Home | Articles | Bookstore | Promote Your Music | Music is Your Business | Subscribe Twitter | Start a Record Label | Radio Promotion | CD Art Design | Music Career Help 2004 Career Inventory Sheet by Christopher Knab - Fourfront Media & Music Jan. 2004 Back to The Academy There is no better time than the beginning of a new year to set new goals and objectives for your music career. I have created this Career Inventory Sheet as a thorough guide for you to organize your goals, activities, business needs, and marketing strategies- all in one easy-to-use form. I hope you take the time to look this over, print it out, and USE IT as a tool to keep yourself focused on your music career and what it will take to launch and maintain it. Cheers! Christopher Knab chris@chrisknab.net Editor's Note: For simplicities sake, I've just listed Chris' categories below. To make the best use of this inventory sheet, I suggest you copy and paste the information below into a Word document and format it to your liking Artist/Band Name ___________________________________   1. Goals and Ambitions Where would you like to be in 3 years   Ultimate goals Independent Label affiliation plans? Major Label affiliation plans? 2. Live Show Experience/Background Clubs   Halls Festivals and Fairs Showcases/Conferences Misc. venues 3. Attitude Toward Music and The Business Creative Philosophy Current Image Desired Image Point Of View On Current Career Status 4. Songwriting Issues Original Songs? Copyrights filed? Publisher? Personal Publishing Company? Administration company? Name Trademarked? Performance Rights Organization?   5. Recording Issues Discography Home Recording Studio? Professional Studios Used Producers/Engineers? Mastering Contact   6. Product Design Graphic Needs?         Logo         JCard         Tray Card         Cover         Booklet         Business Card         Stationary Letterhead         Envelopes         Website Design         Press Kit Folder         Mailing Labels         Posters         Flyers         Misc. Graphic Artist? Barcode Issued? Printing contact?   7. Manufacturing/Duplication Options Manufacturing formats         CD         Cassette Tape         LP         EP         45 Pressing plant Tape duplicator Shipping arrangements Merchandising Needs (T-Shirts, caps, etc)   8. Performance Booking agents Promoters Venue Contacts Tours    ·Transportation Rehearsal Space · Equipment         Sound         Lights Additional Performance needs 9. Promotion / Press Press Kit         Bio         Fact Sheet         Cover letter         Press clippings         Folder         CD           Cover artwork         Labeling information            Photo            Business Card Commercial Radio Connections Non-Commercial Radio Connections TV Connections Internet Site Connections Print Media Connections         National Consumer publications         National Music publications         Regional Consumer publications         Regional Music publications         Local Consumer publications         Local Music publications         Music Industry Trades    Promotional Video?   10. Sales / Distribution Product sold at         Live Shows         Consignment         Mail Order         Distributors         Rack Jobbers         Internet: Your Own Site/Other online Retailers Misc. Sales Opportunities Sales / Marketing Plans:   11. Administrative / Business Entertainment Law Attorney Music Entertainment Accountant Artist Management Contact Current Financial Situation Bank Account/Band Fund:  Debt/Loans Investors Monthly Music Business Expense Summary Business Licenses Time available to work on music career ----- Christopher Knab is an independent music business consultant based in Seattle, Washington. He is available for private consultations on promoting and marketing independent music, and can be reached by email at: chris@chrisknab.net Chris Knab's new book, 'Music Is Your Business' is available NOW from the Music Biz Academy bookstore. Visit the FourFront Media and Music website for more information on the business of music from Christopher Knab. Submit An Article for Consideration! Would you like to submit an article for publication at MusicBizAcademy.com? If you have music-related expertise you'd like to share with other musicians including career tips, how to's, or general music business-related articles, please feel free to send them our way. We'll be glad to consider them. Submit your article! The Four Fronts... Artist/Product Development Promotion Publicity Performance   Get Educated... Master the Music Biz! Online Courses. Many Programs. Learn Day or Night. Details Here.   Christopher Knab Recommends... Music Is Your Business Christopher Knab and Bartley F. Day's expanded edition of "Music Is Your Business" is filled with more insights into the business side of being a successful musician or band. Included are chapters on both Internet and traditional music marketing methods. The essential legal issues you need to know are explained as are music contract tips, how to license your music, attract distributors, get radio airplay and create a demand for your music. More... How to Promote Your Music Successfully on the Internet Our in-depth guide to music promotion demonstrates how you can combine powerful internet marketing techniques to sell your music merchandise online! Learn what works, what doesn't, and what you shouldn't waste your time and money on. More.... Our Top 25 Articles How to Write an Artist Bio Performance Contracts Mastering Your Music How to Copyright Music 21 Songwriting Tips Tax Tips for Musicians Sell Your CDs Online What's a Record Deal About? Artist/Band Interview Form Inside Record Labels Internship Do's & Don'ts How to Make a Living w/ Music How to Write a Press Release Reasons Demos Are Rejected Facts About Music Licensing Trademark Your Band Name? Planning A Radio Campaign A Legal Checklist Industry Quotes to Live By Songwriting Techniques Guerrilla Marketing Tips Starting a Music Business Live Performance Music Marketing Plan Can U Afford Distribution? Lots More Articles... All Content © 1996-2013 Midnight Rain Productions. 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