10 Reasons Artists Should Never Give Up

 

 

1. It’s All About Talent Again 

   As traditional radio continues to become less effective at breaking acts in the marketplace, the big hype machine disappears with it.  The ability to “hype” a non-talent into superstardom is waning fast.  The future stars in the music business are going to have to be talented to get recognized.  Don’t give up.

2. Pressure = Creation

   There’s a saying that goes “Necessity is the mother of invention”.  You thrive on pressure even if you think you don’t.  You are stronger than you think.  Rick Rubin on several occasions (most notably Weezer’s “Beverly Hills” and Tom Petty’s “It’s Good To Be King”)would wait until a week or so before the scheduled recording sessions to tell an artist he didn’t think they had a single just to see what the pressure would create.  Never give up

3. Failure

   You need it believe it or not.  It’s what teaches you how to navigate your career better. Remember every success is preceded by many failures. Just ask Michael Jordan who was cut from his high school basketball team; he didn’t give up. Sheryl Crow got a major label deal recorded her first album only to scrap it completely before it was released. Of course she was then sued by her label before Tuesday Night Music Club. She didn’t give up. Thomas Edison failed 2,000 times before he nailed the long lasting incandescent light bulb. He didn’t give up.  Henry Ford went bankrupt multiple times before he invented the assembly line. he didn’t give up either.

4. The Pursuit

   Life happens as you make your way toward your goal; enjoy it.  This time in your struggle, these are the moments that you will remember forever.  I know its cliché, but think about it, success is not a destination, it is the journey.  Especially in the music business man, you are either on your way up or on your way down, there is no plateau where “things calm down” and you relax. Don’t give up

5. You Are Strong 

   You are stronger than you think.  You have the capability to understand the fact that your career is always full of challenges, so EXPECT them and eat them for breakfast.  Success will come when you resign yourself to dealing with these challenges as challenges, not excuses.  1, 10, or even 1,000 setbacks are not enough to stop you, so don’t give up

6. If You Give up on Yourself Everyone Else Will Too

   Listen, ALL successful people have overcome incredible odds and incredible struggles to get where they are; you just aren’t aware of the back story.  These prosperous people deeply understand that success is a mindset.  They surround themselves with positivity and like-minded people.  They view quitters as a cancer, or a STD.  When you project negativity or a quitting vibe it pisses successful people off.  It pisses them off because it scares the shit out of them.  It scares them because failure is just 1 negative thought away.  Don’t give up.

7. There is no Overnight Success

   No great thing was created overnight.  Many years of work went into every success before it ever came to your attention.

8. You’re Just a Few Tweaks Away

   Sometimes a few tweaks and adjustments to a plan are all that it takes to make a giant leap forward.  Over the course of my band’s first tour, we lost $8,000 because I didn’t know what I was really doing.  A few tweaks coupled with a clearer understanding of the game and our second touring experience had us actually making a living on ½ the gross revenue! Don’t give up.

9. You Can Change the Industry Forever

   Make your dent, man.  Florida Georgia Line had the BEST writers in town and a KILLER producer behind their project.  All the record labels still said “No” because FL/GA Line was too different.  They went to Satellite radio where “Cruise” became a smash hit and after a little tour they sold 100,000 downloads.  Then every label that said “no” was saying “yes”. The record, the production, and the songs didn’t change.  The only thing that changed was the perception. They didn’t give up when everyone said no.

10. Let the Haters Hate

    The more you succeed the more haters you will have.  Think of them like little trophies.  Don’t give up.

 

via (@musicclout)

 

Your Entertainment Career Starts With Your SAT Scores!

Planning a Career in the Entertainment Industry?  Ok….Great!  No matter your career, business and/or artistic goals….you have to be “smart” about it.  Your first step is to do well on your SATs.

Here are a few tips to get you on your way:

Practice Under Test-Day Conditions

It’s no secret that practicing for the SAT will improve your score. But most students don’t realize how much how their practice matters.

As much as possible, try to create test-day conditions when you study. Use written practice exams during timed sessions. No cellphones, no music. Write your responses in the test booklet and — most important — use only College Board questions. (The College Board administers the SAT.)

By preparing under the same conditions you will encounter on test day, you will decrease surprises and increase your confidence and comfort with the exam.

Boost Your Vocabulary Skills

Nearly every student’s least favorite part of SAT preparation is vocabulary memorization. However, boosting your vocabulary skills has many hidden benefits. It will help you answer more SAT passage-based reading questions correctly, become more articulate and use more sophisticated language in college, scholarship and high school essays.

To make memorizing vocabulary a little bit more fun, post an SAT “word of the day” on your refrigerator or mirror every morning. Then try to use that word in conversations at least twice that day. You could improve the vocabulary of your whole family.

Be Prepared to Write a Longer Essay

In 2005, an study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that longer SAT essays receive higher scores. But for most students, filling two notebook pages with compelling arguments, insightful conclusions and scholarly examples — in less than 25 minutes — is quite a challenge.

You can’t get more time, but you can have a selection of scholarly examples prepared before setting foot in the testing room. Because SAT essay prompts are general topics, you can have applicable source material at the ready by developing a deep understanding of several novels, historical events and current news stories in advance. This will enable you to spend less time racking your brain for examples and more time writing a thoughtful essay.

Don’t Cram for the Exam

With the SAT (and in life), timing is everything. Make sure you register for a test date that gives you adequate time to prepare — at least eight weeks — without time-intensive conflicts, like two-a-day sports practices or demanding extracurricular commitments. While you may be able to cram for a high school midterm a week in advance and still achieve a satisfactory grade, it is unlikely you will get the SAT score you want if you aren’t able to set aside dedicated time to your prep regimen.

Take Care of Your Physical Health

It doesn’t matter how mentally prepared you are for the SAT if you are sick on test day. The connection between stress and illness is well documented, so to avoid falling ill before you are scheduled to sit for the exam, you need to take care of your physical health.

In the weeks leading up to the SAT, make an effort to get enough sleep each night, eat right and exercise. Try eating brain-friendly foods like soybeans, hummus, walnuts and carrots. They will help you stay healthy and may improve your energy levels, concentration, comprehension and physical and mental stamina.

Thanks Shaan Patel!

What is a Teen Media Mogul?

Media Moguls can control ANY form of media.

A “Mogul” is simply a person who has a lot of power and/or influence in any business.

So a “Media Mogul” is one who has acquired power and influence (and usually Lots of $$$) in several forms of media.

So! You’re a Teen with very little power, maybe a little influence…but absolutely NO Money!

Ok.

But here’s what YOU do have…Access, Access, Access!

You have access to all the necessary tools and platforms to launch a media empire RIGHT NOW!

But How????  

What’s the first step?

What’s the second step?

What’s the third step?

Who can help?

What are the best practices?

When is money made?

And WHERE can I go to learn to become a Teen Media Mogul RIGHT NOW?

FOR ME’s TEEN MEDIA MOGUL WORKSHOP

Teens (12-17 yrs) learn how to become major media content owners and managers in music, film, tv, radio, print and online media, as well as, become young business executives with multi-media experience, while producing, managing and distributing their own media projects.

(Begins Saturday, January 14, 2012)

IT’S NOT TOO LATE!

Email Us Right Now to See How You Can Participate

formeprogram@gmail.com

10 Tips for Beginning Songwriters

Songwriting Tips FOR ME

 

1.    Find Someone That Will Give You Honest Feedback…And Listen to Them (even if you don’t agree!)

2.    Use Lyrics that Come From Your Own Experiences

3.    Start Your Song with Lyrics That Clearly Define What the Song is About

4.    Write About Something You Are Emotionally Connected To

5.    Write a Melody that Includes More than Two or Three Notes

6.    Try Not to Use Clichés in Your Lyrics (They are WAY Too Overused)

7.    Don’t Be Afraid to Edit – Editing is a Part of Any Great Song

8.    Be Creative and Original…Just Simply Be Yourself

9.     Learn the Difference Between “Rhythm” and “Tempo”…And there is a Difference

10.   Just Write Because You Enjoy It…Everything Else Will Follow!

DJ Mixing Software Every New DJ Must Know

Are you beginning your career as a new DJ?

If so, then you must know that every professional and successful DJ must appreciate the importance of DJ Mixing software.

Your DJ mixing software will not only help you become a skilled DJ mixer but will also make things simpler and convenient for you to produce and create the best mixes possible.  With the help of your DJ mixing software, you will be able to create a list of tracks and add to it and enhance the quality of your sound.

The mixing software gives you the freedom to become versatile in your choice of music, mix songs better, and can even automate the process while you are out and busy doing other things.  You can also customize and create a specific list to be played automatically when needed.

The importance of DJ mixing software can even take advantage of the internet where you can immediately download tunes that are not available on your track list.  This is especially useful when you want to earn a living as a DJ.  There are occasions when your crowd wants something that is not in your playlist.  The mixing software comes in handy on these occasions.

In choosing your DJ mixing software, consider the functions of the software, is it compatible to what you need to advance your career. The program must be able to respond to the needs that you have as a DJ.

DJ Mixing Software: What to Look For

There are A LOT of programs out there for new DJs…it can be time-consuming, a little expensive and very confusing trying to decide what program will work best for you.

Here are a few things to look for when choosing your DJ mixing software:

(1) Features

One of the major differences between amateur and professional DJ software programs is the ease of use. The best mixing software provides simple and straightforward directions for using their features and allows the user to become progressively better at the skills of DJing.

(2) Input/Output
You should look for DJing software that supplies a variety of features for importing audio files and applications for converting and improving sound quality. Some other options to look for in this category are MIDI compatibility, karaoke capabilities and the ability to burn recorded material onto a CD.

(3) Performance
The performance of DJ software is crucial to how the customer feels about his or her purchase. It should not only perform the tasks described in its advertising and promotional materials, but should also run smoothly with the least amount of mental effort possible.

(4) Help/Support
We all expect a certain level of customer service and technical support out of the software products we buy. The best retailers of amateur DJ software provide email and telephone contacts as well as user tutorials and live chat help.

Here are some DJ Mixing Software options you may consider:

• Zulu 2012 DJ Software (Price  -$39.99) 
• Mixvibes Cross DJ 2012 (Price – $49.00)
• Digital DJ 2012 (Price – $49.99)
• MixMeister Express 7 2012 (Price – $69.99)
• Pro DJ 5 (Price – $89.00)
• Virtual DJ 2012 (Price $99.00)
• DJ Mixer Pro 2012 ($99.95)
• Gemini Groove 2012 ($119.95)
• PCDJ Red Mobile ($129.00)
• Pioneer 2012 ($175.80)

Go to the DJ Mixing Software Review and Compare Chart to see which option is best for you!

Send us a link to your latest mix…we may feature you in an upcoming post!

Portions of this article were originally posted on September 29, 2011 at http://djmixtips.com/the-importance-of-dj-mixing-software-every-aspiring-dj-must-know.html