A project approach for Creatives
Project lockdown
The most significant benefit of the pandemic to Creatives' (and there's not many!) is that you have the option to pace yourself, do more and to analyse the purpose of what you're doing.
The amount of online resources by way of courses and forums has exploded, Offering support and expertise that can aid and increase your music business.
Music is a business, and therefore your music ministry should have a solid business model that can keep you both relevant and viable. To help support this business model, you should approach your desired outcomes as projects.
Using a project approach breaks down your outcomes into bite-size tasks and activities to avoid expensive mishaps and lessens the chance of burn out. It also is excellent for working in timelines and identifying roles and resources or expertise to support your overall vision.
Benefits of a project approach
As a Creative Projects Manager, I have heard first hand the frustration of those nearing the finish line, leading to a combination of a complete loss of vision and an attitude of, 'whatever! To be honest, this combination preys on your desire for it to 'just be over and done with'. Not healthy or productive!
For music artists, this usually takes the form of a, 'drop the track and see what happens' attitude, with no pre-promotion or marketing campaign in place. For events, the feeling may be, we are here already, let's open the doors and hope for the best.
Again, neither are healthy or productive!!.., but without advance preparation, a good understanding of the deliverables for your project and key risk assessment, this is where most Creatives end up. Sometimes this much-needed expertise and guidance are provided by a team throughout the process or by crucial individuals at critical points of the project.
Creative Projects
I would definitely recommend this project-driven prep for any of your upcoming ventures, particularly for independent artists, creators and event managers, be it:
Album/EP development
Business Launch
Entertainment based business development
Music Release
Creative Projects
Event Production
Tour Development
The pandemic has really highlighted the benefits of applying this project approach even in my business structuring and restructuring. I personally have spent my time analysing the services, how they can be repurposed to remain relevant and viable during this season and beyond.
Project Starter
Subsequently, I have discovered the importance of adding value to others during this industry downtime with online courses and coaching, as a support platform to share knowledge, train and contribute to the Christian Gospel community, mainly:
Music artists, developing music projects
those that supporting music creatives and
Music Investors, i.e., those developing or remodelling businesses, and events to the extended entertainment industry.
I would encourage our industry to resist standing still and keep moving forward with purpose, delivering now while preparing the end of the pandemic.