On Episode #5 of the Music Marketing [dot] Podcast, musician Shannon Kennedy asked about finding a balance between working on music and doing the business tasks that need to be done to grow your career.
Since then, she has posted her thoughts on Balancing the Business and Creative Aspects of Music as well as designed a free music business planner to help you get clear on your music business goals and start taking action.
In my book, Six-Figure Musician, I talk about the importance of getting clear on your goals. Without clarity, you could end up anywhere. Only when you know what you want can you go after it.
I love Shannon's music business goal planner because of its ability to help you break down large goals into small steps which are more easily managed. This won't take long, maybe an hour or two if you're not already clear on your goals, and will save you hundreds (if not thousands) of future hours by getting you focused.
Want to attain your goals in the quickest way possible? That's where very specific, consistent action comes in...
Get a spiral notebook and write down three "action steps" for each goal that you will take today. Then do the same thing tomorrow and every day.
For example, if one of your goals is "Play 100 gigs this year," every day, write down three action steps that will help you to do this. It will look something like this...
- Call 3 booking guys and talk about gig opportunities.
- Make contact with 3 bands about opening gigs.
- Call 3 people (club owners, managers, bookers, fans) from past gigs to get testimonials for booking video.
NOTE: See Six-Figure Musician for more information about putting together a booking video and how it will help you to get more gigs.
Writing down three action steps for each of your goals on a daily basis will keep your focused on your goals and make the most of your time and energy with activities that are focused on results.
Do it!