Help me define success

[mazz]

[DesireInspires]

I'm trying to be respectful but I really don't know who I'm talking to, which is a bit of a strange feeling. Of course, it's my choice to do so just as it's your choice to stay hidden. We both risk something when we do that.

Good luck,

Mazz

I understand. Thanks.

[markjsmith]

I think peoples definition of success changes as they make certain milestones.

For me when I joined TAXI I didn't even know what a music library was. So once I learned about that part of the business, my first goal was to get some tracks signed. I did it with several libraries and the next goal was to get some placements. Did that through several libraries so right now I want to keep feeding that stream and maybe pick up some more libraries. I'd like to get to 500 signed tracks, right now I'm at 382 finished tracks with around 300 of them signed to libraries. I still consider myself at the front end of this whole endeavor.

I'd like to get better at writing more genres, but lately I've really been sticking with all styles of guitar, banjo, uke, and mandolin based stuff. Strings and frets are home base for me.

So my measure of success, sticking it out to 500 tracks and picking up another genre or two that I can effectively write in. After that set new goals and milestones. Rinse Repeat!

[Casey H]

I think peoples definition of success changes as they make certain milestones.

For me when I joined TAXI I didn't even know what a music library was. So once I learned about that part of the business, my first goal was to get some tracks signed. I did it with several libraries and the next goal was to get some placements. Did that through several libraries so right now I want to keep feeding that stream and maybe pick up some more libraries. I'd like to get to 500 signed tracks, right now I'm at 382 finished tracks with around 300 of them signed to libraries. I still consider myself at the front end of this whole endeavor.

I'd like to get better at writing more genres, but lately I've really been sticking with all styles of guitar, banjo, uke, and mandolin based stuff. Strings and frets are home base for me.

So my measure of success, sticking it out to 500 tracks and picking up another genre or two that I can effectively write in. After that set new goals and milestones. Rinse Repeat!

So true that your definition will change as things evolve. Going back 5-7 years ago, all I dreamed of was that one day anything I wrote would be placed and I would actually receive an ASCAP payment even if for 49 cents. A copy of my very first ASCAP check (a KILLING at $7.45) sits framed on my wall.

Now, I've had many background instrumental placements on cable TV shows, mostly with libraries doing blanket deals. Nothing wrong with these at all. They are part of what we do and I'm proud of every one of them. (And for those who have a lot of them, they can add up $$ wise)... But now the goal has moved forward. I want get to the next “tier” of placement—larger TV network, song with vocal, etc. Taxi and you forum-ites have really helped me learn how high the bar really can be. It’s motivated me to collaborate, consider the target more when writing (I don’t always succeed but practicing), etc.

It’s only natural that when we achieve Goal #1 to say, “OK…Been there, done that… What next?”…

Casey

[crs7string]

My favorite definition of success:

"The progressive realization of a worthy ideal". (Earl Nightingale)

The "worthy ideal" tends to morph and change as we grow. The growth is the "progressive realization" part.

A big part of this touchstone for me is that you are never "arriving" at a destination one can call "success".

There are other ways to analyze this definition.

Chuck

[fusilierb]

I think peoples definition of success changes as they make certain milestones.

For me when I joined TAXI I didn't even know what a music library was. So once I learned about that part of the business, my first goal was to get some tracks signed. I did it with several libraries and the next goal was to get some placements. Did that through several libraries so right now I want to keep feeding that stream and maybe pick up some more libraries. I'd like to get to 500 signed tracks, right now I'm at 382 finished tracks with around 300 of them signed to libraries. I still consider myself at the front end of this whole endeavor.

I'd like to get better at writing more genres, but lately I've really been sticking with all styles of guitar, banjo, uke, and mandolin based stuff. Strings and frets are home base for me.

So my measure of success, sticking it out to 500 tracks and picking up another genre or two that I can effectively write in. After that set new goals and milestones. Rinse Repeat!

Although I haven't heard all 382 of Mark's tracks, I can say from the twenty or so that I have heard that they are all HIGH quality tracks. So again, not the number of tracks but the number of good tracks is the key.

[markjsmith]

Thanks Bryan!

[michael11]

I'm trying to be respectful but I really don't know who I'm talking to, which is a bit of a strange feeling. Of course, it's my choice to do so just as it's your choice to stay hidden. We both risk something when we do that.

Good luck,

Mazz

I understand. Thanks.

Your welcome.