Music Business Resources to Help You Get Unstuck and Meet Your Goals

If you’ve felt stuck, directionless, or just kinda bored with teaching for a long minute, it might be time to...um, phone a friend. In other words, you may need to enlist some outside help to figure out the best way to get unstuck and moving forward productively.

Of course, it’s also important to choose the right time to take the next step. And right now, while you're finishing up you're spring semester, might not be it.

But it's not too early to begin considering your options. To get the problem-solving juices flowing, here are four music business resources you can consider to help you get unstuck and meet your business goals.

Option 1: Free Content

Blogs, podcasts, industry newsletters and free downloads fall into this category. Basically, it's any advice for growing or changing your business that you can access for no charge. Because there is no financial commitment to access this content, you're free to consume and apply ideas (or not) at your leisure.

Pros:

• A good option if you're just starting out and have no money to put into your business

• There's tons of information available if you take the time to find it

• You can seek out and implement the strategies you find when and where it’s convenient for you

• A good way to get a high level understanding of a new business concept or strategy before committing

Cons: 

• Likely won't be in-depth enough to help you through a complete business transformation

• If you don't know specifically what your business needs, free resources likely won't help you figure it out

• These resources lack built-in accountability to make the transformation, which can be critical

• It's time-consuming to find good information that meets your needs

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Option 2: Monthly Membership

Lots of small business sites have monthly memberships that are valuable if you're looking for a regular source of tips and strategies on a specific or broad range of topics. This is a cost-effective way to have access to general business advice with an industry expert you trust.

Pros:

• A good option if you want to be able to access resources when it's convenient for you

• Great if you really like the website administrator and don’t want to miss any of their ideas or solutions

• Some offer a low cost subscription option at a reasonable monthly rate

Cons:

• Business advice might be too broad or not necessarily what you need at any given time

• If you don't know what your business needs, this resource may not help you figure it out

• May not offer one-on-one interaction

• Little to no built-in accountability to ensure you implement the suggestions and make the transformation

Option 3: An Online Course

Online courses are a great option if you know what you and your business need and can find a course that addresses this need. They provide a nice combination of structure and flexibility, and many include downloads that you can keep and refer to after the course is over.

Pros:

• Maximum flexibility to complete the work at your own pace and on your own schedule

• Less expensive than hiring a business coach

• You can purchase a course on a specific topic you need help with

• Many courses often include email support, encouragement, and course-taking tips throughout the course

• Structured courses can make it easier to implement changes

Cons: 

• Higher initial cost than a monthly membership

• Pre-recorded courses don’t give you the option of asking questions in real time

• No built-in accountability

Go here to learn more about my online course, The High Value Music Studio.

Option 4: A Business Coach

Hiring a business coach is the best option if you have no idea how to get unstuck and need a professional to help you figure it out. It's also a great option if you want to work one-on-one with someone who will dedicate time and energy to helping you achieve your specific business goals.

Pros:

• You can pre-screen the coach before committing to make sure they're a good fit for you

• You get access to 1:1 business guidance that’s customized to your unique studio and situation

• You get to work with a real person, which is generally more inspiring and motivating

• With regular meetings and deadlines, you get maximum built-in accountability

Cons:

• Hiring a coach can be expensive

• More accountability means less flexibility, which can be tough if you have a busy schedule

• To get the most out of your investment, you'll need to be able to invest regular time and energy into the program

Go here to learn about my coaching program and sign up for a free intro call.

So, good news! There are lots of options to choose from if you need some assistance figuring out your business next steps. When the time is right for you to move forward, I hope this guide to some key music business resources helps you decide which solution is best for you.

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