Melanated Musicology

When creating a marketing plan it's important to connect with the people who are going to actually engage with your content. In this episode, we provide unto you three things that every music marketing plan should have to maximize fan/artist engagements. The important thing to remember is that we are currently living in a digital age and content, whether it be music or non-music content potential fans are looking to connect and build relationships. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/melanatedmusicology/support

Artist branding is the reflection of the artists, personality, values, beliefs, and overall ambition. Branding is the thing that helps fans identify and experience your artistry. Your brand should be just as important as the music, it should be both valued and nurtured. In this episode, you will be given three tips (plus a bonus one) that can be used to assist you in getting brand recognition for your music. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/melanatedmusicology/support

Many music creatives release music but have no idea of how they make money from their music. In order to ensure that you obtain a financial return on your musical investments, it's important to understand where the money resides. Every song that is released creates an opportunity for the music creative to receive music royalties, which are payments for the use and/or reproduction of their music. Here are four of the many revenues created by the release of music. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/melanatedmusicology/support

A Mixtape is often seen as a rite of passage for most Hip Hop & R&B artists, however, we are currently living in the age of social media. Everyone either has their iPad, phone, or tablet in their hands, so it's important for the artist to focus their energy on building rapport with their current fans as well as potential fans. Social media allows music artists the opportunity to instantly connect with their fans all across the world with just a click of a button. I would like to encourage you instead of spending energy on a mixtape, use that energy to create digital content that will give your fans/potential fans a front-row seat as they watch your journey through music. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/melanatedmusicology/support

Often times when you look at the music industry you see a lot of money, cars, and beautiful women and men. So it's no surprise that music creatives that are embarking on their musical journey are often eager to spend money on shortcuts in an effort to obtain instant fame. It is as if eager music creatives have the sweet smell of money that attracts both frauds and scammers. Listen, the key to having a long-term successful career in the music industry is Hard Work. Pay attention, stop letting the scammers eat off of your music before you do. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/melanatedmusicology/support

Master's and ownership have become huge topics over the last several years, whether it is a legendary artist fighting to regain control of their masters or a newly signed artist happy to retain ownership of their masters everyone's talking about them. You may be wondering what's the big deal, well wonder no more. One song has two parts: Composition (Publishing) and Master (Sound Recording). Each part of the song has the potential to garner royalties be it performance, mechanical, or digital that can only be collected by the owner of the master recording. If you compose, produce, and record original music and you claim 100% of both the composition and the master recording you have the ability to capitalize on all of the revenue streams by licensing your music for use in Film, Television, Commercial advertising, and sampling by another artist. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/melanatedmusicology/support

Music Collaborations are one of the most significant creative forces pushing the music industry today. In addition to creating dope music, collaborating with other music creatives has numerous benefits. Join me as I share with you five reasons to consider partaking in a musical collaboration. Remember to always get everything in writing. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/melanatedmusicology/support

Now that you have your songs or rhymes written and beats selected, it's time to head into the studio. It's important to keep track of how much money you have as well as how much money you will need to complete the project. Today's episode features five things to keep in mind when preparing the budget for your upcoming record project. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/melanatedmusicology/support

Have you ever heard a song that touched you in a way that you cannot put into words? Oftentimes our we form a relationship with songs based on the interactions we had while hearing them. We create playlists based on moods, we have special songs for walking down the aisle and we have songs we sing/play when we lose that special someone. Songwriting is being able to tell a story and connect with listeners on a deeper level. As you plan to write your next song, keep this in mind: What comes from the heart, reaches the heart. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/melanatedmusicology/support

Whether your an independent music creative or an established one, studio time is something that doesn't come cheap. This is why it is important to make sure that you are prepared when you go to the studio to ensure that you use every minute to your advantage. Here are seven things that all music creatives should have before they prepare to leave a studio session. These seven things will help you to become more organized as a music creator. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/melanatedmusicology/support

Whether you're uploading a song for streaming or for promotional purposes, every music creative should have some form of contract in place when it comes to the underlying music of the song. Three contracts that are normally used to determine ownership are: Leasing, Exclusive and Work for Hire. Remember whenever you create music with another creative always get it in writing. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/melanatedmusicology/support

If you plan to co-write a song, create a production for a song, or feature another artist on your song, it is important for you to have the proper agreements in place that specify ownership percentages as well as ensure that you are able to receive a financial return on your musical investment. It is also important to remember that if you do not fully understand the terms in a contract or agreement do not sign it until you have consulted an entertainment lawyer. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/melanatedmusicology/support

Metadata matters and here's why, have you ever been grooving to a song and pull out your phone to Shazam it only to see the words "Not Discovered"? If you are like me, this is a problem especially if you had intentions of adding the song to your playlist. "Not Discovered" is a result of the music metadata not being properly attached to the music. Music Metadata is the information embedded in the audio file such as Artist, Producer, BPM, Isrc Code, etc, which allows your music to be properly identified, sorted, and stored everywhere your music is available. Without the correct metadata attached to your music, you could lose out on receiving credit for your music as well as the payout of music royalties. So it's important to embed the metadata before you release music to ensure that your music can be identified correctly whenever it is being played. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/melanatedmusicology/support

Are you a music creative releasing music and haven't received a royalty for your music? It could be because your music isn't registered with a Performance Rights Organization, which collects performance royalties on behalf of songwriters and publishers. Check out this episode and determine which Performance Rights Organization is right for you. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/melanatedmusicology/support

When it comes to music copyrights, it is important to understand that there are two forms: Composition and Sound Recording. Listen as I explore the six exclusive rights of copyright which allots music creatives with the right to do or authorize the following: 1.) to the right to reproduce, 2.) to prepare a derivative work, 3.) to distribute copies to the public, 4.) to perform the work publicly, 5). to display the work publicly, 6.) to create digital-audio transmission. These aren't just temporary rights, these rights last for the life of the author plus 70 years. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/melanatedmusicology/support

One of the most important factors in the Quality vs. Quantity debate that often gets overlooked is the balance between the two. In this episode, I feature five tips to help you find a balance between the quality and quantity of your music. Whether your goal is to just release an album or have a career as a professional music artist, it's important to make music that you can be proud of. Especially since the music, you create today will live on forever. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/melanatedmusicology/support

The life of an independent music creative requires a lot of time, energy and business sense. The music industry is a pretty big maze that no music creative should navigate alone. Having a solid team can be a great resource when determining the best path for you, a safe space for emotional support when things get tough and the voice of reason that helps to balance it all. When selecting members for your Ultimate Music Team, make sure that they have an remarkable work ethic, they understand your vision and either have connections in the industry or the drive to obtain them. On this episode I share a list of both professional and creative individuals that should be considered as you prepare to build your ultimate music team. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/melanatedmusicology/support

When it comes to the business of music, one of the most important areas is Music Administration. What is Music Administration you may ask, well it's the Cataloging, Metagging, Registration, and Encoding of your musical performances. These four steps are important to ensure that no matter where your music or music video is sold, streamed, or played it can be tracked for royalties as well as counted for Billboard chart consideration. As a music creative, it is important for you to complete your Music Administration before each and every release to ensure that you are able to not only receive the proper credit but also receive a financial return on your musical investments. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/melanatedmusicology/support

Music creatives, regardless of the genre have been inspired by songs from their childhood or by studying music idols. The lines between inspiration and imitation have been blurred tremendously. There has been a rise in Music Copyright Infringement cases over the past couple of years thanks in part to two of the most popular forms of Copyright Infringement: Sampling and Interpolation. As a music creative, it is important for you to understand copyright infringement so that you can determine if the risk is greater than the reward. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/melanatedmusicology/support

As a music creative, it's important to make sure that you protect your ability to monetize the music you create. The First step in protecting your Musical Legacy is establishing a Trademark which is used to identify the owner of a particular artist's name and logo. The Second step is Copyright which provides the music owner with the opportunity to monetize their musical creations. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/melanatedmusicology/support

Whether you are just starting out in music or a seasoned music creative, one of the most important assets you should have is a Plan. This plan should include who you are, your goals, and what you need to do in order to accomplish those goals. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/melanatedmusicology/support

Hi, I'm Aichelle (I Shell), a Music Administrator whose passion for music has lead me down the path of discovery to determine how music creatives actually monetize their music as well as the steps necessary to do so. I'll share both my personal as well as professional experiences, break down several of the key areas, and occasionally have other music creatives and music business professionals on to share their experiences during their journey through music. Subscribe for a new podcast every Monday. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/melanatedmusicology/support