Business is creative
A famous record label executive was confronted by a musician who said, “You don’t value creativity!” The executive said, “Oh please! I’ve got accountants more creative than you!”
It’s meant as an insult, but it has a point. Don’t think of music as creative but business as not. Business is definitely just as creative as music.
Most musicians are wildly creative when writing, playing, performing, and recording. But as soon as it’s time to do business, they stiffen up and lose their confidence. They follow advice that tells them exactly how to promote.
But turning off your creativity — trying to play it safe — is the worst thing you could do. Just like with music.
So loosen up! Get confident, creative, playful, and experimental. Break the rules. Try some things that nobody else has done.
Think of how comfortable you are on your instrument — improvising, experimenting, and having fun with it.
Now be that comfortable when marketing. Improvise. Experiment. And have fun with it!
Thank you so much Derek. This is invaluable information. We love you and we love CD BABY.
I suppose, if I have the time, I try to read up on things first and then bend the rules from there.
''Break the rules. Do exactly what you're not supposed to.''
I like it. I would like to combine (incorporate) music in business.
Thanks for sharing.
Exactly. Musicians can use their creativity and passion for business as well. Its an integral part of a DIY career for indie artists today.
This is surely one of the primary reasons why Jack White or even Taylor Swift have harvested so much success continually, they take risks in business just as frequently as they do in music! Beautiful, and thanks for your wisdom.
Besides the other valuable information in this post...
I like, Derek, how you set us an example in story telling, comparisons and metaphors that not only get your point across but inspire us to apply the point to other parts of our lives.
in other words, fellow readers, we could be creative everywhere. Like when I go to stiffly see my new bank manager, I could walk in with coffee in a bank cup wearing my bank hat, and with a creative approach to how I want to use my money (true example, as the manager for small business had given me some bank "swag")
It's important to be as comfortable with the difficult, technical aspects of life as we are with the more free-spirited aspects. There is creativity - and art - to be found in all aspects of life.
This is so wonderful that you put all these gems into a book. I am thrilled by your creativity!! thank you Derek!