Advice can be given two ways. One can call themselves a consultant, charge money for each meeting, and try to figure out how all this advice can be stretched out in as many meetings as possible. Or, one can listen to a person who has actually been doing the work for 20+ years, that the consultants copy, and who is happy to tell you what you need to know for free. You may think the latter guy is being altruistic, and sure, that’s somewhat true, but he may also be so burned out on seeing people kill their own careers that he’s had enough. I’m thinking by now you know where this is going.
I do know consultants use our series as an example of how to do things right, because the venues have contacted me with follow-up questions. So I’m giving you really neat-o free advice. Not because I’m a nice guy (well, I guess I am..) but because I’m sick of incompetence.
I’ve seen people do things right, and screw thing up repeatedly. This is a primer on how venues think, how they see things. This is what you need to know, because they write the checks. This isn’t your sweet Mom, telling you how great you are; it’s not your friends, telling you how cool you are. You need to know what the folks who pay you are thinking. Do it right or die. Where there’s money involved, there’s no middle ground. No interpretation. It’s black and white.
These posts are a short taste of what you need to know. There’s a lot more, but you must remember there are two halves to the creative process: The product itself, or what you think is important, the music. Then there’s the much more important use of creativity in designing your business plan so people get to experience your creativity. If you’re not creative and rock solid in your planning, then you’re actual product will never be seen or heard. If you’ve had even a modicum of success in a career, you know more about running a business than any M.B.A. right out of Harvard.
So, here you go. Free advice. It’s just a snippet of what you really need to know, but hey, this is the free. Yeah, you’re thinking you get what you pay for, but as a public service announcement for all venues, it’s worth throwing this out there. If everyone follows the advice, you’ll make the life of the venue admin a lot easier. And maybe your career last a lot longer.
Primer #1… Lesson one for new graduating
Primer #4: Using Social Media Correctly
Primer #5: Now That You’re Getting Gigs, Don’t Devalue Yourself