Who’s Rootin’ 4 U?

For many of you who know me, you know that I’m completing a book for which I’m very excited to finally be talking about. The book was written specifically for parents with children in music and for music educators, performing arts schools, band parents and relatives of children in music. It is to help children discover and realize that there IS a real future in music and to get involved in music education. This book also has a good discussion for parents with teens that want to get into the music industry. I've gotten some great feedback on the information presented in demo versions I've let a small group of parents and teachers hear so far. I'm very excited about it. It is set for an October release this year. I'll let you know more as the project progresses.

One of my mentors, the worlds’ GREATEST mastering engineer, Earle Holder (http://www.har-bal.com/ and http://www.hdqtrz.com/) ,who is graciously doing all of the mixing and mastering on the audio book project is so awesome at keeping me motivated to continue.

I hadn’t seen him in a while and we had the chance to chit-chat a bit about life and business. I’m always so impressed with what he has to say, as simple as it may seem, that I’ve suggested that he share this wisdom with the world because it’s valuable and it’s uplifting. He has an amazing way of taking something as technical as music mastering and makes it plain and simple for me to even understand, someone who is nowhere near technically inclined. He does this same thing with marketing, business and life. I’ve decided to help him develop his speaking business because he’s dropped these gems of wisdom on others, but there is a market of people out there that need these real lessons, that I know will help change your focus, your outlook and your approach to your music, your business and even your life.

We always end up having these great conversations that leave me full of enthusiasm when I leave. It’s just so great to be around such a positive person, it’s amazing. He had a few gems to share about marketing because if you know anything about music mastering, this man has become a household name in his profession. Naysayers, haters, competition don’t faze him. He’s the best at what he does and he knows it. He’s created a strong viable product and service; he didn’t have to compete with anyone. That’s one of my mottos: Don’t compete, CREATE! That’s the type of energy you need to take you through the development stages of your career.

I wanted to share with you something he shared with me that day…

The question I asked was “how can you really be stand out when there are tons of people doing the same exact things you do?” He said, think of a room full of people. Everyone has a black top hat. The person that is different will have on a blue top hat. The person that is unique will have on a red baseball cap. Figure out what makes you unique and use that to your advantage. Look between the lines. Everyone can be looking at the same thing and see something different. Take notice of what others do but don’t let it consume you trying to pick apart their businesses. You lose focus on the real goal. You must really do some internal evaluation to figure out what makes you special. No one else can do that for you. You can ask for ideas from clients you’ve worked with, but when you are just starting out, you need to see what exists and how you can be different.

In my own words, it means that someone else can’t offer what you bring to the world. As I mentioned in an earlier post, you must share MUSIC – My Unique Sound In Creation™ and you’ll never go wrong because it’s yours and yours alone.

Make sure you have people around you that will help elevate you, not bring you down. I have a few mentors, almost like personal trainers, that are also great friends and professionals in the music industry that are helping me achieve the goals I have set for myself in business and in my career as a whole. Choose a mentor that has achieved what you are looking to achieve. You will never be competing with that person because you have your own thing going on. Don’t compete, create!

Have a wonderful & productive day! :-D