By Carol Kirkpatrick, author of ARIA READY, The Business of Singing
First let me say that failure can be an important part of the process of success. Why?? Because we all like solving puzzles and problems which leads you to lessons learned, which you then apply to your next endeavor. Don’t forget this important statement. That said, it pays to always do your research before you start working on building your own business because you can also learn from the mistakes and failures and then the lessons others have already made so you don’t have to go through the process of reinventing the wheel, so to speak.
Now the question is where to start?
First, write down a very detailed business plan. If you don’t know what that consists of, think of going on a trip to the grocery store. First you have to know how you are going to get there and when that will happen. Most times, it pays to make a list of the things you need especially if there are more than a few items. If you are going to a store that you frequent, you understand the layout of the different departments – fresh veggies, meat dept, pasta & tomato products, drinks, ice cream, milk, eggs, bread, etc. You might notice that as you make your list you put your needed items in order of how your particular store departments are laid out. Than as you move through the store you mark items off your list and check it once again as you get in line to check out. Once all is bagged, you know how you plan to get home. Once home you put your items away, usually starting with the things that go in the refrigerator and freezer and move on from there. That is creating and following through on a plan you put in place. We do this all the time, but just don’t realize it because most of what we do at this stage in life is habitual.
So I suggest you equate creating a detailed business plan using the same strategy as going to the store, planning for an audition, etc. Writing your business plan down forces you to look at the feasibility and practicality of your ideas. It allows you to acknowledge and solve problems before you invest your time, energy and money. Nothing is written in stone, so write something down and because you started this project, your mind will start discovering new items to add to the plan. It’s always a matter of fine tuning it by making any necessary additions or subtractions or just by moving things around until you can find how it works best for you. It has be a plan that is attainable and it should start with baby steps. In the end, it’s simply a way for you to make sense of which type of process works best for you as you move through it and get to your goal.
So, stop putting this off and get started.
Ciao until next time. Carol
Email Carol at Carol@ariaready.net.
Since retiring from the stage, Carol Kirkpatrick continues to be in demand as a voice teacher, clinician, and adjudicator of competitions including the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Combining her knowledge of performance, business, and interpersonal skills, she has written the second edition of her highly regarded book, Aria Ready: The Business of Singing, a step-by-step career guide for singers and teachers of singing. Aria Ready has been used by universities, music conservatories and summer and apprentice programs throughout the world as a curriculum for teaching Ms. Kirkpatrick’s process of career development, making her “the” expert in this area. She lives in Denver, Colorado.
