TAXI. Great idea or a scam?

This keeps coming up in conversations. People always tell me, "You should join Taxi." I have taken a look at it several times, and I read the testimonials, but I've yet to personally encounter anyone who's actually had a net-positive revenue generating experience with Taxi. As a matter of fact, each time it's suggested to me, I ask, "What's your experience been like with them?" Nearly all the folks that have recommended I take a look at it don't even belong, never have been, and really can't point to someone they know who's had success working with them.

Sure, there are amazing testimonials on their website, but isn't that the case with countless products and services? Even here on NMP we've had a few folks come along and claim that they can "make it happen" for their clients. Mostly, BS, Candidly. Dare I say, "all BS" even? I've always operated under the business model that centers around me making it happen for me, and building high loyalty relationships in the process.

So when it comes to the idea that I could sign up for a service to work with folks I never speak with, simply to connect with industry opportunities, I have trouble seeing that it'll really make a difference in my revenue and business. Maybe I'm just old-school. Maybe that's good, maybe it's bad.

So, anyone out there have experience with Taxi or other such on-line services, and produced a net positive result in revenue? I'd love to hear about it from either side of the fence.

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Permalink Reply by Russ Kirin on April 19, 2012 at 10:49am

Excellent topic, Pete. I've been asking the same questions. Hope we finally get some "real-world" answers.

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Permalink Reply by Bret Teegarden on April 21, 2012 at 11:38am

It's probably like most any other site or service, you get out of it what you put in. I am sure there are some that have great success with it as a tool in their arsenal, however, those who don't see instant gratification and results will think it a scam.

Obviously, some one is having success with it or it wouldn't have been around this long.

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Permalink Reply by vail johnson on August 10, 2012 at 5:11pm

I was a screener there for 5 or 6 years and I can say that it is legitimate! The opportunities are real and if your music/ track is up to snuff, it will be forwarded to the client and that in itself is what makes it worthwhile. It's VERY hard to get music to music supervisors without a real connection. After leaving LA and moving to Nashville, I've actually signed up for Taxi myself. Time will tell if I make any money from it.......:-)

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Permalink Reply by Wil Maring on December 9, 2012 at 12:52pm

I met Michael Laskow, the head CEO of Taxi, at a music business lecture he gave at our university a number of years ago. He seemed very honest, sincere, and passionate about what he was doing. I gave him one of my cds of original material, along with 30 other people at the lecture. I guess he actually listened to it that evening on the 3 hour drive back to Nashville, because he then wrote a glowing "review" of my writing in his Taxi Newsletter a couple weeks later. At the time I was going through a very painful divorce, was at a crossroads in my career, and he personally gave me several peptalks per phone and email, and song critiques to help convince me to continue with my music. I became a taxi member, and tried to apply to as many opportunities as I thought appropriate for the style of music I write. But one thing I noticed is that there were not so many opportunities for a singersongwriter who writes roots-based, folk-grass-pop-country. Very few, in fact. When I did send in songs, I got very positive and helpful critiques from the screeners, but in the end always a "submission not appropriate". Commercial music is always changing taste, so I have not given up hope that tastes will return to a more earthy, human place. I am no longer a member for financial reasons, but I would become one again, if a windfall were to blow my way. This is a real wordy "long story" way of saying, I think it's as legitimate as any other of those services and success is possible, and there ARE real humans on the other end.