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=================================
'One
Minute With Dec'
"My
Emails Are Written With Good Humour And Should Be Read With A
Smile"
[-The
views of any contributor to 'One Minute with Dec' are not necessarily
the views of Dec Cluskey-]
"Truth -
Accuracy - with no Flannel....that is our promise here at 'The Serious
Writers Guild'.
But we cannot vouch for the contributions of others...
Please alert us to inaccuracies and help us maintain our high
standards."
Clive
Sanderson [legal dept. Serious Writers Guild] clivesanderson@makehits.com
"I
was always aware that this was the music BUSINESS"
dolly parton
So where do I get all the quotes?
I just love quotes....always have done.
My friends buy me books of them, which I devour. I subscribe to
the best monthly inspirational
book there is.
I realised that the 'biggies' in this
world, in Show Business, in Religion, in Politics all had a secret
source of inspiration. I found it! And it now arrives on my
doormat each month. Sometimes
they even send an extra freebie, mid month or at Christmas/Holiday time.
I follow the same logic in The Serious Writers Guild and with 'One
Minute With Dec'. I simply send a 'freebie'...and I would advise
anyone out there who runs a business to do the same.
Every one loves something for nothing
However, I always make sure the the
'something' is worthwhile. And I advise you likewise .
Be mindful of the phrase:
"Anything
for nothing is worth nothing"
I get at least one, maybe two, requests a
day asking me for 'How To Make A $Million From Your Music'
free or on a "let me have it now, then I'll become a
star and I'll pay you back" basis.
That does not work! Medical
students wanting to be Brain surgeons don't ask for freebies?
Solicitors, accountants, ballet, opera folk? You cannot go through
life living on free lunches....we all know that "there
are no free lunches". You have to work and earn
what you want in this life. Occasionally,
I will be impressed by the sheer ambition and sheer 'killer attitude' of
a guy and realise, by virtue of where he lives, that there is no chance
he/she can afford the ten month program.
We have a specific Charitable Foundation
in place who will take care of that situation but ....wanna know
something? I've have only been thanked once! Does
that amaze you?
The Boss, Dec, collects yet another cheque for 'Lark in the Park'
charity foundation. He is the Patron.
Yet the guys who play full whack for the
program Email me, Fax me, send letters, postcards and telephone me
daily with their thanks....one just now...on the phone for thirty three
minutes.
I missed the 'Weekly
Major writing tip' last week:
Don't know what happened!
Silly me!
You will know all about 'list' writing - if
you have been around, a
while, as a lyric writer.
That is where you use a list of, say, numbers or letters
- One, Two, Three. In fact when I wrote 1,2,3 I
automatically sang "It's so elementary"....see how infectious
a list can be? Monday Tuesday Wednesday....January February
March...they all work.
What I want to suggest to you is a twist on
the list idea.
Try: As long as a *****, as high as
a ****** as deep as a ******. See what I mean? Of course,
you can lengthen or shorten the idea to suit the genre of song.
The parts of the list can be sprinkled right through the verses...why
not?
Bring me your ****, bring me your *****,
bring me your *****.....that is another differing variation of the list
idea. So it doesn't
have to be a bog standard 'list'...dream up your own variation and stick
to it for the next commercial classic you write.
The point to remember is that the idea in
commercial songwriting is to create 'refrains' or ideas that are
subliminally familiar to the listener. So they are easily
assimilated [what a big word?]. They also kick off the memory buds
and make your toon deliciously,
and easily, memorable.
All great poetry has those tricks...also, all great lyrics have those
tricks in abundance.
Writers Guild Member featured on Radio
One:
" I
just wanted to let you know that one of my tracks', 'Unobtainable'
(which you can listen to on the media page on the site - www.cherry.uk.com
) is going to be played tonight on Bobby and Nihal's show on Radio 1
between 9-11pm !
I'd like it if you could tune in!
Cheers Dec, Cherry!"
Cherry!
A New Feature?
Why not listen to Cherry's track at her
site [it's a great site] and let me have a short, interesting and
genuine crit. I will reward the best crit. with a worthwhile 'prezzie'......call
it 'Competition Time'. Just send me the crit to competition@makehits.com
Another Member gets Song Contest success:
Two weeks ago I discovered
my song 'AT THE END OF THE RIVER' was chosen as a finalist in The UK
Songwriting Contest 2004. It was in the FOLK/COUNTRY category. www.songwritingcontest.co.uk
- Gary Brookes
By the way-
I forgot completely to mention last week
that the Serious Writers Guild Member's song that was runner up in UK
Songwriting Competition was sung by our own Managing Director Vicci
Esselle.
Vicci Esselle struts her stuff to 4,000 at Bournemouth International
Centre....managing director? Real music people run The Makehits
Organisation
A new aid for 'aping':
Only Members of 'The Serious Writers
Guild' will know what I mean by 'aping'. There
is a sensational bit of kit
released specifically for that unbelievable aid to vocal greatness:
Tascam Vocal Phrase Trainer - Special Offer
A pair of microphone inputs provide the ability to sing with
accompaniment, in a duet or karaoke performance.
Buy Now and get a Free High
Quality Cable Worth £12.99
Price:
£139.99
Product Code: CDVT1
http://tinyurl.com/4rtvt
Check out the full version of last
week's 'One Minute'?
Always more interesting....good
pics. www.makehits.com/oneminarchive200804.htm
A brilliant observation by Marcia Yudkin marcia@yudkin.com
"Put
your music marketing activities on schedule with a plan. I
see a lot of businesses bedevilled by the "feast or famine"
syndrome, where they stop marketing when times are good and
therefore have no pipeline in place bringing them new leads
when the economy slows down. They get busy marketing and
selling, but
there's a time lag before new business comes in, and when it
does, they stop marketing once more, keeping the cycle
going. Instead, invest time or money in creating a
marketing plan that tells you what to do each week or month
to keep business continually flowing in. If it's too much
for you to handle, hire assistants or outsource it to hungry
but competent music colleagues."
===========================
Hi Dec.... Truly you're among the likes of
Napoleon Hill, Andrew Carnegie, and all the people who inspired me
before I met you. You have even inspired me more than them and that is
saying a lot!
Quincy Ellis
===================
May I say I am impressed with your candid approach, at the end of the
day your the master and were the students, anything you can teach me
even if I think I might know it is tried and tested through yourself.
....Simon Campbell
==================
I received Grade 3 of my course today and it was really interesting and
encouraging as you make me, personally, feel so positive about the
world. Somebody commented on how lovely my hair and skin looked
yesterday and it is simply because I groom myself like a show dog these
days. This is all down to you and I find myself in a position
where I have to motivate 27 cast members and an orchestra of 13 so I
need your lessons so badly!
Best wishes, Sheena Munro
==================
Charts:
UK
1) NATASHA
BEDINGFIELD - 'THESE WORDS' 
2) 3
OF A KIND ..... 'BABYCAKES'
.....
3) GOLDIE LOOKIN CHAIN - 'GUNS
DON'T KILL PEOPLE, RAPPERS DO'
USA
1) "Lean Back" ..... Terror Squad
2) "Sunshine"...... Lil' Flip Featuring Lea Sucka Free
3) "Goodies".....Ciara Featuring Petey
Pablo Sho'nuff/LaFace "
Chart Comments:
Still
the mad rush of changing toons at the top of the UK charts.... Can't
wait to see the reaction to 'Your Mother's Got a P*n*s'. If you
haven't heard it, check it out. follows in my great advice of
yonks ago. Great poetry put to a ripping, kikin' beat will make
the charts. Since then Emminem has proved me right and loads
more.... just look at the poetry tracks around.
"Obstacles
don't go away if I turn my back to them"
casey ghaffari
Subscribers
Section:
" Hello.
I have your 'How To Start Your
Own Publishing Business For Less Than £100'....a number of
questions......."
Available
at www.makehits.co.uk/publishing.htm
Our best seller ...world-wide. He set out a number of
questions...some technical and I have to repeat, for my own protection,
that any advice given must not be construed as legal or accounting
advice within the meaning of any laws past or present of any country.
My Reply
Hi
#
Can I still claim VAT [sales tax] back
even if the company is not in profit?
Absolutely...from
this second on almost every single penny you part with in VAT can be
reclaimed against your business. In fact if the business runs at a loss
[as is usual in the first year or so] then the accumulated losses go
against the taxation on profits in the future. Altogether a better tax
position, and huge savings on VAT. The most important point is to not be
'crooked' and also make sure there are no 'glitches', in other words,
make sure your VAT returns are consistent and don't fluctuate wildly up
and down. That will ensure a visit from the C & E man.
#
If I am copyrighting someone else's material and the song is co
written with another artist do I follow the same procedure?
The
assignment contract has this spelled out...they split the royalties in
their agreed splitting percentage...just put the name with the
percentage after it ...then the other name with it's percentage. For
completeness, the two writers should have their own simple agreement
between each other which is separate to your assignment document...but
that is just belt and braces. For their individual protection against
each other rather than your protection.
#
I am a songwriter myself and have now recorded 3 songs. - with a
producer co-writing. Which contract should I use
to sign myself to the company?
Exactly
the same as for anyone else. The standard assignment contract set out
with your name [plus percentage split] and the producer's name [with
percentage split] Again, for completeness you should have a two line
letter between the two of you setting out the percentage split...simple
letter.
#
Now that I've recorded a demo should I contact PRC and register?
As
I repeat many times in the Manual and elsewhere, the time PRC are
interested is when there is an imminent release, or, in the case of
classical music, an imminent broadcast or major concert. The time to
alert PRC/PPL is when you have the CD number which is assigned to the
CD. Otherwise they would have hundreds of thousands on their
books...think about it. They only exist to collect money...an unreleased
recording does not generate money.
#
Does the artist have to be a member of PRS before signing a sole
writers contract?
Their
membership of any organisation is their responsibility not yours. Again,
PRS are only interested [just like PPL] when the artist can give a
release date and the number of the CD....or the concert date or
broadcast date. Same rules apply...they would be up to their a**s with
contracts and members otherwise. They exist to collect money not to
flatter egos!
#
On a song that is joint collaboration how does the other artist
receive payment from any sales etc?
From
the record company if you are talking about the earnings as a performer
on the record [from sales in shops etc]. As the writer, from The
Publishing Company [through PRS] for mechanical royalties from sales of
the CD through shops etc. From PPL
for the playing of his/her performance on the recording.
#
Can I make contact with Leosong
even if I'm not yet a member of PRS?
I
repeat, yet again, the only time to contact organisations is when you
have a Release date and the CD number....otherwise they will be most
annoyed.
My
advice is always to have absolutely everything 'ready to go'...have all
the letters written and phone numbers ready so that as soon as the
release information is to hand then everything can be done in a matter
of days. The only point you need to clear up is that the proposed name
of your Publishing Company is available in the UK. PRS will give you
this advice and check that the proposed name is available.
Regards
DEC dec@makehits.co.uk
"Great
people find each other"
tom
anderson
Regards
Dec
You may use any part of this 'One Minute' in your own
publications...we simply require you to add:
Start ============
'One Minute With Dec' is written each week by Dec Cluskey.
Dec's advice?
Get in touch personally to discuss what you want to achieve
in music dec@makehits.com
<mailto:dec@makehits.com>
web: www.makehits.com
<http://www.makehits.com>
or call +44 (0)1323.728005
Finish===========
============================================
The gags [Short
and sharp?]
"Life is all about ass;
You're either covering it,
laughing it off, kicking it, kissing it, busting it, trying to get a
piece of it, or behaving like one."
============================================
How to set up
a Demo consultation with Dec?
The
Professional service the Professionals use. Even available for
voice and guitar!
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
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"
[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
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page. Any queries re payment just contact me
directly. I'll get back in touch with you within hours: dec@makehits.com
For your further protection, we are recognised by
British Actors Equity.
Dec Cluskey
The Serious Writers Guild,
Stanton Prior,
Darley Road,
Meads,
Eastbourne BN20 7UH in the UK
Email: dec@makehits.com
Fax.: +44 (0)1323.729318
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Copyright ©2004 MakeHits.com, Dec
Cluskey. All rights reserved.
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