Actionable Plan No. 2
Operation Who Are You
Who am I? This seems like a silly question but it’s a biggie. We all have multiple identities- family member, friend, avid plant collector, artist, Yankees fan, etc. and the list goes on. As a performer how do you define yourself? Here are some questions that can help you formulate a stronger presence.
What’s your specialty NOW? NOT - what do you want to do?
This depends on what you are currently doing and are able to do at the moment. What are you able to do with your art right now? What you can do right now are the deliverables you can provide. Build on that and fill in the gaps with the other things you want to add gradually.
Do you perform traditional classical music? Maybe you are very good at improvisation- join a group that matches those qualities. Perhaps you compose a specific style of repertoire- find what other art or aspects of lifestyle embrace that aesthetic.
Ask yourself these questions and be honest with yourself. Do not feel any shame for who you are now; this is where you are and you have something to offer just like everyone else. Also, many people are in the same boat so don’t worry about that.
Build a portfolio based on your current expertise. Make sure that you have the highest quality materials to share in your portfolio. As you continue to grow as an artist you will enhance all of those things. You need to show the best version of yourself.
In addition to that, search for people who share your level of expertise and pursue them to collaborate. Start finding their social media handles and see if you can connect with them and potentially build a working relationship.
Create an online presence. The beauty of the internet is that you can curate your work and present yourself the way you see fit. Find ways to put your best stuff up on the internet and share it with the online community. Have a website, a blog, and a strong LinkedIn page. Post at least once or twice a week consistently to get started.
Formulate that 3 sentence introduction of yourself (the elevator pitch) based on what you do and introduce yourself to others in the online community and in person.
We all start somewhere. Define where you are right now and share who you are. Connect with those who share the same or similar vision and learn more about how you want to be creative in your community.
-Medina
