Award Sounds Music, Photography and Consultancy

13. Meet Other people

13a avoid being recluse

Composing music can be a solitary activity. For some that works, for others it can be a lonely experience. Whatever the perspective, it can quickly turn into isolation. Collaborating with others reduces the isolation.

13b friends

I've met most of my best friends through music and music-related activities. Some of the people I met as acquaintances have turned into good friends over time.

13c balance

Working in isolation for too long can be bad for the health. It can be demotivating, lonely, On the other hand, working alone can bring out the best in some. But however you handle it, get some balance in there. Meeting other people will at least introduce somebody else's perspective into your world.

13d improve community projects

There are people in your community that could use music for their benefit. Some may just need an outlet to perform, some need instruments, some need training, some just need to play music with other musicians, others want music for their own community project, some need direction.....and the list goes on. Does a project exist near you? If not, can you create one?

14. Reputation

Think carefully before you take on working with someone else. Think about whether you can do what you set out to do, how much risk is there? Is it just fun for everyone involved? What's the impact on the people if you all fail?

If you're not taking it as seriously as the others are, then that can damage your reputation. If you're too serious, again that can result in a damaged reputation.

Maybe pick a balance of projects; some more professional than others, but work appropriately.

In this industry, your name and the quality of the product count for everything. So make sure you have a good reputation and that product is the best product possible.

15. Technology

15a Support

I end up being the tech support guy for a few friends and family. It's part of what I give to them, I receive other things in kind. This isn't business, just friendship. If it takes too long, I can say I'm not interested in helping and they're better off with a formal support contract through a dedicated support company.

15b Tutorials

Teach others how to do things and learn from them what they don't know. Finding out what others don't know and helping them fill that knowledge can be a great way to build relationships. Learn something very advanced about an application and share it with friends or online. Or try looking at elements that you've struggled with, ask yourself why, then set yourself the task of making other people's lives easier by explaining it to them so they don't have the same journey you did.

15c Access Demos

Show someone else what you can do with your stuff. Watch out in case they've wearing a balaclava and sporting a swag bag on their back.

16 Mastering

Read Mastering Audio: The Art and the Science by Bob Katz. Honestly, it'll give you more insight that I can here.

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