Since my involvement started in the Unsigned Band Music scene, i have always ranted on about how Band’s would generate more success if they managed their Band’s more like a Business. Since then a fair few industry professionals have followed my quotes and agreed with me. Plumbers do plumbing, Musicians make Music but both are Business Industries. I’m not going to sit here and say that running your Music career more like a Business is going to turn you into Richard Branson over night, or make his fortune. I’m thinking more along the attitude that you gain when running a Business, treating your Music Career as like you were trying to get your first customer. This means being more organized, more professional, more reliable and turning your Band into more of a brand.

Organization
As a promoter i have pulled out many hairs over the years with the lack of organization from Bands. No email replies, not answering the phone, turning up late to Gigs etc. I really have seen it all. Make sure that all your contacts are organized, you pick up the phone when it rings and all your emails are up to date. You have to remember that most promoters, venues, door staff, sound engineers all have a job to do and all do it to earn a living and so should you. Work together, keep communicating and turn up on time, if you don’t would they book you again? Gig’s is just an example, don’t forget the other areas that these ethics can be applied to.

Professionalism
Loose the attitude, i once had a Band turn up wearing ridiculous sun glasses, a cocky attitude and used bad language. The Rock star lifestyle is well and truly in the past. Be professional, your there to perform your Music not to be funny. Keep Drinking to a minimum, drugs are a no no and be polite. Do your job, entertain and your in for a good response.

Reliability
I don’t need to tell you how to be reliable, come on it’s common sense!

From Band to Brand
Sit back and think of your Band as a product on a shelf. What attracts people to look at you? What makes people decide they want to buy you? Do you tick without any back fires or rattles? Are you a quality product? Are you recognizable? is your logo unique? is your name easy to remember?

All these things are basic steps to becoming more Business minded about your Music, after all the shop that sells you Guitar strings is a Business and the sound equipment you use was paid for (another business). The music industry is just one big Business, so don’t be scared to follow suit.

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