I'm currently a student at Full Sail University majoring in Music Business. Back in August, I had to take a leave of absence to find a job. I found one, started back at school, and then, got fired. (The irony...LOL) So, I was all distraught. In addition, I was in an unofficial relationship with someone. We were broken up, but still together. Anyway, one day I was looking on my school's communication portal (it's a website for student and faculty). I looked in discussions and found a fellow student who was looking for artists to work with as he produces music. So, I responded casually. I didn't think I would hear anything back. To my surprise, he responded. He introduced himself, Gabriel "Radikal Productions" Orengo. We broke the ice and set a date for us to meet up. We met, and I wanted him to redo a GarageBand production created by yours truly....LOL! So, he did a phenomenal job. We recorded, and the chemistry was excellent. Well, we scheduled another day to meet up. In this particular session, we finished the first song. Then, Radikal let me hear a new production he was working on. Instantly, I loved it. So, I asked him to loop 8 bars. I began to think about my unofficial relationship. Although there were problems, I began to think about when we first met, challenges we overcame, laughing together, etc. I realized that I couldn't stay away from their love. Frantically, I began penning the lyrics. All the while, Radikal hadn't fully completed the production. He and I both wrote and produced this song in about 1.5 hours.
This is the story behind "From Your Love." During the writing process, I was going through so much. My stress and frustrations birthed my Debut Single. In life, you never know what's going to happen. The happening isn't as important as the reaction. My reaction is music!!! "From Your Love" will be available soon...It will only be available as a digital download unless the fans demand other forms. Thanks for the support!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Employee/Volunteer Satisfaction=Customer/Fan Satisfaction
The various intricacies of a business are interesting. I love how departments are unknowingly intertwined very closely. One thing that bothers me heavily is the lack of focus on the customer. Specifically, I loathe the perception of customer service departments. Paying attention to the customer service department is paying attention the customer. Every other department needs this fact beat into their heads. Consequently, when the customer service representatives are happy, the customers are happy. In the music world, when volunteers or employees are happy, fans are happy. Let's look at the corporate structure first.
Scenario 1: Customer service representative loves her job for various reasons. Her managers are understanding, flexible, resourceful, and supportive. She constantly gets emails sent, on her behalf, to her manager about her excellent customer service. The shipping department willingly assist her with customer orders. Marketing gives creative approaches to educate consumers on new products and services. She LOVES her job. Her managers appreciate work, and she's rewarded. This is when the corporate structure works accordingly.
Scenario 2: Customer service representative hates his job for various reasons. His managers don't allow him to interact with his coworkers. He never gets the answers he needs to service his customers. The managers talk down to him like he's the scum of the earth. He is frustrated and displays poor communication when speaking to the customers. Why? He HATES his job. The managers treat him like gum that's stuck on the ground or cement. This is when the corporate structure works incorrectly, which is typically the case.
The bottom line is the customer service representative is, in the customer's eyes, THE COMPANY. The way the experience is with them will dictate how your revenue providers will view your products and services. So, stop treating them horribly. Train the other departments to view Customer Service as the blood of the company. Doing this will increase employee retention, customer retention, and profits.
Now, let's look at the fun side. When you begin a career in the music industry, money isn't in abundance. If you have a dedicated team that's offering pro bono services, do what you can to show that they're appreciated. Buy them a card, make them a card, write a song or poem about them, etc. If they feel valued and appreciated, they will make sure that your fans are valued as well. Your volunteers will go the extra 110% on your marketing, promotion, sales, branding, etc. The fans will in turn transfer that satisfaction into sales or revenue for your musical career.
Scenario 1: Customer service representative loves her job for various reasons. Her managers are understanding, flexible, resourceful, and supportive. She constantly gets emails sent, on her behalf, to her manager about her excellent customer service. The shipping department willingly assist her with customer orders. Marketing gives creative approaches to educate consumers on new products and services. She LOVES her job. Her managers appreciate work, and she's rewarded. This is when the corporate structure works accordingly.
Scenario 2: Customer service representative hates his job for various reasons. His managers don't allow him to interact with his coworkers. He never gets the answers he needs to service his customers. The managers talk down to him like he's the scum of the earth. He is frustrated and displays poor communication when speaking to the customers. Why? He HATES his job. The managers treat him like gum that's stuck on the ground or cement. This is when the corporate structure works incorrectly, which is typically the case.
The bottom line is the customer service representative is, in the customer's eyes, THE COMPANY. The way the experience is with them will dictate how your revenue providers will view your products and services. So, stop treating them horribly. Train the other departments to view Customer Service as the blood of the company. Doing this will increase employee retention, customer retention, and profits.
Now, let's look at the fun side. When you begin a career in the music industry, money isn't in abundance. If you have a dedicated team that's offering pro bono services, do what you can to show that they're appreciated. Buy them a card, make them a card, write a song or poem about them, etc. If they feel valued and appreciated, they will make sure that your fans are valued as well. Your volunteers will go the extra 110% on your marketing, promotion, sales, branding, etc. The fans will in turn transfer that satisfaction into sales or revenue for your musical career.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Tale of the Haters
If you're doing something productive and positive, having haters is a consequence. Think about every person you admire or look up to. You've heard several negative things about them, in spite of their success. For those of you who don't know, a hater spends an excessive amount of time speaking negatively about you. They hope to look bigger and better than they really are. In addition, they tell everyone they know about you. This can definitely be quite nerve wrecking. No fear!!! I've developed a list of the top 3 pros and cons of haters.
Pros
1. Promotion- You are getting free promotion. The hater isn't smart enough to know that the majority of the people they speak to see right through them. These people will do their research on you to gain their own opinion. In terms of music, you are getting potential fans. Fans turn into money!!!
2. Confirmation- Your haters tend to be more active and the amount you have grows when you're obtaining success. Your success is the topic of their conversation. The more you succeed, the more in depth their conversations will be.
3. Entertainment- This would probably be my favorite one. The things they do are hilarious. Personally, one of mine contacted one of my bff's to get to me. Hilarious! If this hater would devote the same amount of time to education, music, and self improvement, their success level would exponentially increase.
Cons
1. Annoying- They are very annoying. They pop up at the most inopportune times. Their actions and words aren't educated. In other words, they remind me of roaches or flies.
2. Lack of common sense- Common sense isn't very common. If it were, your haters would know that their actions don't stop anything. In most cases, the more they hate, the more successful you become. If I were a hater and didn't see effects of my hatred, I may choose another occupation. Unfortunately, this type of thinking requires COMMON SENSE!!!
3. Insecurity- Your haters don't like themselves. The primary reason is because they're not you. They don't act, walk, talk, or look like you. The old saying, "Misery loves company" is very true. Because of the way they see themselves, they must direct attention away from them. A hater thinks that people will see them in a better light if they darken yours. If the hater was comfortable with themselves, then they wouldn't wear the title of HATER!
So, embrace your haters. Use them as a catalyst! Continue to be successful!
Pros
1. Promotion- You are getting free promotion. The hater isn't smart enough to know that the majority of the people they speak to see right through them. These people will do their research on you to gain their own opinion. In terms of music, you are getting potential fans. Fans turn into money!!!
2. Confirmation- Your haters tend to be more active and the amount you have grows when you're obtaining success. Your success is the topic of their conversation. The more you succeed, the more in depth their conversations will be.
3. Entertainment- This would probably be my favorite one. The things they do are hilarious. Personally, one of mine contacted one of my bff's to get to me. Hilarious! If this hater would devote the same amount of time to education, music, and self improvement, their success level would exponentially increase.
Cons
1. Annoying- They are very annoying. They pop up at the most inopportune times. Their actions and words aren't educated. In other words, they remind me of roaches or flies.
2. Lack of common sense- Common sense isn't very common. If it were, your haters would know that their actions don't stop anything. In most cases, the more they hate, the more successful you become. If I were a hater and didn't see effects of my hatred, I may choose another occupation. Unfortunately, this type of thinking requires COMMON SENSE!!!
3. Insecurity- Your haters don't like themselves. The primary reason is because they're not you. They don't act, walk, talk, or look like you. The old saying, "Misery loves company" is very true. Because of the way they see themselves, they must direct attention away from them. A hater thinks that people will see them in a better light if they darken yours. If the hater was comfortable with themselves, then they wouldn't wear the title of HATER!
So, embrace your haters. Use them as a catalyst! Continue to be successful!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Self Esteem
Self esteem is a very selfish concept. It doesn't involve a crowd of people. Your friends need not take part. Your family isn't included either. This is all about you. Unfortunately, many of us suffer from a significantly low level of self esteem. We allow people to tell us how we look, what we think, how we feel. If it were important to go by their views of you, then it would be called people esteem. In addition, other people have motives, whether good or bad. People will tell you things for a reason. If they want you to feel good and positive, words will be geared to provoke those feelings. On the contrary, if the wanted feelings are negative, then the necessary words will be used. If you're one of the many people who suffer from low self esteem, then do something about it. People feel the way they do about you because of how you feel about you. So, change the way you feel and behave. Begin everyday by looking in the mirror and telling yourself what you are. Some examples are: "I'm beautiful." "I'm sexy." "I'm successful." "I'm smart." "I'm attractive." "I'm determined." You get the drift. In addition, begin to walk with your head up. Even if life isn't going as easy as you liked, make sure you stop walking around with your head down. You already know what grass looks like!!! LOL. Seriously, begin to do these things and your life will change forever!
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