My most recent issue in management concerns my newest in goals I have set for myself. If you do not follow my blog (which you should), I run an independent studio and work with many unsigned artists mostly in the Hip Hop scene. I love to produce and write music, and my ultimate goal is to achieve some decent amount of spotlight so I can one day focus it on issues I hold important. One of those issues is poverty, and homelessness.
I put together concerts, mostly with the artists I work with. However, I have not fully put together a concert on my own in over 3 years (since High School), and I fear without the constant access to a large group of close peers (all my close friends are busy and off to college too) that I once had at my disposal for promotional matters, I may lose out on whatever money I take out of my pocket for the overhead for a show. Although, the odds may be against me, I feel that I would like to do something positive with the music, and really achieve something worthy, instead of just making what some people deem as "hate" music.
So, after restless nights, I came up with the concept of making a charity concert. I hope the cause will draw a large audience, and I would like to attack it from every angle of the media world while promoting the event. It will help shed light on the artists I work with, since I am sure a large scale charity concert will draw more attention than a regular rap concert. I decided I would like to donate all profits to Project Hospitality, a non-profit organization that helps the homeless and battered women who have to leave their homes. Everyone would benefit.
Now here is the issue. Do I put up the $7000 budget it would take to throw the concert I want out of my pocket and risk not getting back all the cost and not making any profit to give back to Project Hospitality? Or do I go on the long journey of trying to find sponsors for a $7000 budget, and risk sponsors not wanting to work with me again if I do not do good in ticket sales? Or do I do a low budget concert at a cheaper venue, and spare myself the other risks but risk not gaining as much media attention?
The only temporary solution I have found is to do some test shows that will help forecast ticket sales for a larger concert. I am in the mist of putting together smaller shows, but I have had to push back the charity event schedule to what I think will be June (I originally wanted it in March). Another issue that arises is that if it is too late in June, I will miss out on promoting opportunities in Highschools (a major source of ticket sales). On top of that I have to make sure blog posts are posted on time-joke joke. All the fun things that come with the Music Biz!
If you would like to check out my music please visit:
www.myspace.com/aries4redplanet
Don't forget if you need a DJ call
A Touch of Class DJ's 718-966-0255
If you need a sound engineer call me at
646-239-1825
Sincerely,
Stefan Barone
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5 comments:
You will not lose out on anything. This is your passion. It will only be postpone.
I think until either you have some celebrity status, or at least your name is know, or that you have a lot of money so that you do not have to raise capital to create or sponsor a fund-raising event the first place, you are going to have a financial issue.
Secondly, once you have enough capital, you need a good plan and execution as well as any contingency plan. For events like this, you either need to have a good marketing strategy or someone who can do that for you in order to attract the ticket or donation from the mass of audience, or you have to know some people with a lot of money who is willing to donate an one time large single donation to the event.
I wonder if you can start contacting people or do your marketing and promotion (you will need a good marketing strategy and a detail plan) on the web to raise capital and awareness for this event. For example, there are website where people are willing to donate a small amount of money through a secure web payment method similar to PayPal for a certain cause. I do not know what the web address of those websites are, but I know they are out there. Also, can you try Meetup.com? Facebook, MySpace, and other networking websites are also might be good to try.
Hopefully, you will have your own charity one day instead of donating money to another charity.
I wish you the best.
Hi,
I would suggest that you should try to talk to non-profit organizations and see if you can get a venue for your show.
Or you should target the parks in summer and get permissions from the parks authority and start with low priced tickets and once you are popular, you can donate and fulfil your desire.
Good luck!!
Hey Stefan!!
Well, the truth is that the situation you are facing is indeed a double edged sword. You have to understand your own limits and not only money-wise, psychologically as well. It takes guts to start out 'alone' and build up to something great someday. And by all means I think it will happen, you will find fame crossing your path. However, you have to ask yourself if you are willing to put the time, effort and money to make your 'dream' come true, now. Should it wait? Is the timing right? Well if you ask me, I believe it is if you really think you have the strength to pull this together while doing everything else you have to on top of that. You don't have to start out big, tv exposure/etc; local media work just as well. An ad in the newspaper people pick up during their morning commute, or even the baruch radio station, the tickler, etc. You should seek to promote your music in anyway possible--even small events will gain you publicity; and if you can get a public place like a park, etc (as someone mentioned before), that doubles your chances of getting people to buy tickets to your next event. We all know, public relations and advertising (given you are talented) will help you move forward and take necessary steps toward your dream.
As you have said, music is your passion and it fuels you in anyway not only to prove your talent but to show the world that it can be used to alleviate some of the negative aspects of today's life such as poverty. It can make a difference--a positive difference.
I really wish you the best of luck in making your decision… choose wisely and make sure: no matter what the outcome is, there should be no regrets!
-Anthi
Since music is your passion, I believe you will only learn from the outcome since you will still pursue your interests.
With that being said, I would find a cheaper venue and try to get donations from all different types of organizations (private, non-profit, lawyers, etc..). The difference between the costs and your fund raising, unfortunately will have to come from your pocket.
I believe the best idea would be to try to find more non-profit organizations that deal with poverty, homelessness and the like. These organizations would be more open to sponsoring such an event.
I believe in starting small, and then building up to king of the mountain. If a small project succeeds, you can increase by small increments the next time.
Good Luck with every concert you run!
Whoah, I think it's great you want to give back to the community and do something you love at the same time. Unfortunately there is the saying you can't have your cake and eat it too but I'm sure you'll find a way especially as an accounting major and hopefully taking management 3120 will help you as well. Best of luck with your concert. I'm sure you'll find a way to make it happen!
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