should work inside the bounds of a financial limit just as perceive the lawful implications of obtaining from different thoughts. Frequently, realistic plans maintain their own organizations. Visual planners, for example, these are engaged with each phase of the procedure, from the bundling of a thought, to its introduction, to offering it to the customer.

… on the off chance that you appreciate working with other individuals.

It isn’t just as a Graphic Design basically sits at a PC throughout the day. As a matter of fact, visual creators are always needing solid relational aptitudes. They should almost certainly team up with different experts and function admirably with their directors to guarantee that the business end of an arrangement is being met. They should most likely function admirably with their customers, which is an indispensable part of their employments. They should almost certainly precisely speak to the organization just as produce a thought that interests to individuals outside of the organization. They should almost certainly manage the general population who are working underneath them, for example, new architects.

Graphic Design for Small Businesses and organizations isn’t only offering a product or service and having cash in on it. Once you start a small business, there are several features, which have to have a personal and professional focus. One of those is promoting your brand. There are a few things too, which form the foundation of promoting and one of those is the business card. The principle function of promoting is to attract the target market. When accomplished in the correct way, it can yield wonderful results. Marketing experts and graphic designers, who specialize in graphic design for small businesses, have the knowledge and experience to attract your specific client or buyer through distinct marketing and promotional tactics. A business card (or minute card) should have every piece of information essential for someone to interact and conduct business with your company or organization. There are many styles of cards, and in fact, it is necessary to decide on the appropriate style for your firm. This is why hiring a professional whom specializes in graphic design for small businesses is so important.

The product or service themselves won’t always draw in buyers or clients when shown to individuals in a prepared way. To get to the customers who will use, buy or interact with your company, one of several methods used in promoting is choosing the right business card. A card with the very best graphics, typography and layout that connect emotionally with your perspective client is the key. Every single color and color combination possesses its own meaning. There are many benefits and consequences to the use of color when contemplating the feelings and emotions of the people you’re trying to attract. Which means, a hues participation in the overall design is an essential part in selecting the most appropriate appearance of your business card. Imagine if the colors (or hues) used in your card were actually repelling your target audience you are trying to attract.

The visuals that happen to be loved by people of a distinct audience change by age and gender as well. An example is flowers; if your business makes products that are devoted to girls, then introducing flowers as visual elements (graphics) of your card will most likely attract more buyers. If though, your target is a more mature female audience, the use of flowers could be conceived as contrived and repulse your buyers. Selecting the most appropriate graphics for the business card is about the mindset of the buyer and not the business owner. Let me repeat that so you truly get it. The look, feel and emotions tied to your business card are about the buyer, not you, the business owner. If your buyer connects a personal emotion with the artwork, or possibly a design and style, employed in the card, then almost absolutely that buyer will choose the firm utilizing that artwork, design or style. For this reason alone, it is very important to work with a professional that knows and understands graphic design for small businesses.

Why have a business card in the hands of everyone that works for you? A nicely manufactured card affirms the level professionalism regarding the organization. You need a business card that is designed well with accessibility to information for your customers to make contact with you. It must be styled to create a personal connection with the buyer as well. Your reputation is riding on your business card. The primary function of your business card is to get clients to call you. Your logo should be prominent to let people know who you are the minute they see your card. After this, your business card should clearly provide methods for the client to contact you. This can be a website, a smart phone or email but it is highly recommended to have all three. A marketing expert or graphic designer whom specializes in graphic design for small businesses can help point you in the right direction for the content for your particular niche or market. Business cards with the proper visuals, content and style can help you do this

The graphic design industry has been expanding with graphic design being an important part of any business. The increasing sophistication of websites and other web based services is also increasing the need of graphic designers that can work with website development. The globalization of website development is seeing an increasing amount of workers that are becoming freelancers and using the movement to outsourcing as an opportunity.

Graphic Design Rates

You can pay $45,000 to $55,000 per annum if you want to employ a designer full time. However, the shift to contract work has seen a huge increase in freelancing. The freelance graphic design rates vary and the competition from highly educated freelancers from around the world has driven down rates particularly at the lower end of the freelancer market.

An example of a typical job on the popular freelancing site oDesk for a ‘Modification in design for a website’ has an estimated budget of $100. This sort of simple job would cost a great deal more if you employed a graphic designer because of all of the associated costs as well as having to ensure enough work to make their employment worthwhile.

How to Check Rates?

One way to see the rates that are being offered is to view the web portals of the popular freelancing websites. The available projects are constantly updated and it easy to view the projects and rates offered. There are many projects that have a project rate instead of an hourly rate so it can be a little difficult estimating the time that the project would take.

The huge amount of small projects that only take a few hours of work and are offered at between $50 and $100 shows that there are many freelancers that are prepared work hard by completing small jobs quickly to keep work ticking over constantly.

Freelancers Vs Employees

Employing a freelancer or a group of freelancers or employing a full time worker is an interesting comparison.

Taxes: A freelancer presents you with an invoice when the job is completed and all taxes are their responsibility. An employee means that you are required to calculate and forward Federal and State taxes involved with their employment

Holidays: A freelancer is responsible for their holidays and is generally employed by project. An employee has holidays and employers are required to pay for them and arrange for work to be done when they are away.

Healthcare: A freelancer provides their healthcare by themselves and does not receive sick pay. An employee needs to be provided with health care, sick day provisions and be insured against work place injury.

Skills: While both freelancers and employees only have the skills that they already know a freelancer with different skills can be hired instantly. An employee can improve their skills by going back to school or doing a course taking time and money.

The extra costs of an employee need to be carefully considered when thinking about graphic designer rates. The flexibility of being able to quickly hire several freelancers only when they are needed is a compelling reason to incorporate outsourcing into your business.

Expanding Your Business

One of the great things about incorporating freelancers into your business is that you can quickly respond to new graphic design projects by contacting the appropriate people and getting them involved. You can also use your experience in hiring freelancers to help when you need people in other parts of your business such as web design, coding and writing work.

With freelancers you have flexibility to respond quickly and you are only paying the freelancer when they are working on one of your projects. This is not ideal for everybody but it has so many advantages that more people are joining the freelancer revolution.

Graphic Design Outlook

There are major changes that are happening in the graphic design industry as traditional areas are stagnating and new areas are rapidly expanding. Computer based graphic design is predicted to need 60% more graphic designers over the next decade. This huge rate of growth is fueled by falling cost and the increased need for quality graphic work on websites as more businesses are making a web presence.

We have all been enthralled by animation as seen on film and television. However, the far reaching applications of animation have touched countless other industries. Video games provide an interactive environment for two and three dimensional animation. Animators help model and design buildings, cities, new products and industrial machines. In medical fields, animation is being used increasingly in education and research. Many businesses seek animators to assist with product development and promotion.

“Animate” comes from the Latin root “anima” which means to give soul or life. Animators breathe this soul or life into a static image through movement. A computer animator simply uses software to animate modeled or drawn objects. There seem to be an abundance of software packages that promise such results with new entries into this hot market offering increasing realism and ease. There are two basic kinds of computer animation:

1. Computer assisted

2. Computer generated

Computer-assisted animation generally yields two-dimensional animations such as cartoons. By hand or with computer use, the animator creates the objects in a series of rough frames denoting the primary movement. These objects are then manipulated by the computer to fill the in between frames to give the appearance of fluidity and movement. This form of animation, which we are all familiar with as seen in flip books of our youth, is accomplished much faster with a computer.

Computer-generated animation is modeled in three dimensions, yielding oftentimes very realistic results and familiar to us all through the work of Pixar and DreamWorks. This more complex software allows animators to program objects, allowing them to manipulate mass and gravity. This allows for more complex groupings of objects and characters as they can be programmed to operate individually or collectively. A wave, comprised of particles can ebb and swell with realism.

Given those distinctions, the best software to address your needs would address these considerations directly. There are many “share-ware” or free applications available. These have greatly improved in use and ability with often large on-line communities for support. Programs long associated as industry standards, such as Maya, 3D Max and Poser Pro yield the ultra-realistic versatility we see in the industry leaders but come with an entry price that might be prohibitive to those starting out. One program which has gained traction in Europe is Blender which offers full capabilities, an attractive entry level price and easy manipulation.

It is therefore challenging to answer the frequently asked question: “What is the best animation software out there?” as there are many options and new competitors in this rapidly growing field. For initial use, we recommend one which has an easy interface and the capabilities to handle your desired output. Are you interested in developing two or three dimensional forms? Are you interested in developing interactive games? Ultimately, it is up to you the user. Read reviews of the independent software programs. Download one that is not cost prohibitive- in using it, you will develop a firmer idea of what you need and what you look for in a product.

Computer animation, where there is 3 dimensional anime, it is possibly the most used form of animation technique brought into usage especially by the media fraternity. Ever since the introduction of it in the market, it has been able to change the face of movies, television, video games, internet and other methods of entertainment. Its capability to create amazing 3D animation was at a certain point in time restricted to costly and high-powered work stations however with advancement seen in the field of technology the cost of using the technique downsized by a good level. This made it easily accessible for various people to utilize this in their work.

Although high end systems tend to remain as the ones that are brought into usage so as to create the most professional looking images but with quality animation creation technology this is possible to create work even on home computers. Given that you have no knowledge and experience relating this form of animation then you could think of assuming it as a hybrid of a classic technique and live action movie. The basic principles applicable when creating something cannot be overlooked and are still applied. The best of the animators start working as cel or stop-motion animators in the industry.

The traditional methods to infuse expressions and liveliness into characters allow professionals to work in a far superior way so as to come up with something that is eye popping and striking. Knowledge of film production is as well one key factor that helps in the creation of high quality 3 dimensional work. Like you have seen how a director gets the setup of camera, lights and actor placed, so similarly you as an animator would need to get your stuff.

Just because there is the help of computer available, thinking that the technique is easy and fast to create 3D computer animation is not right. Although there is no denying that the machine does most of the work, draws frames needed for a final creation but the overall procedure is multifaceted and it does take time for an individual to get used to utilizing it. Just like any other artistic and articulate work, in this too there is a need to keep a lot of patience. There are software products that you can get easily by spending a tiny amount as they would help you create realistic and stunning imagery, encapsulating your own world of dreams that everyone else would be able to see.

One of the most notable things about whiteboard videos, is how much people enjoy watching them. They take viewers on a visual ride. The messages that whiteboard videos portray are often technical, but their story telling method simplifies the information, and makes them enjoyable to watch. Because people enjoy watching these videos, they do not think of them like ads, and often times do not realize they are being taught or sold too. Whiteboard animation videos are a great, modern marketing technique.

Utilizing new marketing techniques can make all the difference for a business of any size. Companies that begin using modern technology to spread the word about their products and services have been proven to increase revenue. Whiteboard animation was created through the Internet marketing evolution. These videos give businesses a unique opportunity to connect with customers in a way that can greatly increase revenue and sales.

Benefits of using whiteboard animation videos in a marketing plan:

Studies have shown that using a whiteboard video as a marketing tool is an effective way to reach out to customers and grab their attention. Whiteboard animations are interesting, they provide a better understanding of ideas that are complicated or complex, and they are able to bypass filters in the brain that are set up to stop advertising messages. These videos often are shared through email, and on social media platforms, which spreads their message further than you could ever imagine.

Traditional advertising methods often cause customers to be resistant to what businesses are trying to tell them. More advanced, innovative marketing methods are able to clearly deliver the message customers need to hear, and they are able to learn and understand what that business can do for them.

Did you know that products that have a video are 95% more likely to be bought than those without one? Many businesses advertise their services with a testimonial page, explaining why the customer needs their product or service. Truth is, people just do not have time to read through text-heavy marketing material. This is why video marketing exists. This marketing style simplifies ideas, and makes it easy for customers to quickly learn everything they need to. These videos are an engaging, entertaining way for businesses to connect with customers, and easily share with them the features of products and services.

Whiteboard animation videos are an excellent marketing tool. Traditional advertising methods may be effective at reaching certain customers; however, businesses cannot reach the next level in today’s world without utilizing technology and modern marketing methods. These modern methods allow businesses to reach out to people all over the world. With the help of the Internet, it is possible to reach practically anyone.

Promotion is a very important activity in any business as it brings awareness to a large number of people within a short span of time. There are many ways to do this and what matters the most is the way it is performed. It is essential to do it right or the business objectives will not be met. Doing it right attracts the attention of potential customers and increases sales. 2D animated videos are effective when there is a need to grab instant attention. Live action is common and is prone to miss the attention. On the other hand, 2D animated videos are different and would easily catch the eyes when character animation is properly done. When made as a short movie, it becomes even more interesting.

What are 2D Animations?

2D Animation is about creating two-dimensional digital images using software. Its most common application is a production of cartoon episodes. Its implication is gradually reaching to marketing technologies as a creation of 2D animated videos is considered as an effective way of conveying specific message to a target audience. What makes it more popular among others is its simplicity and affordability desirable by business owners. Any business can easily and quickly represent their idea in the form of moving images using 2D animated videos.

Where does it work?

A business involved in manufacturing or marketing products consumed by kids or young people should consider using 2D animated videos to create awareness. For, this age group likes watching animated graphics and find them interesting and engaging. When done appropriately, they deliver the message more effectively than any other means. If it is interesting, it can become the topic of discussion among groups of people, making it popular among those people who did not watch it.

What are the Benefits?

• 2D animated videos are an excellent way to exhibit a business ideology, products or services as well as brand image. 2D animation marketing can be implemented easily to reach the potential customers.

• 2D animation services work effectively by conducting marketing campaigns such as internet marketing, television advertisements, email campaigns and web links.

• 2D animated videos create a dynamic influence the target audience and help better in selling the products and services.

• The animation not only creates awareness about the brand, product and services but also remains in the minds of customers so as to attract new customers.

• Animation is effective in creating curiosity among audience and result in more information seeking than any other way.

• When a product is introduced in a lively, animated manner, it attracts the attention and there are chances that the audience recommends the product to others, hence creating a brand identity.

• Animated video can explore the full potential of a business to explain the product or service than what traditional advertisement modes can do.

• The audio-visual representation of the product information makes it easy for the audience to grasp and remember, leading to better sales.

A 2D animated video is an affordable, simple yet effective way to represent the ideas, imagination and information about a business into images and videos to offer creative solutions for effective marketing and thus, profit making.