|
10 Habits of Highly Productive Artists
A list of habits that every serious artist needs to internalize and implement
 The world is full of great looking, great sounding, extremely talented singers, musicians and bands. If that's not enough of a challenge, the Internet has made it possible for everyone to reach, and from the fan position, hear, everyone else. So how can you cut through so much competition? Steven Covey laid out his '7 Habits Of Highly Effective People', which showed how and why some people excel over others, even if they weren't the smartest. So, I have assembled this list of habits that I believe every serious artist needs to internalize and implement in order to out perform, out produce and out sell the competition both on and off the stage. Here they are:
1. Have your priorities straight, remind yourself daily of what they are, and then plan your efforts around them. How.do these rank on your list of priorities, and what do you do, or can you do on a daily basis to keep them in healthy balance?
a. Your spiritual life
b. Your physical health
c. Your songwriting
d. Your performing
e. Your recording
f. Making money
g. Your overall career
h. Your image
i. Your impact on the world/ your legacy
j. Your spouse and children
k. The rest of your family
l. Your fans
m. Your friends
n. Your band members
o. The rest of your 'team' (booking agent, manager etc.)
2. Engage in some form of marketing every day. This should take up generous amount of your time. It can include updating your Facebook page, Tweeting, updating your website, blogging, posting new videos, posting new music etc.
3. Pursue bookings regularly. When all the dust clears, the bottom line is that it is up to you to keep your calendar filled, and filled with the right kinds of gigs. Set several days and/or times of the day aside for keeping your livelihood going.
4. Rehearse to improve your own personal skills. Never rest on your laurels as a singer, instrumentalist, songwriter, stage performer, producer or whatever your talents are. Constantly challenge yourself to be better than you were yesterday. Rehearse regularly.
5. Rehearse as a group. Whether you're the leader or just a member of a band, constant rehearsals are necessary to stay sharp, to keep improving and to outshine the competition. The Eagles rehearsed their vocals 2 hours every day because they knew that it was one of the things that their fans would pay big money to hear.
6. Be a fan of your fans. Stay after each show to meet them sign autographs, sell CDS and merchandise etc. Offer free downloads to your mailing list. Do something every day to let them know that you appreciate their support.
7. Communicate with your fans. This could come in the form of a newsletter, blog, text message or some other means of communication. Make it part business and part personal so your fans feel like they know you. Send them new music. Taking 2 minutes to write a quick blog about the show last night can better than a hundred high-priced commercials. Remember, out of sight, out of mind!
8. Study your fans and your market. Learn their average ages, predominant gender, where they live, what their average income level is, what they like about you etc. Survey them during your meet and greet after your gigs. Post a survey in your newsletter and on your website. The more you know about your fans, the more you can cater to them and also stay one step ahead of them. It also helps when you pursue endorsement deals!
9. Study, know and work constantly to improve your numbers. Track them after every show, and on off-days. What % of your mailing list buys tickets for your shows? How many CDs do sell on average at a gig with 100 attendees? How much merchandise? How many downloads do you sell or give away daily? What are the trends? Is the interest in certain songs waning, making it time to replace it with another? What are all of the costs, both direct (e.g. paying the band, hotel stays, gas) and indirect (e.g. voice lessons, equipment insurance), that are associated with your career? How much total income do you bring in? What is your true profit? This is the only way that you can know if you're making money, and determine ways to increase your profits.
10. Surround yourself with a reliable team of experts in the various areas of the industry. For more established acts, this includes your booking agent, manager, tour manager etc. But even if you're a solo singer/songwriter, you should still have a mentor in the industry. Someone is or has been where you want to be, and who can teach you how to get there. Utilize them not just to do things for you, but also to learn from. The more you know about every facet of your segment of the industry, the more you can direct and control your continued success.
This may seem like an awful lot of work. That's because it is. You no longer need to be the prettiest and most talented kid on the block; you also need to be the hardest working. If you're not, someone else is going to take the spot that you believed should have gone to you!
back
| top
|
