As artists and creatives, the dawn of a new year presents an ideal moment to reflect and refocus both our creative and practical energies. While our passion fuels our art, it's equally important to address the pragmatic aspects that sustain our creative pursuits. Here are some resolutions that can guide artists and creatives in harmonizing their artistry with essential practical skills.

In a world increasingly governed by trends and viral content, the pressure on artists to conform to popular tastes can be overwhelming. Yet, there lies a profound power in creating art that is genuine and authentic, particularly for independent artists. This blog delves into why authenticity in art matters and how it can build a devoted and financially supportive audience.

The indelible mark of a musical legacy often extends beyond the life of an artist, shaping the cultural landscape for years to come. However, the right of termination in copyright law introduces a nuanced challenge when it comes to deceased artists, especially in the context of bands. This blog post explores how the right of termination can lead to the family of a deceased band member usurping their legacy plan and how a strategic use of "works for hire" within a band agreement can circumvent potential posthumous conflicts.

Creativity is a dynamic force that lies within each of us, waiting to be nurtured and harnessed. Whether you're a painter, writer, musician, or any other type of creator, the key to unlocking and refining your creative potential lies in the habits you cultivate. In this blog post, we'll explore 15 habits that can enhance, polish, and refine your creativity, transforming it from a spark to a continuous, vibrant flame.

This is the time of year when we focus on being thankful. However, gratitude should not be a once-a-year practice—it should be a daily practice. Positive Psychology has long taught the benefits of gratitude in terms of it being a key factor in living a fulfilling life. However, a closer look reveals a profound connection between gratitude and creativity, two seemingly disparate concepts that, when intertwined, can unlock a wealth of transformative possibilities.

When we think of life insurance, the image of a responsible family person may come to mind, someone safeguarding their loved ones' financial future. However, artists, often celebrated for their creativity and passion, also need to consider the practicalities of life, including securing their financial legacies. In this blog, we will explore why artists need life insurance, shedding light on what life insurance is, the differences between temporary and permanent life insurance, and the unique benefits each offers to those who make their living through art.

Behind every chart-topping hit and moving ballad, there is a songwriter whose creativity and talent bring those melodies to life. While the world often celebrates the artists who perform these songs, it's essential not to forget the unsung heroes of the music industry - the songwriters. In this blog, we'll explore the diverse revenue streams available to songwriters, shedding light on how they can earn a living from their craft.

Budgeting is often seen as a mundane task, overshadowed by the allure of creativity and the pursuit of artistic passions. However, for creatives, mastering the art of budgeting is essential to ensure financial stability, pursue their artistic endeavors, and ultimately thrive in a world that often values art but doesn't always pay the bills. In this blog, we'll explore the importance of budgeting for creatives, provide practical tips, and reveal how a well-structured budget can be a tool for artistic freedom rather than a constraint.

Woodstock has remained culturally relevant for over 50 years. I have seen the movies and documentaries, read the books and spent time getting to know the wonderful human behind it all. Here are five key lessons I have learned about business and being an entrepreneur from Woodstock and its founder, Michael Lang.

Fear and doubt are what stop most people from becoming an entrepreneur, along with the idea that getting a "safe" job is more practical. The reality is that our fears and doubts are often based in irrational worst-case scenarios and becoming an entrepreneur is not necessarily that impractical.

If happiness is your goal, if thriving on a day-to-day basis is what you desire most, then you must budget for and invest in the following areas.

Your creativity—your original ideas and works of value—is the one thing that only you can bring to this world. Your life purpose, therefore, must be rooted in the expression of your creativity.

Your plan for success requires five key elements: purpose (or goal), capital (or resources), team, structure and process. Where most plans fall short is in understanding your capital. Too often, we confine our understanding of assets to traditional financial capital (i.e., money). While important, and great if you have them, financial resources are the scarcest and make up only a small portion of the assets you have at your disposal.

HBO's original series "Succession" focuses on a dilemma many entrepreneurs face: what happens to the empire they build when they retire or die? This article discusses the complexity of business, wealth and legacy succession planning.

The success of an influencer marketing campaign rises and falls on the authenticity of the creative, their relationship with the sponsored brand and the message being delivered. The problem facing influencer marketing today is that influencers are largely not seen as genuine or authentic at all. If you really want to create authentic content, follow these steps.

Will Smith — the sometimes rapping, oftentimes acting, always captivating kid from Philadelphia — just released his first memoir aptly entitled, Will. The prologue to the book is entitled "The Wall" and it tells the story of how when Smith was 11 years old, his father made him and his younger brother build a large wall in front of his father’s shop. It took nearly a year, but eventually they finished constructing the wall. When it was complete, Smith’s father stood next to his two children looking at their accomplishment and said, “Now, don’t y’all ever tell me there’s something you can’t do.” The most profound lesson, however, did not come out of completing the wall (after all, we have all heard that hard work pays off); rather, it occurred early on in the process.

Creativity is part of human nature. We are all creative in that we possess some form of creative intuition — that inner voice that speaks to us from time to time and seems to spontaneously produce ideas. As a species, we have a conscious awareness of self and, as a result, see and experience the world through our own unique lens. It is our unique lens — our perspective — that gives way to our creative intuition and our ability to produce original ideas of value. Unfortunately, many of us lose touch without our creative intuition over time and either bury it deep down inside so that it is not heard or we simply choose to ignore it. The good news is that it is always there, and there are ways to channel it.

This article discusses four major sources of stress in an entrepreneur's life that can be easily let go, freeing up the time and energy needed to focus on the problems that matter and that they were meant to solve.