Fundraising and Music - How do you do it right?

Fundraising activity it seems is catapulting year after year in growth and the causes are as dense as disease itself. If you are one of those musicians that enjoys assisting your community, or national causes by organizing benefits..in order to preserve your credibility, you must always make sure that your i's are dotted and your t's are crossed thoroughly and when it comes to associating your music with a fundraiser...you need to go a bit further in preserving the integrity of what it is you are doing.

I want to share some things to make sure of when you are organizing a fundraiser as a musician to watch your own back...

*Make sure more than one person is in charge of the money. And have someone outside of the "office" verify funds. And do not misuse monies you raise. It will backfire sooner or later. In most cases...you can go to jail for misappropriating and false pretense. And rightfully so.*Keep accurate records of all funds raised and to where they get dispursed. If you are raising funds publicly...your financial records are suppose to be public record and you should make them available for public viewing by anyone on request.

*Remember that to be called a "non-profit", you must be of legal non-profit status. And that is expensive to pursue. Though you do not have to be a non-profit to raise money for certain causes....you cannot legally tell anyone they can deduct the donation or that you are non-profit if you are not. You may use the term "not for profit", if you are not of legal status, but you still must account for all your monies if you wish to be a credible fundraiser. It's a good idea to make it a standard operating procedure to release amounts raised after each fundraiser and how much was sent to what charity.

*If you are claiming non-profit status...you must be legally non-profit status in every state you raise money, in accordance to those states laws governing non-profits. You are not covered to raise money everywhere just because you are of approved non-profit status in your state. Look up the laws. Many states require that a nonprofit register their corporation in order to raise funds in those states. If a nonprofit is found to be raising funds, or sending solicitation letters, etc. significant fines can be imposed. You have to request information from the Attorney General and Secretary of State for each state. This can be done online. There are fees that range from $10.00-$300.00 to register usually dependent on the nonprofits previous year income."

*Have a genuine interest in what you are raising money for. Though charity work is a wonderful tool for exposure....don't use foundations just to further yourself. Sincerity is easy to see in someone. And so is self-servitude.

*Do your homework on who you are working with. If they say they are non-profit in your state....make sure of that by going to your state non-profit associations and finding out. Be careful of what you associate your name with as an artist. There are too many ways to donate your talent in too many organizations to fall for the skills of one of them that may be less than honest.

*Don't be afraid to ask questions of the organizers and their habits. Where is the money going, how much has been raised so far, how can it be verified. Remember con artists....and liars, are good at what they do. they have spent years sounding good and honest to many people. An honest person will not have any problem answering those questions....nor will they have a problem producing the proof. Ask them who they have raised money for in the past...and check those org's out to make sure they got the money if you have further questions.*Don't hesitate to put the name out there and ask if anyone has had experience or can verify the honesty of the person you question. Once a legal non-profit, they are bound to properly account for their funds. And a con-artist will find a way around it. They will fill their required Board of Directors with people that trust them, and take advantage of every loop-hole they can find to benefit themselves. If you smell something fishy...chances are you are next to the ocean. Do something. Report them to your community and make sure you have proof.

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As a musician that raises money and participates in fundraising regularly...I take offense when another musician uses those things to further themselves or fund their own tours in the name of a charity or a world need. It makes the honest ones look bad...and they usurpe monies that could be used for legitimate causes. Remember: ASK QUESTIONS as if you are giving away a million dollars.Unless you are a professionally employed fundraiser, making a difference shouldn't be a living...it should be a way to live. A legalized Non-profit status, does not an honest Founder or non-profit worker make. Just take some time to be sure.

Rock on! Annette Warner

Some Food for Thought for Writers:

I can think of nothing more mortalizing about us, than the art we leave behind long after we are gone from this life. A writer's words, a musicians tunes, a songwriters lyrics, a painters canvas....

As I soaked up some recently read reality prose, if the last person that truly knew us in our relatively small personal circle of friends dies...what is left of us? Who will talk about us? When writing your music, a new approach would be to think about what you would want people 100 years from now to know about you as an artist. It is often said that our music is our soul...so in preserving that soul in generations to come....think about what you intend to pass on to future generations.

Peace, Love and Good Writing!
Annette Warner

Music Reviews - Quality and Quantity Matters.

CD's truly do come a dime a dozen for music reviewers don't they?

So, how do we as music writer's keep our ear fresh and musically educated enough on what's out there to write fairly about what we are reviewing?As reviewers there is no better way to gain respect for your words than by; being honest in a professional and kind way, having a good ear, and be able to communicate your thoughts about a product uniquely enough to set you apart from everyone else. It doesn't do you, or the artist, any good to lie about a CD that you feel is so obviously horrible...and it also does nobody any good to be too objective or familiar using the 'same ole same ole' review tactics and formula. Keep this advice in mind when you want to give someone an earful...of your earful..

1. When someone sends you a CD...they are expecting your individual opinion. BE HONORED. Make your opinion count in their lives as recording artists. The words you write can make a big difference in a music career! We are all dreamers! We are all grasping for approval and recognition. In that, we should also want for truth if we truly want to grow.

2. Always leave the artist with something postitive to repeat in their press kits. Be genuine, sincere and credible. Use the interior of the review to talk about what you would like to hear differently or explore details of the perfection of the product if that's the case. Comment on the good thing(s) about it no matter how few there may be...and be honest about it's shortcomings in a way that makes the artist want to improve or at least respect your opinion as a professional. It could mean the difference between your review mattering enough to be circulated in their press kits...thereby giving you more exposure as a reviewer, and it being tossed in the garbage along with your opinion. As a reviewer, your review being seen and reputable, is important if you intend to stay in the field with any longevity. It's a two way street. We only care... when you do :)
3. Artists should always take advantage of the words written, and learn to edit! :) This is, honestly, one area where taking things out of context can benefit you. Though you do not want to twist and manipulate a reviewer's intention - using a small portion of a sentence, and sentence 'trailing' can leave you glowing in a review that was otherwise sketchy and balanced with some not too attractive comments.

An example:

THIS: The Eager For Press Poncho's June, 2008 release is a nice addition to their musically savvy and vocally gifted collection of recordings, but a tad disappointing in comparison to previous releases. The energy is delicious and though a bit in your face, one can't help but 'shake their booty' to the percussive genious behind the skins. The guitar licks need some meat along with the tidy stylings - but overall, they sound at home and blend with lead singer, Bell Tidout, very nicely.

CAN BE THIS: The Eager For Press Poncho's June, 2008 release is a nice addition to their musically savvy and vocally gifted collection of recordings....energy is delicious...one can't help but 'shake their booty'......tidy stylings. - Pete the Reviewer

4. When someone goes to the trouble of reviewing your CD, send them a thank you note. Even if you didn't like the review. Don't be afraid to be honest with those that review your product, but never approach what you consider to be a bad review with that "we are perfect - how could you say that?" arrogance and speak to the reviewer like they don't know what they are talking about and that their review sucked. While a reviewer is just one opinionated person..remember that while you are on your way up....so are they and you don't know where they may be reviewing projects next.

5. Treat a reviewer with class. Even if they don't appreciate your CD.There are many reviewers out there that love to review and listen to artists as they rise and develop new products. So just because they may give you a bad one at first, or one not particularly favorable, take into consideration the ezine or publication's popularity and when you release something new...try again with the same reviewer. But, don't allow one person's opinion to direct your career or affect your esteem either.

If you came away from reading an honest assessment of your music, then you have learned something. Bad or good.

Peace, and plenty of tunes!
Annette Warner