Why? Most of these companies, I mean the big ones are refused to work with these indie artist/ publishers and songwriters because of the lack of reputation, experience and even quality. Friends matter so much in this business and that also mean “birds of the same feathers flock together”, the indie publishers just do not belong to the feathers where most dominant publishers and labels in the business belong.

But is this impossible? I do not think so, but will be an intensely rough road for an indie publisher/ songwriter and artist. I have reflected on this so many times in the past (going back to the entrepreneurial drawing boards again and again), and write down the possible problems the indie publishers/ artist and songwriters are facing that “completely” isolates them from the giant publishers/music labels and the rest of the music business:

a. Lack of Knowledge – yeah lack of knowledge of the business is a big problem in the indie music publishing business. Some questions that might leave unanswered are basic for music licensing success which every indie publisher should know such as:

1.) Do you really know how an established radio stations pick your song to be included in their playlists? I know it is not as simple as submitting demo to a radio station and hope for the best.

2.) Do you really know the requisites in your audio material before it will be licensed by film producers? Again, it is not as simple as creating the recording, copyrighting it and submitting it to film producers. Even you use such professional music submission services like Taxi and Broadjam, this is irrelevant to your success but more directly on your material and knowledge of the business.

So many questions about the details of the music publishing and licensing business that left the indie publisher clueless for years; so how are we going to handle this problem?

a. Read anything about the business. Read anywhere, get updates, and get news. Do not just read, reflect on it “deeply”, and have it planted to your subconscious.
b. Join forums, read threads, be smart when reading for details.
c. Buy “standard” music licensing books, it shows more details than what you can see in the internet.
d. Ask pros in the forum and get some answers.

Learn everyday; learn from your own and mistake of others. If something is not providing the results you have expected, THEN SOMETHING IS ODDLY AND MYSTERIOUSLY WRONG. You need to understand it, do more in-depth research on your process, humble yourself and ask questions.

b. Lack of Professional Quality Sound – this is a big blow to an indie publisher; budget for professional recording is just so massive to handle. Imagine, if you will just record your song in the studio and hire a producer, which cost money. Mixing cost money, mastering cost money, everything and on the way to promotions cost a lot. Not to mention, entertainment attorneys, Taxi, and other music submission services. An indie artist will become bankrupt before even a “penny” (not a dollar”) comes to his pocket.

Indie publishers just resort to self and home recording which “may” not produce the same quality as those done with thousand of dollars worth of music production.