LMP-Self-Publishing: Things To Consider (PART ONE)

          When it comes to publishing work, music in this case, many things come into play.  First, making sure that work is registered with the United States Copyright Office is important.  The sites now have it available to register works online (http://www.copyright.gov/forms/) for $35 without having to mail in ($65 fee) either form: Sound Recording (SR), Performing Arts (PA), Visual Arts (VA), Literary Works (TX) or Single Serials (SE).  It is important that all compositions are registered to prevent misuse, defamation of brand, or better yet, anyone else capitalizing financially for their own benefit.  You want to make sure you have exclusive rights unless you license it to another entity based on your own terms.

          Next, I would make sure any logos or taglines are trademarked as well.  The website to Patent and Trademark Office is http://www.uspto.gov/.  Your logo is a part of your brand and clarifies what makes the organization different; it is the logo/tagline.  I would make sure it is trademarked. It is always better to prevent things from happening than to clean up a mess with litigation and court precedings.  If a court case is inevitable, then at least it is registered with the PTO.

         Professionalism is how one conducts himself but also what image is portrayed.  You want to make sure you try to invest in a professional photo shoot that can capture at least one or two solid band photos.  These photos can be used as album covers later, on flyers, on websites, or anytime the press may want to refer to the band.  The photos make you appear legitimate and you will be taken more seriously if you do.  Decide which avenues to pursue in regards to publishing, and determine what ways they can fit within the budget.  Are you going to print flyers and distribute them by hand?  Are you creating a street team to help you promote?  Will you be using social media to post events on Band Music pages, sending email blasts, creating official press releases, sending the radio stations Public Service Announcements (PSAs) or investing in a promotion company such as Capacity Productions or  Reverbnation.  Other companies also offer promotional services such as GoogleAds and Facebook marketing.