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Photograph by Greg K. Porter |
Flutists Flutists!!!!!!
Welcome to Elegant Flute Sounds Hot Topic page. I will feature a topic per month, which will enhance your music performance career. I believe as flute performers we need to be educated about music business ethics and understand that our music career is a business venture.
Every month read each hot topic and get motivated, because you are the flute performer and teacher of the 21st Century.
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It’s time for flute performers and teachers to think of their music services as a business. If you look around, every business that provides products and services are look at from a consumers’ eye as a business. One must think seriously about how they want to be perceived by their clients. The clients who are seeking a musician or ensemble are looking for value, professionalism, elegance, and business sense when handling event planning and contracts.
Flutists we are trained in music conservatories and music schools to have great intonation and techniques, however, we are partially or not at all taught about music business. My experience after graduating with a Master in Music (Flute Performance) I took control to research about the music business and how to incorporate my talents as a business.
I began traveling to booking and music business conferences: Midem (Cannes, France) and National Flute Association Flute Convention. Attending such events had open my eyes to many music opportunities on a national and international business platform. Attending these events can help you network with other music professionals and perform at events that are related to what you do in music. There are so many avenues where music is used from performing, recording licensing, music composing, music publishing and the list keeps getting longer. The book I recommend is author Jeri Goldstein: “How to Be Your Own Booking Agent.” This book is a wealth of information and it will open your mind to how to position yourself as a classical musician
Career Plan Exercise:
- List all your desires you want to achieve. List!!! List!!! List!!!!
- Ex. Head shots, performance dates, record, learn a repertoire, own your teaching studio, tour, travel internationally and etc….
- The first year: List the top three important goals from step one.
- List goals
- Organize each goal to be executed by setting deadlines from start to finish.
- You must be motivated, driven and persevere no matter your obstacles.
- The second and third year is getting serious, such as the organization of you music business venture. IMPORTANT!!!!! This section can also start while planning your first year goals.
- Should your business be a not-for-profit, S Corp, C Corp or Sole Proprietor? This will call for a tax accountant or lawyer. The purpose for incorporating your business is limited liability and tax advantages.
- Filing your business with the Business Registration/Assume Names in your county where you live. You’ll need this documentation when you open a business account with a bank.
- Stationary for your business, shows professionalism. The stationary should be matching business cards, envelopes, letterhead, website and etc…. You will be the Diva and Man of Flute Performance Business!!!!!
- The second and third year goals are materializing and coming to reality. I would like to make an important note to flute performers, when hiring other musicians to perform with you for an event. I would recommend every flutist to have an etiquette policy, this will show every musicians who’s hired by you to know how to present themselves under your company during an event. This etiquette policy will be discussed in October’s Issue, along with marketing topics.
- The fourth and fifth year goals are consistent and presented in a professional matter. These goals are shared talents to the world either by:
- Performing nationally or internationally
- Selling CD’s at concerts
- Music downloads (I-tunes, CD Baby etc…)
- Website (Internet)
- TV and Commercial Music Production
- Where ever your goals may lead you!!!!!
Special Note: Now you have the basics of starting a music business. Flutist, you must know that everyone don’t know about your music services. One must MARKET!!!! MARKET!!!! MARKET!!!!! Tell everyone your family, friends, next door neighbor, favorite shops, music presenters and where ever music is needed.
I’ll see you next month and when I talk about Etiquette Policy and Marketing!!!!!
Contact me on what topics you want to read about.
Valerie M. Smith: eflutesounds@hotmail.com
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