|
Why we need left and right brain musicians.
Artists are not called "starving artists" for no reason. Looking back through the years I've performed, I've had opportunity to meet some super-talented folk. For every incredibly successful guitarist who has "made it". There are several thousand others whos performing skills are just as incredible.. who have not "made it". When I first ventured into the entertainment business, I often heard the saying, "it's not how much you know.. it's "who" you know. This could not be more true. However, we have a lot of performers who lack left-brain qualities. It is seldom that a musician whose only talent is guitar-picking is out working gigs.
To work (and actually make money), a perfomer needs to be a sales person, tenacious, thick-skinned, elbow-rubber, marketing director, advertising genius, creative, sound engineer, psychologist, energetic.., plus possess magnetism, polished performing skills, charisma, .. the list goes on an on.. But most of all, the artists needs to have some sense of business. This business sense comes from the LEFT Brain.
I know way too many musicians who have menial day gigs because they can't earn enough from performing. These are the same guys who undercut the price of every other fellow musician in order to get the gig.
Wake up guys! What are you thinking. Sometimes, I know we have to go through a bit of "haggling" process. But when you undercut everyone you eventually cut your own throat.
Think about how many hours we spend learning our instruments, songs, etc. How many thousands of hours we've put into our craft? Our time is as valuable as anyone elses. Do you think a lawyer or doctor would use the same business tactics? Heck No!
If we would stick together and at least have some baseline of pricing for our acts, the purchasers would not have an opportunity to have us perform for what we'd basically earn as a cashier at a local fast food chain.
I know of really good performers who will drive for 5 hours. Set up for 2 hours. Perform for 3 hours. Tear down for 2 hours and drive home for 5 hours. That is 17 hours of work.. And they will do this for less than a hundred bucks. What about our equipment costs? What about our wear-and-tear on our vehicles, equipment, bodies;... And speaking of bodies?? what about our health insurance, lack of benefits, and second-hand smoke we endure?
What is wrong with you guys?
I hear this all the time.. "But we're getting exposure"..
If you are in your first year of performance.. exposure is a great thing.. Go perform for FREE for exposure. Not for less than the guy doing it for a living.. When you undercut everyone, then everyone, including yourself gets screwed!
Always ask for whatever the market will bear in your area. Find out what the top musicians are earning. Never take less. It is better to turn down a few gigs that to set yourself up for financial failure.
Sabra Callas is a professional working entertainer in North Carolina. Her website is at www.sabracallas.com
|
|
