THE CHECKLIST OF ROUTINE

All too often it seems that artists and those helping them, spend too much time getting asphyxiated on the adrenaline of the creative process or performing and forget about the 90% of the rest of what it takes to build a sustained career.

Why is this?

Most artists are "creative" types who reject order and organization. They just flow with the emotion and soul of being the artist. They hire other people to manage the boring stuff. They just want to create and be appreciated for their creations.

Some of the most successful artists with sustained careers finally figured out that "business" is what sustains your career more than the simple passion of creativity. Don't get me wrong, good music is good music. Bad music will eventually kill a career. So it is very important to manage that part closely. But the statistics are that there are 10's of thousands of artists who can make good or even great music. So something isn't right. Most artists believe that if so-and-so record label will just sign us then... or if I could just get my song on the radio then...

Sadly, it's been proven with fact that a huge majority of amazingly talented artists will never get a lifelong career from music simply because they haven't developed a routine of handling their own career. Artists really need to look at the checklist below to understand how to develop routines that will serve them well in the long-run of their music goals. It will be obvious that some areas aren't within their personal ability to manage, but it doesn't mean they shouldn't find a way to make sure it's being handled at some level of efficiency and accuracy.

I gave this list to one family that had a young artist they were working with and told them to do their best to let it guide their routines each day. Obviously, some things are beyond the intellectual capacity of young people to handle at their age and adults need to be involved. But it's never too early to have them take ownership of understanding the routine and how it will help them become successful.

This may seem very business-like, but it's because the artist is a start-up business just like any other small business trying to get bigger.

LEGAL

• Liablity
• Insurance
• Contract Negotiations
• Brand/Image Protection
• Asset Protection
• Estate Planning

FINANCIAL

• Revenue Streams
• Royalties
• Merchandising
• Licensing
• Live Performances
• Songwriting
• Endorsements

EXPENSES

• Travel / Touring
• Music Creation
• Marketing / Promotion
• Wardrobe / Appearance
• Artist Development
• Accountant / Financial Planner
• Financing / Funding
• Legal Counsel
• Security Staff
• Business Manager
• Publicist / P.R. Firm

OPERATIONS

• Artist Management
• Coordination of Schedule
• Liaison for Business Affairs
• Primary Contact for Artist
• Marketing / P.R.
• Develop/Maintain Brand
• Liaison for Media / Interviews
• Develop/Maintain Promotion
• Marketing Materials Creation
• Develop/Maintain Airplay
• Music Creation
• Songwriting
• Musicians / Band Development
• Studio Work
• Collaborations
• Merchandising
• Develop Brand Merchandise
• Establish Distribution
• Live Performances
• Local Venues
• Festivals
• Touring
• TV/Radio
• Online Streaming

TRAINING

• Vocal Coaching
• Instrument Coaching
• Vocal/Instrument Practice
• Dance / Movement Training
• Diet / Exercise
• Stage/Performance Training
• Rehearsals
• Expanding Music Catalog
• Acting / Public Speaking Lessons

CAREER LIFESTYLE

• Pro Image
• Physical Appearance
• Brand Image
• Expectations
• Public Appearances
• Live Performances
• Creating More/New Music
• Training / Practice
• Industry Networking Events
• Fan Interaction
• Maintain Personal Life (free time, family, etc)
• Working Hours/Time Commitment

RELATIONSHIPS

• Family / Friends
• Media Relations
• Fan Relations
• Industry Relations
• Team Relations (Business, Musicians, Staff, etc.)
• Core Mentors

PERSONAL LIFESTYLE

• Family Time
• Social Friend Time
• Spiritual Health / Growth
• Hobbies Outside Music
• Regular Rest and Separation From Music

So obviously these "routines" within the life of an artist can seem overwhelming, but it's something that the artist needs to really grasp regarding the entirety of their career. It's a very similar reality athletes go through at the college and professional levels. A lot schools and pro teams spend considerable resources helping the athlete understand life in the career other than on the field. They must grasp the routines expected of them in order to have the most possible success. Without having an understanding of these routines, they will either burn out or have a hard time "loving" what they thought they were getting into.

Record labels, for example, often interview potential roster artists and ask questions about life outside their music performances or the studio. A record label is more interested in knowing if they are investing in a hard-working and smart artist that has routines and works them than they are about a certain sound they may have at the time. Consumers tend to like flavors and then get bored. A label is interested in the long-term picture of an artist they invest in. And that long-term has a lot to do with whether the artist is "living" the artist lifestyle.

In future posts, I'll be taking each of these ROUTINES under a microscope and hopefully help you understand strategies to achieve them.