getting clients

[audioguynyc]

I'm a young but knowledgeable assistant engineer at a mid level pro studio in west Brooklyn (park slope). we record both to tape and pro tools, with 1 decent size live room, 1 vocal booth/amplifier room, 1 control room with a separate midi/composer studio, lounge and bar,we have a pretty good/stable client base with a rate of $75 an hour. our booking manager said if I were to do my own sessions during after hours, they would only charge me a 35 an hour cut for studio rent ($25 before noon) so I can go for maybe $55 with flexibility at my own discretion, and take home a little side money. it would also garner some respect from my senior engineer if they see me run my own sessions well, and make a good name for the studio staff.

so whats the best way to get new clients without undercutting my mentors base? In fact I am a little scared to ask him this question myself. he has taught me an amazing amount of techniques as is, and I don't want to bother him with the notion that I am preparing to 'overthrow' him or anything like that. Most of our client base already knows I am experienced enough about electronic equipment, signal processing and acoustics to make good microphone decisions and edit/mix a session well, and I also make beats for techno/hip-hop/pop artists, which can serve as a lure for potential clients. I go to some shows around new york city and met some pretty great musicians, but the majority of them already have a set producer they prefer to work with at another studio, and the rest are flaky bastards who trade business cards and never pick up the phone. im a little reluctant to 'promote' myself on the internet, for obvious reasons. I really want to take advantage of this offer I have, and help some musicians make good music in a great sounding studio for cheap. what method can I use to hook up with more artists? I have pretty good client base for beats, but most of them have little home setups that they work off of.

anyone?

[audioguynyc]

hmm no answers.

I guess I will just have to keep hitting up more gigs then.

[MaTr1x2051]

It's a tough question and something that I'm also sort of battling with. If you do work that just as good as your mentors, you can potentially start taking their clients (especially if you charge less in this economy). While I don't work for my mentors, I have in the past. They brought me on when I wasn't a threat to their business We've grown into a relationship where the 3 of us all respect each other enough to give referalls out freely. Usually one of us will be more suited to a certain type of job, or won't be booked when another is. So we are all comfortable giving business away, because we know it will come back to us in due time. Its a great network to be a part of, as I suspect yours is as well.

The problem you will run into working for someone else, is that they might start to get jealous if clients keep asking for you instead of them. My suggestion would be to start your own side project and try to get people interested through your experience at your current studio. That way you keep you business separate. I know its much more difficult because you loose access to a whole lot of space and equipment, but its the most legit and professional way to go. The other possibility would be to give your 'manager' a cut of what you earn, that way he has an incentive to let you loose.

Hope that gives you something to think about!

[audioguynyc]

Originally Posted by MaTr1x2051

It's a tough question and something that I'm also sort of battling with. If you do work that just as good as your mentors, you can potentially start taking their clients (especially if you charge less in this economy). While I don't work for my mentors, I have in the past. They brought me on when I wasn't a threat to their business We've grown into a relationship where the 3 of us all respect each other enough to give referalls out freely. Usually one of us will be more suited to a certain type of job, or won't be booked when another is. So we are all comfortable giving business away, because we know it will come back to us in due time. Its a great network to be a part of, as I suspect yours is as well.

The problem you will run into working for someone else, is that they might start to get jealous if clients keep asking for you instead of them. My suggestion would be to start your own side project and try to get people interested through your experience at your current studio. That way you keep you business separate. I know its much more difficult because you loose access to a whole lot of space and equipment, but its the most legit and professional way to go. The other possibility would be to give your 'manager' a cut of what you earn, that way he has an incentive to let you loose.

Hope that gives you something to think about!

will take it into consideration, thanks

[Yosh!]

As long as you're not approaching their clients past or present directly and under cutting them I don't think you'll have to worry about bad juju.

I'd say keep after bands at gigs, advertise your services on Craigslist (you don't have to be specific and can not reveal the name of the studio etc until you filter out the BS). If the musician's you're approaching are all set you might need to lower your targets and hit up open mics and place that book bands who are just starting out. Hell I've even offered to record the random busker whose music I enjoyed.

Good luck with it.

[shaddai]

so whats the best way to get new clients without undercutting my mentors base? In fact I am a little scared to ask him this question myself.

Go to them & say "Hey, I want to take what you're teaching me and put it into practice in the off hours....but I don't want to compromise our relationship, or wind up taking clients you should have. How is this normally worked out so that the junior guy doesn't wind up taking a slice out of the chief guy's business?"

You're just looking for more mentoring, and reinforcing that he's getting his cut through the studio rates & will probably tell you how to do what you want without making him feel threatened.

I'd still wait a week or two before bringing anyone in though...something about the time between being asked about a scenario & actually seeing it happen gives the idea some time to settle. I had this happen with my tile company, and I actually wound up loaning tools to my employees to do side work.

I think what it comes down to is that I taught them what I taught them so they could succeed. However, I didn't teach them so they could screw me with it. If one of them ever snaked a job away from me, it better have been a huge one because they'd be looking for work when they were done. But, if their aunt needed an entryway, then by all means, go for it, just put the tools back in the morning before we go to work.

Anyway, if I were in your shoes, I'd go talk to him first & feel the situation out. Once you have the green light, one of the questions I'd be asking the mentor before taking on a particular client is if he has any connection with them that you should be aware of. If not, go for it. I think your mentor may like seeing you do what he taught you to do.

It is kinda spooky to make that first jump, but you do have to jump to move forward. If you're uneasy & your mentor focuses on rock music, start working with a grunge band or an acoustic group. It'll let you have a little more distance from his market...it might set you both at ease at first.


todd

[audioguynyc]

Originally Posted by shaddai

Go to them & say "Hey, I want to take what you're teaching me and put it into practice in the off hours....but I don't want to compromise our relationship, or wind up taking clients you should have. How is this normally worked out so that the junior guy doesn't wind up taking a slice out of the chief guy's business?"

You're just looking for more mentoring, and reinforcing that he's getting his cut through the studio rates & will probably tell you how to do what you want without making him feel threatened.

I'd still wait a week or two before bringing anyone in though...something about the time between being asked about a scenario & actually seeing it happen gives the idea some time to settle. I had this happen with my tile company, and I actually wound up loaning tools to my employees to do side work.

I think what it comes down to is that I taught them what I taught them so they could succeed. However, I didn't teach them so they could screw me with it. If one of them ever snaked a job away from me, it better have been a huge one because they'd be looking for work when they were done. But, if their aunt needed an entryway, then by all means, go for it, just put the tools back in the morning before we go to work.

Anyway, if I were in your shoes, I'd go talk to him first & feel the situation out. Once you have the green light, one of the questions I'd be asking the mentor before taking on a particular client is if he has any connection with them that you should be aware of. If not, go for it. I think your mentor may like seeing you do what he taught you to do.

It is kinda spooky to make that first jump, but you do have to jump to move forward. If you're uneasy & your mentor focuses on rock music, start working with a grunge band or an acoustic group. It'll let you have a little more distance from his market...it might set you both at ease at first.


todd

thanks for the advice dude