James 2:26 KJV – Faith without works is dead.

During the course of my Entertainment Law practice, one of the most common experiences for me as an attorney is consulting and advising an artist who is extremely talented, but doesn’t understand that the entertainment industry is an industry and it is big business!  For artists who wish to launch out and pursue their lifelong dream of making it big, they must go into it with at least a minimal business mindset.  You can’t just pray for success.  You have to develop and plan and work your plan.
You don’t have to understand everything about business or the entertainment industry to launch your career, but you do need to recognize that it is a business.  The more you know and understand about the entertainment industry, the better, but you can have a team of trusted advisors surrounding you that will help you strategize and make good decisions based on their collective expertise and your goals.
Some very easy and basic tips for new artists are:
You will be much more credible if you can start out with a good record of being reliable.  This is very basic and good common sense, but showing up to meetings on time is a good start.  Being a little early is even better.  You will want to be organized.  This is sometimes not a major attribute of artists, but the more organized you are, the better and more confident you will be.  This will show to those you are working with and negotiating with.  You want to appear to be trustworthy and reliable.  You will have less negotiating power if you appear to be risky.  Risk equals less money or no money.  You need to understand your difference.  There are so many people trying to make it in the entertainment industry.  Some are very talented, but they haven’t made it and may never make it.  The reality of “starving artist” is all too real in this industry.  If you are going to make a go of it and really step out, know your difference.  What differentiates you from other talented artists?  Knowing the answer to this question will set you apart from the crowd and allow you to shine.  Finally, take time to know what your goals are.  Stay true to your goals and yourself and your values.  Desperation will produce industry successes, but individual failures.  Take note of the stories of famous artists who have individual demons they continue to battle.  All the success in the world is not worth it for the daily struggle with these evil powers.
In summary, launching an entertainment career is definitely challenging, but not impossible.  You will increase your chances of success by understanding that the entertainment industry is big business.  Have people you trust surrounding you.  Put in place good habits such as being on time and being organized to help you appear more reliable.  Know your difference to help you stand out from the masses.  Stay true to yourself and your values so that after a lifelong journey you can see the true success you have become.
If there is something you can do about your situation, then do it.  Stop making excuses, stop procrastinating, and do it.  As James 2:26 KJV says, “Faith without works is dead.”  All the creativity in the world will not necessarily mean action for you.  Make your career big business in entertainment and your personal success your life’s big business.

Crystal G.H. Lowery, Esq is a Christian Estate Planning Attorney and is the owner and founding attorney of Law Office Of Crystal G.H. Lowery, LLC. Based on Faith is an organization intently dedicated to inspiring others through mind provoking truths, emphasizing the spiritual impact and necessity of proper Estate Planning.

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