MUSIC COPYRIGHT

Should I pay for an official music copyright, or
is a "Poor Man's" copyright good enough?

How & where do I copyright my music?

Are there separate copyrights for sheet music
& recorded music?

Can I copyright my CD artwork?

Can I copyright my website content?

Can I copyright my band name and song titles?

How do I copyright my music that is
co-written with others?

What questions should I ask before starting
to co-write a song with another musician?

How do I find out if a song is
in the public domain?


MUSIC WEBSITE PROMOTION


How & where do I submit my website
to search engines for FREE?

What are website "keywords?"
What should my website's "keywords" be?

How do I increase my website's web ranking,
so that it shows up for my "keywords?"

What are website "meta tags?"
What should my website's "meta tags" be?

How do I get large music websites to link to
my small indie music website?

How do I "optimize" my website for search engines to find it easily & get more visitors?
(SEO Search Engine Optimization)

How do I find a good web host for my website
& what questions should I ask before hiring one?

Where can I get FREE features for my website:
games,polls, articles, horoscope, mailing list
submission program, chat forum, jokes, etc.?

What are "Affiliate Programs" and
how do I make money from them?

How do I place & make money from
banner ads on my website?

What is a BLOG & should I write one?

What is an RSS FEED?

What is a "PODCAST" and
how do I create one to promote my music?

Should I send out a monthly newsletter
and where can I do that for FREE?

Should I have multiple mailing lists
and who should be on them?

How do I use Myspace to
raise my live show attendance and CD sales?


MUSIC RECORDING, MUSIC PRODUCTION
& CD MASTERING


How do I find a good recording studio?

How do I know if a recording studio
is right for my music project?

What is a "producer" and do I need one
for my recording project?

How do I find a good producer?

What is "mastering" and
do I need it done to my music?

How do I find a good mastering company?

What kind of CD packaging should I choose for my music and why?
How many CDs should I have made of my music and why?
What is the difference between "duplication" and "replication?"

MUSIC SALES & MUSIC DISTRIBUTION

How & where can I sell my CDs on the internet?

How do I accept credit card payments on my website?

How & where can I can "brick and mortar" (store)
distribution for my CDs?


MUSIC PLACEMENT IN TV & FILMS


How do I get my band on TV?

What questions should I ask before
performing on TV?

How do I get my songs placed in Films?

What questions should I ask
before submitting my music for use in a film?

How much should I charge for licensing
my songs for films and/or TV?

Are song contests worth the submission fees?
If so, which ones are best?

What questions should I ask
before submitting my music to a contest?

Are music contests based on internet
& fan voting worth entering?
If so, which ones are best?

How do I get my music placed on
other company's compilation CDs?

What questions should I ask
before submitting my music to a compilation CD?

How do I spot a music email "scam"
trying to take my money and run?

I received a fan email requesting a
"signed photo..." should I send them one?

Should I use a stage name &
how does that effect my music business?

Do I need an entertainment lawyer
before I sign any contract on the internet?


MUSIC PROMOTION ON THE RADIO


How do I get my songs on the radio?

How do I book radio interviews
and live radio performances?

What is a "Radio Promoter" and
where do I find one for my music?

What are some well known radio promoters
& how do I contact them?

What do radio music producers want
in my CD submission package?

What is a "One Sheet" and
how do I make one for my music?

What is a "Publicist" and
where can I find a good one?

How & where do I promote my
live music performances?

How do I get my music reviewed?

How do I get interviewed by
& featured in magazines?

How do I get a "quote" about my music
from a famous artist or music industry person?


MUSIC CONFERENCE
& INTERNET PROMOTION


How do I promote my music at a
music conference and/or music festival?

Is it worth it to perform a music "showcase"
for FREE and, if so, when & why?

What is a Press Release and how do I write one?

Where should I submit my Press Releases
to get the most viewers?

What items should be in my
music promotional package or "Promo Pack?"

What items should NEVER be in my
music promotional package or "Promo Pack?"

What is a "Music Promoter" and
where do I find one for my music?

What are some well known music promoters
& how do I contact them?

Where can I get the best deals
on promotional items for my music?

Do I have a memorable image?
Does it match my music?

What is a "Logo" and
do I need one for my music?

What is a "tag line" and
do I need one for my music?

How do I get "sponsored?"

What are sponsors want from me in return?

What are some good companies
to approach for sponsorship?

How do I contact a potential sponsor?

What do I say when I contact a potential sponsor?

How & when do I "follow up" *after*
I've sent my potential sponsor a "promo pack?"

What music organizations I should join first
to promote my music the fastest?

What music forums should I post comments in
& read to learn about the Indie music scene?

What music websites should I submit my music
to in order to get the most listeners?


MUSIC PUBLISHERS, MANAGERS
& BOOKING AGENTS


Should I register my songs with PRO
(Performance Rights Organization)?

If so, which one: ASCAP, BMI or SEASAC?

Should I start my own publishing company
to publish my own music? How do I do that?

How do I get my songs published
by a professional publisher?

What questions should I ask
before submitting my music to a music publisher?

Should I start my own record label for my music?
How do I start an "indie" record label?

Should I hire a Publisher? Where do I find
a good one? What is a standard publisher's fee?

Should I hire a manager?
Where do I find a good one?

Should I hire a Booking Agent? Where do I find
a good one? What is a standard agent's fee?

I don't have a booking agent.
How do I book my own shows?

What is "Gig Swapping"
and how do I do it with my band?


MUSIC LAW & MUSIC CONTRACTS


What is a "work for hire?"
How do I know if I am one
when I work with another musician?

How do obtain the legal rights to
cover another artists' music on my CD?

What is the difference between
a copyright and a trademark?

How do I trademark my band name?

How do I buy my band or website name?

Where is the cheapest place to do so?

Do I need an entertainment lawyer
to read every music contract I sign?

Where can I get FREE legal advice?

Where can I get blank music contracts
to adapt for use with my music?

Should I have my band sign a contract?

Should I have use a contract for the venues
that hire me, or is that their responsibility?

Where can I get insurance for my music gear
while I'm traveling to shows & performing live?

What is the "backline" that some live music venues provide for musicians to use?

Where do I get a permit to perform live,
outdoors, in towns I'm touring through?

Do I have to claim my music income on my taxes?

If I get paid for a band performance
& I pay my band members, how do I deduct
band wages off on my personal taxes?

What music items are deductable on my taxes?

What is "depreciation" and
how can it save me money on my taxes?

What is "self employment tax"
and do I have to pay it?