As young musicians begin to develop their careers, they often wonder how to decide which gigs to take on. The advice from many professional musicians I know–including many of the alumni who have spoken at my class at Yale–is to consider how well an opportunity satisfies the following 3 criteria and to choose gigs that give you 2 out of 3: …
How to turn dreams of success into reality: Convert your long-term intentions into daily actions
Read the experience of a conservatory student who turned his 20-year vision of success into manageable weekly action steps. This is how dreams become a reality: by taking your vision and breaking them into small actions that bit by bit will get you to your goal!
The Principles of Effective and Effortless Networking
Networking is one of the best ways to advance your career. In my experience, it can make the difference between “good” and “great”. Yet, for many people, networking is a terrifying experience. Common objections include:
- I do not like to make “small talk.”
- I can’t possibly introduce myself to strangers.
- Why would some famous person want to talk to me?
- I hate selling.
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Personal Branding for Musicians and Artists – Using Your Unique Gifts to Connect With Your Audience
One of the most important tools for advancing a career in the creative world is the use of a personal brand. Once the domain strictly of commercial enterprises, the principles of branding are now used successfully by individuals who want to clearly communicate why they are the best person to provide a service to the audiences they want to reach. The same principles that have made Steinway “the finest pianos in the world” and Nike products for athletes who “just do it” can be applied to musicians and artists who want to distinguish themselves from their peers.