A composer wants to get more performances of her music.  So she sends off scores to a number of competitions and new music groups.  Problem is, even though her compositions are strong, so are a lot of other pieces.  Wouldn’t it be better to network with educators, performers, and ensembles who aren’t...

In this compelling video, Arlene Goldbard argues the importance of putting artists to work in order to aid the cultural and economic recovery. A provocative independent voice for our times, Arlene Goldbard is a writer, social activist, and consultant who works for justice, compassion and honor in every...

Author and marketing guru Seth Godin recently made this suggestion: Invent a Holiday...   Find an emotion that needs social approval in order to be easily expressed.  Hook it into something you sell or do.  Discover other organizations that would benefit from the holiday as much as you would.  Voila!...

“Build a better mousetrap” is the strategy adopted by most artists.  Believing that beating out the competition will lead to gigs and success, they work tirelessly to dance a little better, play a little faster, paint a little bigger.  This same tactic is applied to building a website, architecting...

Success is a common theme in my writing.  Of course, there are many types of success: landing a job, performing well, creating a great composition, mastering a technique, getting noticed, going viral, attracting web traffic, moving audiences.  Yet some artists accomplish many of these things, but...

Each day, we make decisions based on conventional wisdom: what makes a good parent, where to spend money, why education is important, how to view politics, which activities lead to happiness and success.  We are unduly influenced by sound bites that dominate the news headlines, and seek simple short-term...

Perhaps you’ve been toying with the possibility of a website, but haven’t gotten around to it yet. After all, there’s a lot going on in your life, and carving out the time necessary isn’t easy.  In the hierarchy of things, how important is this, exactly? For those hoping to thrive as a professional...

A new year, and decade nonetheless, present an optimal opportunity to reflect, re-assess, and re-calibrate our lives.  As you jump into 2010, what resolutions do you have to advance your career?  Below are 23 (my favorite number) proposed resolutions to consider. Obviously, don’t resolve...

It’s hard to believe, but here we are, at the dawn of a new decade.  Personally, the past 10 years have provided a wild and exciting ride.  During this period I got married, had a child, built friendships, travelled four continents, pursued a host of artistically fulfilling projects, got a university...

You gotta have talent. Great training can help.  Brains and vision are crucial. And do add some sizzle to the steak…   …But that’s not enough. These elements, alone, rarely work.  In fact, you’re missing the most important ingredient.  P E R S I S T E N C E We often give up far too...

Of course!  You chose the arts in order to pursue meaningful and gratifying work. Sure, paying your dues and taking on a fair share of lame gigs along the way is permissible.  You might even temporarily accept a “day job” to, you know, help out with the bills. But this is all leading somewhere....

“Would you trade four hours for $100,000?”  That’s a question I recently asked a class of musicians.  Most raised their hand.  A few wanted to know what they’d have to do.  “Nothing hard or illegal,” I assured.  Then the ante was upped.  “What about for a million dollars?”  Suddenly...

Many artists incorrectly believe that marketing is synonymous with advertising. Therefore, when trying to increase sales of a (hopefully outstanding) product or service, they focus disproportionate attention on this promotional method. Consider the following scenarios: A dance troupe wants to attract...

Many artists cdespair routinely about how hard it is to succeed in this business: Things have really dried up since the economy went south.  The phone stopped ringing.  There are 500 unsold CDs in the basement collecting dust, and the damned record label fails to advertize it adequately.  A competitor...

In Part 1 of this series, we looked at faulty assumptions that many artists make when seeking a graduate school. So, if you decide to pursue an advanced degree in the arts, what question should you ask above all others?  In my opinion, this is the most important one: How will this next degree advance...

The process of choosing the perfect graduate school can be both exhilarating and scary, as you consider the next phase of your life.  But many artists approach this challenge with a faulty set of assumptions, while failing to explore the most important question.  Assumption #1: Grad school is non-negotiable In...

It’s clear. The evidence is indisputable.  You’re a talented artist.  Really talented.  And accomplished.  You work hard, and have a top notch education.  Heck, you’re even good looking!  A prosperous life in music is nearly guaranteed, no?    Unfortunately, no.  Not by a long shot. ...

Practice that technique.  Work on craft. Draft grant proposal. Begin passion project. Be a good friend. Go to concerts. Take kids to the ballgame. Leave a legacy. Develop website. Improve skills. Read blogs. Market CD. Rewrite bio. Pay bills. Build brand. Meet spouse. Teach. Study. Network. Sleep. Think....

 Of course! You don’t have time to blog.  You don’t even have enough time to breathe, with all your practicing, art making, career promotion, life responsibilities, and the occasional social engagement.  If there’s one thing you simply can’t squeeze into the schedule, it’s maintaining a...

Most of the artists I know are highly educated.  Many have multiple degrees in their field of expertise.  Along the way, they typically work closely with several mentors who move them forward in their journey towards artistic excellence: private teachers, classroom instructors conductors, etc. Obviously...