UreMusic Education

The technical term for a barcode is Universal Product Code, or UPC. These codes allow music recordings to report to Nielsen Soundscan. Merchants will often use these barcodes to track inventory and quickly evaluate high-performing and low-performing records. Once the barcode is purchased, it becomes possible for Nielsen Soundscan to track results. Step 1 Purchase a barcode from an independent retailer such as CDBaby. This is the easiest way to secure a barcode and these retailers will track the information from Soundscan for you. Step 2 Download the form located in the resources section to complete the information required to track your music recording. The form requires you to enter the song title, artist title, media type and UPC bar code. Step 3 Tracking sales requires a membership with Nielsen Soundscan. To sign up, visit their website and click the Contact Us link. They will create an account for you and inform you of any charges associated with your request. Barcodes can be expen...

Finding funding for a musical production will require a great deal of work applying for grants and contacting potential sponsors. However, organizations and groups exist that can help you fund your musical production. Grants provide legitimate options to help raise funds for your production. Local community foundations also provide excellent sources of income to contact local donors and apply for funding. Obtaining funding requires a great deal of business sense and dedication, but if you have a good idea for a musical production, funding options exist. Community Foundations  Step 1 Locate your local community foundations. Organizations such as the Council on Foundations will provide you with a list of local donors that may have interest in supporting your musical production. There are over 650 foundations across the United States ready to help. Step 2 Contact the donors on the list in writing. Detail your projects goals and subject matter and request a meeting to discuss the proje...

Getting your single on the radio can be tough, especially since the majority of radio stations are commercial operations that must respond to the needs of advertisers. For an independent artist that doesn't have an agent, the chances of getting into mainstream radio are slim -- unless you have a prominent following and can get exposure on lesser known, intermediate radio stations. A more recent alternative for getting airplay is Internet radio, where it's easier to get your music listed. Step 1 Create a press kit to catch the attention of the music director at the radio station. The press kit should include a press release that gives a thought-provoking description of your band, along with contact information. Also include a professional 9-by-13 inch headshot or band photo, a resume, discography of any albums, and a list of recent performances. Step 2 Create a sheet to insert inside the CD case. Note if the song contains any profanity. If you have more than one single, point ...

Promoting a song is an intense endeavor that requires an understanding of the various methods of marketing your music. You can promote your song through several channels, including paid advertisements, free local listings, social media platforms and even by creating your own web page. Musicians that want to earn money from songs must use every opportunity to promote and make the public aware of the song. Providing information at concerts and building a fan-base are critical for this endeavor. Step 1 Sign up on the various social media platforms such as Facebook, MySpace Music and ReverbNation. These websites make it possible for you to place your music online and attract fans that are interested in your music. Step 2 Advertise your song in local free listings such as grocery stores, music shops and coffee shops. You should print an attractive looking advertisement large enough to be seen, but small enough to not be obtrusive to the store owner. Cards that are approximately six by eig...

UPC codes are on the back of most music CDs. Finding the UPC code is a simple task that should take less than a few seconds. A UPC code on a music CD identifies the product to businesses, reports sales information to Nielsen Soundscan and allows for tracking of inventory. The UPC code is a convenient and quick way to keep track of products. Step 1 Flip the CD over so that the front cover is face down. Step 2 Find the box with the vertical bar-lines and numbers. Step 3 Identify the 12-digit number on the white label. This is the UPC bar code. Step 4 Search the Web to find the UPC bar code. You can often view bar codes online. The same bar code cannot be used on more than one product. If a CD is re-released, it will need a new bar code if the content changes.

Professional musician's portfolios need to be ready to send on a moment's notice. If your music is accepted for radio, or an organization or company wants to book you for a performance, they will want this information. The information in a professional musician's portfolio provides the most important information that news agencies and organizations need to write articles about you and book you for performances. Step 1 Create a professional photo. This is an important step. Prospective agents and publishers want to see what you look like. Adding a professional photo will add an element of professionalism to your work. Step 2 Record a professional demo. This one will cost a little bit of money. Book some time with a recording studio and record your demo. Try to record at least two works for the demo CD. The works should be contrasting in nature and show off your versatility. Step 3 Provide a list of professional references. Two to three references is the normally accepted ...

Sending demo music to a record label without spending any money proves challenging but possible. Musicians mistakenly think the only way to get a demo recording heard involves hiring a music agent to submit to a recording label. While this certainly helps your chances if the label has a relationship with the agent, there are other ways to get your music heard. Some of these methods will even allow you to make money while you wait to get picked up by a record label. Step 1 Research a list of record labels to determine which labels accept your style of music. Find an artist with melodies and harmonies similar to your band's recording and submit your music demo. Submit only to record labels that publish music with a similar acoustic sound. Step 2 Check the record labels website and call to determine if unsolicited demo recordings are accepted. Many record companies do accept submissions, but you must contact them to find out. To avoid paying postage fees, submit your music to artist p...

Getting publicity for your song requires a significant amount of work and knowledge of the appropriate places to advertise. Several methods exist to promote your song, but they all require a certain degree of understanding of the music business. You can easily post your music online, enlist the help of friends and fans and spread your music virally, if you know the proper way to go about doing this. When promoting your song, you must be able to describe the music, since words are what first draw the listener into your song. Create an effective description of your song. Tell someone who has never heard your song before what your music sounds like. You can compare it to another, similar song, or you can describe it with descriptive imagery. Discuss the tempo, the beat, the harmonies used and even the production process. For instance, "My song has fast, undulating rhythms, with thick nontraditional harmonies. I created it using a special type of mic that creates soft, relaxing timbre...

Creating professional quality music takes expertise and preparation. Composers study for years to hone their craft in order to create professional quality music. Several factors contribute to a high-quality final product. Missing any of these elements can mean the difference between an amateur and professional result. Composing and Rehearsing  Step 1 Learning to compose can take years of study. Study with a professional composer to ensure that the music is unique and avoids common mistakes that amateur composers often make. Online study is an option, or you might go to a local college or university, but studying the craft is essential. Step 2 Check your music for any inconsistencies or awkward parts. Proofread the music and have each individual part checked by a professional musician that plays the instrument for which the part is written. There is nothing more instructional than getting a professional's view of a composition. Step 3 Rehearsals need to be scheduled ahead of time. P...

Create a press kit to showcase skill and talent. Artists need to have press kits available through download and through a physical CD. This press kit is the heart of advertising for an independent group and should be prepared as soon as possible. The purpose of a press kit is to quickly provide marketing information to prospective radio stations, retailers, producers and clients with whom the recording artist would like to work. Step 1 Include a cover letter in your press kit. The cover letter should detail succinctly why the artist is sending the press kit. Step 2 Create an artist biography to include in the press kit. Start with a short version that summarizes the artist's experience and accomplishments. Artists may also attach a longer version, but this usually is not necessary. Step 3 Insert photos into the press kit. The photos should be of professional quality. Artists must invest the money to have professional head shots taken, if they want to be taken seriously. Step 4 Crea...

Market your rap songs through social media sites. Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images Marketing your rap songs requires a significant amount of work and networking with the right people. Building a fan base is crucial to music marketing, and knowing where to find potential fans is just part of the game. You can try to promote your music in several places, both online and in the real world. Take advantage of the benefits of technology to promote your music and increase your exposure to fans of rap music. Step 1 Take advantage of social networking sites that make it possible to market your music. Some sites allow you to specify your genre; these include ReverbNation, MySpace Music and Soundcloud. Also, create pages on social networking sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn. Step 2 Sign up for a digital distribution deal with a company like CDBaby or TuneCore. These companies will distribute your music to online retailers such as iTunes, AmazonMP3 and Rhapsody. They usually charge a small fl...