Access to the Audience
Who’s Guarding the Gate?

by Christopher Knab

In order for a musician to expose their music to as many people as possible, several “Gates” must be opened for them. In the commercial marketplace for music, Gatekeepers control the access to the musician’s potential audience.

The following diagram lists the gates that must be unlocked to reach an audience.

The Artist
 through
|
Self-Management or Professional Management
puts out their own CD, or gets signed to
|
Record Labels
who send the artisit’s records to
|
Radio Station Music Directors
for airplay consideration
and send records to
|
Writers and Editors
at Magazines and Newspapers
for possible press exposure
while
|
Buyers at Distributors
are persuaded to sell
the records to
|
Retail Stores
while
|
Artists themselves or Booking Agents
attempt to secure
live performances
to play
in front of their
|
 Audience

It has been reported that the proper care and feeding of these Gatekeepers can lead toa mutually prosperous and beneficial career for all concerned.

And please remember that this formula exists on the Internet in its own unique way!

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Christopher Knab is an independent music business consultant based in Seattle, Washington. He is available for private consultations on promoting and marketing independent music, and can be reached at 206-282-6116 or by email at: Chris@Knab.com

Chris Knab’s new book, ‘Music Is Your Business’ is available NOW from the Music Biz Academy bookstore.

Visit the FourFront Media and Music website for more information on the business of music from Christopher Knab.