The document discusses the pros and cons of being an independent artist versus being signed to a major record label. It notes that major labels expect artists to sell over 100,000 copies for a release to be considered a success, while independent artists can be successful selling far fewer copies. Additionally, independent artists keep 100% of revenue rather than giving a portion to a label, they have no contracts to restrict them, and they have full control as their own boss. Social media is highlighted as a key tool for independent artists to promote and market their music directly to fans without a label. The challenges of the current music industry and pros of the independent route are argued to make it a better path for artists.

1. http://www.flickr.com/photos/15830714@N08/9412356838/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15481483@N06/7940780600/
IT IS BETTER TO BE
AN INDEPENDENT
ARTIST...
BY: WHITNEY GARY
By: WHITNEY GARY
THAN TO BE
SIGNED TO A
MAJOR.

2. 1,000,000
copies
sold =
SUCCESS! 100,00copiessold =
FAILURE!
MAJOR LABEL
ARTISTS...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spadgy/313252882/sizes/l/

3. 100,000
copies
sold =
SUCCESS!
1,000,000copiessold =EVEN BETTERSUCCESS!!!
INDEPENDENT
ARTISTS...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spadgy/313252882/sizes/l/

4. CHANCES OF GETTING
SIGNED?...
SLIM
TO
NONE!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/photoplod/5315444323/sizes/l/

5. Tehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/68751915@N05/6551525739/sizes/l/xt
TO
YOUR
POCKETS!

6. http://www.flickr.com/photos/orphanjones/2260772525/sizes/l/
1.
RECORDINDUSTRYHURTINGSIGNEDARTISTS

7. http://www.flickr.com/photos/striatic/101594790/sizes/l/
FREE
MUSIC???
DON’T MIND IF
I DO.

8. Tehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/legin101/5728035123/sizes/l/xt
WE WANT EVERYTHING!
M
ERCHA
N
DISE
TOURS
ALBUM
SALES

9. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mediaflex/4870888831/sizes/l/
2.
PROS
OF
BEING
INDEPENDENT!

10. http://www.flickr.com/photos/76029035@N02/6829369789/sizes/l/
NO
CONTRACTS!

11. YOU’RE
YOUR OWN
BOSS!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joshuacraig/3189808755/sizes/o/

12. 100%
.REVENUE
MADE GOES
TO YOU!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonathanschertzer/6884422115/sizes/l/xt

13. Tehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/mkhmarketing/8468788107/sizes/l/xt
3. HOW SOCIAL MEDIA ENHANCES
MUSICAL SUCCESS

14. Tehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/orangeacid/2511865067/sizes/l/xt
THE INTERNET IS
THE NEW SOURCE
FOR NEW MUSIC.

15. PROMOTE & MARKET
YOUR MUSIC JUST
LIKE A LABEL.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rosauraochoa/3939487692/sizes/l/
BUILD A FAN BASE

16. UPLOAD MUSIC
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rosauraochoa/3939487692/sizes/lhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/thomas
SHARE W/ FANS

17. THEN PITCH
FIRST
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinkmoose/96973266/sizes/l/

18. http://www.flickr.com/photos/teegardin/6147270119/sizes/l/
2.
SOCIAL MEDIA
3.
BAD STATE OF THE INDUSTRY
1.
PROS OF
INDIE
ARTISTS

19. http://www.flickr.com/photos/sepblog/3941048713/sizes/o/
GO INDIE!

20. http://www.flickr.com/photos/iragelb/5611594783/sizes/l/
DONT SELL YOUR
SOUL...
KEEP IT.