How many composers and songwriters think about the business side of music? It’s hard to say, but it should be 100% because the music industry is changing, and with change comes pain and opportunity depending on how you look at it.

Not too long ago I posted about how I was disturbed to find that some in the public seemed to not value music. They were complaining about how copyright laws are unfair and that music and other intellectual property should be put into the public domain sooner rather than later. Some of the comments that were said were hinting that if songwriters and composers were smart, they would become entrepreneurs and mind their music business.

After thinking about this for a bit, I have to agree with them on this. I don’t agree with not recognizing the value of a song, but I agree that songwriters and composers must become stronger in the business sense if they want to protect their careers and their intellectual property. It’s hard to wrap my mind around giving away my music for free as Seth Godin’s blog suggests, but it sounds like what he saying is to use your music as a way to build an audience in which labels will pay you to advertise on your site. Who knows? This may be the way of the future. It’s not too different from the idea of blogging and building up an audience that advertisers will pay for.

This is just one idea. Another example is Christine Kane, an artist who is building an online music presence. She has built a community online and off and at the center of all of it is her music.

I think we as a group need to become more creative and let go of the shackles from the ancient music world and start embracing the information age. I’m not saying that we should get ripped off, but if we could sell our own music directly to those who are willing to pay for it (no matter what reason for which they are paying) we could create real wealth.

Having a career as a songwriter/composer is entrepreneurial by nature, but for years the major record companies have served as the business partner and in the process have ripped off many artists. I’m not saying that all of the major record companies have been crooks, but I think it’s time that we take on the role as business partner and control our music business. We need to become educated, embrace change and run our businesses while still having fun.

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