Attention Musicians (and all creatives): Your Success is Up to You

Hello there, readers!

I've had a good year with plenty of lessons learned and goals reached, and I want to touch on an important aspect of starting and running a business in any creative industry, with a particular focus on music: it takes hard work, and there are few, if any, shortcuts.

Don't get me wrong, there have been times when it felt like something has fallen into my lap, but the reason that sort of thing happens is because I work hard, I'm dedicated, I'm always researching and learning, and other people see it. I also network, talk about my work with joy, and follow up with potential clients to keep my name and brand in their minds.

I have a very good musician friend who is talented, smart, and extremely capable, but he expects things to happen with little to no effort on his part. While he's dedicated over fifteen years to music, he doesn't actively seek out new venues to play, or market his music across different platforms, or research and try different ways to get his music to new audiences.

I've offered him plenty of advice over the years about steps he can take to increase his online visibility, how to earn income via different revenue streams, and I've provided services and tools that will give him a leg up - if he does the work. Unfortunately, he's not doing any of it. There's always an excuse, never a solution.

If he'd been putting more effort into the business side of his music over even the past five years, he would undoubtedly be in a better financial position and could focus on building upon that. Instead, he's still in the same place and likely won't move forward unless he starts committing to himself by putting in the work.

Here's the thing: you cannot Tom Sawyer your way into success in creative fields. If you're a band leader, you can't expect your side guys to book gigs for you. Clubs and venues aren't going to call you (some won't even call you back), you need to be persistent. If one publication doesn't respond to your album review request or story pitch, you have to keep trying.

Booking agents, managers, and labels all want to work with artists who have proven dedicated to their craft, which means the artist has to do the hard work of running their music business for years before anyone will be willing to shoulder even a tiny part of the burden, and, even then, that burden will be lifted for a chunk of money.

Making money in music has become increasingly difficult over the decades. It takes time, savvy, and sacrifice to build a large enough following to support a solo artist, much less a full-scale band. A booking agent wants to book artists that will sell tickets, which is how they earn their percentage. If you're not willing to build your following, no one is going to do it for you. Even the most dedicated fan will lose interest if you're not regularly engaging and sharing your story with them.

On the other side of all of this, one of the great parts about creative marketing is that most fans are less interested in a constant onslaught of new work than they are in the story of the artist. Want to keep your fans engaged and build your audience with people who legitimately care? Start with the 80%/20% rule: make 80% of your content personal and 20% promotional or professional. Once you figure out your rhythm, you can experiment and adjust those numbers according to your experience.

It's never too late to start promoting yourself and your creative business. While it does take hard work, don't forget to take care of yourself while you're in the building process. Your fans and followers know you're human and will stand by you when you're feeling overwhelmed. In fact, the occasional display of vulnerability can solidify their dedication to you and your brand.

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Keeping My Inner Dialogue Positive

I've been having a week of fits and starts. I'm currently waffling between angry and hyper-motivated, and discouraged and ready to crawl into bed. Everyone goes through this, both personally and in our jobs, whether we're scientists, artists, or full-time parents.

In the midst of this self-doubt, I am trying to keep several positive thoughts in mind:

1. I have a great life and a fun job. I even have my design work published on a regular basis.

A small ad I designed for one of my clients, Frames By U, as seen in the September 2013 issue of Nashville Arts Magazine.

2. Nashville has a wonderful network of people. I sat for portraits by Deone Jahnke a few days ago. She works with countless local artists, and is making a good name for herself in Nashville. She also happens to be a total sweetheart and one of my neighbors. Occasionally, she needs someone to feed and smoosh her kitties when she's out of town, so we have a trade of photos for pet care going on. Here's one of the photos from the first session:

I am totally willing to believe I really look like this.

3. A week from today, I'll be packing to go on the road for a small tour with The One and Only Bill Davis. We'll be playing in Brookfield, IL, Manitowoc, WI, and Milwaukee, WI. My brother's band will be backing us, and we're going to (hopefully) get paid to play music! While we travel! It's another important step in both Bill's and my music career, and it's really exciting!

4. I actually have everything I need. I am fed, clothed, and have a cozy house to call my own. My husband is talented, smart, loving, and supportive. My family, though they aren't very close geographically, is totally awesome, as are my in-laws. I am healthy and continue to make improvements in my life that keep me that way. All-natural soaps, anyone?

Made On Acorn Hill soaps

The little things often make the biggest differences, and I have to keep that in mind when I feel the weight of the responsibility of making the "right" choices. In the end, even "wrong" choices teach us something.

Now, on to conquering the world, one happy client at a time!!!

Tell me, what do you do turn things around when you start to feel low?