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The Archive
A service from 'The Serious Writers Guild' at MAKEHITS.COM Written by Dec Cluskey with a little bit opf help from his friends.
This Email first mailed to all Members of 'The Serious Writers Guild' and
subscribers to 'One Minute With Dec' on
05.01.03
"My Emails are written in good humour, and should be read with a smile"
I get many, many 'thank-you' Emails and letters each week...plus the phone calls, of course. But the first success story, above, brought a lump to my throat.
Eddison lives in Trinidad and Tobago....
As I have said before, I had only heard of the name as being my favourite in my stamp collection when I was at school [I wonder how much that collection is worth today?] Within a month of joining 'The Serious Writers Guild' [ www.makehits.co.uk/swgintro.htm ] and getting his first release of the ten month program 'How To Make A $Million From Your Music' he landed himself an assignment to write screen music....from just what he learned in his first month...amazing!
Eddison had enthusiasm, attitude and ambition bursting out of him and just needed that extra notch in the key of success to open the lock. I wonder what he will achieve by the end of his ten months with us?
"Dec, you teach people to believe in themselves
and I wish you'd been around (as a mentor) 20 years ago."
Another Member, who has changed beyond all recognition, sent me that simple note. Mind you, I wish there was a Dec Cluskey around when I started in this business. There wasn't. But there were many mini Dec Cluskeys around. I sought them out, I mixed with them, learned from them. I found out very quickly that the guys who had the real success and the real knowledge were just 'so nice'. Ask them a question and you got a real answer. Genuine, successful people love to help...they can't help it. They have no edge to them...they are confident in their talent and they have no fear.
My advice to you?
Seek out successful people, make sure you mix with successful people...Always run with a fast crowd.
Don't mix with the 'ne'er do wells' - who moan and carp and criticise. You will only end up moaning and carping and criticising, just like them. You learn success from successful people - you don't learn it from those no hopers! Trust me!
Put your trust in people you know -
and get to know the people you trust.
sandy cluskey
My experience is in the trenches.My experience has come from years of doing it...over and over and over. My Hits came from looking and listening, from imitating, from emulating - then from sheer innovation and invention...from just being around the Hit making process. You can't help but learn from the greats, when you are watching them and working with them on a daily basis. All of a sudden, one day, you realise that YOU are one of the greats! I am at the end of the phone for all Members of The Serious Writers Guild.
Perhaps my greatest turn around, when the Hits didn't come so easily and so quickly [that usually happens after 5 years at the top, for any artist - then it's albums] was mixing with and watching in wonder at some of the top MLM [multi level marketing] guys. You know the sort. At first I had the opinion of them which you probably have at this second: "yuck ....salesmen!"
Then I realised
"Every career is a sales career."
Len Foley
I realised that 'Destiny's Child' are in the sales business...yes! 'Emminem' is in the sales business....yes! You can continue on...Dr Dre, David Gray, Missy Elliott....you can mention every artist and every A&R person, every head of every record and publishing company. Every agent, every manager....every production company.
Without the sales they all go broke! Got it? So they have to become super sales people!
ARE YOU?
Strangely, I have met so many music people who are in MLM. Did you know that one of the biggest earners in the world from 'Herbalife' is John Tartol? Multi, multi millionaire. He was the keyboard player with Rose Royce ['Car Wash'] Did you know that Peter Boita, one of the busiest session drummers in the UK, and probably in the top three best drummers in Europe, is a high flyer in the same company? Even my great pal, Gary Skillman, told his wonderful stories of his days as roadcrew with 'The Who'.
This isn't a salespitch
No - this isn't a salespitch for MLM companies, it is merely an encouragement to make you realise that until you understand that you are a music salesman, then your music will simply fill your cupboards and drawer space in your home. That is simple statement of fact.
New article:
To prove my points....Check out the new article at our Serious Writers Guild site www.makehits.co.uk/art012.htm by Mary Ann-Leiken, and understand that everything I have said above is absolutely the truth! Who is Molly? Just check out the number of hits she has written and the number of Emmies and Grammies....
If you didn't know, there are phenomenal articles available for free at www.makehits.co.uk/artintro.htm . And while you're at it, check out the new music resource pages at www.makehits.com/links%1.htm and www.makehits.com/links%2.htm . The 'links%2' page is particularly good for guitar players.
The New Demo Consultation Service is an instant success!
Many people ask me how to be successful in business. I always reply:
"Make absolutely sure you deliver more than you promise"
And that is what we have done with our new service. Guys who have already had our appraisal of their work have been shocked with what they get. A full critique of their work - with encouragement and genuine help. PLUS a full CD with me talking, in real time, giving my instant impression of their work as it is playing. PLUS - we have now added, as a BONUS, a certificate for each title, copyrighting the piece in the name of the composer.....nice to frame eh? And proof positive that your work is copyrighted to you. www.makehits.co.uk/demo.htm is where to go to get set up.
Speaking of demo services:
I got this Email from a member, who had asked me ages ago [before I started the demo consultation service] to listen to a demo...I thought it sounded like one of those 'instant demos' made by a demo company - I would have to say that this Member did not do anything I advised him to do! My first advice, for instance, is to stop recording and writing immediately you join The Serious Writers Guild....until you learn what a successful piece of music should be:
"Hi Dec,
No, I didn't have the demo made by a demo company. I tried that a few years
ago with the ISA and was unhappy with the results. I produced it in London,
as I'd booked in 5 sessions back in January. Anyway, I didn't write to
anyone but I actually phoned five major record companies including EMI and
PWL!
I have improvised on what you said in the Grade 1 teaching material.
Here is an example of what was said:
"Hello, EMI Music publishing"
Hi, I need your help! I've got a really good song, which I've just completed
and I was interested in your company hearing it. It's sort of POP dance
like STEPS. It's definitely top 3 material! I was wondering who would be
the best one at your company to talk to.
This is the response that I got from all five companies:
-Sorry, we're not accepting material from outside writers.-
I tried to get them to let me talk to someone, but they just weren't
interested. I hadn't even played them the song!
In the end I gave up. That's why I've contacted you. I'll have to find new
contacts next month in Bandit and Songlink. But I thought it would be
better if I contacted them personally. Also this was the last demo that I
had booked in, and I think it's my best so far. I wrote a vocal arrangement
for it and even collaborated on the lyrics with another writer, but no one
has wanted to hear it. Please let me know what I should do next. Also I'm
not making anymore demos until your course has finished so I can make them
to the best of my ability. I just wanted this last one to be given a
chance!
Regards
Paul Trigwell"
This demo was obviously done before he ever met me....and certainly before he learned anything from me.
My Reply:
"Paul, Paul, Paul, Paul........
What are you
wasting your time and your money for.....?
<Please let me know what I
should do next. >
Answer: you should do what you should
have done in the first place....read
the releases and DO WHAT'S IN
THEM!
<Also I'm
> not making anymore demos until your course has
finished so I can make them
> to the best of my ability.> .
That
is precisely and exactly what I say at the very start of the course!
You
certainly like contributing to the Studio Owners' Mercedes fund......and
also
the Phone Company's profits.
I would suggest you stop everything you are
doing, music wise, and READ the
releases. It's all in there.
You
can't just pick and chose what you want to do, from the 'How To Make A $Million
From Your Music' course, when studying our music
industry...that is the same
as a brain surgeon deciding which brain
operations he will study and what
drugs he will learn about....doesn't
work...never did, never
will.
regards
Regards
Dec
"If you snooze - you lose!"
a New Year thought
============================================
Record of the Week: Check out the album "sugababes - angels with dirty faces". The production and vocal arrangements are stunning!
============================================
You couldn't make it up!
The UK's lunatic Government strikes at the music industry again:
"What it means, if passed, is that ALL live music in pubs, churches, community venues, schools, village halls AND private homes and gardens, including weddings and school concerts, will have to get a license EVERY time from the local council with punishment of a six-month jail sentence or £20,000 fine!"
Graham Chalmers - Gig Scene [Harrogate Today]
[Please lobby your local MP re. the forthcoming draconian Licensing Bill planned which will affect YOU]
============================================
Gag of the Week [don't know where they get them but they keep rolling in!]:
"Signs you have been on the road too long:
You think sleeping in the sound console lid is comfortable.
You never use the living room anymore cause the acoustics suck.
Your
welcome mat is stuck down with duct tape.
You made a tape of the tour bus
engine to play at night when you sleep.
All your furniture has wheels.
You have re-wired your whole house to use Hubbell Twist-Lok plugs.
You
are home for a week before you stop dialling 9 for an outside line.
Somebody
gives you the thumbs up in the street, and you look for the monitor desk to turn
up the mix.
You lose interest in groupies.
Your clothing no longer
resides in a dresser, but rather a duffle bag.
You have actually installed a
3 phase supply in your house so that lighting and audio are on separate legs to
eliminate hum and buzz.
Your favourite incense smells like resin core
solder.
When you are at home, you ask your parents what is the per diem per
day..
Everything you own has your name on it and is stencilled 'F.O.H.'.
Your home stairs are replaced with a ramp to facilitate EASY load in."
Simply get in touch by Email - click this link: demo@makehits.co.uk and tell me that you want to send your material for a full critique and appraisal. We will then send you a unique PIN number to put on your letter or Jiffy Bag. This will ensure you get immediate attention. This is also for security reasons. We do not open unsolicited Jiffy Bags.
For full details click on this link: www.makehits.co.uk/demo.htm
============================================
ARCHIVE COPIES OF 'ONE MINUTE WITH DEC' ARE LOCATED AT www.makehits.com/archive.htm
Probably the greatest music help available on the Net.
============================================
Heard enough, want to apply to join 'The Serious Writers Guild' and receive the award winning ten month program: "How To Make A $Million From Your Music" now?
"as secure as when you buy in your local shop"
I am so confident in the quality of the materials I offer, that if you are not happy at anytime in your WHOLE LIFE with the product then just mail me and ask for a complete, no-quibble, courteous refund! I mean it! Your payment will be returned promptly and courteously and you will OWE NOTHING. In fact, as a complimentary gift from me, I'll even let you keep all the releases that will make your business EXPLODE WITH SUCCESS - totally free of charge.
This is not only a guarantee - it's a personal promise. There's no catch, and there's no risk - I personally take ALL the risk.
We never advertise - I know and you know that songwriters/musicians tend to know a lot of other songwriters/musicians. If you sign up today and you introduce others to this program, I'm going to give you a full 35% commission on the $277 sale price for any of your friends who join. This means you could get the full cost of the program back AND make a profit within your very first month as a member - and thereafter it's pure profit for you. This money can help finance your music career, help pay off debts, or WHATEVER! I only want you to recommend this program to others if you seriously mean it.
When you sign up I'll tell you EXACTLY how to go about recommending this program to others and receiving your commissions - in fact, it's all a completely automatic process and I'll give you everything you need to get started!
Heard enough, want to apply now?
"as secure as when you buy in your local shop"
On the secure page you can pay any way you feel comfortable and secure. The easy way is to pay us on our secure server with your card, but you can also pay by check, money order, or email transfer. You can even pay monthly by card....no problem.. just go to 'choose the product you require' and select the monthly payments option.
That works out at the equivalent of just $29.70 a month for a value of at least $750,000 over a ten month period, and it's all 100% risk-free with our iron-clad LIFETIME guarantee - you can't lose!
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[As members of The Data Protection Society your details will never be given to ANYONE]
To pay by any other method please check out the payment methods on the secure page. Any queries re payment just contact me directly. I'll get back in touch with you within hours: mailto:dec@makehits.com?subject=Urgent! Alternative Payment Request from MakeHits.com
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http://www.makehits.com/050103oneminarchive.htm -- Revised: 2003-01-05
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