Move To Where The Food Is: Setting Up Shop In Foreign Territories

     As new artists, managers, and industry professionals emerge in a world full of digital distribution points, kiosks, and mobile retailers I find it myself reminding clients more and more of foreign licensing and sub-publishing by territory instead of by store and platform. Though it is true that not every product, album or song is going to find interest in markets far from home it is still a very important strategy to attempt if for nothing else than to make sure those professionals far-away are familiar with you or have at the very least heard of you and what you have to offer. Depending on the genre and territory, consider that your IP could be worth anywhere from $1.5-6k+ for a limited amount of time and will leave you with not only the rest of the rights not licensed in that territory, but also free to explore and collect on other territories as well. Also consider that even if that one market is the only one landed, you can sill fall back on your chosen distribution method simply bypassing the single territory sold and use the money from that sale to market that endeavor anywhere in the world.

     A funny thing is that this is something every independent who "doesn't want to be signed" and/or independent labels and managers should be learning as much about as possible. The simple sales of songs and/or albums are truly not enough; licensing deals must be sought. Having a team far from home that can look after not only the commercial placement and sales of the existing material in that region but also possibly arrange for other well-known artists to perform a translated version only expands possibilities with the right agreements in place. There are tried and true money-making deals that exist, and if you can do it for yourself, then you are truly in a position to call yourself an independent. Otherwise you are just throwing your money and art into the hallway with everyone else's and hoping on hope.