Introduction, and another is taxi right for me thread...

[popbaby]

Hello all,
Let me first say that I've gone through countless threads prior to this and have found a lot of helpful information. However, everyone's situation is different. I have a couple more specific questions that I'm hoping people in the BIZ forum can help me with, but for now I would like to know if you think taxi would be beneficial for someone like me.

I was the singer/songwriter of a band that went through the ringer that is the music business. At our infancy (years ago) I started licencing songs as a way to promote the band. I ended up cultivating relationships with music supervisors, especially at MTV that used the music quite a bit. Once the royalty checks started coming in, I realized this was more than promotion and I could make some serious back end cash from it. Fast forward a few years, and I still license quite a bit. Below are some of my accomplishments throughout the years.

Theme for Women's Gold Medal Olympic Soccer team - aired on network worldwide, but only a couple times.

MTV placements that continue to this day, though not as frequently. Still have some contacts with supervisors. (including bunim/murray)

2 Network Soap placements that were visual vocals.

Have my songs in a couple fairly small, boutique, yet successful music libraries.

My biggest achievement is writing/performing the Theme song to a successful Disney TV Series and Movie that airs worldwide.. Second season airs this summer.

My main goal is to get my music out to as many people as possible and continue to license as much as I can. I have some contacts in the industry, but not as many as I'd like. I really want to continue to make this my career and feel completely fortunate to do what I love. I'm not really trying to be a rock star anymore, though I do feel a have a couple years left to make that happen. I'm fine with criticism from my peers, but my main goal is to make money writing songs. Thoughts? Thanks so much!

[eeoo]

Seems like you're much further down the road than the majority of Taxi folks, good for you! I would think Taxi could be useful if you have more music than your current contacts can use and you're looking to diversify your contacts in the industry. Also for someone in your position the Road Rally could be worth the price of a membership for networking and relationship building. Establishing relationships with fellow members is also invaluable for collaborations and just to have a network of friends that are traveling the same road as you. The last publisher I signed with was a direct result of a recommendation by a fellow Taxi member who has become a friend by hanging with him at the Rally and communicating here on the forum.

Good luck!

eo

[cardell]

Sounds like a perfect fit.

Stuart

[rnrmachine]

If you're already doing it.. Taxi can only help further ya.

[mazz]

Many folks come to taxi, myself included, at the beginning of their licensing careers. But if you look at the opportunities that taxi has, particularly the advertising listings coming through recently, these are not lightweight beginner opportunities!

Someone in your position could certainly use taxi to gain evn more outlets for your music. The fact that you can already deliver the goods is well in your favor no matter what avenue you choose Consider taxi another tool in your toolbox, another way "in" for your music.

And yes, the road rally is worth the membership fee alone. As you already know, you can't do too much networking!!

Congrats on your success!

Mazz

[mojobone]

You want to expand your circle of contacts, and Taxi is a great and cost-effective means of doing so. What's not to like?

[popbaby]

Thanks a bunch for the replies everyone. For those of you that have had success making placements solely using taxi, how much have you had to spend per year including your submissions? I can only assume that you've made that back in sync fees and royalties? First and foremost I write pop songs. While I have instrumentals of nearly everything I've written, I'm not going to have hundreds of instrumental cues waiting to give to some library, nor is that something I'd want to do, unless I'm paid specifically to do so. I'd be more concerned with licensing opportunities that have some upfront money but more importantly, I really don't want to sacrifice any of the back end. Is that possible or do you find most of your placements are through libraries/companies, rather than music supervisors? I do realize that 50% of nothing is nothing, but I already have some of those deals in place. I guess a couple more couldn't hurt though. Thanks a lot!

[mazz]

I think you should request to receive the listings. You can do it without being a member. Usually the terms of the deals are in the listing.

[popbaby]

I think you should request to receive the listings. You can do it without being a member. Usually the terms of the deals are in the listing.

I signed up but have yet to receive anything. Do I need to wait the two weeks? thanks

[orest]

Yes. Definitely Yes!

If you already have some placements I think TAXI you help you along the way!

Don't give up and don't be sad if you get some returns when you submit to listings.
It's a learning curve and returns can be very helpful as well.
For me it meant a lot on the production/mixing side of things!

Today I earn around 20%/month from composing music thanks to TAXI and all the collaborations with friends from this forum!