Preliminary Artist Questionnaire

I am not looking for one word answers. If you want to be seriously considered help me out by letting me see what is inside your head.

 

Date:

 

#  Name of Artist/Band? (Include all band members names and instruments played.)

 

 

# Is your stage name trademarked?

 

 

# Have you filed your songs for copyright protection?

 

 

# Have any of your songs been published? (If so, by whom?)

 

 

# Have you affiliated with a performance rights organization? (which one? ASCAP, BMI, SESAC?)

 

 

# What is your background? (Who are you and your band members? Tell your story.)

 

 

# Do any band members belong to the Musician’s Union?

 

 

# Do you have a written ‘band agreement’?

 

 

If you do not, What will the structure of the band agreement be?

 

 

What is the decision making process in making band decisions?

 

 

Is everything to be decided equally or does the leader make the band decisions?

 

 

Is money to be divided equally?

 

 

Make a list of adjectives which describes you (your act.)

 

 

 

Make a list of adjectives which describes how you want your act to be seen.

 

 

Make a list of favorite colors that you feel represent your act.

 

 

 

Make a list of images that your act, your music, your performance brings to mind.

 

 

 

Describe your act in three words or less.

 

 

# Why do you want to record and release your own music? (Be very honest.)

 

 

# Who is your fan/customer? (Analyze this question thoroughly. What are the targets for your music? )

 

 

# What are your songs about? (What specific themes do they cover?)

 

 

# What is the message.?          ?

 

 

# Do you write your own songs? (Discuss the song writing process in detail.)

 

 

# Who are your musical influences? (Site specific examples.)

 

 

# How do you describe your music to people? (This is not a short answer. Discuss it.)

 

 

# What image do you think your music conveys? ( Do not avoid the image issue!)

 

 

# What are your immediate music career goals? (Next 1 to 3 years.)

 

 

# What are your long-term career goals?

 

 

# How would you define the word “success”? (This is not a short answer. Discuss it.)

 

 

# Do you have any personal contacts in the music business?

 

 

# Do you have an entertainment law attorney to consult with?

 

 

# Do you have a manager?

 

 

# Are you looking for an independent label deal or a major label deal? (Why?)

 

 

# Do you have a demo or press kit, or any promotional materials?

 

 

# What live performance experience have you had? (Any industry showcases?)

 

 

# How do you rate your live performance ability? ( Be very critical. No clichés,)

 

 

# Have you recorded any previous CDs/Tapes? (Which studios? Who produced it?)

 

 

# How did you sell your CD’s/Tapes? (Consignment? Live sales? Distributor?)

 

 

# Have you had any previous print or broadcast media exposure or reviews?

 

 

# Are you financially able to fund the costs of establishing your career? (In debt?)

 

 

 

 

# How have you paid for the costs you have incurred so far?

 

 

# Do you have a business license? (City, state, federal?)

 

# Do you have a web site? What is it?

 

 

# Are you listed on MySpace? # of listeners # of downloads

 

# What is your current “business form”? (Sole proprietor? Corporation? Partners?)

 

 

# Have you set up a system for tracking your financial activities? (Software system?)

 

 

# Are you aware of the tax deductions available for musicians?

 

 

# Do you have insurance on your band equipment and vehicles?

 

 

# Who handles your daily business activities? (Bookings, promotions etc.)

 

 

 

 

# How often do you work as an artist(s)?

 

 

 

# Have you created an actual career, marketing, or business plan? (Is it in writing?)