To Renew or Not to Renew

[audiblethread]

My band has been a member for this past 2007. We've had around 10 of the 15 submissions forwarded to companies with very positive comments.My question is this:If we've had that many forwards, and haven't even received emails or phone calls from said listings, how do we know that they are getting into the right hands... or ears rather?Our reviews have been very positive along with the constructive, which has been fantastic, but I'm having doubts about TAXI's process of "forwarding."I realize that there a tons of bands out there submitting just like we are, but with this kind of paid service, I would at least like some confirmation that our submissions are in fact getting to the listed label, studio, publisher, etc.Can anyone share their opinion on this? Thank you!

[squids]

Hi,I was where you were last year......not sure what was going on, getting forwards but no deals. It's an individual decision, of course, and for me it worked out well to continue as a Taxi member.That said, I'm wondering if you didn't receive your forward certificates, telling you who your songs were sent to? If so, you can always call Taxi (Sebastian might be a good one to talk to about this) and say, "hey, got forwarded to so-and-so publishing or whatever, how do I know they really got it, heard it, loved it, hated it?" I bet someone could give you the 411 on it. P.S. BTW, congrats on the forwards!! 10 out of 15 is a wonderful ratio and tells you that you met a level of excellence, that someone was listening and approved of your music's standards enough to send it up to the source searching for that type of music. Congratulations!

[mazz]

This very thing is discussed with relative frequency on this forum.The gist of it is: 1. This is a very slow moving business. Many people have stories of hearing from a forward one or even two years after getting the forward.2. If you don't have a 5 year plan for you and your band, it might be time to put one together. It takes at least 5 years to really get things going. You obviously have the goods if you've gotten 10 out of 15 submissions forwarded. I think the next chops to work on are your patience chops!! You're gonna need them, no matter how good you are!The decision to renew is, of course, ultimately yours but I'd suggest searching around on the forum to see some stories about how long it takes to get deals. The TAXI Success Stories section would be a good place to start.Good luck with your decision,Mazz

[hummingbird]

Quote:My band has been a member for this past 2007. We've had around 10 of the 15 submissions forwarded to companies with very positive comments.My question is this:If we've had that many forwards, and haven't even received emails or phone calls from said listings, how do we know that they are getting into the right hands... or ears rather?Our reviews have been very positive along with the constructive, which has been fantastic, but I'm having doubts about TAXI's process of "forwarding."I realize that there a tons of bands out there submitting just like we are, but with this kind of paid service, I would at least like some confirmation that our submissions are in fact getting to the listed label, studio, publisher, etc.Can anyone share their opinion on this? Thank you!A Forward means your song HAS been put in the hands of the listing party to be considered along with the other Forwards, as a soliciated submission. Your confirmation is the email (or other notification) that you get from Taxi.After that, it's got to go through whatever screening/selection process the listing client has for music they are interested in. It could take several months or even a year or two to hear from those listing clients - and they will only contact you if interested in using your work.And what Mazz said. I've learned... success is never instant in the music industry. But getting Forwards means your music has the right stuff. I wouldn't give up so soon.

[slideboardouts]

I know it can be frustrating getting forwards and no deals, but like mazz said, its a slow moving business and takes a while for things to happen.There are lots of good examples of people who went at it for a while before having any success at all. Here are two such examples:1.) There is a taxi member who frequently posts on the forums named Matt Hirt. He writes for music libraries for a living (i.e. he writes music and thats it...no bartending job on the side or anything) and he credits much of his success to the opportunities taxi provides. I read one of his posts where he stated it was 3 years as a taxi member before he had much success. Every piece of music I've heard of his sounds outstanding and it STILL took him YEARS before he experienced success.2.) The guy who did the beat for "party like a rockstar." He had been making dirty south beats in atlanta for 10 YEARS and didn't make a single penny. He made over 300,000 in ring tone sales alone within the first month of the release of "party like a rock star" (might have been the first week, I can't remember).So you see, even for people with a ton of talent and drive, it takes a looooooong time to be successful in music. I think the 5 year plan that mazz mentioned is a good idea. I personally would stick it out with Taxi for at least another year, but also try other avenues to get your music heard.Good luckSteve

[hummingbird]

Quote:1.) There is a taxi member who frequently posts on the forums named Matt Hirt. He writes for music libraries for a living (i.e. he writes music and thats it...no bartending job on the side or anything) and he credits much of his success to the opportunities taxi provides. I read one of his posts where he stated it was 3 years as a taxi member before he had much success. Every piece of music I've heard of his sounds outstanding and it STILL took him YEARS before he experienced success.I was lucky enough to see Matt's list of credits at the Rally. I learned something very valuable from looking at it. After reading it over, I looked up at him and said, "you have next to no credits in the first three years. Then the list grows a little. And then, it really takes off." It made me more resolute than ever to stick to my guns, learn my craft, and network like crazy. And think 5 to 7 years before I am sailing smoothly.

[arkjack]

Pull out?? doesn't sound manly to me........ (George Carlin)Keep checking your pulse and breathing. In most cases, people don't stop chasing these rainbows until they die, and then in some cases, kids take over and make it work post-humus. (I wonder if Taxi has a member plan for that.) Anyway, Taxi is providing you the opportunity to get your music forwarded so it has a chance with people who can make things happen. Its like waiting for wet logs to burn. But the more you put in the fire, the more its bound to burn nicely once it catches. I say.... renew, record, submit....ArkJack

[horacejesse]

AJ,Tried to send you a PM but server rejected you. What's the skinny there, Minnie?

[dabresk]

Just do the renew. Mine is coming up in March. I have had 26 submissions and 13 forwards, so I am extremely happy. I have been in the music biz for a lot of years, so I agree with Mazz about the tortise - like pace of this business. Believe it or not, I just had a song released that I co-wrote with someone back in 1986. THATS 22 YEARS. Heck, I done forgot about the song. now it's nice to know that its doing something. It's also on a compilation of some sort as well (some Motown thing). Somthin' about it here:http://indangerousrhythm.blogspot.com/Search on the page for Vee Allen or Bresky.Heck, it blew my mind when she called! 22 years later.As far as the bucks go, think about what you spend on other stuff. I was spending $1.50 a day getting coffee on the way to my "day" job. Thats about $360 bucks a year. Now I brew it at home, put it in a cup, take it to work with me, and the $360 goes to Taxi.Nothing lost. Possibly much gained! It's really all up to you in the end.Go for it!Bresky

[keithl]

agreed with the majoritya) I am sure you can find ways in a year to "cut costs" and renew (plus, I think it is less for renewing, rather than joining). And if the whole band is chipping in, the cost is even less per person.b) That is a really good forward ratio. Nothing to sneeze at! So instead of "waiting" for that deal to happen, keep your head down, blinders on, and keep on writing...I am a new member and that was my mentality if I got a forward. You have to understand the competition out there. There are SO many quality artists out there that it is amazing the "little guy" can even get deals. This is something TAXI can ultimately help with.You can obviously promote yourself, try to knock down doors...and there is nothing stopping you from doing all of that...why not? and just have TAXI as another vehicle to get your stuff out there.Just my .02