Melodic Exposure

Listen, and Listen Well

noreply@blogger.com (Z. Reese Downing) — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 17:37:00 +0000

To play off of the last blog post, it's graduation time for us here at Full Sail University. As much as I've learned throughout my time here on campus, there are some things that I wish I would have done differently based on the work I'm doing right now. I feel like I would be doing a disservice to those that read my blog and are debating on going to college if I didn't try to impart some wisdom based on my experiences. Let's discuss some focus points that are vital to remember while you move through your college degree.

Save Money

This can be the most difficult of things to do, as many people either are working when they can to pay for their expenses or they can't work at all and have to borrow money on a loan to keep a roof overhead and food in the belly. With that in mind, save if you can. Even if it's money that you earned before college, it's a good idea to try and put back whatever you can manage because you're bound to run into several expenses once you graduate. Especially in the Entertainment Industry, even with a Masters degree it seems like some companies still want you to complete an unpaid internship. If that's the case, you will be dedicating between 40 and 60 hours a week towards the internship and not getting paid a dime. Considering you will need a place to live, transportation, food, and the other necessities, money is vital to survival when you first graduate.

Start Researching Jobs Soon

The sooner you start the job hunt, the better. Like I mentioned earlier, many companies are looking to start potential employees out with an internship and they are mostly unpaid. This is why it's a good idea to try and knock out that internship while you are still in school and able to borrow money. Once you graduate, student loans are no longer an option for you. The only option you will have is a standard loan from a bank, and you will have to start paying that back almost immediately. Taking into consideration the fact that you probably already have student loan debt under your belt that you will have to start paying back upon graduation, this really isn't an option. This makes it extremely important to start looking for jobs soon, so you at least have an idea of where you want to take your first step in your career.

Apply for Jobs Early

This somewhat goes along with researching jobs early, however you probably won't apply for actual jobs until being close to complete if you aren't going to do an internship. A smart man once told me that applying to jobs is like fishing with a net. The smaller the net, the less fish you can catch. The larger the net, the more fish you can catch. Translating this into job hunting, the more applications you send out, the more likely you are to find a job or at least get an interview. Even if it's a job you don't think you would take even if they offered, still apply. You can always use those jobs as practice in the interview process. That way, if you answer a question incorrectly or stumble your way through, it will be with a job you didn't really want in the first place. Additionally, applying to jobs early allows you to keep plugging away and will cut down on the time between graduation and unemployment.

Learn the Value of Teamwork

This is one of the great lost causes for many students in college. It's understandable that some people don't enjoy working with others because you have a melting pot of different personalities and are often dealing with at least one person that doesn't want to pull their own weight for the better of the group. However, college is the perfect time to get used to managing these situations because almost every job imaginable requires teamwork in one way or another. If communication is an issue, then put yourself in situations where you have to converse. If you have issues with people that don't pull their weight, join the club and work through it. Trust me, you aren't the only person who's frustrated with that individual. However, the best team members just suck it up and pick up the slack.

Work Harder Than the Next Guy

Only one person in class can be at the top (well, unless there's a tie!). That being said, it's important to put in every ounce of effort you have to be the best you can be. Why? Well, there a couple reasons. The first is that you begin to build a reputation for yourself of being awesome at what you do. When your peers notice your abilities, it will potentially open doors for you. Secondly, a high GPA and scholastic awards on your resume can help you seal the deal on that job you're applying for. Remember, every place you apply to has another X amount of people applying for the same job, and their resumes are mostly built just like yours. Being able to add that additional flare could get you noticed. Finally, one of my favorite sayings...you practice how you play. School is practice for you to fine tune your skills so when it's time to get paid you know what you're doing. If you put 100% into your work at school, it will be much easier to translate into a job. If you put 50% effort in...well, you know where I'm going with that. You can't expect anyone else to work harder than what you are.

Hopefully this helps some potential college students out as they decide on their next step. Just as I was when I first enrolled in school, sometimes it's difficult to listen to advice from anyone but yourself. However, speaking from experience, I truly feel that these "guidelines" will help make anyone a better college student and potential employee for any company.

Moving On To Bigger and Better.....Or So We Hope!

noreply@blogger.com (Z. Reese Downing) — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 05:29:00 +0000

It’s graduation time for many as we approach the holidays. Professors have passed down all of their knowledge, extensive studying has been done, lengthy papers and impossibly difficult exams have been completed, and hours upon hours of sleep have been lost. All of the time and hard work that’s necessary to finish comes at a tremendous opportunity cost, and all you have to show for it is a pretty piece of paper with your name on it stating that you’re qualified in your chosen career field. What’s next? Do you follow the path you originally intended or have your passions shifted in the time you’ve been enrolled? Do you take some time off to celebrate your accomplishments or immediately start to stress on how you are going to pay back the massive amount of debt that you had to accrue in order to obtain a college education? Regardless of what the near future may hold, there is one action that everyone not starting his or her own business has to do in order to take the first step into true adulthood. That step is a job interview.

This can be a complete breeze or the most stressful thing someone can do, and it’s usually at one extreme or the other. You may thrive in situations where you are grilled face-to-face on how you work and strategize, what your past experiences are, and what you consider to be your individual strengths and weaknesses. On the other hand, you may absolutely hate being put on the spot, visibly show how nervous you are by fidgeting and sweating, and make it clear that you don’t know how to handle what’s being asked of you. Lets talk about some best practices that can help both sides of the fence…whether you are the confident one or a nervous wreck.

The first thing worth mentioning seems relatively obvious, but it’s worth mentioning because it’s unreal how many people do not follow this rule. It is the way you dress. Unless the person you’re interviewing with says otherwise, dress professionally. I personally have experience in interviewing candidates for positions, and you can place strike one on yourself by showing up in blue jeans and a t-shirt. Even if money is tight, most people can still afford to buy one pair of dress pants and a dress shirt. Whether it’s Armani or it’s Wal-Mart brand, the effort of attempting to look your best shows that you are taking the opportunity seriously.

A second important piece of the puzzle to remember is to know your strengths and weaknesses. Again, this is pretty simple to understand but some people just don’t get it. If you’re applying for a job at a financial institution, it’s likely that they are going to want to talk a little about how you handle numbers. If you’re applying at Best Buy, they most likely want to know what your interests in electronics are. Be prepared for questions like this. Nothing frustrates an interviewer more than someone who can’t describe what his or her own abilities are and how they can improve on weaknesses. One can only assume that you don’t think you’re very good at anything, which can’t be true, right? Right!

Next, try to prepare if you know you notoriously crash and burn during interviews. The Internet is a tremendous resource to find typical questions that will be asked during an interview, and there are even websites out there that will give you information on questions that are asked by specific companies. Glassdoor.com is a great resource to find questions like this. Then, ask your friends and/or family to interview you with these questions. Be careful to make sure you ask the right people though. Grandma usually isn’t the best choice because she most likely will sugar coat your feedback and tell you how amazing you did instead of giving you a real, honest response. Find a friend or family member that will shoot it to you straight. It will be worth it in the end.

Ok, so you’re dressed sharp, you know your abilities and areas for improvement, and you’ve practiced like crazy to be pitch perfect. It’s interview time. What’s the last piece of advice to keep reminding yourself of? Relax!!! We all know this part is difficult even if you are good at interviews because a lot can be on the line. On top of that, the economy isn’t fantastic right now, so getting a job interview may be a victory in itself. However, you’ve gotten to the interview point, which means you have the potential for employment. You’ve already gotten past a step that many can’t get past in the first place. Know that, remind yourself of it, and use it to boost your confidence as you go in to blow your interviewer away. All of the above steps that we’ve discussed will also build upon your confidence because you’ve made yourself very well prepared. Combine them all, and you’ll become an interview machine. Good luck!

Looking in the Mirror

noreply@blogger.com (Z. Reese Downing) — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 00:09:00 +0000

Use your own advice. This idea is something that is often times missed out on by folks that enjoy helping people out. People can get so focused on trying to excel others that they completely forget the help they are offering can be just as useful for their own business and/or daily life. In the same token, one of the most important lessons in giving advice is to make sure you aren’t offering guidance to people that you wouldn’t use yourself. This is a life lesson that I have always tried to follow.

That being said, I have been working hard on a business plan for almost a year. The topics that I have covered throughout my journey within this blog will reflect on my interests and goals. However, it’s coming time to wrap up my degree and the end result is to have a completed executive summary to pitch to an investor. Specifically, the previous post has been great help as I have worked through the kinks of my ideas this month. There are pieces that I have taken from both Mark Cuban and Ron Conway that I have since implemented into my own strategies.

One of the primary lessons that I took from doing research on Mark Cuban was his particular interest in content driven businesses. He made it very clear that he knows consumers will pay for high-end content as long as they are passionate about the product or service that’s being offered. In my circumstance, my business plan focuses directly on Cuban’s interests in many, many ways. My plan’s primary focus is content and my consumer base is extremely passionate about the product that I’m offering. It’s also sports related, which is just another bonus for Cuban. Another piece to the puzzle that Cuban looks for is volatility within a company. This is another major function that I have implemented within my own business. The content my company offers isn’t at all seasonal, and the way that content drives multiple different types of niche consumers throughout the year to my business allows us to maintain a steady revenue stream. Finally, Cuban looks for potential opportunities with entrepreneurs that have focused just as much on execution as they have the product or service that they want to use to make money. I have spent a tremendous amount of time on developing my product idea, but I have spent more time creating various strategies that will expose my product to the consumer and keep them engaged in several different ways. I feel that learning more about Cuban definitely helped my narrow that focus a little more.

The primary emphasis for Ron Conway in forms of a potential business investment is an Internet presence. My business plan is entirely dependent on the abilities of the Internet, and because of Conway’s outlook I have continued to develop more ways to gain a further market share online. The second piece of the puzzle that Conway looks for is referrals. The more people brag about the potential and the entrepreneur from a personality and abilities standpoint, the more likely Conway seems to be to invest. Throughout the time I have been developing and fine-tuning my plan, I have made sure to connect and network with individuals that would both use my product and serve me well as a referral and/or connection. I feel confident that everyone I have come in contact with throughout my journey at Full Sail and life in general would have nothing but good things to say about my personality, demeanor, work ethic, and ability to succeed. The component of networking is something that I have put additional effort into since I initially researched and learned more about what Ron Conway looks for. However, this is a focus that I have had for some time. The business side of my networking has, however, been a little more hardcore since I came across Conway’s ideas.

Of all of the pieces and parts of the executive summary, there are a couple that I feel are the most important for investors to look at. The first section would most definitely be the product description. The reason I say this is that I have gained a tremendous amount of positive reactions when describing exactly what my business does, and it’s something that isn’t currently offered anywhere. Because of this, I know that an understanding of what my business offers is the most important piece for me. The second section I feel is very important is the opportunity for revenue and growth within the financials. Because of the lack of current competition and the passion of the consumers I will be working with, the plan is low risk and high reward. Finally, I feel as if it’s important for potential investors to at least take a peek at some marketing strategies that I have developed for the company. They are highly interactive with the consumer and cost effective, both of which are important for startups working on a budget.

All and all, I have taken away a lot from Cuban and Conway (that sounds like a law firm). Both gentlemen offer a tremendous amount of experience and opportunity, and give advice that is unparalleled in terms of what I am looking to do as a business owner. I can only hope that I could somehow get the opportunity to pitch to either one of these individuals. Particularly Cuban because of his background and what he does currently, but both individuals and investors in general offer budding entrepreneurs something that many people fight for and never get; opportunity.

Of Mice and Men Who Want to Become Entrepreneurs

noreply@blogger.com (Z. Reese Downing) — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:19:00 +0000

For many entrepreneurs, locking down an angel investor or two for their startup business is a necessity. Considering the current state of the economy and the lack of jobs growth over the past 8 years, plenty of aspiring business owners do not have the option to obtain funding from a bank or family and friends. Because of this, it is important to have a fluid and flexible business plan. The overall structure and primary focus of what an angel investor is looking for may vary from person to person, and an entrepreneur does not want to pitch a movie idea to an investor with a business plan heavily focused on the film’s financials when the investor they are selling to is more interested in the content and the target market. This is why research is vitally important. We aren’t talking about research for your business plan. Of course, that is imperative to not look like the idea was drawn up with crayon the night before the investor pitch. The research we are looking at here is the research of the investor. Preparing thoroughly prior to the pitch with background information, previous investments, and more general details about investment habits could help lock down the money needed to fund the startup he or she dreams of. Let’s take a look at a couple of more popular investors.

Mark Cuban is a tech entrepreneur most famously known for being the outspoken owner of the Dallas Mavericks and repeated investor on ABC’s Shark Tank. Additionally, he is the founder of Broadcast.com, HDNet, Landmark Theatres, and Magnolia Pictures, among others. Born in Pittsburgh, Cuban caught the entrepreneurial bug while attending Indiana University-Bloomington’s Kelley School of Business. In the past 2 years, Cuban has invested in over 10 businesses, including Upstart, Flingo, Kisstixx, and more. Of these startups, he has invested anywhere between $250k to over $10 million.

Cuban is a huge fan of investing in tech companies, particularly ones that are content driven. He has a keen focus on the fact that consumers will always be willing to pay for high-end content as long as they appreciate the product. When focusing on investment opportunities, Cuban looks at a couple of different things. In his words, Cuban invests in “volatility”. He understands and appreciates the fact that the markets fluctuate regularly, and because of that he looks for businesses that are structured to be adaptable to the market and what consumers are looking for. Because of this, he considers it a non-negotiable piece of a business plan. A second thing that Cuban looks for in terms of investing is the person he’s investing in. He tends to look for intelligent people with distinguished concepts and a drive for execution, with the execution piece being the most important part of the plan. The reason being is that many startup business owners don’t focus enough on the implementation of their concept and instead simply attempt to sell the concept itself and how amazing they believe it could be. The smart investors that Cuban is attracted to put just as much, if not more time into the overall strategy than they do of the product or service they are providing consumers.

Another amazing angel investor is Ron Conway, considered by many to be the “dean of angel investing in Silicon Valley”. A former salesman, Conway owns the venture capital firm SV Angel based out of, you guessed it, Silicon Valley in San Francisco. Conway started investing independently in 2005, and by 2006 he had already appeared on Forbes Magazine’s Midas list of top dealmakers. Conway is known throughout the investment world for his crowdfunding strategies, in which he would hold cocktail parties and invite large amounts of celebrities with whom he obtains funding to invest in various startups. One thing is for certain…the man knows how to network. Conway has invested in over 500 startups, including Google, Facebook, Foursquare, PayPal, Napster (whoops!), Twitter, and more. Additionally, Conway is known for truly being the backbone for the entrepreneurs he invests with. It often times upsets other investors, as some believe his comments are unprofessional and unnecessary. Either way, as an entrepreneur, Conway is the man you want to have on your side.

The primary thing that Conway and his group at SV Angel look for in a business plan is Internet presence. Without it, Conway is not likely to invest. The reason being, outside of the fact that the company is based in Silicon Valley, is that they are low cost alternatives to physical businesses and can reach a much, much larger market with much, much smaller legwork. Think about it. The availability of the web has made it tremendously easier to reach a much broader audience. Why not use it to its fullest advantages? Secondly is an important piece to the business plan that may not even hold a single page in the actual plan itself. That important piece is referrals. Many entrepreneurs don’t think about it, but networking can play such a huge role in the opportunity to find an investor. Networking is such a key piece to the puzzle because it shows that the opportunity is there. Many investors will only invest based on referrals, and Conway seems to be one of those angels. Even if those networked connections don’t have the funding or simply don’t invest at all, you never know who that connection’s own connections may be. That is why it’s vital to include networking as an invisible component in the overall business plan strategy. Without it, investors may never even take the time to look at a proposal or idea for an amazing company.

ESPN's Trendsetting Digital Strategies

noreply@blogger.com (Z. Reese Downing) — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 04:11:00 +0000

ESPN

The continued development of social media will further its involvement in branding, marketing, and customer interaction and retention strategies. The uses of different social media aspects have multiple advantages. Strategic branding campaigns can be implemented quickly and painlessly. Marketing becomes much more cost effective than that of more traditional means. Additionally, the use of social networking websites to connect with consumers creates a new, innovative avenue that makes it easier than ever for a customer to communicate with a company. Looking at various companies involved in the Entertainment Industry that utilize social media as a vital business tool, the company that seems to stand out most is ESPN.

Branding

ESPN Brand Identity Guide

ESPN has long been a company that thrives on the utilization of new tech, so it comes as no surprise that the biggest sports network in the world is also a leader in social media strategies and the use of those strategies for branding. Everything ESPN focuses on seems to be fueled by the use of new tech and innovative ideas that break the mold of the traditional business outlook. Taking a look at ESPN’s various strategies, it’s easy to tell that they are the leader in growing with technology and social media development. In this day in age, tech growth and social media tools come hand in hand with branding strategies.

New Technology

ESPN New Technology

The application of new technology has kept ESPN at the topof the sports world in multiple ways. Their continuous development and ease of use in regards to their website continues to bring the customer back for all things sports. Additionally, high quality graphics, images, and video content add a whole new level of depth for the consumer.

Mobile Technology

ESPN ScoreCenter

ESPN’s dedication to the growth of their mobile platform is also something to be modeled after. They make sure everything displayed on their mobile app is focused and formatted for mobile purposes, and allow the user the option to travel to the full web page for additional content based on what the customer is looking at. As well, push notifications have gained tremendous popularity for the company. Now, instead of having to travel to the mobile app in order to check a team’s score or find out breaking news, the ESPN ScoreCenter app will automatically alert the user of various news based on the individual’s desires.

Customer Interaction Outlets

ESPN Customers

The way ESPN has taken advantage of social media websites is second to none in virtually any business industry. For a company that relies on being the leader in news and information in the sports world, it is truly unbelievable how well this company has done at connecting their employees with their consumers. Virtually every TV personality on ESPN that has a fan base, whether it is a SportsCenter anchor or a retired player now working for the company or a radio anchor, has some way to communicate through social media. The primary tool for ESPN in regards to customer interaction is Twitter, and boy does it works well. By ESPN allowing their fans to interact with the people they see and hear every day, it creates a feeling of family to the consumer as if they are part of what is going on each day. And, in fact, they are. More and more ESPN programming is taking advantage of social media by using the tool to break news and add more depth to their news stories. Additionally, simple things like photo sharing and retweeting gives the consumer more power to impact what’s being covered on ESPN’s programming.

Campaigns

ESPN Campaigns

ESPN has developed some great campaigns focused entirely on social media as well. Last year they started a campaign called “Your Highlight”, where amateur athletes and fans could post videos on YouTube of amateur sports highlights for the opportunity for them to be spotlighted on SportsCenter. This campaign has actually turned into a weekly occurrence, as it quickly gained popularity and now it’s become the norm for ESPN fans. Project GameFace is another awesome campaign that ESPN created using social media platforms in order to get fans involved. Launched during last year’s NBA Finals, GameFace allowed fans to tweet photos of their best game face. At the end of each Finals game, the analysts would choose their favorite face and share it on the show. It was a great way for ESPN to get additional users involved in a fun, innovative, low cost manner.

Bringing It All Together

ESPN Wide World of Sports

Watch ESPN. Visit ESPN.com. Listen to ESPN Radio. Check the multitude of social media websites. Go to a sporting event where ESPN is involved. Check out the ESPN WideWorld of Sports while you’re visiting Disney World. No matter where you go, what you see or hear, or how you absorb the content, ESPN maintains consistency and innovation with the products they develop and sell. As a growing company within the Entertainment Industry, whether involved in sports or not, ESPN is a tremendous company to watch and shadow in order to learn how to do things right.

To Brand or Not To Brand? It Isn't a Question...

noreply@blogger.com (Z. Reese Downing) — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 21:41:00 +0000

Being a success overnight is simply an extremely rare occasion. The invention of YouTube has created more opportunity to be discovered as such, but in reality most of those looking to make it in the music industry will have to do so the traditional way; growth. That being said, one of the most important facets of growth that an artist needs to focus on is their individual brand identity. Many musicians cannot stand the thought of building themselves as a brand because they feel it takes away the focus on the artistic value of the content they create and turns them into just another product. Unfortunately though, without a strong brand, marketing yourself will be practically impossible and there will be little to no financial growth. Instantly, many people think of a brand as simply a logo. Although a logo is an important concept to branding, it is not the whole piece of the pie. There are many important components to an artist’s brand identity that are vital to develop in order to have a better chance at success, and many of these components are overlooked. Lets take a look at a couple.

Before even starting to create an identity for the artist, some reflection and research needs to be done. The easiest way to do this is by answering some questions, such as:

Who is the artist’s intended audience?

What differentiates the artist from others in the same and/or competing genre/s?

How does the artist’s audience receive the content created?

Where can the audience go to connect with the artist?

Why is the artist’s content worth the purchase?

Obviously there are several more questions that need to be answered, but this gives a general idea. Sit down, come up with some questions pertinent to the task at hand, and attempt to answer them. If it’s a struggle to find answers, then it’s time to go back to the drawing board and reanalyze the motivation behind the created content and why the artist wants to share their creations with the world.

Now, as mentioned earlier, a logo is definitely a must. In most cases, the logo is the first thing a customer or potential business partner sees. When developing a logo, there are a couple important things to consider. The most important is to make sure it speaks “you”. What that means is that an artist’s logo should be consistent with their look, style, and feel. Anyone should be able to look at the logo and have a general idea about what the artist is all about, especially if it’s an unknown. A strong logo will also help tremendously with marketing. An old, grungy logo that looks as if it’s been neglected for decades, or a bland, basic logo that seems as if it were thrown together in 5 seconds, will hurt growth opportunity more than one would think. This is why it’s important to keep the “face” of the artist’s brand updated and consistent with the times. Whatever logo is developed, keep in mind that it will be used for everything the artist’s name goes on, from websites to merchandise. Just remember; a successful marketing strategy has a well developed logo at its core.

Speaking of websites, a regularly updated webpage is also important. The average person that is browsing through the Internet will base their first impression on the look, design, and function of a website. If the site being used by the artist looks like it was developed in Steve Jobs’ garage back in the 80s, it’s time to update. Furthermore, if there is no website at all….well, let’s just say that’s equally bad. You don’t have to be a whiz kid to develop a strong website. Many companies offer website services, and virtually all of them have premade templates that their customers may use at their discretion when setting up their site. The biggest mistake a lot of people make in terms of website creation is that it will cost an arm and a leg to develop. This simply isn’t the case. There are a ton of options out there, and a little research will help in that decision. The second and equally important part of a website is updated content. An artist that has an out-of-date website often times makes it look like they’re out of business or not worth doing business with. Updated photos, videos, projects, and other content along with a well designed website will unquestionably give the artist a competitive advantage in the industry.

Keeping content the artist has current is also very important when it comes to branding. Without fresh material, those shopping for content will make the perception that the artist is amateur and unmotivated. Even if the artist hasn’t found that big break, independently creating content to display and help to promote will only help in the search for that next big project. With the availability and ease of use in regards to technology, virtually anyone can create content to be shared on the web, and thus is one of the primary reasons why companies look for fresh material. What’s the easy way to combat old content? Always be working on SOMETHING.

All of the aspects above are very important to a brand strategy. There is, however, one very important component to building an artist’s brand that often goes unmentioned. That vital piece of the brand identity is confidence. Not to be confused with cockiness, a lack of confidence is extremely noticeable, especially when dealing with people face-to-face. It’s extremely significant that an artist 100% believes in the product they are creating. After all, if the artist isn’t confident in his or her ability and content, why should anyone else?

All and all, it’s quite easy to see that there is a lot that goes into building a brand. It isn’t just slapping together a logo and putting it on a t-shirt to wear on stage. The more we move into this new digital era, the less money labels will be willing to spend and the more time the artist will have to spend to create, market, and promote themselves. Although the work has become that much more difficult, the finish line seems that much more rewarding. If an artist takes away anything from here, it’s this; what you put in is what you’ll get out. The question is...

Embrace the Future or Stay Old School?

noreply@blogger.com (Z. Reese Downing) — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 18:42:00 +0000

With the increasing role of e-readers in the world of books, debates are happening around the world about whether or not to hold on to hard copy books or go completely digital. Everyone has his or her own opinion, and each format has its own advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a look at the differences between the two formats.

E-Book Advantages

Considering the cost of printing, distribution, and retail sales, e-book pricing will continue to hold an advantage from an individual book outlook. Unless some crazy new system comes out that has never been thought of before, it will forever be easier to distribute and sell books in a digital format because of the lack of cost behind duplicating a file as opposed to completely printing another book.

Marketing and promotional works will also be less expensive. The downfall to this may be that the authors have to do most of the work themselves, but it has already been more than proven that writers can be more than successful running their own marketing strategies at a much lesser price than what traditional publishers will offer.

Distribution is also much easier in the e-book world. With hard copy books, they have to be printed, packaged, shipped, received, displayed, and then sold. With e-books, once the book has been formatted for digital use, it’s done. All a customer has to do is click, pay, and download.

Royalties will be another huge advantage in regards to e-books. Traditional book publishers will offer a royalty of anywhere between 10-20%, depending on the author’s previous history in writing. With e-books, although the cost is less expensive in the store, writers can expect to receive anywhere from 40-70% in royalties for each book sold.

Storage ability is another big factor. If you want to carry around a bunch of hard copy books, you will need a backpack, suitcase, or some really big and strong arms with nothing else to carry. With the e-book format, you can literally carry millions of books all on one device.

Yet another key benefit of e-book publishing, which could be considered by many as the biggest perk, is that it gives authors who would otherwise be ignored by traditional publishers the opportunity to get their book to the market. The big publishers will offer 90% of their time to their top 10%, leaving the rest of their attention to be spread across thousands of other authors. This doesn’t leave a lot of attention for anyone. With e-books, anyone can be published if they are willing to do the work.

Finally, a big perk of going with an e-book format is the ability to share media. With your basic hard copy, photos are the only form of media you can share with the reader. With the digital format, videos, photos, audio, links and more can all be shared without much if any additional cost to the publisher/distributor.

Hard Copy Book Advantages

Durability is a big advantage with hard copy books. E-books have to be read on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. If you aren’t familiar with any of these devices, they can break rather easily. This isn’t the case with a hard copy book. The worst that will probably happen to a paperback/hardcover book is some pages may get ripped and the cover will most likely get frayed. Between the two, the hard copy book is much more durable.

Some people would also say that it’s also easier to read a hard copy book. Continuously looking at a computer screen/tablet can be very strenuous on the eyes, and you don’t have that kind of strain when you are reading a paper book. In this circumstance, a hard copy book has the lead.

Another key selling point for a hard copy book is that it is readily available. When reading on an e-reader, you have to turn the e-reader on and wait for it to boot, which isn’t that big of a deal unless you’re in a hurry to find some quick information. More importantly, however, is the fact that an electronic device has a battery life and a hard copy book does not. A paper book is never going to die in the middle of a chapter…that is unless someone runs up and lights it on fire.

An additional benefit to a hard copy book is the overall cost. This isn’t to be confused with the cost of one individual book, but the cost of what it takes to read a digital copy versus a hard copy. In the end, in order to read a digital copy, the reader needs a device to read it on. The cheapest e-reader someone can purchase will cost around $100. That’s a pretty hefty investment for someone who just wants to read a book.

Although this may seem like a minute detail, hard copy books also have specific sensory effects that e-books cannot provide. For one thing, you can actually see how far through you are in the book. Not that you cannot see what page you are on with an e-reader, but being able to visually see how far you’ve gotten into a book can create a sense of accomplishment for a reader. Additionally, many hardcore fans of hard copies particularly enjoy the look and smell of what paper books offer. The feel of the book in a person’s hand and the smell of the paper bring reminiscent memories of childhood or maybe even a book that made an impact on the reader’s life. All of these things cannot be achieved by using an electronic device.

Conclusion

All and all, it really comes down to the individual reader. Each book format has its own perks and downfalls, and it’s up to the consumer to decide which they would like to take advantage of. In my personal opinion, I think it depends on the content of the book. If I wanted to sit down and just read a book, in almost all cases I would prefer a hard copy, mostly because of the sensory effect. However, when it comes to textbooks used in classes and books filled with media-heavy content, I would prefer a digital copy. Photographs are often more vibrant and available to zoom and save, and many textbooks can include videos and links that you otherwise would not be able to take advantage of with a hard copy book. With all that said, which do you prefer?

Fighting the Good Fight

noreply@blogger.com (Z. Reese Downing) — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 15:16:00 +0000

In a brave new world where online book publishing is slowly taking over traditional methods, it is important for an author to do thorough research before selecting a third wave company they will use to distribute their product. Different publishing companies can offer different packages, but in the end there are certain aspects a writer needs to look for in every company when deciding which route to go. These advantages will be much different than that of a traditional publisher, so one has to do their research. Instead of analyzing the different businesses on an individual level, let’s take a look at the perks and/or benefits that every penman should ensure is included in their overall deal.

Manufacturing & Distribution

The publishing package as a whole is obviously what we are analyzing here, but it’s important not to overlook some important key points. In a traditional book publishing company, the top 10% will get 90% of the attention. These are the bestsellers and/or have already been extremely saturated in the marketplace and built their own brand and following. They receive virtually all of the marketing, promotion, copyedit, and overall general assistance from the publishers. That being said, a third wave publishing company does things a little differently.

With a print-on-demand company, an author will usually have two different strategies. Some third wave companies will offer an exclusive publishing deal. This means that whatever company the author signs with will have the sole right to sell and distribute the book. This may not be such a good thing. Say the POD company decides to offer an author an exclusive deal. Said author agrees to the package offered, and the book explodes on the market. Considering up to 25% of an author’s income can come from selling internationally, he/she decides they want to start selling the book overseas in Europe. They go to your publisher to come up with a plan, only to discover that their international reach stops at Canada. However, since they signed an exclusive deal, they’re stuck. With that in mind, it’s vital as an author to make sure to ask as many questions as possible so there are no limitations made by the chosen company’s abilities to distribute. On the flip side, many third wave businesses, especially start-ups, will offer a non-exclusive deal. This gives the writer freedom to sign with multiple distributors at their own discretion. This scenario is best, as it gives more flexibility to grow along with the book. In the end, manufacturing and distribution can be the most lackluster topic to discuss but the most important, so be careful and ask a ton of questions when choosing which POD to go with.

Customer Reach

This topic really encompasses a little bit of each topic that’s up for discussion. The better the distribution, perks, design, marketing/promotional strategies, and general support there is, the more customers a book will ultimately reach. With that in mind, there are a couple specific distribution channels that will best reach the most customers. The primary outlet will most definitely be e-books for any author looking to utilize third-wave publishing. Check to make sure the POD isn’t just selling on Amazon or iBooks, but either utilizes multiple online outlets or allows you the flexibility to sign with multiple distributors. Some online publishing companies will have connections to traditional book stores as well, so that is important to note and ask about. Furthermore, it is important to know what, if any, wholesale distribution channels they are connected with. Baker & Taylor and Ingram are the two major wholesalers, so make sure they are included in your publishing deal.

Optional Paid Perks

Obviously not everyone will be interested in paying additional money on top of their basic fees for additional perks. However, some authors will be less experienced than others and paying for the additional services could make or break the book. Perks like press releases, website design, copyediting, marketing/promotional resources, and even copyright registration may all be additional services that an online book publisher could offer for additional fees. Keep these in mind as the search for the best publisher continues.

Design

Let’s face it; most authors aren’t artists. They do their creative work through pen and paper. So what happens when it’s time to design the layout and cover of the book? That’s where some online publishers can help. Many have their own creative department that works with the authors to work up a design that best fits the needs of both parties. These are almost always paid services that are additional to the basic publishing deal, but often times they are worth their weight in gold. The layout of the book can affect the novel’s literary flow, and the cover can be what makes one book stick out over another of the same niche.

Marketing & Promotion

This is often the most surprising aspect of online book publishers. In comparison to traditional methods, you see a lot of difference between the second and third wave publishing. One thing they have in common, however, is the lack of marketing and promotional work that the publishers handle themselves. In the DIY world that we live in, it’s almost always up to the author to market and promote the book. That being said, social media will be the best tool an author can use in order to get their book out on the streets and in the general public’s mind. Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Blogger, a website specifically set up to promote the book; all of these strategies are low to no cost and can have a tremendous impact on the book’s overall success.

General Support

All and all, every one of these topics that has been covered today all really falls under general support. We all have to face the fact that, as new writers, most if not all of the legwork in order to get the book off the ground will have to be done by the authors themselves. Maybe that isn’t such a bad thing, though. As we are constantly preached as we grow up, hard work pays off and people appreciate things more when they are the owner. In the third wave world of publishing, this is most definitely the case. The question is, do you have the drive to succeed in the fast-paced, cutthroat world of book publishing?

Safe Harbor Defense, Copyright Infringement, and Other Liabilities of the Entertainment Industry

noreply@blogger.com (Z. Reese Downing) — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 02:23:00 +0000

As I mentioned in my last blog, the Entertainment Industry is run and burnt down by contracts and lawsuits. However, this doesn't just apply to the Entertainment Industry. Anyone starting up their own business, whether they realize or not, will have a ton of liability concerns to deal with. Whether it be just getting your business set up or actually running it, one of the biggest mistakes a business owner can make is overlooking or ignoring liabilities. That being said, those potentially starting a business in our world of music, film, and sports should look for liability advice specifically from your attorney. Utilizing a great attorney will not only protect you and your business from possibly unforeseen liability issues, but will overall create a better experience for you, your employees, and your customers. But what if you haven't gotten that far yet? What if you are at a point where you are looking to start a business, but you'd like to gain more knowledge about the most common liability issues currently facing our industry? Well, you're in luck. There are a ton of resources out there that give you vast amounts of knowledge and lessons learned by others that have treaded before you, and the best part about it all is that it is almost always free. One of the best free resources out right now in regards to the legal and liability side of the Entertainment industry is Gordon Firemark's Entertainment Law Update. Here you can listen to multiple podcasts on various industry topics, including but not limited to current court cases, 360 deals, taxes, and more. I took the website for a test drive to see what's what.

California Talent Agencies Act and the Safe Harbor Defense

California Talent Agencies Act and the Safe Harbor Defense

The first podcast I listened to is entitled "Episode 29- 360 deals, rights of publicity, and more". As is the format for all of Firemark's podcasts, many topics were discussed, including music sales vs. license litigation, copyright termination, and transmission fees. The topic that caught me immediately though was regarding 360 deals and there place in the Entertainment industry, specifically in regards to whether or not it is in violation of the California Talent Agencies Act. For those who don't know, a 360 deal is virtually a contract that is signed by an artist with a record label that allows the record label to make money on every aspect of the artist's career. The profits shared with the label can come not just from record sales, but from live performances, merchandising, sponsorships, acting, and more. There are two types of 360 deals; one where the record label not only collects a profit share but owns the rights to all work, and one where the record label collects a profit share but the artist owns the rights. The issue is with the California Talent Agencies Act. The CTAA is a section of the California labor code that states that only a licensed agency can search for and book employment for the talent. The act is specifically meant to protect the artist from being offered an employment opportunity that turns out to be completely different than promised. Knowing this information, you would think that 360 deals wouldn't be possible with record labels. Well, there's a loophole. It's called the Safe Harbor defense. In this circumstance, someone such as a manager or a record label executive can book employment for an artist as long as they are working in conjunction with an actual licensed representative and it is at the request of the artist. If the Safe Harbor defense isn't applicable to whatever the circumstance may be, then there are consequences to the entity that booked the employment for the artist. This includes repayment of all commission, along with voiding parts of, if not the entire contract that was signed. A good example of this is the Marathon Entertainment Inc v. Blasi Supreme Court case. The lesson learned? Make sure you have proper representation. Regardless of whether it's paying a lawyer to draft a contract or attempting to book a gig for a client, one missed step and you could go from making millions to owing millions.

Going "Gaga" over GaGa

Gaga Pure Platinum vs Lady Gaga Trademark Dispute

The second podcast I listened to is entitled "Episode 32- Lawyers, Libel, Logos and Lollipops". In this podcast, one of the topics Firemark talks about is a trademark dispute that Lady GaGa is currently dealing with. GaGa's company, At My Heart Inc, is attempting to trademark both "Lady GaGa" and "House of GaGa". The issue is that there is a cosmetic company named Gaga Pure Platinum that has owned the trademark to Gaga since 2000, long before Lady GaGa's persona ever existed. GaGa is attempting to register those names under the Class 3: Cosmetics & Cleaning Products trademark registration, but the USPTO has kicked back the application twice. Because of this, Lady GaGa and her legal team have filed a federal lawsuit to attempt to gain ownership of the mark. Now it has turned into a PR battle. GaGa's people are claiming that they would never attack anyone's rights, but the mark they are requesting has not been used in years and every attempt they have made to contact GPP has been ignored and so they have no choice but to take the matter to court. Gaga Pure Platinum is stating that GaGa's team is not only lying about ever attempting to contact the company, but they are attempting to bully the company into giving up a mark that GPP says is still very much in use. I did a little of my own research and found that Gaga Pure Platinum has a functional website where you can purchase cosmetics. With a website that's up and running and products available for sale, I don't see how GaGa and her team can make the claim that it isn't being used. We will have to keep an eye on the news to find out what happens next. I think the biggest lesson to learn from all this is to try and be as approachable, supportive, and open as possible when you want something from someone. It seems to me that this whole debacle may have been easily solved without a lawsuit if GaGa's team would have followed the basic steps of communication. Furthermore, an equally important lesson learned is to do your research on any trademarks you may want to dive into early in your career (or before you even officially start). I'm sure GaGa will get way more of a battle now that she's as big as she is, as opposed to attempting to acquire the trademark before anyone really knew who she was.

Copyright Infringement Against Mike Tyson's Face

Hangover 2 Copyright Infringement Lawsuit

The third and final podcast I listened to is entitled "Episode 25- What's with all the Zombies?". Of all of the crazy topics that are covered in this podcast, the section that caught my attention the most was the lawsuit brought against Warner Bros., the company who made "The Hangover 2". Now, this film has already seen its share of lawsuits. The first case, which was eventually settled out of court, involved a copyright infringement lawsuit pertaining to the tattoo on Mike Tyson's face. The tattoo artist that worked on Mike Tyson's wearable art sued based on the claim that the tattoo was copyrighted material, and recreating it and putting it on Ed Helm's character in the movie was infringement. Not long after, another lawsuit was brought up against Warner Bros. (this one is actually still pending) from a stunt man named Scott McLean that suffered extensive cranial damage, specifically brain injuries, while filming the movie. He was in the middle of an automobile stunt where he was doubling for Ed Helms, and right before the shoot the stunt coordinator (and co-defendant) Russell Solberg suddenly decided to change the timing sequence and speed up the vehicle's MPH in order to increase the suspense. When this happened, an accident occurred and McLean's head was extensively damaged. Now Warner Bros. is being sued again on the basis that the entire premise of the film was stolen and used without consent. Plaintiff Michael Alan Rubin claims that the script is actually a defaming rendition of a script he wrote a couple years ago, entitled "Mickey and Kirin", about his experiences in Asia during a honeymoon that went array. The script was registered by him with the Writers Guild of America, and that is where he believes his idea was taken. He goes on to state that that not only is he suing for copyright infringement and misappropriation of his publicity rights, but also for defamation as he claims the filmmakers "suggested the inference that he was under the influence of drugs when he ditched his girlfriend and proposed to a male-to-female transexual prostitute". Although most of the industry believes this lawsuit provides nothing but a good laugh, Rubin believes in his accusation so much that he has decided to represent himself instead of "lawyering up". Good luck with that, buddy. As humorous as this may be, the biggest thing to take away from this is to have a great attorney on your side. It definitely can't hurt. As the evidence shows, you never know where a lawsuit may come from. Having an experienced, meticulous attorney on your side will help prevent most, if not all liabilities from occurring. The brick wall defense that your attorney can build will offer much greater protection than the house of cards most of us would create by attempting to prepare, prevent, and defend business liabilities on our own.

Lessons Learned (Or Not) in the Entertainment Industry

noreply@blogger.com (Z. Reese Downing) — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 08:01:00 +0000

The legal system is seemingly forever entwined with the Entertainment Industry. In a world that is ran and burnt down by contracts and lawsuits, the Film, Music, and Sports industries will always have a great need for legal professionals and their services. With so many different aspects of the law, legal precedence is a vital tool that every business needs to use in order to protect them from liability. Many artists and businesses could actually save a little money on lawyer fees if they would just do a little research about past judicial cases on their own time. That being said, lets take a look a couple recent cases involving my particular area of focus, Artist Management.

The first case is the most recent, and involves one of the most high profile hip-hop stars out right now. The story allegedly goes that sometime in ‘07 or ‘08 Jas Prince, son of J Prince, discovered Drake and introduced him to Cortez Bryant and Lil Wayne. Prince and Bryant came to an oral agreement at that time that Prince and his father would get paid to develop and sell Drake’s entertainment services, as well has handle the business side of Lil Wayne’s records. In 2009 Prince decided that he wanted out, and came to a settlement with Bryant that he would receive a portion of Aspire’s profits, a majority share of interest in Drake’s masters, and a percentage of Drake’s gross income coming from the management deal. Prince is suing because he hasn’t yet received any payments, and every time he attempts to get paid Bryant and the management team redirects him to their lawyer who won’t return his phone calls. He states there has been a breach of the oral agreement, the settlement, good faith and fair dealing agreement…virtually every agreement they ever came to. As if this weren’t enough, Drake is also suing because he wants to renegotiate his record contract. And, of course, both of them want their money owed. In my opinion, this seems like just another situation where an up-and-coming artist and their friend/manager are approached with a deal that puts sparkles in their eyes and they quickly sign, only later to realize that the deal wasn’t all that great. Personally, I don’t understand why those just trying to break into the entertainment world don’t look at this more closely. It’s obvious to me; don’t agree to any contract on the spot without some time to analyze, reflect, and research. There's nothing wrong with asking for time to review a contract. If the people you are dealing with don't want to give you the time then you probably don't want to be in business with them anyway. Now, if the contract doesn’t have specific instructions on when, where, and how much Prince and Drake should receive compensation, then this falls on Prince and Drake. It’s unbelievable how fiscally irresponsible some people are with their careers, and it looks like this could be another case. Even if the stipulations are in the contract and Bryant and the company still aren’t paying, it’s again on Prince that he waited so long to confront the issue the way that he has. The moral of the story here is to attack a problem as soon as it arises, and be as absolutely detailed as possible in your contracts.

Another interesting case that’s been in the news currently is the disagreement between Ed Kowalczyk and Action Front Unlimited, the company started by Ed’s old band Live. The band has split, but they all still own equal share in the company. The problem lies in the fact that the company owns the trademark rights to “Live”, and Kowalczyk has been operating his artistic business using the Live name without consent from the other members of the band. The band’s company wants compensated for trademark infringement and dilution and false designation of origin, totaling $2 million in damages. Kowalczyk stance is that he owns part of the company that owns the trademark so he should be able to use it accordingly. It seems like Kowalczyk may not have the upper hand in this situation. The other three members of the company are stating that Ed virtually refuses to recognize that he is no longer associated with the band “Live” and continues to use the trademark anyway. It sounds like Ed might be trying to hold onto the glory days in an attempt to boost his commercial appeal. At the same time, he is and will forever be the face of that amazing 90’s alternative band, which could potentially hold significant weight in court. Considering this could cost Kowalczyk a good amount of money, the lesson learned here is to make sure what you’re using is in fact OK to use. This is a responsibility that an Artist Manager needs to make sure his client is holding to.

The last case that has been in the news lately that I would like to discuss is; well, it’s believable but leaves me even more skeptical for the future of this Earth. Here’s the situation. Legendary front man Ozzy Osbourne is performing at his annual Ozzfest show in Phoenix, Arizona…in the middle of the day…in August. Lets keep in mind that the average high temperature in August in Phoenix is 104 degrees. OK, now that you have a good understanding of the environment, back to the action. Ozzy is up on stage rocking away as only Ozzy can, when he notices a woman in the crowd with a one-year-old kid. Yes, you read that correctly. This brilliant woman didn’t just bring her infant to a concert; she brought the baby to a heavy metal festival in the dead heat of summer in the hottest city in the United States of America and stood close to a stage that’s pumping insanely loud and violent sound waves through speakers that are bigger than the car she probably drove in with the baby in the front seat facing the window. I digress. Ozzy sees this woman holding her baby, and understanding the intense heat and the stress it must be to the child, grabs a water bottle and tosses it in the lady’s direction. Somehow the water bottle miscues and hits the baby. Several years later, this lady now is suing Ozzy for $80,000 in damages. Are you kidding me, lady?!? A guy whom you obviously have great appreciation for shows compassion towards you and your family, an accident occurs, and your sorry self has to sue? Between this story and the recent Justin Bieber lawsuit with the girl suing him for putting his arm around her during a photo, I can understand a little more why some stars are rude or introverted in public. Both guys were being generous and compassionate to their fans, and it ends up costing them time and money. I will never fully understand why people do and say the things they do, but I honestly do find it truly disappointing that so many people throw away their morals just to make a buck. As far as what to take away, this case shows that anyone high profile should be analytical and cautious when interacting with fans. An Artist Manager would need to discuss this with his clients as they gain popularity and are forced into more social interactions.

At the end of the day, we can't all act like Peter Grant. The grand point to take away is that just by paying attention to what’s going on within your specific niche in the industry, you can be better prepared to handle any liability that could come your way. It all comes down to analysis, detail, and preparation. If an Artist Manager can master those three skills, they will be better prepared to take on the Entertainment World, particularly the area of Law.

SXSW

noreply@blogger.com (Z. Reese Downing) — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:14:00 +0000

It's a little difficult to see, but this was my seat for the SXSW (South by Southwest) presentation earlier this week. They discussed the internship and volunteer programs, as well as some basic information about what the festival entails. Go here to find more information.

Respect Your Elders...

noreply@blogger.com (Z. Reese Downing) — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 05:43:00 +0000

The music industry has grown tremendously with the continual expansion of the Internet and technology in general. There are way more budding artists putting material out than ever before, and the development of social media sites like YouTube and Facebook will just continue to push the growth. With many more artists attempting to make it in the industry, more artist managers are needed to help develop those talents. I mean, sure, an artist can take care of many management duties on his own when he or she is first starting out. Eventually, however, they will need help. The same goes for managers themselves. It is easier to communicate with people today than it ever has been, and many resources are more easily accessible now due to technology than they have been in the past. On the other hand, nothing beats networking and experience, and those things you can’t go buy at a store or look up on the Internet. So, just like the artists, eventually managers need help. That being said, where can artists and managers alike find help? Steve Rennie, manager of the very successful rock band Incubus, has come up with his own solution.

Rennie has created a website called Renman Music & Business. This website can be used “to collaborate, get insider access, and mentoring from the music industry veteran.” Rennie, like most seasoned managers, often gets contacted for networking opportunities and advice from various up and coming musicians and budding talent managers. After awhile, Rennie decided that he wanted to create a forum in which he could share exclusive content and insider tips and tricks that was low maintenance and could reach a broad audience. He found what he was looking for with his website. RM&B allows Rennie to communicate with his peers through online chats, community forums, and video blogs to share his advice. With Rennie’s 30 years of experience within the industry, it’s quite silly to not use his website as a major development tool if you are trying to make it as either an artist or an artist manager. That’s not all, though. What’s the best part about the deal? It doesn’t cost you a dime.

Here's an interview done with Steve Rennie, where he discusses his new venture among other things:

The Invaluable Asset

noreply@blogger.com (Z. Reese Downing) — Wed, 16 May 2012 06:39:00 +0000

What is the key to creating a business and making it successful? Driving sales? Finding inventive ways to create more return on your profits? What about developing and maintaining a great marketing campaign? How about building a strong brand name and story? I mean, sure; all of these are important components to your business. However, I have seen a declining trend over the past few years (especially recently) of one of, if not THE most important keys to the puzzle of building a sustainable company. It’s something that you can’t purchase, even though it’s the most valuable asset a company can have. That asset is integrity. It cannot be bought or sold, but it can make or break an establishment. Some companies are built on the integrity of their product. Some businesses pride themselves on the integrity of their customer service. Whatever the case may be, the alarming trend is the fact that many people within today’s businesses are sacrificing their integrity to make a quick buck, advance their career or company, or fulfill a desire. It’s truly unfortunate, especially considering often times they are running a company in which we all have interacted with or at least heard of. Take a look at former Yahoo CEO Scott Thompson, who lied on a resume about a degree he said he earned but didn’t. There’s also Brian Dunn and Richard Schultz, former CEOs of Best Buy. Dunn was caught having an inappropriate relationship with an employee and it subsequently led to his resignation. Just today, Schultz resigned after it was discovered that he knew about the misconduct and failed to report it to the board members of the company.

To be frank, I just don’t understand. I was brought up to know that a person is only as good as their word. My parents, teachers, and employers all talk about the importance of having good morals, values, and ethics. How do we teach this to the next generation when they turn on the TV and see stories like this? It’s unfortunate to say the least. So what can we do? As those in my generation grow into the CEO positions and we become the leaders, what can we do to make sure that we don’t sacrifice the ideals in which we were raised on just to get ahead? The true answer is YOU. Only you can make the internal decision to do what’s right, for better or worse. Everyone has that reminder they can think of in times where you may be tempted to steer away from what you believe in. Maybe it’s a photo of someone special, a promise you made to yourself, or your grandma’s look if she would see what you were about to do. Whatever your “thing” is, find it. Remember it. Use it. In a world where temptation is put in front of you every day and our beliefs are put to the test, it’s important to try to live each day being the person you want those special to you to see. I hope our future leaders of commerce can look upon the bad decisions of our current CEOs and learn from the history instead of repeating it.

Finding Funding for your Startup

noreply@blogger.com (Z. Reese Downing) — Thu, 03 May 2012 04:13:00 +0000

Finding funding for a business venture is one of the most difficult things you will face as an entrepreneur. Next to finding customers that are willing to pay for your product or service, accumulating enough capital to get your business off the ground is probably the biggest obstacle when building a viable business. Obtaining financing as a business owner can be difficult today. Although we are seeing some growth in the economy, banks and angel investors are still being much more cautious when it comes to taking chances on startups. Additionally, credit scores have been damaged virtually across the board looking back on the last 10 years. With one of the two circumstances affecting many budding entrepreneurs, looking for alternative funding is a must if you want to continue to chase your dream.

There are several forms of alternative funding that you can use to achieve startup capital for your company. One alternative to standard bank loans are SBA loans. SBA loans are used in most cases when all other forms of alternative funding are not available to the business owner due to certain circumstances. The SBA backed loan tells the bank that is actually loaning the money that the government will cover a portion of the loan in the event that borrower defaults. There are obviously additional regulations when utilizing an SBA loan, so regular funding from a bank is better if it can be achieved. Otherwise, an SBA loan makes it less risky for the bank to take the chance and give you the money you need.

Invoice factoring is another form of funding for a startup business. This is a good way to get money quickly for some businesses. Once you have identified a business to work with and come to an agreed upon loan amount and conditions, you hand your accounts to the factor company. The factor company will control all of the agreed invoices processing, take their share of their monthly payment, and send the rest to you. This process continues until the loan has been paid off. Once that happens, all accounts transfer back to your company. The primary disadvantage of this is the control that is given to the factor company during the loan duration. This risk is often times overlooked though, as there are many advantages for cash poor companies in need of funding.

When selling a tangible product, your supplier may be just the person to help you with funding. Many businesses achieve funds for their business by striking a deal with their supplier. The company in need of cash will receive a loan at a fair rate in exchange for a guarantee of business. A “you scratch my back, I scratch yours” scenario, supplier financing can also offer additional benefits, such as the ability to utilize consignment shipping. Companies often times ask for this clause in the contract with the supplier. Doing so can save your company’s need for storage space and help in controlling overstocked items. The biggest disadvantage is that you are now locked into that one supplier, regardless of how the business is working. If the company were to outgrow the supply, things can be tricky for both parties on how to get out of the agreement or settle on new payment terms.

Probably the most hip, innovative way of capital funding is through the use of crowdfunding. Many websites, such as Kickstarter and Crowdfunder, connect entrepreneurs with business opportunities with people who have the money to donate to their cause. In return, the businesses receiving the funds have to give perks and/or rewards to those who put in money. The biggest advantage of this is that you don’t have to pay the money back. Additionally, funding can be easier for some as more people invest in smaller amounts. The biggest disadvantage to this is the risk that your pitch doesn’t work. If you set your goal at $10,000 for your venture and you only meet a $9,000 balance, all of the money is pushed back to those that donated and you leave with nothing. This type of funding seems to be most popular with musicians and tech projects.

To bring everything together, the point I’m trying to make is to not get discouraged. As I said before, almost every business owner at start struggles to get the money they need to get their company off the ground. The good news is that there aren’t just one or two outlets to obtain funding. If you work hard, do your research, plan correctly and understand your goals, getting the money you need to launch your business is just down the rabbit hole. You just need to take the plunge.

Opinion: Jantsch's Foolproof Business Plan

noreply@blogger.com (Z. Reese Downing) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 19:55:00 +0000

When it comes to entrepreneurship, there are many reasons why a start up business may fail. It could be a lack of knowledge of the field or not enough planning prior to launch. The owner may become quickly overwhelmed by the responsibility of running a company and the stress can overtake the possibility of success. Some businesses get past the first troubles of starting a new company, but quickly get consumed by the competition. In the world of the Entertainment industry and regarding talent management specifically, the biggest obstacle is maintaining lucrative clients. The business that is show business is one of the most, if not the most competitive industry to gain employment and be successful in. You can be managing the most talented up and coming band in the industry and still not be guaranteed an easy road to find good paying work for your artist. Although networking, knowledge, and being open to multiple avenues of income for your client can help; a deep focus is necessary to maintain a profitable company. John Jantsch addresses this deeper focus.

In the blog How to Build a Business That Cannot Fail, Jantsch is precise and specific in three major focuses that can help keep your start up business out of the gutter. The first topic Jantsch discusses is probably the one that businesses miss out most, which is the concentration between your customer focus and your business focus. Often times a business idea is built on the notion of building a profit through selling a product or service. Although this is important, Jantsch makes the point that in order to sell those products or services you need to maintain a client base or you won’t have anyone buying what you’re selling. Considering the consumer is necessary in order for your idea to launch and maintain success, why not build your business on the customer experience instead of the product experience? He makes a great point. It can be to your advantage to work this way if you have the proper people skills. Everyone wants to make money and everyone enjoys spending money. Instead of building a product and searching for the customer, identify your customer first and find out what product they are looking to buy. Bam! Identifying the appropriate market you want to work in and doing the proper research to discover what is missing in that market that you could bring to those clients will most certainly give your business a greater opportunity for success. That is not to say that every business decision made should be done strictly by looking at the opinion of your cliental. The point Jantsch is making is that too many companies lose sight of their customers. The notion to stop listening to your customers will only lead to the eventual demise of your business. They are your greatest assets next to your team.

The second idea is to test and evolve your product. Don’t be set in stone on what you’re selling and critique yourself against your competition as much as possible. It’s vital for a beginning company to compare what they are selling against the competition. Doing so is like receiving free customer feedback without spending a dime on your own product. Being able to see what attracts people to your competitor’s product, what they do and don’t like about it, and even things such as brand strategy and pricing can all be researched and analyzed with real-time data if you study your current competition’s strategies. This is often times missed by entrepreneurs. A person dedicates their blood, sweat, and tears for years to develop the perfect product and often times becomes so infatuated that they refuse change. History has shown us that this business model doesn’t work. Henry Ford is a great example of this. He was so in love with his original Model-T that he refused innovation and change amongst his designers, up to the point that he fired some of his most promising employees. This almost cost Ford his company, but luckily he woke up just in time. Don’t make this same mistake with your business. Showing humility and absorbing feedback instead of deflecting it will serve your business much better both in the short and long term vision of your company.

The last idea is by most accounts the most difficult to achieve because of the time and effort it takes to develop. Having a strong sales action process is vastly important if you want to offer a consumer something to purchase. Customers aren’t just buying a product anymore; they are buying an experience. To be honest, actually, that is going to sell your company more than the product or service you offer will. It’s 2012; every market is saturated in some way. The best way to differentiate yourself from your competition is by the way you handle your day-to-day business. A strong sales process brings your clients back to shop with you again because they cannot receive the same experience elsewhere. Once you have that sales process down, your customers becoming your marketing. Word of mouth can be a very powerful marketing tool, and first hand accounts of great experiences won’t stay unnoticed.

When it’s all said and done, the primary point to keep a business from failing is this: customer, customer, customer. We live in a world where most big businesses have lost track of the client experience and the consumers are starting to fight back. Companies like Circuit City and Blockbuster have gone belly up because they lose focus of their customer’s needs and wants and don’t evolve their services to meet the growing expectations. Following Jantsch’s suggestions to keep a strong business model can only help in your strategy to maintain a successful company. Really, at the end of the day, the Darwin Theory of Evolution is the perfect example of what running a business is all about; adapt or die.

The True Power of Music

noreply@blogger.com (Z. Reese Downing) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 08:16:00 +0000

Everyone needs medicine. It is perhaps one of the most important topics in the country, especially considering the current health care situation that our nation is in. The primary issue is the cost factor of receiving medical treatment, as many Americans cannot afford to pay for the ridiculous costs of going to the doctor to be diagnosed and treated. Because of the country’s current state, many are forced to look for online remedies and self diagnose. This resurrects older health practices used in history, many of which are spiritual remedies. Music, in my opinion, is one of the most underappreciated and underutilized medicines in human history. Many modern day health problems have indicators that show stress as a catalyst to whatever illness a patient has. Life is much more busy these days, and everyone is on the hustle. With more work and less play, stress has become an illness that is often times ignored. I’m here to tell you, as Robert Gupta said, “Music is medicine; music is sanity.”

Gupta is absolutely correct. Music is medicine for many reasons. Music allows you to release emotion that is otherwise often pent up. Think about it. You’re having a bad day, so you put on your favorite Ramones jam and go work out. You had a long day at work, so you get home, crack open a bottle of wine, and put on some Miles Davis. You’re getting psyched up for the big game, so you have Rage Against the Machine cranked up in your headphones before you walk out to the field. You’re having problems with your girlfriend, so you go get relationship advice from the latest Ne-Yo album. Whatever it is, we all use music to release the energy from emotions felt in our day-to-day lives. It isn’t just emotion that our body uses the music to connect with, though. Real healing power can be seen from music, especially on the psychological level. Gupta makes this clear when he discusses The Soloist, a film about an LA journalist and a homeless man that was trained at the Juilliard School of the Arts in New York City, and their intense connection made through the power of music. For some people, the most sane and calm they feel in this crazy, nonstop world is when their favorite music is playing. It all comes down to the fact that music touches people. It is truly an inspiration to know that the products we create in what some would consider an all-fun industry have a positive impact on the people who hear it. Music has it’s own voice, and that voice communicates with each person in a special, different way that creates a type of fusion in the body that it can’t get anywhere else. This kind of connection is something I most certainly want as a model for the products and services offered by my own business.

Expanding your Network as a musician

noreply@blogger.com (Z. Reese Downing) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 17:01:00 +0000

In the age of the Internet, it has become increasingly easy to share media to the world. With websites like Facebook, YouTube, MySpace and more allowing the everyday user to spread their message through audio and video, the saturation of the entertainment market has grown tremendously. Although these are important sites, especially for a budding artist, collaboration seems to be the true name of the game for the music industry right now. Kanye West and Jay-Z created an album together, Rihanna seems to be on every single that’s released, and the blend of genres you’d never think of are now becoming the norm. Using the Internet as a tool has helped many musicians break out into the industry, and there are a couple great websites outside of the obvious that can help expand your network as a musician with others to share, gain feedback, and collaborate in ways like never before.

IndabaMusic.com is a great website that allows you to share your music with the world. You create a profile, giving you the space to list your credentials and display your work. It is free to search, look through, and listen to the music that musicians have posted. It also tags your profile with people you have previously collaborated with, and it even gives you the opportunity to make some money by charging to help or work with other musicians.

Kompoz.com is similar to Indaba in many ways. You create your own profile and display the projects that you are working on just like Indaba, but the multimedia aspect is a little different. Podcasts and videos are also displayed, and there are also contests that are set up for those that want to display their work to the masses. Tutorials can also be found here, which is nice for someone who is just getting started.

A third website to take a look at WeMix.com. Although this site is currently under construction for upgrade purposes, when it’s up and running it is a great site to use. It is considered a prime location to create music online and connects these musicians with user-created record labels. It also connects musicians with big time artists, as many big musicians like to collaborate with the fans.

These are just a couple websites, but you should get the idea. The technology we use every day can turn the average person into a composition master, and you can do it with the help of real professionals and others that have extensive knowledge. I highly recommend any of these sites for all of the growing musicians in the world.

A.I. Kick Off

noreply@blogger.com (Z. Reese Downing) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 07:41:00 +0000

Well, folks....it's American Idol season. Although some people are closet Idol fans, I have no problem in admitting that I enjoy watching each week. As all A.I. fans know, the first couple weeks are by far the most "entertaining" portion of the show. Filled with amazing young talent, clowns that know they can't sing but are hoping for their 15 seconds of fame, and plenty of drama throughout Hollywood week, it's a mixed bag as to how people view the beginning of each season. Now that the circus show is all over, it's time to get down to business of America's vote. The format they chose this year is the same as it has been, splitting the final 24 by gender with a two night premiere, starting this week. Tonight was the first go round for the gentlemen, and the talent is pretty deep. My question I ask myself every year, though, is this.... Is it in the best interest of American Idol to leave the voting strictly to the public?

I understand from a ratings aspect that it can be considered best move for the show, as producers feel that people are more likely to watch so they can vote appropriately for who they like. My problem is that not every person in America (actually a majority of people) is an expert on musicianship and talent. Take Pia Toscano for example. A contestant from last year's season, who in my opinion was by far one of the most talented singers not just from last year but in the history of the show, was eliminated in 9th place. This was taken as a shock by the judges and everyone watching, but how could it be if Americans are voting for the best singer? Well, it's because they don't in most cases. It becomes more of a popularity contest than a real talent judgment. Of course talent is considered, but the voting system is flawed. The judges should have more say in the overall results. Idol has attempted to fix this by giving the judges a "wildcard" save, so in the event someone is eliminated that they feel should stay, they can give that contestant a second chance. This can only happen once though, and unfortunately America screws it up more than once a season.

There are a couple ways of at least helping to fix the issue. One way to help control the ruckus is to only allow one vote per text/phone/IP address. This will help control the teenage girls and moms sitting at home and sending out 500 votes in two hours for the boy they think is cute and don't want to see leave (an opinion shared by many industry experts). Another option would be to give, as I mentioned, voting weight to the judges. I mean, come on... You are paying three people that have extreme amounts of experience in the music industry quite a bit of money to sit at a table in front of everyone else and state their opinion, but they don't have any control over what happens. These are just a couple of solutions that wouldn't be difficult for Idol to change, and shouldn't have a major effect on the viewer ratings, if any.

Votes are being tallied as we speak, and Thursday night America finds out who the top 6 for the guys will be. As I see it, the top 6 moving on to next week should be Aaron Marcellus, Adam Brock, Jeremy Rosado, Joshua Ledet, Reed Grimm and Jermaine Jones (who, by the way, was a surprise 13th guy added at the last second by producers...a smart idea considering he is far more talented than a couple of the guys who did make it to the top 12). Hopefully lackluster performances by the likes of Chase Likens, Colton Dixon, Eben Franckewitz, and Phillip Phillips are not overlooked as the voting is submitted. Be sure to take a look at the contestants for this season and tune in for Wednesday night's performances from the top 12 (or maybe 13 if they decide to bring someone back similar to what they did this evening) girls. Most importantly, if you are an expert and watch the show, cast your vote!

noreply@blogger.com (Z. Reese Downing) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:21:00 +0000

This first post I wanted to share a couple links to some interesting articles. The first article I want to share is from Rolling Stone Magazine. It's a look on the current state of the music industry and where the economics are heading as we move from hard copy music into the digital age of cloud storage and so on. I really believe this is a concept that needs to be closely, as royalties in the industry are becoming increasingly difficult to track and understand. With programs like Spotify and iTunes virtually controlling most of the music industry releases, the revenue split between the company, the artist, the songwriter, and the record label all vary depending on so many different circumstances that even many band managers don't quite know where the money is coming from and how it is calculated. The article is very intriguing.

The second article is in regards to cinematography growing with the use of smartphones like the iPhone. It's an interesting view on how our new mobile devices are allowing the freedom of film without the heavy cost of the modest or even professional user. The technology in smartphones only continues to grow, and as companies like Apple spend a lot of time developing "bells and whistles" on these devices, it can only force the competition (HTC, LG, Samsung and the like) to continue to develop similar technologies as to not fall behind the curve. Smartphones have already virtually made digital point-and-shoot cameras obsolete.......are handheld video cameras next in line to be taken down by the mobile movement?