THE OTHER SIDE

Feb 20, 2008 - 17:22 PM PST

Making it in entertainment requires a great team. Too many careers stop short of success because the artist chooses to remain ignorant about the business side of things. As an up-and-comer, failure to embrace the “Other Side” is a recipe for disaster.

What is the “Other Side?” It is the supposed bad guys who artists love to hate. These are the business execs who, according to the cynics, only care about exploiting talent and stuffing their pockets with as much money as possible. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard an artist say, “What about staying true to my art and not selling out!” I’ll admit it; I’ve used that line in the past to hide my fear and lack of understanding of the industry. What I didn’t know however was that every time I did, I paid a price.

Pay close attention! What I am about to reveal is critical to furthering your career and avoiding heartache.

“If you reject the “Other Side,” you will pay the price of one lost opportunity after another.”

Like it or not, it’s that simple! Entertainment and business are like a boat and its rudder. The two are inseparable if you want a career, not a hobby. Frankly, the folks on the “Other Side” don’t have time to waste; they will just move on to the next artist who gets it, regardless of how talented you are.

Enough tough love, here’s the good news!

For the most part, the “Other Side” consists of incredibly passionate, intelligent and committed people who care a lot! Whether in finance, strategy, marketing, production or distribution, most execs on the “Other Side” work 10 to 14 hour days and make big sacrifices to support our careers as artists. Yes, money is a huge motivator (who doesn’t dream of owning a house and living comfortably?) but underneath it all, they love art and people with creative talent.

Understanding the level of planning, funding, and execution required for success is a must. If you have spent your whole life focused solely on developing your musical chops, you are going to need a good team of dedicated people with diverse business skills to get you to the next level. Don’t resist this fact!

Fortunately, everyone aspires to be part of something great. Don’t be afraid to reach out to the folks on the “Other Side.” Believe it or not, they really DO want to support you in becoming a huge success!

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