September

Making Yourself Successful

Posted In: Career Building, Uncategorized by claybutlermusic

Success is nebulous.

It’s hard to define, because it means so many different things to so many different people. At the end of the day, your personal goals determine your success. For some, success is wealth or power. For others, success can be a modest, happy living doing what he/she loves. There is no single path to success.

I find myself, from time to time, feeling unsuccessful. I end up search for some measuring stick to determine my level of success. Oftentimes, that measuring stick is my peer group. Seriously, if you ever want a self-esteem killer, look at your friends (especially those who do what you do) who seem to be “more successful” than you. I do that, and if it doesn’t motivate me, it makes me feel like a failure.

Still, there’s an inherent problem: I haven’t truly defined what success means to me. When I begin to view success through my own lens, instead of through the lens of others, I begin to put things in perspective.

So, how do we measure our own success?

Determine what’s most important to you. Is your feeling of worth based on status symbols or personal happiness? Moral debate aside, there is no wrong answer, IF that’s what you want out of life.
Clearly define what you want to accomplish. The race with no finish line cannot be won. So, set goals for yourself in writing.
Set a plan of action to reach your goals. You can’t eat the elephant all at once, but you can take one bite at a time.
Keep your efforts visible. As you complete the steps to achieve your goal, leave your list as a reminder of how far you’ve come. The more you see that you’ve accomplished, the more motivated you will be to complete your tasks and goals.
Surround yourself with a support team. Attempting to do everything on your own will simply lead to burn-out, and it’s a sure way to keep yourself from reaching your objectives quickly. Place yourself amongst people you can trust who want to see you succeed. However, be careful of the flatterers, the “yes men” who are afraid to confront you with the hard truths in a loving way.
Refocus and regroup. It’s vitally important to periodically take time to reassess your direction. Have you strayed from your path? Have your desires or priorities changed? Do you need to realign your plans and goals? It’s ok to modify things, but you must all ways refer back to step one throughout the process.
Ramp up your intensity. As you draw closer to your goals, don’t begin to coast. Keep pushing until you’re where you want to be. Stay on your path, not anyone else’s.
Reflect. Look back on where you’ve been. Are you pleased? If so, then chances are, you’re successful!

Best of luck with your success, however you choose to define it!

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January

25

My 50th on My 30th

Posted In: Band Management, Career Building, For Businesses, For Educators, For Worship, Marketing & Promotion, Music Theory, Recording, Uncategorized by claybutlermusic

Today marks two milestones. First, I turn 30 today. Second, it’s our 50th blog post!

I don’t really feel like I’m “in my thirties”. Looking back, I did achieve one of my major goals of owning my own business and working for myself while still in my twenties. I’m so blessed that I get to do what I love–making music–for a living (sometimes in my pajamas). I like being able to say that I’m an author, musician, and an entrepreneur. More than that, I love being able to help others down that same path with the MusicIsMyBiz blog, classes, seminars, and books. Life is good.

So, this marks our 50th blog post! It’s been my goal to create a place where aspiring musicians can go for information about the music business. It’s a place where teachers and business owners can learn how to use audio to improve their productivity and achieve their goals. It’s a place where churches and ministries can learn how go grow, improve, and protect themselves when it comes to music and multimedia. If you use music or audio in day-to-day activities, then MusicIsMyBiz is designed for YOU.

It’s my desire that you succeed. That’s why I’m unveiling our new book on MusicIsMyBiz.com on such a day as today. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to record and produce your own music, then I’ve put together the beginner’s guide, Recording Basics: A Beginner’s Guide to Producing Music. We’ll cover all the necessary information to get you started producing and recording music for yourself or for others.

Basic Acoustics
Digital Audio
Common Studio Equipment
Microphone Techniques
Recording Common Instruments
Microphone Types
Microphone Placement Techniques
Tracking a Live Band
Mixing Guidelines
Thinking Like a Producer
Chord Charts and Song Matrices
Musical Arranging
Audio Editing Principles
Introduction to the Mastering Process
Plus lots more…

As a bonus, you’ll receive the guide Home Recording Savvy: Tricks to Tracking Great Sounds at Home. Let’s face it, many times we can’t afford the luxury of a professional recording studio, especially when starting out. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t get great sounds, even if you’re recording at home. With this additional guide, you will learn great tips and techniques that you can apply in the home recording environment.

If you’re a budding songwriter who wants to make your own demos, or if you’re an aspiring producer who wants to work with other artists, then this book is for you. Check it out. If you don’t think the information you learn from reading this book helps to make your recording skills better, then let me know within 30 days, and I’ll give you a refund. You’ve really got nothing to lose.

Recording Basics Ebook

$19.95 Blog readers, receive a $5.00 DISCOUNT by entering the Discount Code MIMB.

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December

23

Career Resolutions for a New Year

Posted In: Career Building, Marketing & Promotion, Uncategorized by claybutlermusic

What are your resolutions for the new year? With the close of another year comes new resolve for the next. It’s a time to take stock of the year’s successes and failures–an oft painful time–and plans to grow and prosper in the coming year. This time is critical for those of us who are in business for ourselves. Whether you’re already self-employed, just getting started, or considering starting your own business, resolutions should be a daily occurrence, not just once a year.

We all know that New Year’s Resolutions don’t stick. By the end of January, they’re practically forgotten. You’ve heard me say before, “do one thing every day to further your career.” Similarly, if you have ONLY ONE resolution this year, make it this: Find new resolve DAILY! This is my new motivation moving forward.

With that mantra in mind, here are some of my goals. Hopefully the will inspire you or give you new ideas for 2010.

Find new resolve every day.
Do at least one thing each day to further my musical career.
Find ways more opportunities to create residual, passive income.
Significantly expand my catalog of intellectual property.
Build more relationships with meaningful industry contacts.
Build relationships with related services outside my specialty.
Find new ways to increase productivity.

These are just a few of the goals that have been on the top of my list for 2010. What are your goals and resolutions for the new year? Comment and let us know.

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year to you all!

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