We all begin the New Year with our list of resolutions taped to the refrigerator. Some of us succeed in meeting all of them, but most of us succeed with just a few. But a little success is better than no success when it comes to resolutions, I mean, losing 2 pounds is certainly better than gaining 2 pounds, right?
Unfortunately, this same thinking doesn’t apply when it comes to our calling. Making a few sales is not the same as being the sales leader. The bronze medal doesn’t measure up to the gold medal. Being the “vice” anything…chairman, president, chancellor, is not quite the same as being the “top dog.”
Yet, there are many who are satisfied with second place, or even third place. Human nature dictates that there are leaders and there are followers. Success has a different meaning to each of us.
However, one thing is clear if we are to succeed to any level, it will not happen by itself. It demands talent, dedication, perseverance and sweat.
And so this month, I have chosen to give you my 10 rules for succeeding in Southern Gospel Music.
YOU MUST HAVE A CLEAR WRITTEN STATEMENT THAT EXACTLY DESCRIBES WHAT SUCCESS IS FOR YOU.
For example, one group that I work with defined success as “being able to travel full time as a family and make enough money to pay our bills.” I am proud to say I was able to help them reach this goal in one year.
You must have a target before you begin shooting. Too many of you have absolutely no idea where you are going. When you put this on paper it becomes tangible…something you can see and feel, it brings it to life. Put it on the front of your van or bus, on the fridge, on the desk at work, on your bathroom mirror, and anyplace else you can think of. Soon it will become part of you.
YOU MUST HAVE A WRITTEN PLAN THAT WILL GET YOU TO WHERE YOU ARE GOING.
Once you have established a clear picture of where you want to be in 3 months, 6 months or 5 years, you need a definite plan that will get you there. Let’s say your goal is to be full time in 3 years. You need to get out of debt, build up a nest egg of funds, and have a good foundation of places to sing on a regular basis. Of course, these are just the beginning, but they are the building blocks of a good plan.
GET EVERYONE ONBOARD THE TRAIN.
Have a meeting with ALL group members present. Openly discuss each member’s goals and plans for the future. This is a time for honesty from everyone. It is vital to get this settled now. If 2 members want to go full time and 2 members love their jobs and want to stay home…that “train” is going nowhere. But the good news is that you now know where everyone stands and can make decisions about your own career accordingly.
DEDICATE YOURSELVES TO FINDING GREAT SONGS.
There is no way I can emphasize this enough. Our entire industry revolves around the songs we sing. There are thousands of wonderful gospel songs…new songs, old songs, fast songs, and slow songs. There is no need for any group to consistently sing songs made popular by the “big” groups. If the company you’re recording with can’t, or won’t help you find great songs for your recordings, come and record with me. I do that for ALL my artists.
MAKE THE COMMITMENT TO LEARN YOUR CRAFT.
When you eat your bacon and eggs in the morning remember that the chicken made a contribution but the pig made a commitment. This is the kind of fervor you must bring to the development of your craft. You cannot expect anyone to take you seriously if you don’t take your craft seriously. 2 Timothy 2:15 says; “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.” (KJV) There are many of you that are not living by this scripture.
OPERATE ON THE “NET.”
This is a big problem for many groups who still don’t understand the simple business concept of “gross” and “net.” I cover this in detail in my book “The Gospel Music Truth.” Here is a simple test; If you sell a CD for $15.00 how much of that is “net”?
Remember, you have to account for the cost of the CD, including royalties, and the cost of replacement. You must understand this if you are to succeed in your ministry.
RESOLVE TO WORK DATES THAT PAY.
You should only work dates that can pay your expenses, plus give you an offering and encourage product sales. This does not mean that you shouldn’t go to a small church from time to time as a ministry to them. I believe in and encourage that practice, but far too many of you are being taken advantage of when it comes to paying a group. There is not a church in this country that can’t pay $200.00 for expenses plus an offering, and there is not a group in SGM that should go for less…and that includes you! Too many of you are groveling for dates. When you do this you are accepting worthlessness and I do not believe our Heavenly Father calls anyone to a ministry of worthlessness.
GET SOME HELP.
We all need help from time to time. It is important to find a QUALIFIED person to help you, someone who is easy to talk with, and with whom your spirit bears witness. Having someone you trust to critique your performances will be a tremendous asset in building your ministry. If you can find a person with a proven track record who lives near you that would be ideal. If you can’t, I’m only an email away, I’ll be glad to help.
HONESTLY EVALUATE THE COMPANIES YOU WORK WITH.
As you know from reading many of my previous articles, I do not subscribe to the “old school” method of building a SGM ministry. You know, make a CD, send a song to radio, see you next year. If this system worked, there would be hundreds of successful “newbies” out there. It doesn’t work and you should be smarter than that. If you are serious about your career you should not be with a company that does this.
Remember…do not…do not…do not…do not work with any company, under any circumstances, for any reason, that will not give you a detailed Line Item Budget. It is your money, you are paying for the recording and you have a right to know where every nickel is spent. DO NOT ACCEPT ANY LIE EXCUSE FOR NOT GETTING A LINE ITEM BUDGET.
CHECK THE SCOREBOARD.
The scoreboard never lies. Whether you are winning or losing, you can count on the scoreboard to let you know. You are either getting the job done or you are not. There is no such thing as almost won or almost lost. The scoreboard cannot compute this. You must address the things that are causing you to lose and correct them. You cannot win until you do this. If you are not selling product, there is a reason. If you cannot get dates, that is a problem. If your attendance is poor, something is wrong. Of course, all these things are correctable but it can be painful and it requires complete honesty. This is where having a mentor can be invaluable.
The 10 rules I have given you will help you. I use these rules and I teach these rules. There is more to learn, to be sure, but these rules will give you a basis from which to build your ministry. Concentrate only on YOUR ministry and the things that will move you forward. Pay no attention to any other groups or what they are doing. They don’t pay your bills. Completely disregard anyone or anything that distracts you from the high calling with which you have been blessed. Don’t look to the left, don’t look to the right.
I close with this quote:
THE MEASURE OF SUCCESS IS NOT WHETHER YOU HAVE A TOUGH PROBLEM TO DEAL WITH, BUT WHETHER IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM YOU HAD LAST YEAR.
John Foster Dulles.
Author: Nick Bruno
| Author's Website: http://www.nickbruno.com/
Written: 01/01/2008
| 
Category: The Gospel Truth
Comments: 2
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Great article Nick! Thanks for encouragement!
Nick, I always enjoy reading your articles and I have learned a great deal from them. Please keep up the good work!
God loves all kinds of music if it glorifies Jesus Christ, but He taps His feet to Southern Gospel!
Reverend Tim Hill, Church of God Cleveland Assistant General Overseer
Gospel Sounds Ministries
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