5 Things Musicians Should Outsource Today
Musicians are notorious for being control freaks, which can be great when it’s your music, and terrible when it’s your business. Bottom line? Even if you’re a genius in every area of your career, you’ll not have enough time to get everything done. Here are 5 things you should take off your plate today:
1. Booking
Even if you’re really great at selling yourself, consider handing it off to a booking agent. Agents can be the “bad guys” and demand better pay/terms, without running the risk of looking like divas. Also, they’re not as emotionally attached as you are to the gig, which means they can probably be a bit more ruthless when negotiating.
If you can’t afford a booking agent, try working out a barter system. Agents will sometimes be willing to swap skills for up and coming artists that aren’t afraid to work hard.
2. Producing
While you can now record mostly at home, getting a producer that you trust will help push your album to the next level. If you can’t afford one, try using Kickstarter to raise some cash from your fan base. A good producer will usually be able to work within what you can raise, even if it’s a little on the low side.
3. Music Videos/Photos
Unless you’re an absolute wiz at all things film and photo, hiring a legit videographer to film your videos (including live shows) and get pro photography shots will go a long way toward advancing your image.
4. Income
Who’s got time to work? I wrote a blog last week about how you can make income passively (or for very little time invested). Seriously, why wouldn’t you want to not work?
5. Finances
If you’re spending a lot of time trying to make the numbers work, it might be a good idea to get a financial advisor. A good advisor can help you get in the black (at least breaking even each month), set up a plan to save for what you want to do in the future, and give you advice on how to handle taxes. I was shocked at how inexpensive financial advisors can be (around $70 a month in Nashville).