Who is your team?

Surrounding yourself with experienced mentors can pay

dividends down the line.

Attorneys for Independents • Some lawyers are hired for their connections and

access to industry veterans.

• These attorneys often negotiate deals for their clients in exchange for a hefty commission and/or percentage of future earnings. Others charge a flat fee.

• Yet other attorneys work as mentors and litigators on an as-needed basis.

Pro Bono Consultations As an independent without a lot of money to spend, it is advisable to find an attorney for very specific reasons.

You may do a lot of the research and preparation of contract terms ahead of time. At least having a framework can save time and money.

Many cities provide access to lawyers who donate time to help artists and non-profits with basic contractual issues.

This resource is not unlimited, but is worth looking into particularly for specific cases. An initial consultation is usually free and follow ups can be prorated based on income.

SBDC at LSC-PA: Business Plans

Benefits of Starting Small • Non-profit organizations are available to educate rather than “sign”

you. Their purpose is to assist on an as-needed basis for specific issues.

• Non-profit organizations don’t do the work for you, but rather answer questions and guide individuals step by step in starting a business and getting organized, regardless of the type of industry.

• Generally speaking, the reputation of solid non-profit organizations is easy to document. They don’t work on a commission basis and have to follow regulations in order to maintain their own status. Doing your research is still recommended.

Songwriter Organization After looking at local organizations, the next step is to look at regional groups that can provide specific help.

NSAI is an international organization with regional hubs all over the US.

They provide songwriter critiques, seminars, advocacy about issues relating to copyright and much more.

There are NSAI chapters all over Texas and in major cities.

It’s a very worthwhile organization to “learn the ropes” about the business end of songwriting.

SE TX Arts Council A Beaumont-based non-profit organization that provides grants to aspiring artists in a variety of mediums.

This is a useful resource in the area that not only provides funding opportunities, but resources for education as well.

Final Considerations • The “old” method of the music industry involved creating a team

when the machine’s budgets could support such an endeavor.

• Now, independents must do a lot of the promotional and organizational work themselves.

• That said, there are resources available to guide self-motivated artists, producers, studios and the like from making bad business decisions.

• A careful, cautious and practical “inner-circle” of individuals can help independents move forward with their career aspirations.