Hi, this is Mario Hemsley, and this is Pac Stereo TV, and welcome to How to Create Your
Own Music Label.
Well, today we're going to get started.
So the first thing we've got to do is discuss some of the concepts.
Like why are we doing this?
Let's assume that we're doing this because all of us, or the people who are interested
in this program, have some music, at least a song, that we want to present to the public.
And now we're all going to be different as it comes in terms of what we're seeking out
of this.
Some of you will really want a million-feller.
Some of you will just be happy to see your CD in completion.
So we're going to keep all that in mind because we're going to talk mostly about how we get
things set up.
And we're going to talk about our methods of promotion.
So we're going to see how things go.
It all depends on how hard you want to work.
Okay?
All right?
The next step is again, we're going to get going, all right?
Now the first thing, you're going to need to develop some habits.
One I would suggest is get used to working with two jobs.
Why?
Well, you're going to need the extra money to do some of the things after this is built.
And second, because it's not good, we think, to always put all your eggs in one basket.
Now let me say this, I do admire those people who are willing to put everything aside and
take off for Paris to go learn to do, to paint.
But let's assume that most of the people that I'm talking to have to juggle things.
Let's assume that you have a husband, a wife, children, or at least some other people that
you have to count to.
And let's assume that you like to eat.
And let's also assume that you want shelter over your head and running water in your bathroom.
So in that case, you're probably going to have to work two jobs, but that's okay.
The good news is everything that I'm going to try to get you to do can be done on the
side.
Okay?
One.
So two.
Well, next, at least, you're going to have to develop some computer skills.
Okay?
What does that mean?
Well, just some basic things.
You're going to have to learn how to turn the computer on, log in and move around in
Windows or on your Mac, because we're going to need to burn CDs, make MP3 files, do some
general basic editing of photos, which basically is going to include just cropping and resizing
pictures.
Okay?
We're going to have to learn to use email, all right?
Probably some type of scheduling software, and we're definitely going to have to browse
the web.
For those of you who don't have computer skills, I truly suggest you take a class.
There's classes on all kinds of levels out there, from those that you can get at a local
high school or junior college, to fancier things that are more expensive.
I don't think you have to do stuff that's necessarily so expensive, but you do need
to get started.
Being able to use the computer is a prerequisite of everything we're going to do.
Okay?
We need to have a computer.
Okay?
But here's the thing.
I told you, I'm going to tell you how to do this cheap.
You can certainly borrow a computer.
You can go to the library, all right?
So borrow a computer, go to the library, but you're going to need access to a computer.
Okay?
Other habits you're going to need to develop.
Reading.
Oh, yeah.
Actually, you're going to have to do a fair amount of reading.
Time management, blogging, and then being your own spokesperson.
Okay?
So these are some of the habits.
So get ready.
All right?
Now, for next week, I want you to get some things ready, because again, I got to keep
this short.
Let me know if it's too short.
But I like to give assignments, okay?
There's certain things we're going to need to move fast.
The way I, everything is predicated on this theory I have that you get all your files
together.
Okay?
And then we're going to have them at our disposal ready and get a nice compact.
What do I mean?
What do I mean by this?
You're going to need to gather your pictures together.
So by next week, I want you to go through all your pictures or get your friends or wherever
to take some photos of you, but we need to have at least a few pictures.
Now remember, we're going to get going on things.
So even if the pictures are not to your liking, that's okay.
Just get something, okay?
So get some pictures together, some pictures of yourself.
Okay?
If you're lucky enough to have a CD cover or something like that, get all that stuff
together.
We'll need it in some various sizes and we'll go over some of these requirements again next
week.
But for now, just get them together.
Then I need you to write a short description of yourself and your music.
If you only have one song, write a description of that song, but also write a description
of yourself.
Here's the important thing, it can't be long.
I need like a one-liner, a two-liner, or a three-liner, and then a short paragraph.
The one-page stuff can wait for now.
I really need you to be able to explain what you're doing on your music in a one-liner
that's sort of like read like the TV guy, takes a little practice, but get that together.
So you're going to get your picture together, your text together, and oh yeah, of course,
get the music together.
Now remember, I say that a lot of them, you don't need a whole CD's worth.
We can do this with one song.
You do need at least one song.
And when we do the TV channel, we're going to do that with at least one video.
So get at least one song, hopefully on a CD.
If you have it on a cassette, heaven forbid, we can work with that.
We'll tell you how.
But get that together, launch your pictures and text, and then we're going to get ready
for next week.
We're going to be making profiles in one night at a variety of places, CD Baby, YouTube,
MySpace, all of those things, and we're going to need you to have those same pictures, that
same text, and that same audio file all together.
I'm Mario Hemsley.
See you next week for how to create your own music label.
