FINANCE PART 1/2

Make a commitment to yourself right now that you will find a way to raise the money. A wise man once said, "Whether you think you can or can't do something, you're right." Confidence and optimism will take you a long way toward your monetary goals. Know that you can find a way to raise the money and let your passion drive you toward making it happen.

Set up a Musical Project Fund bank account. Doing so will add more commitment to your intentions--plus it will earn interest while you work your money plan.

Set aside a percentage of your "day gig" salary. If you have a regular income from another source, take $20 a week (or more) off the top. Self-financing takes a bit of discipline and sacrifice on your part, but it's well worth it, knowing that you'll be in debt to no one when you reach your goal.

Earn extra cash from other music-related activities. Don't limit yourself to your current financial situation. Is there a product or service you can make or perform to bring in more money? What about music lessons, studio session work, repairing equipment, publicity, computer-related services, booking bands, etc? Open your mind to potential money-making streams you're not pursuing as much as you could be right now.

Rent equipment you already own to others. Why let that PA system gather dust when it could be generating revenue? Pin up fliers and run classified ads announcing what you have to offer. And then put that extra cash into your Musical Project Fund.

Sell off old equipment you don't use. Everyone has an amp, mixer, 4-track or some musical gadget they would be better off selling for cash than keeping. Look hard enough and you'll probably find something you can part with.

Set aside money from paid band jobs. This is perhaps one of the best ways a musical act can go about raising money. If you gig regularly and don't need all these funds to survive, you can build up quite a stash--possibly up to a few thousand dollars or more--in a couple months.

Promote one or two live shows as fund-raising gigs for your next album. Not-for-profit organizations use this method all the time. Why not you? Plus, you may be surprised to find that your fans will support your project (with their dollars) if you simply ask them to.

               FINANCE PART 2/2