Archetype_J wrote:This thread is knowledge. Period. Props to all of you.
When shopping my beats, i just treat it like any other marketing endeavour. I only approach people that are worth my time, and visa versa. I have a product. I am going to do everything in my power to create the illusion that my product is a necessity. I've found that the best response i've gotten, just like any other job in the world, is professionalism. Rather than starting a soundclick site and handing out a gang of cd-r's, i had some Vinyl pressed up (if you want love from your local radio DJ's... vinyl is a MUST) had some stickers made, some t-shirts and a little information brochure. Lemme just tell you, i spent years hustling beats on the low-budget tip, and it's true what they say... you gotta spend money to make money. I've recieved a response 400% better doing this then i ever did trying to promote online and w/bootleg lookin' tapes and cd-rs. Format and approach is necessary. HipHop is love, but if you want to pay the bills, you absolutely have to treat it as work. Approach every move with the mindset that "i have to pay the bills"... even if thats not the case, telling yourself this will boost your work ethic.
With that being said, everything i just rattled off seems trivial compared to other gems dropped in this post. Props to trupro, DDot and the rest.
I feel you definetly have to spend money in order to really make money
I read not too long ago that Stat Quo (Shady Aftermath) ATL recording artist printed up 10,000 cdrs and just pass them shitz out without even trying to sell em. Low n behold one of em made they way to someone in the Aftermath clique and the rest history.
The morale of the story iz you gotz to have be marketable on all fronts, lotz of talent, and a hint of luck.
In my case, I passed out thousands of cdrs also, but i have made more networking connections online then on the streetz.
(Although, my record label has gained a lot of street credibility for showing love with the cd giveaways)
However, I got a commercial deal to do for a online video game from my SoundClick page! Which is going to give us even more exposure nationally.
All the moves we mentioning are good one's. I think a cross approach from all the above may be a better method. Just don't put all your eggs in one basket. Ya feel me.