Several years ago Mark Northam published a FANTASTIC list of 20 REASONS COMPOSERS FAIL. Let’s discuss them individually:
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Reason #1: FAIL TO MARKET THEMSELVES PROPERLY AND EFFECTIVELY.
Reason #2: FAIL TO REALIZE THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF PEOPLE AND RELATIONSHIPS
Reason #3: FAIL DUE TO NARROW-MINDED MUSICAL VIEW
Reason #4: FAIL TO COMPETE EFFECTIVELY IN THE COMPOSER MARKETPLACE
Reason #5: FAIL TO REALIZE THAT TALENT ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH – NOT NEARLY ENOUGH
Reason #6: FAILURE TO KEEP UP WITH MUSICAL TASTES
Reason #7: FAIL TO STAY CURRENT WITH GEAR, SOUNDS AND COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY
Reason #8: FAIL TO PLAN FINANCIALLY; EXPECTATIONS OF BIG MONEY TOO SOON
Reason #9: FAIL TO MAKE PREPARATIONS FOR THE “RAMP UP” PERIOD
Reason #10: FAIL BECAUSE OF A LACK OF SOCIAL SKILLS
Reason #11: FAIL TO OBTAIN ENOUGH EDUCATION TO MAKE SMART DECISIONS ABOUT THE BUSINESS
Reason #12: FAIL BECAUSE OF A BELIEF THAT YEARS SPENT IN THE BUSINESS MEANS SUCCESS IS “OWED”
Reason #13: FAIL TO REALIZE THAT SUCCESS IN RELATED FIELDS DOESN’T NECESSARY MEAN SUCCESS IN FILM AND TELEVISION MUSIC
Reason #14: FAIL TO EFFECTIVELY DEAL WITH GEOGRAPHIC LIMITATIONS
Reason #15: FAIL TO REALIZE HOW YOUR MUSIC REALLY STACKS UP TO THE COMPETITION
Reason #16: FAIL TO REALIZE THEIR ROLE IN THE FILMMAKING PROCESS AND HOW IT RELATES TO OTHERS
Reason #17: FAIL TO BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH CONSTANT REJECTION
Reason #18: FAIL TO FOCUS ON MAKING MUSIC; TOO MUCH ATTENTION ON STUDIO, GEAR AND TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Reason #19: FAIL TO BE UNIQUE AND STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD
Reason #20: FAIL TO PROPERLY PLAN FOR SUCCESS