How to Start Funding Your Music Career

How to abflug Funding Your Music CareerHow to Start Funding Your Music CareerWorking in music can mean an almost constant struggle to find the money to keep things going. Whether youre a band in need of money to tour or a label in need of cash to press some CDs, it seems like it is always something. Music geschftsleben funding is never easy, but you do have options. Before you seek outside funding sources, identify your needs. Figuring out a realistic budget for your project will help you keep everything running smoothly and will help your case when its time to start applying for loans or grants. Start your project off right with understanding your costs. Make a Business Plan If youre going to apply for a small business loan or a grant from an arts council or another funding body, youre going to need a business plan. Even if youre planning on financing your music project with your own credit cards, writing a business plan forces you to think about the potential of your project an d how you can make it happen. Your business plan should include an overview of the project, details about the market and information about similar businesses. You need to be able to demonstrate some knowledge about your customer base/audience as well. Know what your costs will be, and be able to estimate the projected return on the funders investment. Have at least an outline of a marketing plan, and clearly state your qualifications and credentials (i.e. experience in the biz, or formal training and schooling). Find and Approach Your Sources After youve identified the people most likely fund you, its time to start making your pitch. One thing you should keep in mind here is that while youre trying to ?work in the music business, which can be a bit more laid back and casual than a traditional industry, the people whose money you want will also want to see some business sense. Be professional and give the impression that you are capable of pulling off your proposed venture. Ge t Ready for the Long Haul Getting funding for any business can be tough, but the creative industries are particularly difficult and highly competitive. Finding money can take a long time, and you may have to apply for money from several sources to fund one music project. When youre planning your project, make sure to build in plenty of time to tap into the right funding sources. And dont be wary of reapplying for grants or programs youve been rejected for previously you can learn from your failures. The second or third time is often the charm. Look for the Right Funding Source When you want to get your project off the ground, it can be tempting to take an Ill worry about that later attitude towards loans and debts you are racking up. If you spend unwisely at the beginning, you wont have anything left to make sure your project gets the push it needs overthe long term. High-interest loans and credit cards might seem like a fast and easy way to get things rolling, but they should be your last resort. If you have to take on some debt, take the time to make sure it will be manageable enough to let you pay it off and keep your project going. Get Help When You Need It Even where there are no nice arts councils or arts grant sources, there usually are groups to help small businesses get their stuff together. If you need help writing a business plan or coming up with a budget, do a quick internet search for small business assistance groups in your area. You may be able to get free (or very cheap) assistance in putting together a professional proposal that will help you get the cash you need. Do Your Homework Make sure you thoroughly understand your market and what you are getting into. Just because youre a music fan and read a lot of music magazines doesnt mean you really know how the business side of music works. If you dont have any specific experience in the part of the music industry you want to get into, investigate before you take the plunge. Seek ou t other people who are doing what you want to do and get their input so you have a clearer picture of whats required and who your customers will be.

What to Do With Your Free Time - The Muse

What to Do With Your Free Time - The MuseWhat to Do With Your Free Time After weeks of working late, running on little sleep (and a lot of caffeine), and getting through your very long list of to-dos, youve finally stumbled upon some free time.The big question What do you do with it? Catch up on your favorite shows (Veep anyone)? Go out for a nice meal? Take a long, well-deserved nap? Start working on that proposal coming up in a few weeks?Wait, what? Yes, free time implies freedom from work- so why would anyone do more of it?Doesnt it feel really good sometimes to get ahead when we have an hour or two to spare? Theres really nothing wrong with it, plus it usually means more free time later on (and less work-until-you-fall-asleep weeks). With that said, theres also nothing wrong with turning off your computer and leaving the office at 6 PM sharp. Choices, choices.When faced with the ultimate dilemma of tackling another set of assignments or turning it in for the day, heres what you s hould considerYou Should Enjoy it if Your Schedule Looks Clear for the Next Few WeeksThe most important thing to do when youve been stressed for a long period of time is to release it. When it comes to making tomorrow slightly more relaxing, Muse Career Coach Dr. Suzanne Gelb says Tonight, after work, make time to do whatever you need to do to release pent-up emotions in a safe way. Run. Journal. Punch a punching bag or a pillow. Hurl paint on a canvas. Sing at the top of your lungs. These little things are worthy of your free time.But Get Ahead if Your Next Weeks Just as PackedConsider what lies ahead of you Is next week better or worse? If you know youre going to be overwhelmed again soon, it could be helpful to take some time (not all of your time) to tackle some upcoming tasks. And yes, picking the easier choices is allowed- such as outlining an upcoming presentation, making a to-do list for a big project you need to tackle, or even just emailing the right people to set up meeti ng times. You Should Enjoy it if You Powered Through an Incredible Amount of WorkEvery strong effort comes with a reward- thats something I shouldnt have to tell you. You worked hard, so you deserve to leave the office on time today or start your day on a more leisurely musiknote tomorrow.But Get Ahead if You Didnt Accomplish MuchYou completed everything thats due today, so yes, you technically have free time. But truth be told, you didnt work your brain too hard, and when you look at the completed assignments, youre not all that impressed with yourself. Maybe none of your upcoming assignments are urgent, but they may also still be important enough to start tackling now- and because they dont need to be finished immediately, you have the option to take your sweet time.You Should Enjoy it if Youre ExhaustedIts obvious that nothing gets done- or gets done well- when youre tired. So, when the opportunity to relax arises, its best to use it to recharge your battery. Go home, eat a lazy dinner in front of the TV (or a book), and treat yourself to an early bedtime. But Get Ahead if You Have a Lot of EnergyOn the other hand, if you find yourself still buzzing with energy even after everythings complete, you might as well take advantage of the rush and see if theres any upcoming assignments youre interested in working on- at least until you come down from the high.You Should Enjoy it if Youre in Good StandingIf youve accomplished everything that was asked of you (with grace and poise, of course), then sure, you deserve to spend your free time slacking off just a bit.But Get Ahead if You Want to Move UpHowever, this could also be a great opportunity to prove yourself if youre looking to move up. When you have the drive, consider using your free time to help out a fellow employee, or take on an assignment to relieve your boss of extra work, or turn in a project extra early. These little efforts could come in handy when you go to ask for a promotion or a raise.You Should Enjoy it if You Have PlansFree time is a great thing if you have something youve been meaning to do, whether its go for a much-needed run, grab dinner with a friend you havent seen in a while, or go to the movies. But Get Ahead if Youre BoredThere will be times when you probably have the time to do something and nothing to do. For example, your free time might not coincide with other peoples, so even though youre down for a spontaneous drink, all your friends could be at work, leaving you to entertain yourself. In this case, it might be worth your while to keep yourself busy by getting some work done- even if its more mindless activities such as catching up on emails or setting your calendar for the week.At the end of the day, your free time is yours, meaning you get to make the final call as to whether or not you use it for work or pleasure. Keep in mind when it makes sense for you to get ahead, and when it makes sense to simply relax. No one wants you to become a workaholic, most of all your future self.

How to Turn Your Transferable Skills into Job Opportunities

How to Turn Yur Transferable Skills into Job OpportunitiesHow to Turn Your Transferable Skills into Job Opportunities2Most people have heard of transferable skills. Some people actually know what they are. Very few people actually know which ones they have and how to use them. Perhaps you have brushed them off as unimportant or a waste of time. Perhaps you think you have enough relevant skills that you dont need them.If you fall in the majority, then you are missing out Even the fruchtwein qualified individuals can benefit from knowing and leveraging transferable skills. After all, it could mean the difference between getting an offer and getting a thank you for your interest, we will keep your application on file letter.What are transferable skills?Most people assume that soft skills and transferable skills are the same. This is incorrect. Soft skills can be transferable skills, but not all transferable skills are soft skills. According to the Google definition, soft skills are pers onal attributes that enable someone to interact effectively and harmoniously with other people.Transferable skills are skills that can be applied in various situations.We build our skills every day, sometimes doing what seems to be very ordinary activities. From brushing our teeth to finding a cure for cancer, there are skills required to complete the task well.In order to convince someone to hire us to complete a job, they need confidence that we can do the job and do it well. If we have never done that particular job before, they need confidence that we understand the skills required and they want examples that we have demonstrated those skills at least in other applications.This is where the skills that we have used in the other jobs or areas of our life come into play. If they are relevant and enable you to do the job at hand, then they are transferable.Dont let the word relevant prevent you from considering skills used in your personal or volunteer life. Does it really matter w here you used or developed the skill? No What truly matters is that you now have the skill and that it applies to the endeavor at hand.What are my transferable skills?There are exercises available that will help you identify your skill set. However, the best time to identify your transferable skills is when you are using them. Trying to recall past examples is a great way to feel frustrated and come up empty handed. Just think about those pesky, Give me a time when interview questions.As you move forward, start paying attention to the skills that you are using or developing in every part of your life at home, while commuting, at the gym, during your childrens activities, with your ailing parents, outdoors, at your distributions-mix of worship, while at play, and of course, at your job. Think about how your activities are equipping you to do something else great tomorrow.How can I turn them into job opportunities?The job market is highly competitive. If you are anything but an employ ers idea of a perfect candidate, you will likely receive the infamous notice, Thank you for your application, we have selected another candidate for the position. That is, if you get any notice at all.If you are like most people, you do not have the perfect track record that gets employers excited. Perhaps you have a few short work experiences, a paid work gap, a wavy career trajectory, or are in the middle of a major career transition. This is where transferable skills can build up your qualifications. If you properly address your qualifications (ability to do the job), then those other issues can quickly become non-issues.Transferable skills can also help those candidates looking to stand out from the crowd.Employers are not only interested in whether or not you can do the job at hand, they are also interested in your future contributions to the company. If they see your skill set as adaptable and transferable, then they can envision you in other roles as well. They can see a futu re for you in their company.Translating is keyAfter identifying their transferable skills, the challenge that most people run into is phrasing. It is extremely difficult to translate examples that are non-obvious into professional language so that the employer accepts the example as valuable and relevant.Example of Transferable Skills TranslationAs a parent you might make your own baby food that is higher in nutrients than the store options. You did a lot of research and tested a variety of methods before finding the best way to cook, pack, store, and feed it to your baby. This is actually a very applicable skill used in a variety of workplace applications. Perhaps you want to apply to a developer position within a makeup manufacturing company. Your could communicate your baby food making skills in the following way Created new manufacturing, packaging, storing, and delivery method that increased key nutrient 150 percent while reducing contamination 25 percent and waste 15 percent.T his example is in the language appropriate for the industry and position, captures key skills needed for this position, and has quantified results. This is an example that would be hard to refute.Now that you are ready to start identifying your transferable skills, your next challenge lies in communicating them in a professional way. Best of luckReaders, have a great example of how youve used transferable skills in your job search? Share it in the comments sectionMichelle Aikman is the founder and lead consultant of Skilled Assets, a premierminister career management and corporate consulting business. Shes also one of only 38 Nationally Certified Rsum Writers worldwide. The NCRW is the premier industry certification upholding the most stringent standards for quality in mechanics, strategy, and formatting. With extensive in-the-trenches experience navigating the job market as a military spouse and engineer, she is an advocate for the military community and people with complex situati ons like major career changers and people with paid work gaps. Michelle promotes proactive career management and strategic career transition techniques so people can have the type of work that is truly fulfilling and fits with their life. She also works to transform the hiring market, helping employers recognize, capture, and retain high-value talent who are often overlooked for all of the wrong reasons. Find Michelle on Twitter and LinkedIn.