Create Your Own Luck

Music Articles From Galaris.com

Create Your Own Luck - By Tom Leu

In the entertainment business, and specifically the music business, we’re always hearing about the good fortune of the select few that “make it.” It’s no secret that the music business is crowded at the bottom, and spacious at the top. Oftentimes it seems that only the exceptional talents, or the really “lucky” ones actually make it through to fame and fortune, revelry and riches. Even though we all may have different definitions of “making it,” I say that this good fortune or “luck” can be created in most cases.

“You got lucky babe,” “Only the lucky ones,” “Unlucky in love, least that’s what they say,” “You must be my lucky star.” These are some popular song lyrics that deal with this often-misunderstood word. Another definition of luck I’ve coined is “shaking the right hands and saying the right things at the right times.” How many times have you heard it, and said it yourself? “Man, they got lucky.” Luck is where opportunity meets preparedness. Read it again; there are two parts to this equation, the intersection of opportunity and preparedness.

Opportunities are the circumstances that arise or cross your path that help you further your efforts in your career or your life. Opportunities most often come in the form of meeting key people who are in positions to help you. Put yourself in contact with the players in the music business in your area. Attend functions where these people hang out or do business. Go to shows and live music events where other artists, radio, and/or media people will be. Put yourself and your music into the environments where opportunities have the best chance to exist. Once you consistently “place” yourself in opportunity’s way, you now need to be prepared to make things happen. We usually only get one chance to make a good first impression.

Preparedness is doing your homework. Being prepared is about knowing your craft, in this case your music and at least a little about the music business. But preparedness is probably more about presenting yourself (and your music) properly. We are all in sales. We are selling ourselves, our music, and our potential to others. We need to be prepared to effectively and proficiently maximize the above-mentioned opportunities and turn them into progress and potential. Knowing what to say AND how to say it is the key. Put your best foot forward but do not be fake or misleading. Present yourself and your music with genuine honesty wrapped in skillful delivery. Approach interactions with others from the “what can I do for you” perspective.

The Bottom Line: Now do not completely misunderstand me. I do believe, and know from personal experience, that luck sometimes drops out of the sky without any advance preparation for it. I welcome those times as much as the next person. My message here is to remember that this “luck” we often describe as elusive can be created, many times, by our focused and strategic efforts. If you are systematically placing yourself and your music into situations where your preparedness mixes with created opportunistic circumstances, you’ll be amazed at how “lucky” you can really be.

-----------------------------
Tom Leu - The Musicians Corner
For hundreds of techniques & strategies to market, promote, and sell your music more efffectively, more often...check out Money, Marketing, & Myths Inside the Musician’s Corner Volume One by Tom Leu at http://www.tomleu.com

Back to articles index
Home