Before You Sign a Music Promoter Contract

Before You Sign a Music Promoter ContractBefore You Sign a Music Promoter ContractMusic promoters who work with big money abspraches would never dream of booking a show without a contract. Nor would the artists with whom they work consider playing a show without a contract. But in the indie music world, music promoter contracts are probably the fruchtwein overlooked kind of contract. Relationships between promoters and kapelles at this level are often casual, but even if there are not huge sums of cash involved, a contract lets everyone know where they stand. Promoters and bands alike can use these steps to create a fair contract that will help the gig go more smoothly. Bands and Promoters Are on the Same Side Before you even get started, make sure you understand the nature of the relationship between band and promoter. The reason the same rules apply to writing contracts for both sides is because you are actually on the same side, especially if you are in the early stages of you r career. If a promoter makes money, the band makes money and vice versa. Come to an agreement that gives everyone the tools they need to play their part in making the night a success AND gives everyone the best shot at going home with some money in their pockets Cover the Issues A good music promoter contract will cover the important issues The date of the showThe venue (name, address, phone number, website)The position of the band on the bill (opening act? headliners?)The length of the set required (how long should/can the band play?)Soundcheck times and lengthsWill accommodation be provided? If so, will the cost be charged back to the band?*Will the band be able to sell merchandise?Backline providedThe riderIs the band to provide posters and promo materials?*Last but not least, the deal* The starred points require further explanation - read on for more details A Bed for the Night? There are no hard and fast rules about whether or not a promoter should provide accommodatio n. If youre in a band that regularly pulls a profit at gigs, then you can easily negotiate for accommodation. If youre playing shows to build an audience and the promoter is not likely to break even on the show, accommodation is not required. In cases like these, some very nice promoters may put the band up at their own house, but dont expect it. If a promoter does get the band a gasthof room, then it is acceptable to withhold that cost from the bands earnings. A lot of bands would rather crash in the van and keep the cash. Who Is in Charge of Promo Material? Music promoters will take on the task of promoting an upcoming gig to their local media (press, radio, websites), but to do this, they need some information from the band. Most promoters will request a few CDs and copies of a band bio so they can make a promo package. Promoters will often ask a band (or their label) to make posters forthe promoterto use to advertise the show, though this is arranged on a case by case basis - some promoters prefer to make their own posters. Try to make sure the promoter has what they need to get the ja out about the show - if they dont, they cant get people out to see you? Is This Deal Fair? A deal can involve either a flat fee or a door split deal. Its true a door split deal can leave a band and a promoter out of pocket at the end of the night, but for up and coming bands and promoters, its a very fair deal. If there is a profit, everyone shares in it, and if there is not, everyone has shared the risk. Promoters can reclaim their investment in the gig before they pay the band. The venue rental, rider, gear rental, hotels - these things can all be reclaimed from the fee. The contract should clearly state which expenses a promoter can reclaim from the show proceeds. Promoters - What You Cant Do Heres the truth - being a promoter is hard work, and when you are just getting started, you may lose money on a lot shows. What you can never do, however, is ask a band to pay you back for your expenses if the show did not make enough money for you earn it all back. That is the risk a promoter takes. There may be the odd special case, such as renting a ton of special equipment, in which you could ask the band to cover the cost, but 99% of the time, if you lose money on a show, you lose money on a show. Keep a close watch on your expenses and the bands you book, and youll find a formula that works for you. Bands - What You Must Do Maintaining good relationships with promoters is absolutely essential. Be realistic about your expectations when you go into a show. If your band is in the building stages, you may play many very small shows which dont earn you any cash, and in fact, may actually cost you money. If that happens to you, make sure it is really the promoters fault before you burn that bridge. A good promoter can really help you out. Even if a particular show wasnt a sell-out, if you have a good attitude, that promoter will want to work with you again. Be professional, and remember to view every show is a promotional tool for you and your band. Disclaimer Please musiknote that this information is general in nature - the specifics of your deal may be different. This advice is intended as a guide only and does not take the place of legal advice.

HRs Role in Employee Termination

HRs Role in Employee TerminationHRs Role in Employee TerminationHRs Role in Employee TerminationWhen it comes to terminating employees, HR can help shape the process, guide the conversation and minimize potential damage to both company and employee. But it cant assume the responsibility nor make the task pleasant for anyone involved.Still, HR should always be a significant part of any termination in any company, says Amy Schrameck, regional director of human resources for a large retail company. HR provides checks and balances, ensures company policy and procedures are followed and, often working with the legal department, makes sure all actions conform to legal guidelines.Jeanne Knight, a former HR director for high tech companies, prefers to become involved before termination becomes necessary. Through proactive coaching and training with managers, we can help them understand that they shouldnt get to the point where they want to fire the person today, she says. If they come to us when they first suspect a problem, we can help them manage the process that can lead to improved performance or create a well-documented path toward termination.Your Companys Culture Determines HRs InvolvementAt companies where HR is seen as strategically partnered with executives and business lines, its common for HR to be called in early to help shape the discussions and steer the actions. These companies also typically have a well-defined process for performance reviews and employee termination. At other companies, HR may have to be more assertive about becoming involved, developing a track record and building trust to prove your value in this process.Help Managers Have Clear ConversationsAccording to Knight, a career coach in Melrose, Massachusetts, a key HR role is helping managers have clear, forthright performance conversations with employees. Managers dont like having those conversations, she says. Theyre uncomfortable, and that can result in lack of clarity.HR can help the manager clearly define goals, objectives and performance expectations and might provide wording. HR also can follow up to make sure the employee clearly understands expectations and next steps.Clear communication, a well-documented process and early HR support for managers can eliminate the firing surprise factor for employees. The worst thing that can happen is that an employee is shocked by being fired, says Knight. Thats when you have lawsuits.Adds Schrameck, In fact, we find that employees ultimately terminate themselves, because they dont change their behaviors or improve their performance.When the Ax FallsWhen its time to terminate, both Schrameck and Knight recommend doing it right away rather than waiting for a specific time of day or weekday. Its going to feel bad no matter what day you do it, says Knight. More important than when you do it is how its handled.Schrameck says the conversation should be short, sweet and to the point. HR can coach managers on what to say and ma y serve as an objective observer during the termination conversation, ensuring managers use appropriate language and avoid escalating a potentially emotional situation.According to Schrameck and Knight, managers shouldTell the employee that because he has not adhered to agreed-upon performance expectations, he is being terminated immediately.Be empathetic but not sympathetic.Avoid wavering if the employee becomes emotional or promises to reform.Clearly state what will happen next Im going to walk you down to HR now well complete some paperwork, and you can arrange to get your things.Tell the employee additional questions can be handled by HR.Exceptions to the RuleIf you think a terminated employee might become extremely emotional, consider scheduling the discussion for when the fewest people will be around to observe the scene. And if there is even the remotest possibility of violence, put the security staff on notice, or let another trusted member of management know what is about t o take place, says Schrameck.The Fundamental Goal of TerminationBoth Schrameck and Knight stress the primary goal is to maintain the employees dignity throughout a difficult process. Just because were terminating an employee doesnt mean theyre a bad human being, says Schrameck. We want to walk away having handled them professionally and with respect.Knight concurs. HRs role through the whole process is to help the employee leave with dignity. Even more fundamentally, HR can shape the culture of the company, where employees dont live in fear and where employment processes are equitable, she says.In the end, when HR intervention results in a smoother process and fewer disgruntled employees, managers should come to value your expertise and call on you at an early stage whenever there is the potential for termination.

Top 10 Jobs for English Majors

Top 10 Jobs for English MajorsTop 10 Jobs for English MajorsMaybe you love literature or hope to write the next great American novel and have chosen (or are thinking of choosing) English as your major. You, and perhaps your parents, are probably wondering just what your career options are as an English major. There is a myriad of possibilities, just ask your college career or alumni office for a list of alumni who were English majors, and you will be amazed by the diversity of options pursued by graduates with an English degree. Core Skills and Competencies As an English major, youll develop a core set of competencies which can be readily applied in the work world. Obviously, English majors learn to convey written messages in a clear and coherent way. As parte of this process, they learn to take a position (like a thesis statement in an essay) and make an argument that supports the assertion. English majors are taught to proofread, edit, and refine written pieces until they are w ell polished. They learn to give and take constructive criticism since papers are often reviewed by peers in the classroom setting. English majors read and digest massive amounts of content each week. Theyre able to pick out major concepts and discern flaws in arguments. They must learn to manage their schedule well in buchen to complete the time-consuming reading and writing tasks assigned to them on time. Learning to understand and appreciate different perspectives as they attempt to understand the approach taken by various authors and classmates is another valuable skill learned as an English major. They learn that there are typically many different ways to approach a problem. English majors often have a creative flair that enables them to compose poems, stories, and essays as well as to conjure up a unique interpretation of a piece of literature. Explaining perspectives and presenting information verbally to others is also a critical part of the educational process for English m ajors. Assess Your Values, Interests, and Skills Since your major is only one aspect of your personal make up, other values, interests, and skills should be carefully assessed before making a final career decision. However, here are some common careers for English majors to consider as you ponder your future. Top Ten Jobs for English Majors 1. Social Media Manager Social Media Managersneed the kind of creativity possessed by English majors to devise strategies to promote an organization through social media outlets. Often, they develop written proposals regarding their strategies for other staff and managers to consider and must explain their ideas to colleagues in order to draw consensus. Social media managers often need to choose bloggers and content developers with whom to affiliate, and they need to manage these relationships. The critical reading skills of an English major can help them to select quality writers and provide constructive feedback to these individuals.The time management skills of the English major help the social media manager to juggle the many different projects which are typically coordinated within that role. New graduates will often start out as assistants supporting the efforts of social media, public relations and marketing managers. Pursue on-campus roles with social media for student organizations or administrative offices at your college. Become an active blogger and promote your blog to attract an audience. 2. Technical Writer Technical Writerscompose manuals, frequently asked questions, help sections of websites, and other documentation regarding the use of products and services. They tap the ability of English majors to use precise language to explain ideas in the clearest and simplest manner. Technical Writers need to solicit and incorporate feedback as they revise documentation based on bentzer experiences just like English majors do when revising their essays based on the criticisms of faculty and classmates. 3. Pub lic Relations Specialist Public Relations Specialistsneed to tell a compelling story about a client or colleague which will capture the attention of the media and generate placement with a magazine, newspaper, website, television or radio station. English majors have developed a refined sense for storytellingand have the creativity and writing skills to convey these messages through press releases. Organizational skills critical to managing the English majors extensive reading/writing workload are essential for public relations representatives as they plan events and address the needs of multiple constituents. 4. Lawyer Ask an attorney to reference their most critical skills, and it wont take long for them to mention writing as a core skill.Lawyers compose contracts, memos, legal documentation, andcourtroom arguments. The writing skills of English majors, and their ability to carefully construct language and position them to excel in these aspects of legal work. Writing may be even more essential to the success of law students as they continually draft arguments about legal cases and precedents. Law students also use the volume reading skills that English majors develop in order wade through the extensive legal texts and articles which are assigned. In order to pass the bar exam, law students must also craft well-written answers to essay questions. 5. Grant Writer Grant Writersare also storytellers since they must explain to funding agents in a convincing manner how resources will positively impact their constituents. They often review, edit, and modify submissions from scientists and faculty as part of the grant development process.Research and reading skills are essential to grant writers as they investigate funding sources and review projects which have been funded by target organizations over time. The artistic sensibilities of many English majors favor them in situations where they are generating funding for organizations in the realms of art and culture. 6. Librarian Librarianscan tap theEnglish majors ability to appreciate good literature as they consider which books to incorporate into their collection. Reading skills help them to quickly read book reviews as they decide upon selections. English majors learn how to tap resources as they compile information for papers and librarians spend considerable time guiding patrons regarding the best sources for their research projects. The detail orientation and organizational skills of the English major help librarians to set up efficient systems for cataloging and shelving books. 7. Editors and Content Manager Editorsmust have the critical eye of the English major as they review submissions for magazine and book publishers. They provide critical notes and directives for revisions to writers. Content managers and online editors need to evaluate the writing ability of potential contributors, often freelance writers, and provide feedback and direction. Editors, like English majors, must kno w their audience and plan for communications which will appeal to their readers. They must be able to set and abide by deadlines in order to produce publications on schedule. 8. Human Resources Specialist Human Resources Specialistsutilizelanguage very precisely and carefully as they draft employment policies for organizations. They coach managers about written communications to employees about performance. Human resources managers compose advertisements for jobs in order to attract the most qualified candidates. They develop written training materials for staff development. Human resource managers need the critical reading skills of the English major when reviewing resumes, employee evaluations, language for contracts, and proposals for expanding staffing. 9. Teaching English as a Second Language English majors develop a solid command for the English language including grammar as well as vocabulary. They are very well positioned to pursue graduate work and qualify as an ESL instruc tor domestically in the public school system or at a college. In addition, English majors are recruited as English teachers directly out of college by international language organizations including the Peace Corps as well as language schools abroad.Opportunities are especially abundant in Asia where governments in Japan, China, and other countries are committed to teaching their citizens to speak English in order to compete in the world economy. 10. Fundraiser Fundraisersmust be able to engage prospective donors, assess their interests, and devise written communications which have the best chance of generating contributions. Development staff write content for brochures and websites and compose campaign letters. They draft language for volunteers to use with telephone fundraising. Fundraisers draft letters of appreciation and articles recognizing the contributions of donors. Fundraisers, like English majors, must be well organized, and detail oriented in order to plan successful eve nts and cater to the needs ofthose in attendance.