Sometimes the hardest part about struggling to reach your dream are the people around you. Dreama’s article, 5 Annoying Conversations Non-musicians will have with you talks about humorous questions insensitive people ask musicians who have not yet realized their dream. I think most people are not deliberately insensitive, they just don’t understand what it is like to be a struggling artist.
I was speaking to a good friend of mine, Dean, last night who is pursuing his Christian Music dream while balancing his “day job.” He agrees. Just because you are an artist doesn’t preclude you from also having (or seeking) business skills. There are so many sources (like this site) where you can learn basic business principles. Here are a few tips to get you started:
- The world doesn’t think they owe artists anything. Some musicians/songwriters (prospective clients) I meet think that because they are “the next great” artist, the world owes them them a livelihood so they can create. Some of these mooch off their parents, friends, or anyone with an extra dime that will pay their rent. History doesn’t support this frame of mind. The first step is to take responsibility for your own support. If you have a spouse that is willing to support you, great, but treat him/her like you would an outside investor where you must work hard to provide a return on his/her investment. It may save your marriage.
- Understand the business. There are many books, speaking engagements, and associations that can inform you of where the “business” is at the current state. Especially in Los Angeles, organizations that I belong to are always clamoring for new attendees for our speakers. Connect to various social networks and seek them out.
- Create Real Business Alliances There are people people who believe in you, but less than you think. I have been in the industry for about 27 years, and I cannot stand insincere people. For example, a producer who gushes over an actress telling her she is great and are just around the corner from stardom. When the actress tries take the next step with the producer, the producer is inaccessible. Likewise, bands who find “investors” for their great new project are told they are only in need of a business plan. When they approach me I drill them about their investors before taking a penny from them. They tell me that the investors are ready to write the check but only need a business plan so they can understand the vision. So, the band member pays us to design a business plan. The investors seem surprised because they didn’t think the band could deliver. The result is the investors back away and sever the relationship for no apparent reason. What I suggest for artists is to take baby steps. Don’t go for the whole investment but work your way to it with little investments, and a return. This will serve two purposes: 1) You will see how sincere your investor is, and 2) You will build a real business relationship based on a history.
- Be a creative artist with a creative vision You are creative. That doesn’t mean that you are limited to comedy improv, or jazz riffs. You can leverage that creative energy into your business vision, once you followed the steps above. This is an area where our society is deficient. People seem to bifurcate artists and business. Right brain, left brain. There is nothing stopping you of using your whole brain. Build a foundation as stated above for the business side and let your creativity soar.