Tuesday, May 30, 2006 

YOUR LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT

The golden opportunity you are seeking lies within you.
It's not in your environment.
It's not in luck or chance,
or in the help of others.
It's all in you.

There are opportunities all around you.
If the door of opportunity appears closed, you must knock on it, and keep on knocking on it until it opens.

You must become an opener of doors.
You can develop your opportunities
by applying persistence to your possibilities.

Success doesn't come to you.
You must take action to be successful.

THE DAILY GURU
©2006 by Max Steingart

To "SUBSCRIBE" to TheDailyGuru, visit this link:- http://www.TheDailyGuru.com

Monday, May 29, 2006 

Quote for today...

"There is no sudden leap to greatness. Your success lies in doing, day by day. Your upward reach comes from working well and carefully." -- Max Steingart

This is such an awesome quote. I started GoGirlsMusic.com ten years ago. The organization was not an overnight success. It took hard work, lots of time and perseverance. I found my success in the little things. I didn't rush it. I have taken everything day by day and that my friend is truly the key to success.

Slow down.
Enjoy the journey.
Yes, success does lie in doing, day by day.

Rock on,
Madalyn Sklar
IndieMusicCoach.com
~providing one-on-one indie music consulting & coaching~
www.indiemusiccoach.com

Wednesday, May 17, 2006 

This pretty much sums me up!



Rock on,
Madalyn Sklar
IndieMusicCoach.com
~providing one-on-one indie music consulting & coaching~
www.indiemusiccoach.com

Tuesday, May 16, 2006 

Purebuttons.com

If you are looking to get buttons done at a great price, check out Purebuttons.com. I have used them twice now and love them! You can get top quality 1", 1.25" and 1.5" buttons. They offer the lowest prices with FREE SHIPPING!

Rock on,
Madalyn Sklar
IndieMusicCoach.com
~providing one-on-one indie music consulting & coaching~
www.indiemusiccoach.com

Friday, May 12, 2006 

Quote for today...

"You can't just sit there and wait for people to give you that golden dream; you've got to get out there and make it happen for yourself."
- Diana Ross, American singer

Watch my 2 minute video and learn one of the best secrets to succeeding in the indie music business!


Can't get enough of my helpful advice? I'm available for one-on-one coaching and consulting by phone and email. You can get more information at www.indiemusiccoach.com.

One of my clients, Shelly Phelps, says:
"Indie artists know better than anyone how overwhelming the music business can be and I was suffering a serious case of "paralysis by analysis"! After my first one-hour session with Madalyn, I became instantly energized and focused on what needs to be done RIGHT NOW while keeping the big picture in mind. I accomplished more by the end of the day than I had in a month! Her own passion for music and for her work seems to latch on to you and make your own dreams seem reachable."

Madalyn Sklar
IndieMusicCoach.com
~providing one-on-one indie music consulting & coaching~
www.indiemusiccoach.com

Monday, May 01, 2006 

So You Got The Gig. Now What?

10 tips on how to make the best impression at a new gig location.

1. Always make sure to confirm your gig prior to leaving town if you are traveling. Mistakes happen and schedule changes are possible. Even at the last minute, venues have and will toss a new person coming in when given the opportunity to book a returning favorite that is guaranteeing a crowd. It's not nice to do so, but it happens. So best protect yourself and make sure you are still scheduled. If a cancellation does happen. Ask for a new date right away, but never appear rude or inconvenienced to make the venue feel bad. It'll haunt you later.

2. Ask when the load in time frame is and follow it. If you find out you are going to be late for load-in for instance at a restaurant, call the venue as soon as you know you will be late, to find out if it's ok to load-in late. I have witnessed musicians being turned away for their gig because they arrived late at a restaurant that specifically required load-in be complete prior to peak dinner hour. And even though the musician would have been able to start the gig on time, the musician being late was inconvenient for the restaurant.

3. Ask the venue if there are any particular drink specials or announcements they would like announced on the PA between sets. It shows you care about their business and want to help increase the register for the evening.

4. Do not forget to announce reminders for tipping for the wait staff and bartenders. They really do appreciate acts that do that. At the end of the evening, tip the wait staff yourself. Even if they didn't bring you anything to the stage. Nothing says you shouldn't just because you are playing there. Waiters talk amongst themselves. And impressing them is a big part of the game. They will ask venue owners when you are coming back, and they will tell their friends when you play. Little things matter. And you'll be the last, maybe the only, good thing of the night to happen to them. Who wouldn't want to be that kind of thought? :)

5. Clean your stage area of drink bottles, put chairs back that you used and leave things as you found it, or better, when you exit the venue. You'll stand out - believe me.

6. Assuming you liked the venue, add the venue to your holiday card list - and send them a thank you card after your first gig and let them know you appreciated being there and look forward to coming back. But, do so even if you don't want to gig there again, it's easy enough to 'not be available'. But it's not easy to recover from being unappreciative. Again...you'll stand out.

7. Give the venue a CD for their overhead player. Many venues will play them. Especially for the ones that have made the best impression.

8. Offer their customers some raffle prizes through the night. Play some games like "First one to buy the newest drink on the menu, gets a free t-shirt" Always come prepared to give away things at your gigs. It really does make a difference and it's easy to do.

9. Make an effort to remember names of the staff so you can name them on stage. "Billy behind the bar makes a fabulous Margarita guys - go grab one!" or "Lisa is a fabulous waiter everyone, remember to tip her good.", sounds so personal and warm. You just can't help but like someone who calls your name from a stage :)

10. BE ON TIME starting, and stopping your gig. Leave it up to the venue to ask you to play later if it's an option. Or if the crowd is going strong, think to ask them if they want you to play longer. They will appreciate your thoughtfulness and don't hesitate to barter if you've done a fabulous job at maintaining the crowd. Offer to stay another hour for a certain sum of money. (whatever applies, but be fair) Most would be happy to let you play all night as long as they are making money, but don't assume, and don't stop cold and empty the place without showing you care enough to ask what they would like for you to do. And whatever you do....avoid taking breaks when it's starting to pick up, and when you do..keep them short. You are being paid to play, not drink and sit around.

Happy giggin'!
Annette Warner
www.CoffeeHouseTour.com
www.AWarnerEntertainment.com
www.ListeningRoomTour.com

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WHO IS MADALYN SKLAR?


    Madalyn Sklar is a music business coach & consultant, blogger, social networks expert and author. She has spent over 15 years helping independent musicians and music business professionals achieve greater success. Her motto is: working smarter not harder. She also founded GoGirlsMusic.com, the oldest + largest online community of indie women musicians.

    Madalyn's Sites:
    * GoGirlsMusic.com
    * Social Networks for Musicians
    contact: madalynsklar(at)gmail.com

         

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