Showtime! Let's Learn How It Is Done
Gigs! I’ve had the opportunity to play so many this year that I can’t do nothing but feel blessed (and a bit exhausted, haha!). No matter if big of small, I bring everything to the stage and I have the time of my life, as you can see in the header photo of this post. It was taken during the Birmingham 2022 Festival by Laurence Stephenson. The event was incredible! If you want some specifics on how it went, I wrote a little recap on my personal website.
Such occasions would not be possible if I was not confident in my ability to pull a crowd and make the experience unforgettable for them. It is incredibly rewarding, and that’s why I want you to be able to do the same: to appear confident and get people’s attention, to make them remember you, look you up after the gig and talk to their friends about you. For this reason, I put together a course called “Showtime! The best ingredients for giving a great performance“, in which you...
How To Ensure Safety On Stage (And What To Do If An Accident Happens)
Recently, I have had quite a lot of gigs. The occasions are different and so are the circumstances. Sometimes, I am playing on a terrace, some others, on a function room, or a hall, or at a bar... As I have to bring my own PA system, every time I have to think about the safety of everybody involved, including myself, when I set it.
A few weeks ago, in London, I arrived to the venue where I was going to play when the guests were already at the bar, coming from the wedding ceremony to attend the drinks reception. I had to survey where the plug points were, and think where to set up, without the guests seeing me directly. I had to make sure that my speakers were firm on their stands and that the cables connecting them to the console were not a tripping hazard for me or other musicians coming on stage.
Sounds a bit nerve-wracking, doesn't it? Well, it is not too bad, especially not after years of practise, but you have to be attentive and careful, and always make sure...
You Can Earn From Your Music!
We have the firm belief that every musician should be paid their worth. Even if you do music as a hobby, your effort, dedication, skill and passion deserve recognition. Now, it is easier said than done, right? When it comes to the business side of music, many artists get lost in calculations, transactions, invoices, and the uncertainty of how to communicate fees and conditions to potential clients.
Don't get overwhelmed, though, there is a way out! In the e-course "Maye Your Music Pay", Millicent will teach you how to:
- Set your fee and get paid regularly.
- Build your confidence to say your price without anxiety.
- Negotiate a win-win for your fee.
- Collect your fee with no drama.
- Set up a money management system.
- Prepare for your tax return.
- Grow a fans mailing list.
With this, you'll understand the steps you can take now to work out your gig fee, collect your payment and manage your music money. Sounds good? Click here to watch the introductory video, get more information...
Success Beyond The Score Season 3, Now Available!
Oh, what an adventure it was for Millicent to post the content of the podcast Success Beyond The Score live on YouTube for the third season! Through a bit over two weeks, she talked about many essential things you need to know to grow your music career:
- Mon 4th July: Welcome and what to expect.
- Tues 5th July: Does your music have the juice to pull a crowd?
- Wed 6th July: Why do musicians get killed by sound?
- Thurs 7th July: I’m a musician. Why do I need a business plan?
- Fri 8th July: Three reasons why you should charge for your music starting today!
- Mon 11th July: Is playing for free a contradiction for musicians?
- Tues 12th July: Do you have a music hobby or a music business?
- Wed 13th July: This is why you should video record your Gigs.
- Thurs 14th July: Stop! Don’t record until you’ve done these!
- Fri 15th July: Three essentials for putting on your own show.
- Mon 18th July: Three reasons why you should contact the sound engineer before your Gig.
You can...
Do You Have To Struggle In Order To Get Paid? This FREE Webinar Is For You
Clients that suddenly disappear when they are supposed to pay you. Promises of exposition and connections that never come to fruition. Conversations through e-mail that die as soon as you mention your prices…
If any of this sounds familiar, our newest webinar is for you! On Wednesday 25th May, multi-award saxophonist Millicent Stephenson will be talking through Zoom about everything you need to know in order to get paid what you are worth. Learn how to determine your fees and what good practises you can adopt to ensure they are paid in a timely manner.
Sounds good? Here’s something that will make it sound better: the webinar is completely free! To join, just sign up on this website. Also, while the day comes, check this free guide with tips to get paid before gig day.
Don’t hesitate telling your friends about it: the webinar is open to everybody across the world!
There's Still A Lot To Take From 'Success Beyond The Score' Season 1
The brand name “Success Beyond The Score” started as a podcast back in 2019. Since then, it grew into the this website full of different resources for emerging musicians. The podcast itself has two seasons with 50 episodes in total, covering all kind of relevant topics for artists who want to achieve their goals in the music industry.
Usually, people stick to the latest content of shows that have been airing for a while. In the case of the podcast "Success Beyond The Score", doing so would not be advantageous. Have you never listened to it? Or maybe you did so long ago and don't remember much? Go to episode one of the first season and start, or restart, your journey into the secrets of the industry.
If you want all the episodes with their respective info, so you can choose what to listen and in what order, you can do it in this link. Share and discuss with your colleagues, and of course, be sure to contact Millicent if you have topic...
Are you struggling to get paid for your gigs?
Having a customer crying poverty after you've come off stage is one big nightmare for musicians who perform live as part of their profession. The best solution, meaning the one that will allow you to sleep without anxiety, is to arrange it so you're always paid beforethe gig, not after.
How can you do that? Well, I have ten tips that will help you figure it out, and I am happy to give them for free! Just go to this page and follow the steps to download the document. There, you will also find a more comprehensive booklet, called "25 Secrets of the Successful Gigging Musician, Singer, Rapper & Spoken Word Artiste" that will serve you as guide sheet in the world of music.
If you'd like more customised assistance, you can also check my coaching sessions, and if you are a woman looking for a community that supports your growth, then Time For My Music is for you.
Master YouTube To Boost Your Music Career
Are you interested in setting up your own YouTube channel to widen your music reach, but are not sure what to do? Do you worry about breaking it, and feel step-by-step instructions by a musician would help you to understand the screens and get it working?
On Wednesday 30th March, 7.30pm until 9pm on Zoom, Millicent Stephenson will be running a Zoom webinar called ‘Mastering YouTube for Musicians – Part 1’ to address all these concerns and answer your questions.
The content of the session will be:
- How to login
- Understanding your Channel layout
- Steps to upload your videos
- What to put in the boxes (fields) and what tags to use
- How to share your video to get views
- How to grow your subscribers organically
The course fee is £35 and you can book your place on this website.
See you on Wednesday!
Learn How To Use YouTube In Favour Of Your Music
On Wednesday 30th March, 7.30pm until 9pm on Zoom, Millicent Stephenson will be running a Zoom webinar called ‘Mastering YouTube for Musicians – Part 1’. The session is directed towards musicians who want to increase their reach online through YouTube, but aren't sure of how to navigate the platform and use its tools to their favour.
The content of the session will be:
- How to login
- Understanding your Channel layout
- Steps to upload your videos
- What to put in the boxes (fields) and what tags to use
- How to share your video to get views
- How to grow your subscribers organically
Interested? The course fee is £35 and you can book your place following this link.
PiPA Classical Music Survey: Work Life Balance, Diversity and Caring Responsibilities
Help Musicians UK and Musicians Union have helped funding the PiPA (Parents in Performing Arts) Classical Music Survey, which aims to identify patterns in job and working environments in relation to work-life balance, and develop practical strategies and resources for Classical Music organisations to better support parents and carers, and the wider workforce.
You can take the survey clicking here.
The survey was developed in partnership with Association of British Orchestras, Liverpool Philharmonic, SWAP’ra, Black Lives in Music and UK Music. It will investigate the impact of caring responsibilities on career progression as well as wider worklife balance and wellbeing challenges in Classical Music.
The survey will provide data driven insights to enable PiPA to develop a range of strategies and resources for the Classical Music sector to empower organisations to better support parents, carers and the wider workforce.
PiPA wants to hear from people from all backgrounds...