© 2010 Vinny Ribas
With all of the ‘don’t do this’ and ‘don’t do thats’ that we are deluged with daily regarding your career in music, it is easy to become overwhelmed. The truth is that, if you are serious about your music, you most likely do a lot of things right every day. For that you need to be applauded. Most importantly, YOU need to applaud yourself for the things you do right, no matter how small each step is! Without recognizing the good things you do every day, you can become overburdened with guilt over the things you haven’t gotten to yet!
Here are some small steps to celebrate. Add your own, based on your personal role:
- Adding a new fan to your fanbase
- Updating your online calendar(s)
- Making a call to book a gig, regardless of the result
- Booking a gig
- Making a good connection with someone from the industry online
- Attending a music industry networking meeting
- Reading this magazine and any other educational material
- Signing up for a workshop or seminar
- Attending a workshop or seminar
- Learning a new song
- Sitting down to write a song (whether you finish one or not)
- Writing a new song
- Adding to your ‘song ideas’ list
- Practicing your instrument
- Doing your vocal exercises
- Taking a lesson (voice or instrument)
- Updating your blog
- Selling a CD or EP
- Selling a digital download
- Writing/sending a newsletter
- Posting a new song online
- Making a video (even a home video)
- Posting a video
- Setting up a co-writing appointment
- Rehearsing with the band
- Co-writing
- Taking new pictures for your website
- Posting new pictures online
- Writing a new set list
- Changing the strings on your guitar
- Cleaning your instrument
- Buying new equipment
- Learning how to use your equipment better
- Pitching a song
- Making a good new contact to add to your personal network
- Friending people who really like and listen to your music
- Writing a press release
- Sending out a press release
- Putting together a hard-copy promo package
- Putting an EPK (electronic press kit) together
- Updating your EPK
- Communicating with your fans (email, chat, IM etc.)
- Posting fliers or other announcements about your next gigs
- Texting your fan base regarding your gig
- Selling merchandise
- Adding someone to your street team
- Recording a song
- Checking your supply inventory (batteries, CDs, merch, strings etc.)
- Adding a useful widget to your website or social network
- Purposely listening to music outside your genre to find new influences
As you can see, if you have a plan for your career and you are working it, you have a LOT to be happy about. But notice that I don’t suggest that you just pick 10 of these to do. That is because it is easy to fall into the trap of getting complacent doing ‘busy work’, and not doing the things that really move your career forward. Every one of the things on this list that applies to your career is equally as important as the next!
