New Album Release Mishal Moore

It's amazing what you find when you are not looking.  My love for natural hair design has directed me to an artist of whom I adore.  Just the other day, I was browsing Youtube looking for different styles for my hair.  

One of the channels that I am subscribed to played a song called Love Again.  The song and the voice was very unfamiliar. I soon became more interested in the music than my original reason for watching the video.  What a great way to promote your music!

Mishal Moore is on Myspace and YouTube. Her new album is entitled I'm Not A Hipster EP: The Mishal Moore and DJ Fonti Project. It includes Love Again and Wolf. She definitely has a soul and pop sound. I greatly enjoy the music! Check her out!

Image source : http://mishalmoore.bandcamp.com/

Click Here to become a fan on FaceBook

Click Here to subscribe to her YouTube Channel

-*Summer Lessons!*-

   Good Day!

I am providing piano, guitar, and voice lessons at a Summer rate!

If you are in the Atlanta area, and know someone that would like lessons, spread the word!

Click Here if you would like more information on summer lessons! (www.reniseallenmusic.com)

Click Here if you would like to see my ad on Craigslist.com.

Email Me directly for further questions and to set up your lessons.

Thanks.

Ms. Renise

Full Sail University Graduate

I graduated! I feel so accomplished and ready to take the steps towards my dream!

Congrats  to all the graduates out there, especially from Full Sail University!

Live Performance Trends in the Music Industry

One of the most exciting benefits of following your favorite musician/band is being able to experience their work through a live performance.  Although the music industry has faced several trends both good and bad, live performances seems to have a consistency in the industry.

Even though there has been an increase in the use of technology in the music industry, there has not been a significant change on money spent on live performances.  According to hypebot.com, live performances will continue to gain benefits when compared to web interaction and other networks (Smith 2011).  Some would argue that this gives artists who are actually talented a competitive advantage on artists who are just entertainers. Let's be honest for a minute. The music industry and its professionals focus more on artists who are marketable instead of talented.  This is why there are only a few artists who are able to produce an actual "live" performance.  Internet and other technologies are definitely a plus to any artist.  The world has become more Internet driven allowing artists to reach out to their fans more efficiently. What does this mean to live performances and artists?

According to research found on rand.org, innovation will be discouraged if performances and recorded music are heavily managed by the increase of artists (McCarthy, K. 2001).  This will make it almost impossible for unique artists to gain the fan base they need which will eventually effect live performances.

As a result, live performances and its rate will decrease due to quality of artists.  However community based performances will remain constant throughout the years and will remain a demand from fans and customers.  If the industry continues to market "entertainers" instead of talent (which they probably will), then the demand for live performances will decrease.  Similarly, artists who are capable of producing live concerts will continue to benefit from live concerts but would not media driven unless the artists has a great PR.  Live performances are great for artists to express their work directly to fans.  All in all, there will always be a demand in live performances, talent or no talent.

Image Source

www.performing-musician.com

Other Sources

McCarthy, K. (2001). The Performing Arts: Trends and Their Implications. Retrieved from http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB2504/index1.html

Smith, C. (2011). 5 Top Music Tech Trends For 2012. Retrieved from http://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2011/12/5-music-tech-trends-for-2012-augmented-reality-remixes-mainstream-hack-days-obscurity.html

Making Money as an Entrepreneur Despite Economical Challenges

One of the happiest and most fulfilling careers as a professional is working for yourself.  Making your own hours, working from home, and making important decisions rather than impressing your boss are some of the reasons why people tend to open their own businesses.  Although the idea of opening your own business sounds stressful and quite time consuming, the outcome is usually a grand achievement on many levels. One of the main stresses in starting a business is usually the start-up costs and all that the costs entails.  A helpful article found on Inc.com gives tips on how entrepreneurs can raise money during this "economic recovery".

The article found gives 6 great tips on how to raise money.  The first tip stated to find investors, but know that you are ready to accept the money.  Starting any business can be risky.  If you are passionate about starting this business, seek out to investors when you are ready to start the business. If you have already started your business, but are stressed or confused about your finances, maybe you do not need money.  Fenn explained that entrepreneurs need to know whether they need money or just an accountant who specializes in working with finances.

Another helpful tip included hunting for help.  Fenn explained how to join meet-ups or groups with angel investors and entrepreneurs that can point you in the right direction or give you helpful advice for your business in desired industry. I found this tip to be very important. You never know who knows who or what that can guide you in the right direction for a successful recovery.

The other tips included not giving up equity unless there is a great need, knowing all of your liabilities, interviewing the right investor for you and your business, and not giving up during your start-up.  These tips seem practical and geared towards entrepreneurs in their start-up position in their business.  If there was however, an immediate need for money, I would definitely think about other services and products that I can provide. There were people that commented on the article providing their feedback as well as additional tips and services to help entrepreneurs with their finances.
 For more information about this article, click here. For more information about the writer, Donna Fenn, click on her name. You can also follow her on Twitter @donnafenn.

Sources

Image Source (www.thestayathomemother.com)

Fenn, D. (2012). 6 Tips for Raising Money During the Recovery. Retrieved from http://www.inc.com/donna-fenn/6-tips-for-raising-money-in-a-recovering-economy.html

Incorporating Expert Advice on the Development of a Business Plan

There are several experts that give advice on how to write effective business plans.  Depending on your management and marketing strategies for your business, some advice can either help or harm.  How do you know what advice is good advice for your plan?  How do you know that the expert has the credentials to give effective advice for your plan? While researching advice on business plans, I found two experts with great tips on writing business plans.  Click here to read the blog first.

In the previous blog, I explained how Mark Cuban stated that start up businesses should not hire a PR firm.  In my opinion, this is a very sensible decision.  In your development of your business, one is always looking for ways to save money.  Not hiring a PR will allow you to have constant feedback with your audience and maybe find ways to increase and effectively gain more customers. If I were start developing my dream business, I would not hire a PR right away.  I would use a PR as a way to satisfy goals if set plans were not working.  Therefore, hiring a PR would not be a necessity during my start up.

While researching other experts and their advice, there will be a few changes that I will make during my start up. I will definitely give more attention on an investor pitch.  Seeking out investors will definitely give a slight sight of relief instead of borrowing all of the money for start up costs.  People tend to work differently especially when working with other people's money.

Furthermore, the business plan will need to have a thorough exit plan as well as a growth plan so that investors can understand how they will earn money. These are the major changes I would make in my business plan.  If there are other changes in my business plan or any other advice that I find to be effective for my  plan, I will definitely take the tips into consideration and evaluate my options.

Advice From Two Leaders in Writing Business Plans

When writing business plans, it is important for writers to receive advice from experts in the field.  There are many experts in the field that have their view on how a business plan should be set up. I have researched 2 experts and found their advice to be very useful.

The first expert to be discussed is Mark Cuban. According to sources, he is a billionaire entrepreneur.  Cuban is the owner of the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA and has invested several business opportunities, including startups.  He grew up in Pittsburgh and received his Bachelors in Business Administration from Indiana University.  Cuban's blog on different business advice can be found here.

One of Cuban's articles explain how important startups should not hire PR firms. Cuban's view on PR and startups are valid. The most important time of a startup is building personal relationships with customers and businesses. Startups usually need to save money as much as possible. I agree with Cuban about PR with startups; there is not an immediate need for a PR at the beginning of your business.  Building direct relationships with customers are long lasting instead of through a PR. 

Another expert in the field of writing business plan is Bill Payne.  Payne is an entrepreneur as well as an angel investor.  He breaks down each section of the business plan and what is expected in each section.  What I found to be the most important advice in one of his articles is the elaboration on a growth plan for investors. Payne discussed what investors would like to know in your growth plan.  The exit strategy will explain to investors how the benefits of the return on investment.  The capital plan will explain how investors will achieve cash flow that will potentially increase growth in the company.

In conclusion, gaining expert advice, especially critiques, can make your business plan more pleasing to investors.  Making sure that the advice from experts relate to your business plan is also important. Furthermore, knowing exactly how you want your business can be managed will help you gain the advice you need from experts.  Take time to research the experts and their qualifications to somewhat validate their advice given. 

Sources

Burhoe, S. (2011). Expert Views on Business Plans. Retrieved on February 6, 2011 from www.bpexpertviews.blogspot.com.

Cuban, M. (2012). Blog Maverick: The Mark Cuban Weblog. Retrieved on February 6, 2011 from www.blogmaverick.com

Payne, B. (2010). Writing Effective Business Plans. Retrieved on February 6, 2011 from www.flatheadbeacon.com.