Hmmm TAXI DISPATCH...?

[slimcharm]

Jessica gets the emails from TAXI about the Dispatch service. If you are a member of Dispatch it says you can submit to the listing in the post. The other day we got a listing that sounds perfect for her....but she is not a member of Dispatch and I am unclear what Dispatch really is.I read the info at Taxi and it says that a Dispatch is a listing with short turn around times.These are listings that dont make it into the regular post because they are on a quick time frame.Ok if that is the case then why not just send out the DISPATCH listing separately? If they can send teasers for Dispatch listings, with what the listing is clearly spelled out, which they are doing..then why not just include a submission number and make it a listing with a quick turn around time.If a Dispatch can be sent out to members in the form of an ad to consider signing up..why cant it just be sent and included as part of the regular membership?What am I missing here.The listing is perfect for her..but I already feel like I have paid for the membership and should not have to pay any additional fees. Would appreciate insight.

[davewalton]

Quote:If they can send teasers for Dispatch listings, with what the listing is clearly spelled out, which they are doing..then why not just include a submission number and make it a listing with a quick turn around time.Marketing and $$$. Here is my guess of why there is an extra fee for Dispatch. From a business standpoint, Taxi has come up with a profitable model that allows them to organize and post listings twice a month. Those listings can then be reviewed in an organized, predictable timetable each month.The Dispatch service doesn't really fit that model because they have to post listings as they come in and get screeners to screen these ASAP. It's almost like a seperate business and doesn't fit the predictable schedule that comes about in the regular listings. Hence, the extra fee.Dispatch is pretty much strictly for placement of existing songs into film and television. You generally won't find any record deals or anything like that in Dispatch listings. You usually have five days or less to get the song to Taxi and the song is generally screened with a Yes/No reponse within a week. No critiques.One of my Taxi friends I met at the 2004 Rally made up a little game for themselves called "The Dispatch Challenge". You win the Dispatch Challenge if you get a Dispatch, write and record a song from scratch, get it in on time, and get it forwarded. Dave

[slimcharm]

Thanks Dave, you are a gem! For the most part the listings on TAXI dont fit Jessica. Most seem to want primarily songwriters. Initially when we joined we submitted to a few listings that really were not a fit. Like one listing asked for a certain singer's style who I thought was someone else! Anyway we are hardpressed to find listings now for her to submit to that are a fit. The one I thought she was real close on she scored high marks (including a 10 on vocals ) but they said it was not quite edgy enough but her style was more along the lines of Kelly Clarkson or Britney.So when I see this dispatch...I think its a good fit...but its hard to justify joining Taxi dispatch for one listing when the majority are unlikely to be a fit.Young FEMALE POP-R&B ARTISTS in the general vein of Christina Aguilera, > Hilary Duff, Jennifer Lopez, Brandy, etc. are needed by the President of a > well-established Music Library based in Los Angeles. He's putting > together a new all-female artist compilation in order to pitch to > film/TV/commercial projects and opportunities. He needs someone with > vocals and an overall sound that's very distinctive and current. He > prefers to hear up-tempo tunes and lyrical hooks with general themes -- > stay away from naming specific people, places, things, etc. His standard > deal is 5 years and non-exclusive, but he's open to negotiation.I dont think we are going to join Dispatch. I just cant keep on shelling out bucks. Hopefully there will be other regular listing opportunities that will be a fit.

[davewalton]

Quote:For the most part the listings on TAXI dont fit Jessica. My target is orchestral and/or electronica instrumentals for film and television. One thing I've noticed is that the listings I look for are like the restaurant business. Nothing, nothing, nothing, and then all of a sudden a big flurry of listings that seem to fit. Jessica seems pretty mainstream to me and so I imagine that if there isn't now, that there will be a good number of listings for which she could submit. I love reading your postings by the way. They're sincere and fun to read. It's like a slow-moving reality show where we get to see the ups-and-downs of the day-to-day or maybe week-to-week adventures of Jessica and her family. Speaking of reading your postings, I noticed that you've bought some new equipment. New equipment would mean new songs and opportunities to write and record specifically for a listing. That in and of itself should expand your opportunities. Dave

[53mph]

I was going through my emails today deleting all the Dispatch ones (as I didn't sign up for that service) and nearly all of them seemed to be looking for cool female singers in the vein of music youre looking for. There were about 5-6 of them.Perhaps you should sign up to Dispatch slimcharm.In the Taxi blurb it says that with Dispatch you could get a higher possibility of success because the turn around is so short. If the company desperately needs something in 5 days then perhaps they'll be less selective on what they accept. It makes sense to me, but not to my bank balance....eeek!

[slimcharm]

Well gosh Dave ..you are mighty nice!Did you see my post where I brag that Ms. Jessica is the featured artist on Industry Resource. Yep right there on the front...http://www.theindustryresource.com/We did not know she was going to be there..so it was a surprise one day to see it when I went to the site. We haven't been active on the site- just posted 2 songs.Yes life is quite interesting here. Jessica is in the music studies program in our area. So she spends half a morning learning theory, computer music, singing etc. She loves it! As a high school junior she is also looking into colleges (unless that big record contract comes in first!) takes 2 voices lessons a week and 2 dance lessons..and is currently in a Musical Theater show.Her demo was produced by a wonderful guy in exchange for her singing his song.Recently we met (online again) a talented musician. He actually read a review someone wrote where they bashed a song she sang and wrote her to tell her he disagreed..we started chatting and now they are collaborating on some new songs. So hopefully they will be ready alot sooner.Meantime I ordered what he recommended for her in terms of a condensor mic and protools etc..but there is definitely going to be a big learning curve! My goal is to find her a good manager so I can step out of the picture and just be a support person. We have not sent the demo to any managers yet..not sure where it should go and I guess we should have more music also.BTW she has been working with a vocal coach long distance that a fellow Taxi member recommended and WOW! she really has added a pop edge to her voice...Its a lot of fun, watching her career evolve...

[matto]

Hey Lee,just to give you a little perspective: When Taxi opened its doors I think 10 years ago now, the membership fee and submisson fees were the same as they are now.There were a lot fewer listings back then. There was no (FREE) annual convention. There was no free subscription to recording magazine. No newsletter. So the fee they charge members has remained the same, but they have added a LOT of value...you don't even get that at Walmart, and Taxi does not use slave labor... Dispatch required them to create a new department and hire additional staff, since these listings do not fit the regular listings' parameters. Instead of increasing everybody's membership fees, they decided to make this an optional service, since it's only useful to those members who have broadcast quality recordings and are able to respond to the fast turnaround times.Seems like a reasonable approach to me. In this business, you'll always come across opportunities you think are "just perfect", but, for one reason or another, you can't take advantage of. Don't lose any sleep over them. Just keep on working diligently towards success.My advice is to save all Dispatch listings you think Jessica's music would be a good match for, then tally them up at the end of your membership year and decide if there's enough there to warrant upgrading to Dispatch for the following year.matto

[hummingbird]

Just thought I'd add -- please note the 'broadcast quality' that Matt is talking about -- unless you have a cataloque of well-produced, master quality pieces, joining Dispatch is probably not worth your while. At least that's my take on it. H

[slimcharm]

I guess that is my hesitation..right now we have 3 count em' broadcast quality songs and thats it! And one is the demo song that she did not write.Now of course it only takes one song to launch a career..but somehow I am just not sure that submitting the same 3 songs again and again would work for Dispatch. The way you have explained it Matto, I can see where the additional charge is reasonable.She has lots of lyric ideas and is working with someone to make some more music but since we only have the three, I think we should wait till she has more on hand.Ah but what may have been for 40cents extra per day...........

[matto]

Quote:Ah but what may have been for 40cents extra per day...........You'll kill yourself thinking like that. Opportunities will always come and go. When you're ready you'll be able to take advantage of them.