Music Business Basics
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard students (and professionals) say “Geez, I really wish they’d offered a basic business course in my music degree program!” Well folks, here you go! I’m VERY proud to present Music Business Basics for the Working Musician.
Every aspiring (and working) musician needs some level of business acumen in order to confidently and successfully embark on a career in music, especially if they are self employed. Music Business Basics is a comprehensive web series covering topics that most college music programs don’t teach, including:
Reading and writing a contract
Taxes and deductions
Understanding employers
Starting a teaching studio
Basic financial literacy
Seeing yourself and your talents as a product
Marketing & Branding
Recording and releasing music
Grant writing
Professional problem solving (and dealing with people)
Emotional intelligence on the bandstand
Negotiation and knowing your worth
…and much MUCH more
Having started two successful companies in 2014 (both a music booking agency and a nonprofit), I began to intimately understand the “other” side of the working musician’s world. As I developed my projects I looked back on my music education upbringing and thought that if I’d had at least a clue as to how any of this worked I’d be ten years ahead of my career. This web series is a compilation of all of my knowledge as a working musician and I’m very honored to share it with you.
I’m currently on faculty at The Manhattan School of Music as a part of their Career Readiness department (so happy that MSM has a business course for undergrads!) and I also serve as the Vice President of Development for the International Society of Jazz Composers and Arrangers, or ISJAC.
This web series is a long time coming, and hugely valuable to musicians planning on graduating with a music degree or currently looking to get their business in order.
Currently offered at $75, this one-time fee gets you ALL videos in this series. Check back for new content updated regularly!
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Introduction - What to Expect
Watch this introductory video to learn more about what to expect from this series, and get the backstory on how (and why) it all came about.
Watch this introductory video to learn more about what to expect from this series, and get the backstory on how (and why) it all came about.
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You are a Product
This video helps unpack the components of being objective about your career, and also sheds light on the three parties involved in your success as a working musician.
This video helps unpack the components of being objective about your career, and also sheds light on the three parties involved in your success as a working musician.
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Categories of Employment
This video identifies the differences between being an employee versus self-employed, and explains the W4, W9, W2, 1099 and other financial and legal paperwork associated with these categories.
This video identifies the differences between being an employee versus self-employed, and explains the W4, W9, W2, 1099 and other financial and legal paperwork associated with these categories.
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Your Employers
This video sheds light on how for profit and nonprofit companies run, how they differ, and how you - the working musician - fall into the equation.
This video sheds light on how for profit and nonprofit companies run, how they differ, and how you - the working musician - fall into the equation.
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Basic Financial Literacy
This series would be incomplete without covering some of the most essential concepts including insurance, credit cards, and basic financial vocabulary.
This series would be incomplete without covering some of the most essential concepts including insurance, credit cards, and basic financial vocabulary.
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Taxes & Deductions
This video covers basic tax topics such as W2s, 1099s, deductions, the Schedule C, how taxes affect bandleaders and band members, and the importance of hiring an accountant.
This video covers basic tax topics such as W2s, 1099s, deductions, the Schedule C, how taxes affect bandleaders and band members, and the importance of hiring an accountant.
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Grant Writing
From my perspective as a three-time panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts Artworks grants, this video shines light on the aspects of a well-written grant proposal.
From my perspective as a three-time panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts Artworks grants, this video shines light on the aspects of a well-written grant proposal.
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Booking Gigs
Everyone wants to book a gig, but it’s important to lay a good foundation for yourself and your band before reaching out to venues. This video highlights the components of getting ready to put yourself out there.
Everyone wants to book a gig, but it’s important to lay a good foundation for yourself and your band before reaching out to venues. This video highlights the components of getting ready to put yourself out there.
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COMING SOON
I’ll be posting more videos late summer/early fall 2024 covering the following topics:
Contracts
Basic professionalism on (and off) the bandstand
Booking a tour
Starting a teaching studio
Recording and releasing music
Starting an L.L.C
Negotiation & knowing your worth
I’ll also be sharing some fun quizzes as well.
Want me to cover a topic you’re curious about? Shoot me an email at erica@ericavonkleist.com