How will you be paid?
It is a core value of mine (and has been the main reason I’ve been a freelancer for so long) that I be paid for my output, not my time.
When you get paid for your time, you are often underpaid for the value. Many businesses take advantage of this. For example, a graphic designer creates a poster that goes into an ad that makes them millions of dollars. Another example would be two people working on a similar project, where it takes one 2 hours and the other 10 hours to do the same result. The person who took 2 hours can’t leave the day job, they just take on a bigger load (because they can’t twiddle their thumbs all day) and they end up getting paid less per output than their counterpart (who might look great for staying late!). Time is our most valuable asset. There is no reason to do mindless activities at an office that aren’t productive and often times, we are the most productive for 3-4 hours a day, not 8.
This internship will consist of 2 parts.
The value I give to you and the value you give to me.
The value that you get?
Beyond experience, learning, and the instruction/industry secrets, know-how, all the things a typical internship would give, you’ll get paid for helping the business grow. You’ll learn a lot, but you’ll also see what actions bring in cash and get a piece of that. I’ve developed proven strategies that can help you facilitate this type of thinking in your own businesses as you grow. I’ve worked in finance, tech, marketing. I’ve written blogs, books, songs, and stories. I’ve consistently been able to stay afloat without a boss, and whether or not you’re a musician or want to work on the industry side… you will need to know how to be of the utmost value to others and put yourself in a position to prove it time and time again.
The value I get?
I get a few things. One, I can focus on building more complex sides of the business, since I won’t have to worry as much about the “boots on the ground” butts-in-seats side. Having a team can help facilitate a baseboard for growing in other areas that are more acute. I have also found that I grow and learn best when I’m teaching others. I’m hoping to learn where the holes in my process are from truly engaging in unique critiques and conversations about how to improve aspects of a business that haven’t been thought through in the same way before!
Specific Ways to Get Paid
Signing Up Musicians to Shoot & Shows
For every musician that puts a $95 deposit down (of the $145 for a shoot & show), you will immediately be paid out $25. Approx time to get 1 yes, 10-15 min of reaching out (about 15-20 reach outs). You will be given a specific emoji and pitch and you can use any means possible to book out these shows. If you are careful with who you pick, you’ll have a higher success.
TIPS:
Newer artists, younger artists, belmont students, and new-to-towners are the biggest success.
People who have 10k followers + are not as apt to pay for content (although they still need it). Though photos are not required, the purpose of these rounds is to get content. There are always opportunities for free shows or slots though if someone cannot afford it. For ease of reporting, if there is a conflict or a question you see from someone that you don’t feel comfortable dealing with (like an accusation of Pay to Play or a mean comment, or someone who needs special treatment, just send a screenshot to me and I’ll deal with it).
You can use the tried and true copy/pasted pitch, or you can think of other unique ways, but the worst way to approach this is a bait and switch. Inviting them to play and not being upfront about the photoshoot makes people feel tricked.
Signing Up Musicians for Themed Shoots
You can use any method you’d like for this. Create posters, post ideas, create ads, reach out, get sponsors involved. You can use your own accounts or the Nash Bash account.
Getting Sponsors for Shows/Shoots
Everything invovled in a show is a great place to start when looking for a sponsor. The liquor, the mics, the guitars, the clothing, the hats, the beer. All of it is an opportunity. Not getting traction with that? You can go towards banks, local businesses, really anything. If you need help with a pitch or perfecting your pitch, I can tear it apart and help rebuild it to be more successful. If you send the email, you will get credit and you will get 10% of all payments by the sponsor, regardless of if you’re in attendance of the show, right when they pay us for anything.
Getting New Venues in Nashville
Helping Label Down (and Nash Bash) get new venues on board helps artists immensely. Beyond money, many artists just need a stage. A stage to practice, perform, meet others for co-writes, and expand their local reach (or beyond). You’ll get 10% of any venue’s income that you help secure. Even if you don’t close the sale, if you sent the first email, you’ll get the credit.
Getting Tours Scheduled
Once you know how to pitch, you can do anything. You can get anything you want in life. If you want to help get a tour scheduled for a group of artists, I’ll teach you how. You’ll get 10% of any profits from the entire tour. If each venue is paying $500 and there are 20 shows that weekend, that’s $1000 in your pocket and you don’t have to show up or go on the tour!
Getting Weddings Booked
I also have other parts of my business that need help. For me, the biggest money maker over the last 10 years has been weddings. If you help me book a wedding, you’ll get 10% when they pay each deposit. I will do all of the calls and the sales, you would just be doing the lead capture, getting a meeting with them, reaching out to brides on Instagram. I typically charge $4000-8000, so that is about a $400-800 payout per wedding. I am also willing to give an extra $200 for weddings that are booked within a 4 hour drive of Nashville.
HOSTING/RUNNING EVENTS
The hardest part about an event is not the event, it is getting people to show up. However, we will need photographers and hosts for shows and those will be paid according to venue/income.