Music Related Webmaster

About This Music Career

Like most companies, Record labels have an online presence through a website. Used to promote themselves as a company and their artists. The Webmaster is the individual in charge of creating the website is called the Webmaster, and has many other responsibilities. They may work alone or with assistances, graphic artists, content producers, and copywriters.

The first thing a Webmaster must do is find a host for the label's site, which is essentially renting a space or site on the Web. The label pays for the host's space online and obtains a web address so people can find the site on the web. The web address is usually something like the label's name, or another easily remembered and recognizable name.

The label's goal with the website differs, depending on the size of the company, how prestigious their artists are, etc. Sometimes management just wants the site to maintain an online presence. Other times, they want the site to function as an online store front, where people can listen, watch and buy products online. Some labels set up different sites for each recording artist. Whatever the label desires for their site, it is up to the Webmaster to make it happen, developing and creating the label's website on the World Wide Web.

The Webmaster must find a balance between designing a nice looking site and one that is easy to navigate. If the site is exciting and looks good, but takes forever to load and is impossible to navigate, site visitors will leave quickly.

Most sites also incorporate things like search bars, pop-up windows, shopping carts, payment systems, and a variety of other functions – the webmaster is responsible for all of this. He or she is also responsible for incorporating data compilers so the label can see things like how long visitors are staying on a particular page, haw many hits the site is getting, etc. Along with creating the overall site, the Webmaster is also responsible for site maintenance, making sure the site remains, fresh, timely, and functional, and that ant new content added is accurate and does not "break" the site.

The Webmaster must be an expert with the sites language – HTML – in order to build an effective site.

Salaries
Depending on the label and vastness of the website, Webmasters can earn anywhere from $32,000 to $150,000 or more per year. Other things like geographic location, prestige of label, responsibilities, and experience factor into the salary received.

It should also be noted that smaller labels usually hire consultants to handle their websites, instead of employing a full-time position. These consultants can earn between $50 and $200 or more per hour.

Employment
Due to the continual advancement of the internet and competition among labels, employment prospects for Webmasters look good. As mentioned, some individuals work as webmasters on a consulting basis.

It should also be noted that smaller labels usually hire consultants to handle their websites, instead of employing a full-time position. These consultants can earn between $50 and $200 or more per hour.

Advancement
If you are a Webmaster who has built an attractive, and successful website, your advancement prospects should be positive, and you shouldn't have a problem advancing your career. It is definitely considered a career advancement if you take on a position with a larger, more prestigious company, resulting in increased responsibilities. Some also view advancement as starting their own consulting firm.

Education and Training

Education requirements vary widely across the industry – many Webmasters are self taught. But, others have college degrees in programming, graphics, languages, web authoring, and more.

Regardless of how they go about educating themselves, Webmasters must know HTML very well. Knowledge of other programming languages like Cold Fusion and PERL will prove to be useful. Also, knowing how to integrate databases is a definite plus.

It is imperative that Webmasters keep their skills current by engaging in self-study and by enrolling in classes, seminars, and workshops.

Experience, Skills, and Personality
The prestige and size of the label will dictate the extent of the education requirement. Small, independent labels that are just begining to build their website usually will not require Webmasters to have a great deal of experience, as long as they can somehow prove that they are in fact capable of building a website.

On the flipside, larger labels will definitely require their Webmasters to have more experience with building successful websites. Skills needed include the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and through written word. Of course, creativity is essential, and a knowledge of the music industry is definitely helpful. Webmasters must have an advanced understanding of web dynamics, HTML, authorship, and any other relevant programming languages.

Even though graphics work is outsourced or completed by staff graphic designers, having graphic skills is necessary.

Unions and Associations
Contact the Internet Professional Publishers Association(IPPA) and the World Organization of Webmasters (WOW) in order to learn more about careers in the field.

Suggestions for Getting Started