2015 is around the corner and we are Happy

As we hit the ground with Topmics Tour 2015, we want to take a moment to thank the members of our promoting community for giving us your time and energy. It is your constant encouragement that keeps us going through the year, working hard to make sense of the ever-changing music business. If 2014 taught us anything, it was that today’s artists have all the tools at their fingertips to become top-level musicians.

The playing field is now leveled

As an artist YOU now hold all the power to write music that YOU love, record it the way YOU want to, find your audience online, and sell it to make a living.

As an artist YOU now have the opportunity to create a small profitable business that will sustain YOU and your family while doing what YOU were born to do; music.

As an artist YOU literally can change what “mainstream popular music” is going to sound like; you can change what the “suits” are willing to get behind.

This Saturday TOPMICS GOES LIVE in GA

TOPMICS & A-105 RADIO & PROBE MAGAZINE PRESENTS:

TOPMICS TOUR in ATLANTA DEC 27th 1pm

@ "Major League Bar & Gril" 2007 Northlake Parkway Tucker GA 

How To Sell Your Music Online

Today we're going to look at how to sell your music online more effectively. You may or may not already have your music available for fans to buy, but even if you do, I suggest you read on to see if these tips can increase the number of units sold.

You see, simply putting a 'buy now' button on your website isn't going to maximize your sales. Yes you may sell a few songs, but if you really want to get more potential buyers purchasing your music, you will need to refine the user experience so it's as easy for them as possible.

In this guide I'll show you some things you can do to increase the chance people will go on to buy from you. If you find it useful, please share it via your favorite social networking sites.

Don't Rush The Sale, Pre Sell

One of the biggest mistakes musicians often do is try and rush into the sale. Get them on your shop page asap and they're more likely to buy, right? Wrong!

Think about it, if you just discovered a musician and heard one song before you went on their shop page, how likely is it you'll buy from them right away? Not very, right?

While spontaneous sales do happen, it's a lot more likely the majority of your sales will come from people who have heard at least a few of your songs. This could be over a shorter time period like an hour, or a longer one such as a few weeks. Either way, people need time to grow a connection with you before they feel ready to buy your songs.

So what should you be doing before directing them to your sales page? Some options include:

1. Direct Them To Your Mailing List.
   This is the option I suggest you go with first. Get people on your mailing list, share with them your story / songs / videos, and always keep a buy now button in view. By doing this you're giving them the opportunity to buy your music when they're ready. They'll still be around for the long term as you'll still be sending them messages (Read 'reminders you exist and they should check you out again'), so even if they bounce off your shop page the first time, you will get the chance to sell to them again.
2. Direct Them To Your Video Page.
   If you haven't yet got a mailing list (Get one sorted asap) you could instead direct people to your video page. Here they can see videos for you, and see what you're all about. Who knows, if they like one of your videos but can't obtain a digital download version for their mp3 player, they may go on to buy.

Don't be too keen to make a sale the first time a customer visits your site. Build relationships and future sales will be easier. Furthermore, some fans will turn into repeat customers.

Offer A Discount To Mailing List Subscribers.

When it comes to buying, the bigger the barrier there is between the customer and the product, the less likely it is they'll buy.

Price is one such barrier.

While digital downloads aren't that expensive anyway, it's still possible to lower this barrier to increase profit. Even offering a 10% or 20% discount can give fans the feeling of getting a 'good deal', and could give them that final push they needed to make a purchase. A purchase they may not have made otherwise.

Now, here's the thing (And clever part may I add); You don't want to be giving discount codes to just anyone. If you did, that'd make it lose it's special feeling for people, and become less of a reason to buy. Instead, you want to give an exclusive discount only to those who sign up to your mailing list!

Once on there, you can get your autoresponder to automatically send them their discount code.

This is win win for everyone; They get money off your songs, and you get more sales along with their contact details. And with their contact details, you can keep in contact with them and sell to them again in future. Good times.

Have Your Music For Sale On Multiple Sites.

Ok, so here's my final tip to selling more music: Allow people to buy it from a choice of places! This is a simple one, but not one all musicians do.

As with buying anything, people have preferences of where to shop. When it comes to fast food for example, some people like to buy their burgers from Burger King. Others from Mc Donalds. This is the same with music.

While there are a number of different websites on which you can sell your music, the two main sites you'll want your songs available to buy on are:

1. Your Own Website.
   People should be able to buy your music on your site, simple. It's what people expect.
   Having music for sale on your site can also mean third party websites don't take a cut, meaning more profit per song for you.
2. iTunes.
   This is important as a lot of people have iTunes based devices. For some people, if it's not on iTunes, it's not getting bought.

After these two, other good stores include Amazon MP3, Google Play, and the like. You can often get your songs on these and many others via a online digital distributor, more details on where to find one in the section below.

And...

That's it. So there you have it, three ways to sell more music online. If you're not already putting these things into practice, I suggest you get on the case sooner rather then later. If you're already making sales, you will see an increase. If you're not currently making any sale, still put them into practice and you will start seeing sales sooner then you would have otherwise.

One more show before its curtains

One more show before its curtains, 2014 was super amazing. TOPMICS & A-105 RADIO & PROBE MAGAZINE PRESENTS:

TOPMICS TOUR in ATLANTA DEC 27th 2PM-9PM

@ "Major League Bar & Gril" 2007 Northlake Parkway Tucker GA 

Atlanta is our last stop for 2014

TOPMICS & A-105 RADIO & PROBE MAGAZINE PRESENTS:

TOPMICS TOUR in ATLANTA DEC 27th 2pm-9pm

@ "Major League Bar & Gril" 2007 Northlake Parkway Tucker GA 

1pm sound check and 2pm live show .... Driving Directions Hwy 285 to Ext 36 Atlanta Metro Hwy

Sunday night was special

Sunday night Topmics Toys For Tots Benefit Concert was all that and much more. All our guests brought gifts and smiles that will surely make the kids that are less fortunate very happy this Christmas. 

Probe Magazine's Raffle was a huge success, and we're sure Eric Garner's family will enjoy the proceeds. Probe Magazine rocks, top Salute to them. We want to thank our Top NYC PROMOTERS "MARRY TO MY HUSTLE", also to our Host for the night "Nervzeen" and our DJ's Dj TECHNIQ and SpinZ Rellz. To our Top Performers Trife Boss, T. Parris, Soufboi and Cali Macc ALL are TOPMICS APPROVED and each gave our guests memorable performances! Who also performed? Dacor Capone, Miss Irie,  DEE ROC, Bricks2Tons, Dina Brass, READY, Cameron Jay, LEX K and KASH RUGGA: All are artists to look out for in 2015. 

What else is there to say? For 5 years Topmics has toured all across the US and UK, and will continue this tradition in 2015! Please brace yourselves 'cause we'll be hitting the ground with major announcements providing extra opportunities for independent artists Nationwide! God Bless us All. 

And it's in for tonight

Tonight BROOKLYN MIC CLUB will feature their Top Battle Act "ALR TONE VS SHELLZ"
along with special performing guest: "BREEZE" at 
Topmics TOYS FOR TOTS Benefit Concert Located at @leftfield 87 Ludlow street, Ny, Ny

Don-P is featured in Probe Magazine Dec issue

PROBE MAGAZINE DECEMBER issue with Freeway (RICK ROSS) on the cover. Also features "DON-P" TOPMICS 2014 TOUR COMPETITION TOP WINNER. 

NOW ON NEWSTANDS:

Boston Walgreens, New York City Times Square, 7-Elevens, NJ,ATL,NC,FLA and now Los Angeles

Atlanta we are coming sooner than you think

TOPMICS & A-105 RADIO PRESENTS:

TOPMICS in ATLANTA DEC 27TH 2014 2PM-9PM

HOST: Ray & Erica of www.aworldradio.com 

@ "Major League Bar & Gril" 

2007 Northlake Parkway, Tucker, GA 30084 

1pm sound check 2pm live show .... 

Driving Directions Hwy 285 to Ext 36 Atlanta Metro Hwy

For More Info: Contact Topmics Tour 310.433.4812 topmics@gmail.com

BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

TOPMICS, A-105 RADIO, PROBE MAGAZINE, UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP/ BURDSKOOL RECORDS, INGROOVES

77 is down with us

TOPMICS, PROBE MAGAZINE, UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP/ BURDSKOOL RECORDS, INGROOVES, T.H.C. PRODUCTIONS, E.I.B & MARRIED TO MY HUSTLE PRESENTS:

"77" Performing Live at

TOPMICS "TOYS FOR TOTS" 
BENEFIT CONCERT in NEW YORK 
SUN DEC 14TH, 2014, 9PM-2AM 
Featuring: Top Performances/ Battle Act/ Tablet Raffle/ Gift Bags 

HOST: "NERVZEEN" aka Jamel Nervzeen Davis
MUSIC BY: LENGENDARY "DJTECHNIQ & DJRELL SPINZ 

21 To Party | $10 Entrance Fee
$5 Discount with toys or canned food 
Drinks Specials All Night 

@ "LEFTFIELD" 
87 LUDLOW STREET,
New York, NY 10003

PROBE MAG RAFFLES "TRIO TABLET" For the children of Eric Garner

PROBE MAG RAFFLES "TRIO TABLET" For the children of Eric Garner at Topmics "TOYS FOR TOTS"

BENEFIT CONCERT in NEW YORK This SUNDAY DEC 14TH @ "LEFTFIELD" 87 Ludlow Street NY NY 

Cali Macc is back

TOPMICS, PROBE MAGAZINE, UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP/ BURDSKOOL RECORDS, INGROOVES, T.H.C. PRODUCTIONS, E.I.B & MARRIED TO MY HUSTLE PRESENTS:

TOPMICS 
"TOYS FOR TOTS" 
BENEFIT CONCERT in NEW YORK 
SUN DEC 14TH, 2014, 9PM-2AM 
Featuring: "CALI MACC"

HOST: "NERVZEEN" aka Jamel Nervzeen Davis
MUSIC BY: LENGENDARY "DJTECHNIQ & DJRELL SPINZ 

21 To Party | $10 Entrance Fee
$5 Discount with toys or canned food 
Drinks Specials All Night 

@ "LEFTFIELD" 
87 LUDLOW STREET,
New York, NY 10003

BMC is bringing one battle act to Topmics Concert

BMC Battle Act Live at Topmics Show Dec 14th 
"ALR TONE VS SHELLZ"
along with special guest: "BREEZE" & "QUEEN NANI"

"TOYS FOR TOTS" 
BENEFIT CONCERT in NEW YORK 
SUN DEC 14TH, 2014, 9PM-2AM 
Featuring: Top Performances/ Battle Act/ Tablet Raffle/ Gift Bags

PROBE MAGAZINE
$5 "TRIO ANDROID TABLET"

HOST: "NERVZEEN" aka Jamel Nervzeen Davis
MUSIC BY: LENGENDARY "DJTECHNIQ & DJRELL SPINZ

21 To Party | $10 Entrance Fee
$5 Discount with toys or canned food 
Drinks Specials All Night

@ "LEFTFIELD" 

87 LUDLOW STREET,
New York, NY 10003

Mr. Excitement "BRUCK UP" is joking Topmics in NYC DEC 14th

MR. EXCITEMENT Bruck Up Reggaes Newest God is On deck to perform at TOPMICS "TOYS FOR TOTS" 
BENEFIT CONCERT in NEW YORK 
SUN DEC 14TH, 2014, 9PM-2AM 
Featuring: Top Performances/ Battle Act/ Tablet Raffle/ Gift Bags 

PROBE MAGAZINE
$5 "TRIO ANDROID TABLET"

TOPMICS TOP APPROVED ARTISTS PERFORMANCES
Trife Boss
Lord Vital
SOUFBOI
"T.PARRIS"
Mike Moet
"TP" TruthandPower 

Also Performing/"DON-P" aka Donpaul Dunbar
Topmics NYC Tour Competition Winner! 

ADMIRAL 
MS.FEFE 
QUEEN NANI 
Bricks Tons
Dina Brass
WILL JUNG
DEE ROC

Also featuring: BMC Battle 
"ALR TONE VS SHELLZ"
along with special guest: "BREEZE" & "QUEEN NANI"

HOST: "NERVZEEN" aka Jamel Nervzeen Davis
MUSIC BY: LENGENDARY "DJTECHNIQ & DJRELL SPINZ 

21 To Party | $10 Entrance Fee
$5 Discount with toys or canned food 
Drinks Specials All Night 

@ "LEFTFIELD" 
87 LUDLOW STREET,
New York, NY 10003

It's official

TOPMICS, PROBE MAGAZINE, UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP/ BURDSKOOL RECORDS, INGROOVES, T.H.C. PRODUCTIONS, E.I.B & MARRIED TO MY HUSTLE PRESENTS:

TOPMICS "TOYS FOR TOTS" 
BENEFIT CONCERT in NEW YORK 
SUN DEC 14TH, 2014, 9PM-2AM 
Featuring: Top Performances/ Battle Act/ Tablet Raffle/ Gift Bags 

PROBE MAGAZINE
$5 "TRIO ANDROID TABLET"

TOPMICS TOP APPROVED ARTISTS PERFORMANCES
Trife Boss
Lord Vital
SOUFBOI
"T.PARRIS" aka Terry Parris
Mike Moet
TruthandPower TP

Also Performing/"DON-P" aka Donpaul Dunbar
Topmics NYC Tour Competition Winner! 
ADMIRAL aka Chanz Simmons
MS.FEFE aka MsFeFeNAB Fan Page
QUEEN NANI 
Bricks Tons
Dina Brass
WILL JUNG
DEE ROC aka Kaptain Deeroc Gonzalez

Also featuring: BMC Battle Act aka Clark Ceasar
"ALR TONE VS SHELLZ"
along with special guest: "BREEZE" aka TattedUp Breeze

HOST: "NERVZEEN" aka Jamel Nervzeen Davis
MUSIC BY: "DJTECHNIQ aka Donell Djtechniq Robinson AND DJRELL SPINZ aka Spinz Terrell

21 To Party | $10 Entrance Fee
$5 Discount with toys or canned food 
Drinks Specials All Night 

@ "LEFTFIELD" 
87 LUDLOW STREET,
New York, NY 10003 

500,000 to Break A New Artist Study Reveals

'Investing in Music' report shows record labels invest US$4.3 billion in A&R and marketing

25th November 2014

• Record companies' total investment in A&R and marketing tops US$4.3 billion annually and more than US$20 billion over five years, according to IFPI's Investing in Music report

• Labels' investment in A&R and marketing up from 26 to 27 per cent of industry revenues over the last two years

• Report unveiled at 'Friends of Music' evening for MEPs in Strasbourg hosted by IFPI chairman Plácido Domingo

Record companies remain the engine room of the global music industry, investing US$4.3 billion annually in artists and repertoire (A&R) and marketing, according to a new report from IFPI on the changing face of the music business.

Labels remain the primary investors in artists, investing 27 per cent of their revenue in A&R and marketing, up from 26 per cent in 2011. Over the last five years it is estimated that record companies worldwide have invested more than US$20 billion in A&R and marketing.

More than 7,500 artists were signed to major labels' rosters in 2013, with tens of thousands more on independent labels. One in five artists on labels' rosters is a new signing, highlighting the role of fresh talent as the lifeblood of the industry.

Record companies invest a greater proportion of their global revenues in A&R than most other sectors do in research and development (R&D). Comparisons show music industry investment in A&R (16%) exceeding the R&D investment of industries including software and computing (9.9%) and the pharmaceutical and biology sector (14.4%) .

Investing in Music is published today by IFPI, representing the recording industry worldwide, in association with WIN, representing independent labels internationally. It is being launched at a 'Friends of Music' event for MEPs in Strasbourg hosted by IFPI and its chairman Plácido Domingo.

With fresh data and several case studies, the report outlines the evolving and enduring partnership between labels and artists in the digital world.

Frances Moore, chief executive of IFPI, says: "Investing in Music highlights the multi-billion dollar investment in artists made every year by major and independent record labels. It is estimated that the investment in A&R and marketing over the last five years has totalled more than US$20 billion. That is an impressive measure of the qualities that define the music industry, and which give it its unique value."

Alison Wenham, chair of WIN, says: "Most artists who want to make a career from their music still seek a recording deal. They want to be introduced to the best producers, sound engineers and session musicians in the business. They need financial support and professional help to develop marketing and promotional campaigns."

The report features data from record companies and case studies from around the world, including studies on Ed Sheeran, 5 Seconds of Summer, Lorde, MKTO, Negramaro, Nico & Vinz, Pharrell Williams and Wei Li-An.

Other highlights of the report include:

• The costs of breaking an artist in a major market remain substantial at between US$500,000 and US$2 million. The cost typically breaks down as payment of an advance (US$50,000-350,000), recording costs (US$150,000-500,000), video production costs (US$50,000-300,000), tour support (US$50,000-US$150,000) and marketing and promotional costs (US$200,000-700,000).
• Record companies invest in local talent and break them to a global audience. The recording industry is global in scale and exports artists internationally; but it heavily invests in local repertoire. In 12 of its leading markets, local repertoire accounts for more than 70 per cent of the sales of the top 10 albums.
• Live performance has not replaced recordings as the driver of the music industry. While record companies invest US$2.5 billion in A&R, there is little evidence of such substantial investment in new music coming from any other source. All of the five top grossing live tours of 2013 were by artists who first released albums nine or more years previously, with one group having recordings going back 50 years. Few artists can achieve a scalable, sustainable music career without producing recorded music.
• Unsigned artists want a record deal. Research conducted with the Unsigned Guide in the UK found 70 per cent of unsigned acts wanted a recording contract. The top drivers for wanting a recording contract are marketing and promotional support (76%), tour support (58%) and getting upfront financial support in the form of an advance (45%).
• Brand partnerships and synch deals have grown in importance. A recording deal unlocks a range of different revenue streams for artists and labels. These include a new generation of brand partnership and synchronisation deals, involving the use of recordings in TV, film, games and adverts.

GLOBAL A&R AND MARKETING INVESTMENT:

	2013
A&R	US$2.5bn
A&R as % of revenues	15.6%
Marketing	US$1.8bn
Marketing as % of revenues	11.4%
Total investment (A&R + marketing)	US$4.3bn
Total investment as % of revenues	27.0%
Total industry revenues	US$16.1bn

Source: IFPI. A&R spend includes advances, recording and origination, video costs, tour support and staff overheads. Marketing spend includes TV advertising, co-op marketing and online marketing/promotion.

INVESTING IN LOCAL REPERTOIRE

COUNTRY	% OF LOCAL ACTS IN THE NATIONAL TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2013	COUNTRY	% OF LOCAL ACTS IN THE NATIONAL TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2013
Japan	100%	Netherlands	80%
Italy	90%	Denmark	78%
Sweden	90%	France	75%
US	90%	UK	71%
Brazil	90%	Germany	70%
Spain	86%	Norway	56%

Source: IFPI National groups/local chart companies. Excludes multi-artist compilations. Japan: Physical sales only

LV is the sure shot

Lord Vital TOPMICS APPROVED ARTIST will be joining Topmics DECEMBER 14TH, 2014, 9PM-2AM at TOPMICS TOYS for TOTS BENEFIT CONCERT in NEW YORK

HOST: "NERVZEEN"

MUSIC BY: LEGENDARY DJTECHNIQ AND DJRELL SPINZ

21 To Party

$15 Entrance Fee

Drinks Specials All Night 

@ "TOBACCO ROAD" 

355 W 41ST, 

NY, NY