Monday Buzz: Indie Group Embraces the Artists

Independent musicians—of the kind likely to show up in a Pitchfork album review or a Stereogum blog post—have a different set of needs than your average major-label type.

Traditionally, the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), the space’s main trade group, has supported the labels that bring the likes of Bon Iver  (opens in a new tab) and Blood Orange  (opens in a new tab) to your Spotify playlists. But now the group is offering a new membership option targeted at individuals within the industry.

The A2IM Supporters Program, which is open to individuals or smaller organizations, hopes to fill the gap for those who might otherwise benefit from the group but can’t afford the higher-cost member dues.

The introductory tier  (opens in a new tab) [PDF] gives supporters access to the group’s newsletter, offers discounts on industry events, and presents opportunities to back A2IM’s advocacy efforts—which in recent years have included success with getting Apple Music to change its payment structure, launching the Vinyl Tuesday program, and pushing to revamp the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.

“We recognize that our Independent community is comprised of hard-working individuals or organizations, some of whom are’t quite ready to be Label or Associate Members,” the group states on its website  (opens in a new tab). “Through this new program, A2IM Supporters are given introductory access to our community and therefore the opportunity to grow!”

The supporters tier, which is $100 annually, is available for all individuals and artists whose labels generate $100,000 or less in revenue each year.

How Learning Makes You Uniquely Talented

“Living Out Loud – Why this isn’t the time to play it safe.” https://t.co/1QQoE67ygf  (opens in a new tab) #assnchat  (opens in a new tab) pic.twitter.com/P31OSbQPYp  (opens in a new tab)

— kikilitalien (@kikilitalien) September 11, 2016  (opens in a new tab)

You can’t just keep doing the same thing. You have to be willing to stretch your definition of work and constantly show off your brilliance.

That’s a point that KiKi L’Italien, the CEO of Amplified Growth and the mastermind of Association Chat, makes in her latest blog post on LinkedIn  (opens in a new tab)—one inspired, of course, by a recent edition of the weekly chat. L’Italien points out that she’s constantly learning, but not always for the sake of her career path.

“But it’s all important. It all helps in building creativity, knowledge, and a unique set of experiences and skills that not everyone has to offer,” she explains. “In a world embracing more AI and automation, how are you developing your unique strengths as a human?”

Read more of her thoughts on creating your own unique path, over this way  (opens in a new tab).

Other Links of Note

How can you improve your ability to do basically anything? Author Adrian Segar highlights a method  (opens in a new tab) you perhaps hadn’t considered.

Does your site speak HTTPS? It probably should, and soon. Google is eyeing a change to the way Chrome handles HTTP sites  (opens in a new tab) that could make the less-secure technology undesirable for sites that ask for personal information.

Convincing small businesses to join an organization—particularly a local chamber of commerce—isn’t easy. At consultant Frank J. Kenny’s website  (opens in a new tab), writer Christina Green suggests a few strategies that might convince the small-scale retail shops to embrace your organization.