Rock Starve to Rock Star

So often I see songwriters, artists and musicians who feel that they need to struggle to succeed. "I quit my job so I could devote myself and my time to my work". We won't work "real" jobs because they are too confining. Unfortunately what often happens is we also won't spend the money that it often takes to do things professionally because the dough just isn't there.
I hate to see CD artwork with a "really cool photo that my uncle took", a two page insert with minimal info in a 6 point font that you need a microscope to read with, A Host Baby website with one picture, 5 songs and a couple of videos from the last two gigs at a club where you can't hear the music but you can hear the guy talking next to the "cameraman" and it's so dark you're not sure what you're watching... not to mention the camera operator (your dad) is moving the camera around so much you start to feel like your on the Colossus roller coaster at Magic Mountain (barf bag please).
Look, we all know times are tough. So cut back on the things that make sense and don't cut back on the things that can hurt you. Your CD, your website, your music ... these are your business cards. First impressions matter. Make sure you "dress for success". Make sure your package looks great. It doesn't have to be done in suede. But make sure it pops. Make sure your website impresses. Your music is well recorded. You can do things on the cheap. Keep it simple and clean. Just be wise on how your spend what you have. Rehearse before you record. Time is money, don't waste studio time getting organized. Use budgets before hand. Map things out. You can build some great websites from blog sites these days. Take the time to learn some of the technology. and a strong word of advice...Never upload crappy video of you or your band. That can be worse than no video at all. This stuff lives on and on.
Value is perceived. Create the value your fans and the gatekeepers care about. BTW...It always frustrates me when I see companies and artists cut back on marketing first when the money is thin. Cut other things first. Marketing is what brings you business. Get creative. find the things you can live without. You don't need to starve to succeed. No one wants to sign an emaciated artist anyways!

No is the Status Quo

No is the Status Quo but Yes is the Wild Wild West!

In comedy improvisation, one of the first rules is NEVER SAY NO (although the rule applies to musical improvisation and any other form of improv as well). The idea being that when you say no you can't move forward. You're stuck in the status quo. We all do a pretty good job of saying no to things. Why? Because no doesn't change anything in our world. Saying yes however, requires thought, energy, change and that ugly fear of the unknown. However, when we say yes to things, the possibilities are endless. When we say no we can remain in our little comfort zone. Even if that comfort zone makes us miserable. It's the reason people stay in bad relationships, bad jobs, and bad situations. The devil you know vs. the devil you don't know... right? Well the truth is you'll never know unless you try. There's a great line from a Tom Waits song called New Coat of Paint "...Fishin' for a good time starts with throwin' in your line". So the next time you find yourself on the quick draw to a no. Pause ... give it a second thought and at least go with a maybe...OR...cast your fate to the wind, enter the Wild Wild West and say YES!