This past week I was at a going away party for a wonderful singer. She has worked hard and trained each week for years and finally has gotten a big break. I am thrilled for her.

At the party I met another singer who approached me. She wondered how I built my  successful business. She said she was struggling. Nobody was booking her sessions, she was going to auditions for shows and people told her they wanted someone else, another type of voice, another "look."  She has already done so much. She has songs prepared, a great resume, performance experience and yet no work. Why?

My mom used to tell me when I was a kid, money doesn't grow on trees. Now I am older and say often to myself  the same thing.   

Money doesn't grow on trees,  

nor do jobs.

 Many people think that successful creatives are either lucky or married to a millionaire with a few zillions in the bank and a house on the Bahamas. Nothing could be further from the truth. Being a successful creative is a mixture of great talent, hard work and dedication and a clear well-thought out strategy as to what you would like to create for your life. 

Both take talent, hard work, and a clear strategy. 

The difference is that in being employable, you are always running after jobs and auditions and you are one of many people competing. If you choose to be entrepreneurial,  you take  responsibility for your business and career.  You are a conscious creative who owns your own work and vision.

What is the top priority you need, to go from being a struggling artist to a thriving artist that earns money and works successfully at what you love?

Click Image & Listen

One of the most successful habits you can have which will monetize your business within a few short months; is to use the first 1-2 hours of your work day to monetize your business. The errands and rehearsals and studio sessions come later  in the day.

Keep the first 2 hours of your day for highly focused work. Work on your top 2-4 projects that you have defined as products that  help you become more visible on the market. For example, you can write an article for your community, finish a new song and set a time to go into studio, upload all your lyrics to lyric portals on the internet, write clear content for your homepage, or reach out to the three people radio hosts to get the interview for your new book or album. 

Big rule of thumb is, do the most important and highly focused work in the morning. I personally keep the first 2 hours for monetizing my business. No social media, no skimming through emails, no long telephone calls. First 60 to 120 minutes is highly focused on the 4 projects I am working on. After that you decide, rehearsal time, social media time, lunch and dinner meetings, or studio sessions.

Here is a link to the productivity form I give to my VOICE YOUR BIZ™  artist development clients so that they always have the 4 top projects in front of them.  Feel free to download and use it for staying on track.  

In gratitude and to your continued success.

Kara