MUSICALLY INCLINED
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Yeah, ya’ll, this is your girl Mokah Dimes. It’s time to get down to business. Everybody wants to be a star, but they don’t know half of what they need to know to survive in the world of music. Even though you’re an artist, you need to equip yourself with business knowledge, because if you get caught sleeping you might end up broke even if your album sells. Let me share a few words of advice from Bob Baker, a music industry expert.
Rule #1 – You Are What You Think.
Remember, if you tell yourself something often enough, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy. The key is to program yourself for success. Stop thinking and uttering thoughts of limitation and deficiency. Start getting your mind attuned to thoughts of boundless possibilities and abundance — and watch what sort of rewards come your way! Many of us are so used to thinking in these negative terms, it’s difficult to shift into positive gear and stay there. A great mental technique to reprogram your thoughts is the use of daily affirmations, which remind you of your goals and keep you focused on achieving them. Affirmations are basically specific statements that spell out what you want to obtain and when you want to obtain it. They should also be read aloud every day and worded in the present tense.
Rule #2 - You Get What You Want When You Help Other People Get What They Want.
I truly believe that a lot of people don’t become successful or make much money because they consider themselves to be in the money taking business. Their only concern is what they have to do to take someone’s money away from them. The thing that drives these poor creatures is the prospect of jumping on what’s going to make the fastest buck, regardless of what it is. But I pity them, and so should you, because they’ll never know the joys of being in the full-time giving business. Being a success in the field of musical giving means that the product or service you specialize in adds real value to the lives of the people who become your customers. Of course, the thing that makes you happiest is being directly involved in an area of the music business for which you have a burning desire and passion. But the aspect that will make you rich (and even happier) is making sure your customers feel that what they get from you is worth more than the money they have to give up. For instance, a successful club band gives its fans a good time and the bar owner a packed house. A photographer gives his client a hot, new image. A music teacher gives her students the ability to make music and impress friends. Are you getting the picture? In other words, make sure you have a firm grasp on what it is that the people who pay you get out of dealing with you. Once you know what that is, you’ll know how to promote your special area of the music business and how to make sure your customers keep coming back for more, while referring you to others. The bottom line is this: Concentrate on what you’re giving to the people who send money your way. If you continue to give what they want and need, you won’t have to worry about taking anyone’s money. It will take care of itself.
Rule #3 - Develop an Attitude That Allows You to Make Money and Have Fun While Doing It.
What would happen if your goal was to make money and have fun while doing it? Wouldn’t that put the whole subject of money in a more positive light? Of course. The problem is that many of us are so used to dealing with money in stressful situations. The rent is due, it’s time for the equipment payment, how are you ever going to scrape together the cash to get the van fixed?! For many of us, making money is associated more with scrambling under painful circumstances--not fun! No wonder people become so cynical about it. I can hear you now: "What are you talking about, Baker? Making money isn’t supposed to be fun, it’s something you do because you have to!" Well, I say that’s nonsense! Making money should be fun, creating music should be fun, just as life itself should be fun. And don’t let anyone--including yourself--tell you different. Right now is the best time to get started on your money-making career in music! Keep your mind open and your aim high. There’s no reason why you can’t turn that million dollar musical idea into reality... starting today!
I hope you will take this expert’s advice, because you have to believe in yourself before anyone else will. You can email me any questions you might have about the business aspects of the music industry, and I’ll respond in one of the upcoming issues! Special delivery from Chocolate City Voice!