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How Watching the World Cup Can Help Your Music Career |
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Written by Panos Panay
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Saturday, 02 June 2007 |
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Here is an article I read, which compared the music business to the game of soccer/football. It was written by Sonicbids' founder and CEO Panos Panay. Enjoy!
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"Like billions of other people out there, I believe that football (or soccer here in the US) is a religion and, upon closer examination, it can teach us music people a few good things:
- The World is Getting Flatter and Smaller - All you have to do is take a look at the diversity of the 32 teams competing (and watch a much poorer country whoop some "super power's" butt) and you'll realize that cultural and geographical differences are going away – and competition is getting stronger in unexpected areas. So, if you're a promoter and think that your market is limited to just your local one, time to re-think your strategy. And if you're an artist and think that you are just competing with your local bands for those hard to get club slots, re-think again.
- It's All About Teamwork - Football is pretty simple: you have a team, a ball and goal. The team that wins is the one that has the right chemistry between its players and the one whose players learn how to work with each other. Whether you are a soloist or part of a big band, or whether you're an independent promoter or work for a huge organization, learning how to work with others and balance your strengths is hypercritical. Focus on building the right team of people around you.
- Creativity and Tenacity Always Trumps Money - This is why the World Cup is so cool: unlike the Olympics, club soccer, baseball, etc. money means nothing. You can be little Ghana or Trinidad, go toe-to-toe with a team from a super rich country like the USA and kick butt. What matters when you are on the football pitch (field for Americans) is your organization, passion, tenacity and creativity. The same can be said about music. At the end of the day, it's not about how much money you don't have; it's about how effective you are in using the resources you do have.
- Be Prepared and Have a Plan - Think how hard all these teams have prepared and trained before their first match. Then think how much planning they put into things such as who will be in the starting line up for which game, how they'll use substitutions to rest key players and to play psychological games with the opposition, etc. Think of all the eventualities those coaches much have thought about, how much thought has gone into tactics, strategies, mapping out games, etc. Now, consider this: when's the last time you spent two hours thinking through your own plan of attack when it comes to your music career? What would you do if you did get that showcase you really wanted? Or didn't? How would you best take advantage of the opportunity it offered? Or, what if you decided to switch tactics and do something totally different than the norm?
- Take Risks - Ultimately the teams that win are not the ones that sit back and either defend a 1-0 lead or just look to get a draw. The ones that are world-beaters are the ones that are prepared to take risks, whether tactical, organizational, etc.; experiment with their line ups; and choose to play an offensive game. Do you spend enough time taking risks or are you playing it safe, protecting a narrow lead? Unless you put yourself out there, nothing different will happen.
—Panos"
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Written by Panos Panay
Founder and CEO of Sonicbids |
