When evaluating the business decision of choosing between a non-exclusive or exclusive deal to represent your compositions for placement in film, TV, and advertising, I’ve had a number of folks reach out and ask a little more info. The great thing is, you can tweak or even use the same questions with ANY deal you [...]

Many musicians find the legalities of the music industry scary or, according to some research from my blog and newsletter, haven’t even looked at a contract. In fact, the music industry itself has made a point to tout it’s legal strength anytime someone tries to do something inventive and effective in the music space, rather [...]

Andy Lykens is a music branding and marketing specialist for Imagem Music, the world’s largest independent music publisher. Follow him here. In my last article, I mentioned recent efforts in getting to the bottom of what independent musicians want to know most about getting their music in film, tv, and advertising. By far, the top [...]

Andy Lykens is a music branding and marketing specialist for Imagem Music, the world’s largest independent music publisher. Follow him here. Get a paper and pen. Just do it, it’ll totally be worth it. I’m about to blow your mind. Quick – tell me 3 people you want to listen to your music that you [...]

First, I’d like to thank everyone who has written in and asked me questions. Keep them coming! Please keep in mind if you’re just asking me stuff that you can easily find out by using Google, it is unlikely I’ll be very helpful in my answer (which might literally be “Google It”). Blow me away [...]

Andy Lykens is a music branding and marketing specialist for Imagem Music, the world’s largest independent music publisher. Follow him here. Read part 1 here. Last week we discussed some of the pros and cons of signing onto a music placement service offering non-exclusive contracts. It’s definitely an interesting option and can provide a lot [...]

A lot of my friends are great musicians who really pour their heart and soul into their work and I am truly lucky. Why? Because having worked in the industry for so long for both production music and commercial music entities, from independent to major publishers, and from focusing on strict marketing and sales to [...]

Andy Lykens is a music branding and marketing specialist for Imagem Music, the world’s largest independent music publisher. Follow him at andylykens.com/blog. Yes, advertising pays and it pays well. The days of seeing licensing music for use in advertisements as selling out are near an end (for most bands and artists). As long as a [...]

Andy Lykens is a music branding and marketing specialist for Imagem Music, the world’s largest independent music publisher. Follow him at andylykens.com/blog How often does a band you love come out with new music? If your answer is “typically once a year” you win the prize (which is getting to read the rest of this [...]