I really want your opinion on this (everyone!).

[God]

GIVE ME YOUR OPINION

I recently wrote that I received the "best sales pitch" from an artist. The thread is located here:
https://www.illmuzik.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23444

We looked further into the situation and found out that ONE guy really did do:

1. Professional website w/professionally designed posters and other downloads (icons.)
2. A great and marketable demo (the vocals are not the best - but he pulls it off in a good way. The songs are wonderful.) Of course, it needs to be mixed better
3. HE did his own PR and got bloggers to support him. This cat is savvy. He is good at it, too.
4. He fucking... get this... DREW a COMIC BOOK specifically towards the target market (girls). It is professionally done. Unreal - we just found out about this. It's a comic book that basically pawns his music project.
5. The cat is legit, we checked him out.
6. Everything he does is congruent to image, songs, etc.

My boss asked me today if we should say just hire the dude to work with us. Bring him to the dark side.

What would you do? I'm thinking to pitch something with the music and also hire the dude. I really think someone else will offer the guy some contract AND a position at a label or other company. We talked to the cat and he's a college grad - really smart, very savvy and knows his shit to a T.

He actually talked to us in business terms, I mean - could I ask for anything better? (No "pie in the sky" talk - he talked about bread and options with marketing other aspects of his project. This is SHIT I WOULD THINK OF. Ruthless!)

I'm almost scared that if we hire him, he'll destroy the sensei!

I want to include Illmuzik community in the discourse. I'm not forwarding the URL until AFTER dude is signed or we fuck up somehow (it won't be my fault, though.)

Holla.

 

[Relic]

GIVE ME YOUR OPINION

I recently wrote that I received the "best sales pitch" from an artist. The thread is located here:
https://www.illmuzik.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23444

We looked further into the situation and found out that ONE guy really did do:

1. Professional website w/professionally designed posters and other downloads (icons.)
2. A great and marketable demo (the vocals are not the best - but he pulls it off in a good way. The songs are wonderful.) Of course, it needs to be mixed better
3. HE did his own PR and got bloggers to support him. This cat is savvy. He is good at it, too.
4. He fucking... get this... DREW a COMIC BOOK specifically towards the target market (girls). It is professionally done. Unreal - we just found out about this. It's a comic book that basically pawns his music project.
5. The cat is legit, we checked him out.
6. Everything he does is congruent to image, songs, etc.

My boss asked me today if we should say just hire the dude to work with us. Bring him to the dark side.

What would you do? I'm thinking to pitch something with the music and also hire the dude. I really think someone else will offer the guy some contract AND a position at a label or other company. We talked to the cat and he's a college grad - really smart, very savvy and knows his shit to a T.

He actually talked to us in business terms, I mean - could I ask for anything better? (No "pie in the sky" talk - he talked about bread and options with marketing other aspects of his project. This is SHIT I WOULD THINK OF. Ruthless!)

I'm almost scared that if we hire him, he'll destroy the sensei!

I want to include Illmuzik community in the discourse. I'm not forwarding the URL until AFTER dude is signed or we fuck up somehow (it won't be my fault, though.)

Holla.

lol.. Nice, well I think the obvious decision is to put him on of course, working with you for the companies benefit is a smart decision, dont really know how that would affect you personally within said, but why waste the talent. LOts of ways to utilize that! Nice that he has thought of everything , it would almost be a shame if he just didnt go ahead and do his thing without being brought over.
If you guys dont though some one will, thats a fact, even if it's just him!

 

[God]

Relic,

Thanks for the response, you're definitely echoing my sentiments on the topic.

 

[The Arkitekt]

If you guys dont though some one will, thats a fact, even if it's just him!

Good point.


Yea dude, this guy is BORN for entertainment, this is his niche 100%. I'm no expert, but your only getting positive results from puttin him on. If he makes a move on you/anyone else, or you think he will destroy the sensai (haha), i'm sure you will catch it before it happens, you seem like you know your shit with this kinda thing. He'd be just starting to do what YOU do (right?), youv'e obviously doing you thing longer than he has.


edit: From all the shit this dudes done so far (based off your post), theres no way he's a weak leg, only way for him to go is up, and ONLY up. Theres no doubt working wit him will benefit you a lot.

 

[God]

Good point.


Yea dude, this guy is BORN for entertainment, this is his niche 100%. I'm no expert, but your only getting positive results from puttin him on. If he makes a move on you/anyone else, or you think he will destroy the sensai (haha), i'm sure you will catch it before it happens, you seem like you know your shit with this kinda thing. He'd be just starting to do what YOU do (right?), youv'e obviously doing you thing longer than he has.

Relic, Arkitekt or anyone else:

If you had a website and drew a comic book that looks like it was made by Marvel Comics, a great demo that sounds "almost pro", and you have good look that girls will dig...

How would you pitch yourself? If you were the artist... what would you be thinking of right now, especially after talking to industry cats?

I would be thinking of leveraging my meetings and use it as ammo to get bigger cats/deals. That's what I would do. This cat seems to know his shit... just wondering... what would you do?

 

[Relic]

^ Agreed on the last point.
I think he already knows that.. You dont have your own comic book and marketing toward girls and whatnot only to have industry heads come along and this not be expected. Plus you said hes been to college for his ish, I would think that he is being confirmed that hes onto something.Not that he didnt know he was onto something...

If hes that good then the only thing he would need form you guys is the immediate $$$ to really push it....I mean.. is he more interested in a future in the corporate side of things or making his project fly?

Because you could make the project fly then plug him in elsewhere, which he prolly is ultimately lookin for.
JD says so...

 

[Formant024]

Make him an offer he cant refuse... be the "god" father for once and not the sensei.

Sorry ^^^^ had to say it.

IMO, from the things im currently on, im only clapping hands for anyone having such a pro-active mentality which does save you some concerns. No bs is what scares but each their own assets (besides, the teacher remains to learn from his pupils like a wise man knows that he knows nothings lol). I think the question really is;" are you doing your firm/boss a favor by bringing him in ? " I'd say yes, but i have no clue what you can offer him if you can already forsee his market potentia but there's always a contractual buy-out to the bigger sharks, so you would have revenue.

 

[LDB]

Just my opinion! But there's no way this guys has all the bases covered. He may be incredibly talented and smart but there has to be something he doesn't know that would launch him to the next level. If not he wouldn't need you, right? Of course you could beat him over the head with MONEY or a deal that could make him stupid rich if his project blows up.

I'm thinking it's not just about the money with this guy though. I think you need to find out what it is that he doesn't possess. And if you're in a position to give him that thing then offer him that, what ever that is.

Of course finances come with it but something is driving this guy other than money to go all out in the way that he is. I'm sure he has much bigger plans than just being an artist. Find out what "that" is and you'll land him no matter who else try's to seduce him!

He's got to be lured in with some next level, never been done shit. The norm won't interest this guy, at least I don't think so.

 

[God]

Just my opinion! But there's no way this guys has all the bases covered. He may be incredibly talented and smart but there has to be something he doesn't know that would launch him to the next level. If not he wouldn't need you, right? Of course you could beat him over the head with MONEY or a deal that could make him stupid rich if his project blows up.

I'm thinking it's not just about the money with this guy though. I think you need to find out what it is that he doesn't possess. And if you're in a position to give him that thing then offer him that, what ever that is.

Of course finances come with it but something is driving this guy other than money to go all out in the way that he is. I'm sure he has much bigger plans than just being an artist. Find out what "that" is and you'll land him no matter who else try's to seduce him!

He's got to be lured in with some next level, never been done shit. The norm won't interest this guy, at least I don't think so.

Great input, LDB. I was kind of hoping you'd get to read this post. Gold advice here or for everyone. Remember, even if you are in a weaker position, you can find the weakness in the other negotiating party that you can leverage against them.

Your post reminds me of something I think that needs to be said...

Generally (and this is for everyone):

Someone will ALWAYS find something wrong with your music or with your presentation. That's how you bring the artist down a notch or two so they become dependent on your input.

I repeat:

That's how you bring the artist down a notch or two so they become dependent on your input.

Thanks man... keep the input rollin' in...

 

[Ominous]

The first time you posted about this situation I asked for a link.

I wasn't trying to be a dick. I was just trying to get a better grasp because even now I still don't understand the situation. He initially pitched an offer to you guys? And now you are thinking about pitching an offer to him? But you are somehow intimidated by the artist possibly coming on with you guys? Because he would replace you somehow? But you also don't want to let this guy slip away because he has so much potential?

Are you also an artist?

From what I can gather so far, he has everything done but he hasn't broken through. So he is polished and ready to ship, and you guys can help him get to the next step. You get what you need from him and he gets what he needs from you. Isn't that a win-win for everyone?

 

[Relic]

Great input, LDB. I was kind of hoping you'd get to read this post. Gold advice here or for everyone. Remember, even if you are in a weaker position, you can find the weakness in the other negotiating party that you can leverage against them.

Your post reminds me of something I think that needs to be said...

Generally (and this is for everyone):

Someone will ALWAYS find something wrong with your music or with your presentation. That's how you bring the artist down a notch or two so they become dependent on your input.

I repeat:

That's how you bring the artist down a notch or two so they become dependent on your input.

Thanks man... keep the input rollin' in...

Good wisdom indeed.

 

[Elgen]

This guy definitely knows he has something, with or without you, or the next guy.

He'd definitely be leveraging you against the next man and vice versa, so he can get the best deal possible for himself.

He might only need your money, but, using your advice, wouldn't you be able to get him in your hooks if you give him some things you can 'help him improve'? Find more things that you can do for him, besides backing him financially.

 

[God]

The first time you posted about this situation I asked for a link.

I wasn't trying to be a dick. I was just trying to get a better grasp because even now I still don't understand the situation. He initially pitched an offer to you guys? And now you are thinking about pitching an offer to him? But you are somehow intimidated by the artist possibly coming on with you guys? Because he would replace you somehow? But you also don't want to let this guy slip away because he has so much potential?

Are you also an artist?

From what I can gather so far, he has everything done but he hasn't broken through. So he is polished and ready to ship, and you guys can help him get to the next step. You get what you need from him and he gets what he needs from you. Isn't that a win-win for everyone?

Thanks for the great input Ominous. It's really about packaging the right deal more than about being "threatened" by competition.

The outline I posted earlier about bringing the artist a notch or two is something anyone in a bargaining position will do to gain the upper hand.

What I'm really worried about more than anything are other people that want to also offer deals.

This guy definitely knows he has something, with or without you, or the next guy.

He'd definitely be leveraging you against the next man and vice versa, so he can get the best deal possible for himself.

He might only need your money, but, using your advice, wouldn't you be able to get him in your hooks if you give him some things you can 'help him improve'? Find more things that you can do for him, besides backing him financially.

Yeah man, I think I have a good approach on this situation, but I never put any business stuff out there for you guys to give your take.

This could also be a learning experience for you.

 

[P_1]

this is kind of like a "go with your gut" type of things. If you and your boss truly believe that he can become an assett to the company, even if his solo project doesnt blow, then why not bring him along? its a no lose situation. most artists come in with just music in mind. this guy obviously knows how to work an artist to become a whole lot better. I say bring him in with the clause that if his project fails to meet the standard, that he works for your PR department. My $0.02

 

[Chrono]

If you had a website and drew a comic book that looks like it was made by Marvel Comics

I'm curious, how is he planning to distribute his comic book? I feel it should be outside the sale of the cd itself.. but where?

 

[God]

I'm curious, how is he planning to distribute his comic book? I feel it should be outside the sale of the cd itself.. but where?

Ask yourself this question:

Q - Why would someone go through the length to make a comic book and package it with his music project? Especially if you can't distribute it?

A - Because it showcases another aspect of his talent that a company can use. The cat knows what he's doing. It also shows - if he had the right people behind him - his pro-looking designs could actually be on clothing.

I think he knows that, and I think that he knows that we know that.

That's why I referred to his sales pitch as being good. It's a multilateral approach to revenue streams.

 

[StraDivaRius]

I agree, the dude has ambition and business logic. There is no doubt he wants or he should want more than just a record deal. If everything is so good then he worked hard on this and knows it.

What I think you should do, is offer him both.
Offer him a record deal(if your confident in his music like you said) and also some type of consultation deal. where is serves as consultation on other projects while he works on his.
By allowing him to do both he will be able to exploit both his talents and also it can benefit you from bringing him aboard. just make sure you dont put him in a position to outshine you...like you said.

 

[Sucio]

A guy like that can be a huge benefit to the scheme of things.

He could push an abridged version of his comic book and use it as the CD insert. You could even use the idea of the comic as a music video (ie: Gorillaz, cept with more of a comic book animation).

He's already made himself marketable....isn't that what you look for?

My suggestion is to bring him on and be your right hand man. Of course there's always that chance that the powers may be may see him a more of an asset than you....Which is why I would bring him on for his marketing prowess (for lack of better words) and music, this way he can concentrate mainly on his music.

I didn't read any of the other responses, so forgive me if I type something similar to another person.

 

[eldiablo]

sounds like someones sniffin around my backyard. "GO HERO" !!!!!!!

 

[krysolite]

do it.