darrin_h2000
Banned
is anyone here that is a freelance ad producer.
how do i go about doing this for a living?
how do i go about doing this for a living?
Prism
New member
I believe the position you are referring to is what's called a "copywriter". I would imagine you would need marketing and advertising experience, as well as a lot of wit and creativity to be successful at it. I listen to the radio a LOT, and the more I listen, the more I notice how BAD some of my local ad agencies must be - their commercials are terrible! This is where choosing a good copywriter is an invaluable investment. I've thought about getting involved in this line of work myself. I've occasionally written fake commercials and recorded them just for the fun of it, and whenever I have a friend listen to one, they think it sounds very "real".
Somehow I would imagine that you would have to be part of an advertising agency to have this kind of work. Otherwise, you could put together a business plan, start your own advertising agency, and simply work as a freelance contractor, writing copy for commercials and such. That would be the way I'd go...no bosses, no salaries. You choose your rates, and you can even do it from home.
Isaiah
Somehow I would imagine that you would have to be part of an advertising agency to have this kind of work. Otherwise, you could put together a business plan, start your own advertising agency, and simply work as a freelance contractor, writing copy for commercials and such. That would be the way I'd go...no bosses, no salaries. You choose your rates, and you can even do it from home.
Isaiah
darrin_h2000
Banned
pretty good advise thanks.
i was thinking i could try to make a living recording music for the ad industry. my degree is in electronic engineering though but the freelance gig might be the right way to go. perhaps even doing video as well. a freind of mine produced an area commercial for the kansas lottery and it ran on local stations for a year.
i did some volenteering at the local cable access channel and learned all the jobs for tv. so after a few years i want to get into video production as well.
music videos would be a dream. i guess i should start at the bottom for that one. my friend who produced that lottery commecial had a grammy nomination for designing the costumes that gwar uses. he may be an in for me.
as for ad copywriter getting that job may require another degree. its a little late to get that. but ive been doing standup comedy on open mic night and getting a good reception. so writing isnt all that bad.
i was thinking i could try to make a living recording music for the ad industry. my degree is in electronic engineering though but the freelance gig might be the right way to go. perhaps even doing video as well. a freind of mine produced an area commercial for the kansas lottery and it ran on local stations for a year.
i did some volenteering at the local cable access channel and learned all the jobs for tv. so after a few years i want to get into video production as well.
music videos would be a dream. i guess i should start at the bottom for that one. my friend who produced that lottery commecial had a grammy nomination for designing the costumes that gwar uses. he may be an in for me.
as for ad copywriter getting that job may require another degree. its a little late to get that. but ive been doing standup comedy on open mic night and getting a good reception. so writing isnt all that bad.
Krakit
Rzzzzz!
HEY! TAXI!!!
Has anyone ever dealt with or know anything about "TAXI"?
I've seen an ad from them in a magazine that mentions submiting your recordings to various producers of TV shows and such for incedental and score type commisions.
Is it a scam or are they for real?
Has anyone ever dealt with or know anything about "TAXI"?
I've seen an ad from them in a magazine that mentions submiting your recordings to various producers of TV shows and such for incedental and score type commisions.
Is it a scam or are they for real?
Prism
New member
A degree? For advertising? I don't think so. Even if there is one, it's pointless. If you have experience in marketing and sales already, you have everything you need to know about copy-writing. I have a friend who is a marketing consultant. He and his wife make a 6 figure income on eBay... and they do it all from home. It's all about marketing.
Isaiah
Isaiah
M
mikeh
New member
It is very difficult to get involved with "jingles", the major portion of this work runs through marketing firms - and since quality recording gear is so affordable, most agencies now have "in house" studios (I've lost much of the work I used to get from agencies). In addition, most radio stations have studios to produce jingles.
However, if you have the "chops" and the willingness to "do whatever it takes" there are ways to break in.
1. Create "spec" jingles. By this I mean, identify companies in your town that alreading run radio ads (not McDonalds, but things like car dearlerships, plumming supply stores, nightclubs, etc.) create a radio ad and bring it to them. Ask to talk to the sales/marketing manager. They may like it or they may refer you to the agency they use.
2. Approach the marketing firms in your area and find out if they record in house - or contract out. Be prepared to present samples of your work.
Be prepared for lots of rejection (just like a song writer). And be brutally honest with yourself regarding your jingle chops. There are many talented people fighting for this type of work.
Also, learn the formats and recording medium the local radio stations need. Keep in mind most jingles require several "verisons" (with script, without script, full script, just the hook, 15 seconds, 30 seconds, etc. etc.)
Lastly, vocal talent is the single most important requirement - If you need to bring in vocal talent (singers, people who can do accents, etc) it can eat up much of the budget.
The more self contained you can be, the better chance of actually turning a profit.
However, if you have the "chops" and the willingness to "do whatever it takes" there are ways to break in.
1. Create "spec" jingles. By this I mean, identify companies in your town that alreading run radio ads (not McDonalds, but things like car dearlerships, plumming supply stores, nightclubs, etc.) create a radio ad and bring it to them. Ask to talk to the sales/marketing manager. They may like it or they may refer you to the agency they use.
2. Approach the marketing firms in your area and find out if they record in house - or contract out. Be prepared to present samples of your work.
Be prepared for lots of rejection (just like a song writer). And be brutally honest with yourself regarding your jingle chops. There are many talented people fighting for this type of work.
Also, learn the formats and recording medium the local radio stations need. Keep in mind most jingles require several "verisons" (with script, without script, full script, just the hook, 15 seconds, 30 seconds, etc. etc.)
Lastly, vocal talent is the single most important requirement - If you need to bring in vocal talent (singers, people who can do accents, etc) it can eat up much of the budget.
The more self contained you can be, the better chance of actually turning a profit.
M
mikeh
New member
Re: TAXI
I don't consider TAXI a rip-off, but it is not a secret in to the industry either.
TAXI accepts material and critiques it, making what I have found to be very legitimate suggestions to improve the submitted material. It is possible to get a song placed through TAXI - however, the material must be very good and must meet pre-determined style requirments.
Keep in mind, just because a song is placed in a publishing catalog - this is no assurance that money will be made. Someone needs to choose to record the song, people need to buy the recording, etc. etc. etc.
Can TAXI be one of many tools for a truly dedicated and talented writer? Maybe. But it does not replace doing gigs, being heard, knocking on doors and being rejected over and over.
For the record, I am not a member of TAXI. I have provided recording services to a songwriter who is a member and have seen the results he got (he is satisfied with TAXI). However, he also spends more time networking, approaching singers, etc. etc. than anyone I know. These other steps will I'm sure serve him more in the long run, than TAXI.
I don't consider TAXI a rip-off, but it is not a secret in to the industry either.
TAXI accepts material and critiques it, making what I have found to be very legitimate suggestions to improve the submitted material. It is possible to get a song placed through TAXI - however, the material must be very good and must meet pre-determined style requirments.
Keep in mind, just because a song is placed in a publishing catalog - this is no assurance that money will be made. Someone needs to choose to record the song, people need to buy the recording, etc. etc. etc.
Can TAXI be one of many tools for a truly dedicated and talented writer? Maybe. But it does not replace doing gigs, being heard, knocking on doors and being rejected over and over.
For the record, I am not a member of TAXI. I have provided recording services to a songwriter who is a member and have seen the results he got (he is satisfied with TAXI). However, he also spends more time networking, approaching singers, etc. etc. than anyone I know. These other steps will I'm sure serve him more in the long run, than TAXI.
D
David Hooper
New member
If you're looking to produce commercials, my suggestion is to do it yourself. Like most things in the music business (and in life), it's about 80% selling and 20% doing.
Put together a reel of sample commercials and hit the pavement!
dave @ kathode ray
www.indiebiz.com
Put together a reel of sample commercials and hit the pavement!
dave @ kathode ray
www.indiebiz.com
D
David Hooper
New member
By the way, see http://www.kathoderaymusic.com/indiebiz/compare/taxi.html for some opinions that I put up about Taxi as well as a link to another review I did of their annual conference in LA.
dave @ kathode ray
www.indiebiz.com
dave @ kathode ray
www.indiebiz.com
Gidge
Lapdance Test Dummy
Spam and cheese on rye, extra mayo....
P
Peter Dino
New member
Jingles
Darrin:
I used to be in the Jingle business. I was (and still am) an arranger, composer and producer. I wrote quite a few jingles for local, reginal and national T.V. and radio. I don't know where you live but if you can I would go to a city like New York or L.A. that's where all the real action is as far as jingles are concerned.
That's what I did. I went to college for music then went to N.Y. not to specifically write jingles but, to be an arranger. I didn't have a whole lot of experience as an arranger but I had some and I knew what I was doing. And I just started knocking on doors. It took time but it eventually started to happen.
The brief story above is my own and that's how I did it.
I don't know your background and if this is exactly what you're looking to do. If it is then what you can do, if you don't or can't get to N.Y. or L.A., is to try to do it locally...in your town. The advice I saw posted is very good but what I would do is either approach advertising agencies in your city or music production houses if there are any.
If you have nothing to show yet, then the advice that someone gave is very good. And that is to create :30 and :60 second jingles of either local or national products to show how you would create something like that. Try to put together a jingle reel and keep it to no more that 5 minutes....that's what I said...5 minutes. If you create 10 jingles and make them all :30 seconds that's enough. That's how it's done in N.Y. and that's how me and other arranger/composers did it and still do.
If you go to advertising agencies to present yourself or your company you're going right to the source. Because the advertising agencies has the clients. (MacDonalds, Exxon etc.)
And that's what I would do but...........you can also go to established music production houses and try to get freelance work from them. They supply music to the advertising agencies. That's how I started doing jingles in N.Y.
After gaining much experience and confidence I started going directly to the advertising agencies. You'll make more money that way.
Well Darrin, I hope this helps you a little. What I talked about above took along time and hard work and this is just a brief explanation of what you can do.
Good Luck.
Peter.
Darrin:
I used to be in the Jingle business. I was (and still am) an arranger, composer and producer. I wrote quite a few jingles for local, reginal and national T.V. and radio. I don't know where you live but if you can I would go to a city like New York or L.A. that's where all the real action is as far as jingles are concerned.
That's what I did. I went to college for music then went to N.Y. not to specifically write jingles but, to be an arranger. I didn't have a whole lot of experience as an arranger but I had some and I knew what I was doing. And I just started knocking on doors. It took time but it eventually started to happen.
The brief story above is my own and that's how I did it.
I don't know your background and if this is exactly what you're looking to do. If it is then what you can do, if you don't or can't get to N.Y. or L.A., is to try to do it locally...in your town. The advice I saw posted is very good but what I would do is either approach advertising agencies in your city or music production houses if there are any.
If you have nothing to show yet, then the advice that someone gave is very good. And that is to create :30 and :60 second jingles of either local or national products to show how you would create something like that. Try to put together a jingle reel and keep it to no more that 5 minutes....that's what I said...5 minutes. If you create 10 jingles and make them all :30 seconds that's enough. That's how it's done in N.Y. and that's how me and other arranger/composers did it and still do.
If you go to advertising agencies to present yourself or your company you're going right to the source. Because the advertising agencies has the clients. (MacDonalds, Exxon etc.)
And that's what I would do but...........you can also go to established music production houses and try to get freelance work from them. They supply music to the advertising agencies. That's how I started doing jingles in N.Y.
After gaining much experience and confidence I started going directly to the advertising agencies. You'll make more money that way.
Well Darrin, I hope this helps you a little. What I talked about above took along time and hard work and this is just a brief explanation of what you can do.
Good Luck.
Peter.
P
Peter Dino
New member
Jingles
Darrin:
I used to be in the Jingle business. I was (and still am) an arranger, composer and producer. I wrote quite a few jingles for local, reginal and national T.V. and radio. I don't know where you live but if you can I would go to a city like New York or L.A. that's where all the real action is as far as jingles are concerned.
That's what I did. I went to college for music then went to N.Y. not to specifically write jingles but, to be an arranger. I didn't have a whole lot of experience as an arranger but I had some and I knew what I was doing. And I just started knocking on doors. It took time but it eventually started to happen.
The brief story above is my own and that's how I did it.
I don't know your background and if this is exactly what you're looking to do. If it is then what you can do, if you don't or can't get to N.Y. or L.A., is to try to do it locally...in your town. The advice I saw posted is very good but what I would do is either approach advertising agencies in your city or music production houses if there are any.
If you have nothing to show yet, then the advice that someone gave is very good. And that is to create :30 and :60 second jingles of either local or national products to show how you would create something like that. Try to put together a jingle reel and keep it to no more that 5 minutes....that's what I said...5 minutes. If you create 10 jingles and make them all :30 seconds that's enough. That's how it's done in N.Y. and that's how me and other arranger/composers did it and still do.
If you go to advertising agencies to present yourself or your company you're going right to the source. Because the advertising agencies has the clients. (MacDonalds, Exxon etc.)
And that's what I would do but...........you can also go to established music production houses and try to get freelance work from them. They supply music to the advertising agencies. That's how I started doing jingles in N.Y.
After gaining much experience and confidence I started going directly to the advertising agencies. You'll make more money that way.
Well Darrin, I hope this helps you a little. What I talked about above took along time and hard work and this is just a brief explanation of what you can do.
Good Luck.
Peter.
Darrin:
I used to be in the Jingle business. I was (and still am) an arranger, composer and producer. I wrote quite a few jingles for local, reginal and national T.V. and radio. I don't know where you live but if you can I would go to a city like New York or L.A. that's where all the real action is as far as jingles are concerned.
That's what I did. I went to college for music then went to N.Y. not to specifically write jingles but, to be an arranger. I didn't have a whole lot of experience as an arranger but I had some and I knew what I was doing. And I just started knocking on doors. It took time but it eventually started to happen.
The brief story above is my own and that's how I did it.
I don't know your background and if this is exactly what you're looking to do. If it is then what you can do, if you don't or can't get to N.Y. or L.A., is to try to do it locally...in your town. The advice I saw posted is very good but what I would do is either approach advertising agencies in your city or music production houses if there are any.
If you have nothing to show yet, then the advice that someone gave is very good. And that is to create :30 and :60 second jingles of either local or national products to show how you would create something like that. Try to put together a jingle reel and keep it to no more that 5 minutes....that's what I said...5 minutes. If you create 10 jingles and make them all :30 seconds that's enough. That's how it's done in N.Y. and that's how me and other arranger/composers did it and still do.
If you go to advertising agencies to present yourself or your company you're going right to the source. Because the advertising agencies has the clients. (MacDonalds, Exxon etc.)
And that's what I would do but...........you can also go to established music production houses and try to get freelance work from them. They supply music to the advertising agencies. That's how I started doing jingles in N.Y.
After gaining much experience and confidence I started going directly to the advertising agencies. You'll make more money that way.
Well Darrin, I hope this helps you a little. What I talked about above took along time and hard work and this is just a brief explanation of what you can do.
Good Luck.
Peter.
Track Rat
Just Your Average Sized Member
Peter
I have a technical question for you. What level do radio stations want to see on the final product if presented on a CD? If -14dBFS corresponds to 0 Vu is that what they're looking for?
I have a technical question for you. What level do radio stations want to see on the final product if presented on a CD? If -14dBFS corresponds to 0 Vu is that what they're looking for?
darrin_h2000
Banned
Thanks Peter your advice was so valuable I had to read it twice.
Track Rat I guess if you aim for 0db they can allways pump up the volume, at least they allways seem to.
Track Rat I guess if you aim for 0db they can allways pump up the volume, at least they allways seem to.
P
Peter Dino
New member
0 Vu?
Track Rat:
Sorry, I can't answer that question but, I guess it would be easy to find out simply by calling a radio station in your area. I've never worried about that.
Peter
Track Rat:
Sorry, I can't answer that question but, I guess it would be easy to find out simply by calling a radio station in your area. I've never worried about that.
Peter