Business Thoughts for Creative Minds

Focusing on the financial aspects of the entertainment business this month, I found an article that proves very helpful for anyone considering starting their own creative business. Personally, I plan on being a freelance service provider, so Bob Koch's, "The Business of Creative Services" had valuable information for me to keep in mind.

Koch mentioned sales as being one of the more important aspects of entrepreneurship. I've told many people before, as well as wrote in this blog, about the differences and sometimes complications of people in the entertainment business that are strictly of creative skill, and those that are strictly of technical skill. It's not often mentioned in trade publications the business-minded individual. You want to sell your service to as many people as you can, which may be more difficult if you're your own business and trying to beat the well-established, go-to guys out in the business. I cannot emphasize the importance of networking enough in the entertainment industry. Koch suggests you, "evaluate the client roster on a regular basis. Provide attention to solid clients both in production as wells between project. And consider parting ways with high maintenance, low-margin clients." Once you get yourself out there, it's just as important to maintain contact with these people in your industry so they don't forget about you. To make sure you're not being taken advantage of, cutting that high-maintenance, low-margin client will only benefit your profits…and your stress level. 

Julian Treasure's Study on How Sound Affects Us

Something interesting I came across this week was a TED speech given by Julian Treasure entitled, "The 4 Ways Sound Affects Us." Currently studying business storytelling and brands, I was greatly surprised to find this talk that truly tied in my interest of music with business branding. Julian makes an effort to describe to the audience how any sound affects us and how branders should use that information if they're making a commercial tone.

The RIAA's Effect on Film Music

The Recording Industry Association of America, RIAA for short, is probably the most popular association amongst the audio industry. Even those entering the audio post field for TV/Film are often members and keep in touch with other leaders in their audio fields to collaborate, network, promote, or even meet up at events and conferences around the country. It's a fantastic way for these professionals, and even students, to share their ideas and keep up with current happenings through long distances or short. Mostly, however, the members are labels and songwriters or composers who are marketing and distributing their works and want to do it legally in order to obtain royalties instead of being ripped off by piracy. That's right, downloaders and rippers...you're not hurting the "rich artist" in most cases, it's the behind-the-scenes guy (or gal) who is trying to get the royalties earned for their creative genius! Show them you appreciate the amazing, aural masterpiece gracing your eardrums by pitching in that few 99 cents.