| After being in the music business as long as I | | | | for $495. You will have to include studio time to |
| have, you meet a lot of people - many of whom | | | | record your lead vocals on these tracks, which |
| are extremely gifted and others, well there are | | | | doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg, but you |
| others to. As a professional jingle singer, former | | | | might figure an additional $200 - $300 and then |
| talent booking agent with the William Morris | | | | the cost of making your CD. Most individuals burn |
| Agency and founder of ReelMusician.com, I've | | | | their own CDs with easy software that creates |
| heard it all - The excuses that is. Many individuals | | | | the jewel cover artwork. That's a realistic picture |
| want the glamorous lifestyle of studio singing | | | | of your costs. And believe me, we're not getting |
| work, but they don't want to make the | | | | rich at those prices. Think about it and divide the |
| investment that is needed to put them on the | | | | total cost by the number of jingles and it's |
| map singing commercials. Let's spend a few | | | | actually very affordable and cost effective. For |
| minutes looking at a typical investment to get you | | | | individuals really willing to make an investment in |
| started singing jingles and general session work. | | | | their singing career, it's a great way to go. What |
| By now, you've seen all kinds of services, prices | | | | stops most individuals from following a very |
| and wonder what you should do in terms of your | | | | doable dream? I'm not sure I have all of the |
| singer reel. Let's spend a few minutes exploring | | | | answers. |
| what you shouldn't do. The biggest mistake new | | | | Many individuals have the dream, but not the |
| singers make is to assume that their friend's | | | | follow through. Many yet, have the dream, but |
| studio is going to get the job done - That might | | | | are willing to spend $5 - $7 for an appetizer a |
| work for a rough draft or even a fairly polished | | | | couple of times a week and blow all kinds of |
| song or artist demo, but when you want to play | | | | money frivolously before they are willing to make |
| in the game with the big cats singing commercials, | | | | a real investment in their future. You will find that |
| you better have a singer reel that sounds like | | | | most individuals fall into what I call the "I have a |
| downtown. You can't afford not to have an | | | | dream, but refuse to follow up with any significant |
| incredible singer reel out there and chances are, | | | | resources to make it happen even though I spend |
| your friend can't write or figure out what the | | | | all kinds of money on drinks at the bar, and many |
| jingle producers are looking for and what will catch | | | | other a sundry of frivolous spending. These |
| their attention. There are jingles that are sung | | | | individuals will often make the call to asking if we |
| professionally on the air and then there are the | | | | represent folks for commercials, but when told of |
| singer reels that have to establish credibility with | | | | the basic costs and needs of a professionally |
| producers and writers and believe it or not, | | | | written and produced jingle singer reel, tell you |
| sometimes there is a big difference on what you | | | | that they will, "think about it" and get back with |
| should include on your reel and what you shouldn't | | | | you. They have no intention of getting back with |
| even though it sounds like current commercials. | | | | you because they spend their money on what |
| Remember you have to grab their attention and | | | | they want to spend their money on - And so we |
| that may or might not be different from the | | | | can't help them, nor should we. We try as best |
| niche of jingles currently in vogue. | | | | we can to help individuals who are really putting |
| How much should a jingle cost and where do I | | | | forth their best effort not because they are |
| go? Great questions. There will be significant | | | | spending money with us, but because they have |
| difference in prices when you're looking to record | | | | the dream and are really going after it. |
| your singing reel. There are plenty of folks online | | | | Your investment in your singing career will also |
| who will try to charge you a mint and you | | | | require a start up time investment of meeting |
| wouldn't be any better off with them as opposed | | | | with jingle singers in your area to get their ideas, |
| to your friend's studio. At we try our best to | | | | contacts, etc as well as finding the key players in |
| offer affordable jingle reels for singers trying to | | | | your immediate area who are writing commercials |
| break into the market and deliver the demos that | | | | and industrial music. Once you have established or |
| just knock your socks off. We don't let anything | | | | are building your singing base in your area, you will |
| leave the studio until it meets the needs of the | | | | want to branch out and do the same in other |
| singer capitalizing on their strengths and | | | | markets. You will want to follow up in markets |
| weaknesses. When you are looking to record | | | | that tend to pay well if you are going to travel |
| your first demo always ask for samples or at | | | | like Chicago, L.A., New York, Atlanta, Dallas, etc. |
| least listen to them online and you might ask | | | | You will need to keep a simple contact sheet |
| them for references. | | | | either in your computer or on paper and keep up |
| How much should I plan on spending to get my | | | | with the conversations, telephone numbers and all |
| jingle reel done right? You should plan on investing | | | | contact information. Your follow up will be key. |
| a minimum of $500 and really push to spend | | | | In closing, get the best possible jingle singer reel, |
| closer to a $1,000 when it's all said and done. Just | | | | with a great looking CD cover, and follow up with |
| to give you an idea, at ReelMusician.com, and | | | | individuals like I've just described and you will be |
| because of the demand our prices will most likely | | | | well on your way to singing studio and commercial |
| increase shortly, we start out with jingle singing | | | | work! Email us and let us know how you're doing. |
| packages of (3) for $290, (5) for $380 and (7) | | | | |