Chapter 232 I Want to Play!

After the Spring Festival, Wang Jinglu continued to stay in Jinan Mansion with her mother while thinking about the script, while Li Qian drove back to Shuntian Mansion alone on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year.

On the fifth day of the first lunar month, ordinary staff in the studio were still on their annual leave, but these musicians, including Li Qian, Li Jinlong and others, had already begun to resume their normal work.

The soundtrack of "Love in a Troubled World" is coming to an end, but the recording of Liao Liao and He Runqing's new album is at the most critical time - the feeling of cooperating with each other so smooth as silk is not only for Li Qian, but also for He Runqing For Liao Liao, it is also very cherished, so everyone wants to strike while the iron is hot and make the album as soon as possible.

At this year’s Spring Festival Gala, Liao Liao, Zhen Zhen, Wuxing Wusu, Zhao Xinfu, Li Junru, Huang Dazhong and others all took the stage. After the Spring Festival Gala ended, almost the whole country recognized that the songs of this Spring Festival Gala Nice to hear.

Of course, unlike other people who sang popular works released in the past year, Wu Xing Wu Su, who appeared on the stage of the Spring Festival Gala for the first time, and Zhou Feng, a singer from Changsheng Records, are their own. sang his new work.

Wu Xing Wu Su's work is of course "Look at the Boy Opposite", and Zhou Feng's "I Think I'm the Sea".

Therefore, if you want to say that the most powerful force of the Spring Festival Gala, apart from the "Wandering Song" that really touched the hearts of countless Chinese people and became more and more popular, it is the two of them. On the contrary, singers like Liao Liao, Zhen Zhen, and Zhao Xinfu are really popular enough in themselves, so the blessings that the Spring Festival Gala can bring to them are very small.

Then, when the musicians in Li Qian's studio returned to the studio to start working, on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, the album "Look at the Boy Opposite" was officially released on the back of the popularity of the Spring Festival Gala.

... ... ...

"Although Wu Xing Wu Su's album was released in mid-February, the period after the year is very special. The potential of this album will not explode all at once, so it is estimated that the development of this album will be relatively stable. In other words, until the end of March, it should be their sales season. Then, Zhou Mo's new album will be released in April. With the banner of Zhou Mo's comeback, the fans themselves have high expectations for this album. Gao, plus it is said that Xie Mingyuan personally made this album for her, so it is estimated that the quality cannot be wrong, so in this way, April must be Zhou Mo's."

Speaking of this, Qi Jie paused before continuing: "Because Zhou Mo chose April, it is said that Sony adjusted Feng Feifei to May, but it is said that Zhao Xinfu also chose May. At the same time, Changsheng Records gave According to the news, Diao Yixiong's album, that is, the album with the title song "Friends" written by Li Qian for him, has also been selected in May, so the music scene is getting more and more crowded. It's just so empty..."

In the conference room at this time, Li Qian was sitting in the middle, Qi Jie, Liao Liao, He Runqing, Li Jinlong, Sun Meimei, and Lu Fan, a distribution manager whom Qi Jie had just recruited a few years ago, were sitting on the two sides. .

It can be said that the big team of Li Qian's studio is basically here.

But today, what everyone discussed at the meeting was the release date of Liao Liao and He Runqing's new album.

As a result, when Qi Jie shared the information collected so far about the release of new albums by various record companies in the first half of this year, everyone couldn't help thinking—if it wasn't for the company's insistence on commercial suppression, just like last year Huage wanted to borrow If you want to step on Sony's He Runqing with Wu Xing Wu Su's new album, the major record companies will try their best to reach some tacit agreement, even if it is only out of commercial profit considerations, and leave a certain amount of release time for each other, lest each other conflict and impact.

But the status quo of the music scene in the past two years is that the market is hot and hot again, which has caused major companies to stare wide-eyed, eager to squeeze out every bit of value in the market, while singers are extremely active, wishing to be one by one. Release three albums a year! In addition, as the music scene became more active, many newcomers became popular, and many singers with ordinary achievements in the past suddenly became popular. As a result, the competition in the record market has almost become fierce.

Even just a year or two ago, if a songstress of He Runqing's level released an album, the major record companies would tacitly set aside one to one and a half months, or even two months for her to release albums during her sales season. Here, the best thing is to let newcomers release albums, and there will be no collisions between singers with a little strength and status.

But now, counting on the hand, there are already about ten singers in the domestic music scene who are qualified to release an album and dare to say that they can safely sell two to three million copies! In this way, it is naturally impossible to imagine the situation in which a big-name singer dominated for a month and a half or even two months as in the past.

However, with Liao Liao's strength and status, he is obviously a person who does not need to avoid anyone!

So, there is only one question left-whose time should I grab? Who should I offend?

In the end, everyone discussed and discussed, and the opinions gradually reached a consensus-it should be the end of May and the beginning of June!

Sony's Feng Feifei will release an album in early May, but she is also a queen, and her status is not as good as before. It can be said that Liao Liao didn't have to worry about meeting her, and she also chose to release her album in May. Zhao Xinfu, after all, is a male singer, and he is still in the style of folk songs, so the market conflict between the two is relatively small. As for Diao Yixiong... Come on, he is not qualified to compete with singers like Liao Liao and Zhao Xinfu. Even if he can suddenly become popular with the song "Friends", he will grab it. It's Zhao Xinfu market!

As for He Runqing, obviously, since Liao Liao chose the end of May, she had to postpone it for another two months. At least she and Liao Liao would never fight. Therefore, the release of He Runqing's new album is roughly scheduled for the period from the end of July to the beginning of August—of course, by then, she will have her opponents, such as Huang Yuqing, Liu Mingliang, and Li Junru.

Everyone basically finished the discussion, and Li Qian finally said: "That's it, I don't have any other opinions. You will follow Sony, Cinda, and Hua Ge. By the way, Times and Asia are also good. Let’s get in touch, it’s best to only sign two at a time, one for Liao Liao and one for sister Runqing, but if they insist on signing more, it’s not that you can’t let go at all, but absolutely no more than five!”

Qi Jie and Lu Fan nodded together when they heard the words.

... ... ...

After restarting work after the year, it took everyone a little more time to gradually regain the feeling of incomparable harmony they had years ago. Even He Runqing, who was so unstoppable years ago, recovered for several days before gradually entering state.

However, the recording of the album was fine, but Qi Jie's negotiation for the release was a step-by-step hurdle.

After the release meeting held since the end of the year, Qi Jie took Lu Fan and a few young people who came back to work after their annual leave to start negotiations with six or seven record companies in China.

But the result was not as expected.

Sony Records is the best in domestic distribution, and Xie Mingyuan has expressed to Li Qian many times before that he is willing to help Li Qian's studio with distribution, so it is only natural for Qi Jie to talk to Sony first.

As a result, everyone tried their best to talk for several days, but the other party insisted on killing the share of only 19 points for less than 5 million copies, and refused to increase it at all. As for the number of albums signed, the other party also insisted that at least four albums should be signed. As for the two albums that Li Qian wanted, the other party made it clear at the beginning: If only two albums are signed, then don’t talk about it!

Therefore, the negotiation was temporarily put on hold, and Qi Jie turned to Huage Records instead.

As a result, the quotation of Huage Records was even more ruthless, only 18 points were given for less than 6 million copies, and even if it was more than 6 million copies, it was only based on one million copies. Add a point! As for the number of contracts signed, the other party was a little relieved and agreed to only sign three chapters of agency distribution agreements at a time. However, it is required that two of these three albums must be Liao Liao's album - that is to say, there is only one album by He Runqing.

In the end, after several days passed, Qi Jie had no choice but to lead people to start negotiations with Cinda Records, the last of the three giants. After that, Cinda really offered a slightly better deal than Sony and Huage. condition.

But even so, 22 points seems to be the bottom line they can accept!

Of course, facing Qi Jie’s proposal that even Zhao Xinfu’s studio can get 25% of the matter, the other party said that we will sign five first, and after five, if everyone cooperates happily, they can also earn money. Money, then of course it will be easy to talk about, as long as your sales data is not worse than Zhao Xinfu, then of course I can give you 25 points!

Regarding this, Qi Jie could only be speechless.

Yes, everyone knows in their hearts that when Liao Liao joins Li Qian, it is almost a guarantee of good works, good albums and big sales. Block it back!

In fact, Li Qian, Qi Jie, Liao Liao and others had already anticipated this situation before the studio even opened—it was too much to say about the suppression or something, but it’s just that these companies are their family members. Regardless of the level of savvy Li Qian’s studio possesses against the sky, almost as long as it is signed, it will make a lot of money, but everyone understands that once any of the three companies shows some kind of enthusiasm that must be won, then Undoubtedly, what is waiting ahead will be a fierce battle between the three of them. At that time, Li Qian, who is sitting firmly on the Diaoyutai, can only be taken advantage of in vain.

In a nutshell: Do you think you are awesome if you have the combination of Li Qian and Liao Liao? impossible!

Therefore, the three of them tacitly offered contracts with similar conditions, but all of them were extremely harsh.

Then, Qi Jie talked with Times Records, and Asia Records... They all gave higher terms, and Asia Records directly quoted 30 points, but the one thing they asked for in common was that, The distribution fee must be borne by Li Qian's studio!

Well, even if it is ruled out that the other party will tamper with the distribution fee and cause the distribution fee to be inflated, if the distribution fee is deducted, the conditions they offer are much better than those of Sony, Huage, and Cinda. where to go And if you consider that the publishing strength of these companies is already a bit inferior, if you really sign them, when the record is released, even if it is only 10% to 15% lower, here again, How much loss?

So, after more than half a month, Qi Jie went around the record companies in Shuntianfu, found Li Qian, and said: "They made it clear that they want to suppress us, otherwise, let's do the distribution ourselves, okay?" good?"

Do your own distribution, okay?

To say yes, of course yes.

When to go public and how to promote it are all up to you, and all the income is in your own pocket, which is naturally much better than letting others exploit it.

But what if you do your own distribution and sell out?

Don't say that you can still pounce with Liao Liao's signboard?

Of course, the singer's fame will greatly help and improve the album sales, but the sales of millions or even tens of millions of albums are definitely not something that can be sold simply by relying on the singer's own fame.

And the so-called distribution has never been the kind of thing that can be sold by finding a big dealer in every province.

The first is publicity.

An album, a singer, how to promote it? What should be the entry point for the promotion of this album? According to her target group and potential group, how should she impress them step by step? Let them walk into a video store and buy it?

Then, even if you have already prepared several publicity plans and are absolutely sure of it, well, how do you contact newspapers, magazines, and TV stations? How can we guarantee that the program will definitely be popular with other people?

Think you can get it by throwing money at it?

That's impossible!

Think you are Liao Liao and you can go?

That's impossible!

Even if no one will directly refuse, but they can give you a soft nail if they find an excuse!

The publicity period, of course, is the listing period, so if you think about it for a while, you will know that the first channel and distributor must be Dongguan Bookstore!

That's right, this is the common choice of almost all record companies!

But the problem is, do you think you are Liao Liao's new album, and they will put it on the shelf for you immediately?

This is something to talk about.

Among other things, Dongguan Bookstore's discounted price for importing records from Changsheng Records will definitely not be the same price as their discounted price for importing albums from Sony Records.

Then, besides Dongguan Bookstore?

Of course, you can negotiate from house to house, although it is likely to be the same price for each house, but theoretically speaking, at least you can distribute the goods in place all over the country when you release the album.

But that's only in theory.

First of all, not to mention anything else, whether it is placed on the most conspicuous shelf, whether it will take the initiative to post posters of your new album, let alone these things, it is just a point, in more than 30 provinces across the country, you At least you have to go through the provinces one by one, right? You have to go to each family to have a serious discussion, right?

Moreover, there are often many so-called dealers in each province and each prefecture. They all have their own specialties, and it is even likely that each person is responsible for a certain piece of distribution. Then, you, a person outside the distribution circle, have to spend How long will it take to find out the bottom line here? How long will it take you to contact, choose, and negotiate before your album can really spread all over the world?

In a word: difficult!

And even so, if you can’t play a game of chess across the country, it’s very likely that some dealers will secretly suppress your goods—you know, in about half a month to twenty days, pirated copies will come up ! In China, the bigger the dealer, the closer the connection with the pirates. This is an indisputable fact!

Of course, what Qi Jie said was not unreasonable——

If we hand it over to others for distribution, so what if we sell 10 million copies?

If we distribute it ourselves, even if it is not as good as others, even if it only sells 3 million copies, so what?

However, Li Qian hesitated.

Until he suddenly received a call from Xie Mingyuan.

On the phone, he said with an old-fashioned smile: "Brother, your general manager Qi should have almost run away, right? You should know the conditions of each company. How about it, let us let Sony act as an agent. I can't lose you!"

Li Qian smiled, and suddenly threw Qi Jie's question to him, and asked, "You said, if I leave it to you, let you act as an agent, and sell 10 million copies, how much will I earn? Or should I sell it myself?" , How much do you earn if you sell three million copies?"

On the other end of the phone, Xie Mingyuan was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said: "Leave it to me, Liao Liao's album, I am sure that I can sell you 10 million copies! But if you sell it yourself, I can't guarantee you It could sell three million copies."

Li Qian was surprised when he heard this, and asked, "Liao Liao's album is not good either? That's Liao Liao!"

Xie Mingyuan laughed, "Of course! Of course I know it's Liao Liao! But, my brother, publishing is tantamount to doing business. Doing business and making music are never the same thing!"

Li Qian also laughed, "But, it doesn't mean that all three million copies can't be sold, right?"

Xie Mingyuan paused when he heard the words, sighed, and said in a helpless tone: "Okay, let's stop bickering. To be honest, if you sell it yourself, you may not be able to sell three million copies, but even if you sell So what if it reaches 3 million copies? Are we really just eating records when we make records? Can Liao Liao, who sells 3 million copies, be the same as Liao Liao, who sells 10 million copies? Don’t you The studio is not going to accept commercial performances for her? Do the math, which side is the big head?"

Speaking of this, he seemed to feel that it was enough to "report his interests". Seeing that Li Qian hadn't said a word, he thought he had already been moved by him, so he sighed again and said, "Little brother, your talent is something I have always admired." I admire it! In this way, if you write a few songs for Sony later on, we can calculate the price as we like. As for this time, I will give you 20 points, and this time we will only sign three tickets. right?"

Pulling and smashing is of course a commonly used routine in business, but obviously, although Li Qian can see it clearly, he is not prepared to follow this routine—on the contrary, Xie Mingyuan played this routine, which suddenly made him feel extremely nervous. uncomfortable!

Yep, the studio has only been around for a few months, and it's a complete blank slate on releases!

Yes, if several companies are compared horizontally, the conditions given by Xie Mingyuan in the end are still relatively good. If it's someone else, it's just a start, and if you admit that you're at a disadvantage, you might be eager to nod your head and agree!

But Li Qian did not!

A few perfunctory words, saying that he needs to think again, and then hung up the phone, Li Qian leaned on his boss chair and fell into a long exam—since he came to Shuntian Mansion, to be precise, since he established the studio All kinds of troubles after my album, as well as many considerations, doubts, fears, and worries in my heart, at this moment, all come to mind!

"Since coming to this time and space, these six months have probably been the most aggrieved half year of my life, right?" he thought to himself.

A minute later, he took out his mobile phone, dialed Qi Jie, and asked straight away: "I don't know anything about distribution and sales. I'm an amateur. Let me ask you now, three million copies, can you guarantee it?" No?"

On the other end of the phone, Qi Jie hesitated for a moment, and then said decisively: "As long as you nod your head, even if I go on and on, I will run across the country and I will definitely win three million copies!"

Li Qian nodded and said, "Okay, that's it!"

Putting away his mobile phone, he strode out of his office, and entered the rehearsal room as soon as he opened the door. He ignored the doubts and incomprehensions in the eyes of He Runqing and Liao Liao, just walked in front of them, and said calmly: "I I'm a bit unwilling to admit defeat, so I decided that we should do our own distribution. So, play with me, okay?"

Liao Liao was stunned for a moment, then immediately said: "No problem!"

He Runqing smiled when she heard the words, and said slowly: "I'm almost out of breath, and I've come to join you. Of course, it's up to you...I'm fine!"

Li Qian smiled and said, "Actually, I just don't want them to be too proud!"

After a pause, he let out a long breath, and said generously, "Then let's play!"

***

I was so outraged that I had to log in for forty minutes in the backstage of a starting point before I came up!