What Is Your Mission?
Friday, May 30, 2008 at 12:46PM The other day I received this post from Terri Mazurek at Peppermint Booking. She is a manager, consultant and booking agent and offers these words of encouragement for all artists. Too often we only think only about the bottom line (certainly understandable in this economic climate), but not the only reason we got into this business. It is important to remember why we do this and why we want to continue doing this. After you read this I am very interested in your comments. 
Here are Terri’s words of wisdom in a letter to the Folk Alliance International List:
Hi ya'll,
Last week, I posted a short message about finding your music mission (amidst a discussion about looking gigs, sonicbids, etc). Since then, I've heard from a few dozen musicians asking for the worksheet. So wonderful to hear from you! Many musicians emailed off-list asking the same questions.
So, to clarify: Your music mission is not something you *decide* on.. it's something that already is happening. You are already doing it and are having that effect. So you don't need to invent it...you just need to *discover* it (like an archaeologist :). It is *not* about doing a market assessment and then deciding that the market needs an artist who has ___________ effect and then trying to do it. Your music mission is the effect your music has on your *core supporters* that keeps them coming back. Not what you are *trying* to do per se, but how they are actually affected by what you do. It also happens to be something that you are proud of; you are thrilled you are having that effect. Oddly, it is quite often something that you struggled to learn, or are still learning, yourself.
Here are some mission examples (and works in progress) from artists I've consulted with:
"inspire others to make music"
"to open hearts"
"help people to remember what is important"
"move people to action"
"challenge people to question their beliefs"
"remind people of gentleness"
"soften people's edges"
"keep people from losing hope"
"help people forgive themselves"
"help people loosen up and be playful"
"help people laugh at their humanity"
One more example: I met a member of a death metal band with songs all about anger, rage, and being an outcast. He told me their mission is to keep teenage boys who are outcasts from killing themselves. I was surprised at first, but then of course it made perfect sense. By singing about those things, they give their audience an outlet and keep them from feeling so alone and misunderstood...
Some questions you've asked:
1. Could two artists have the same mission?
Definitely. Just don't settle for a generic answer like "connection" (unless that thrills you). All good songwriters and performers "connect" ... but what happens next? How is the audience moved by that connection?
2. Could an artist have more than one mission?
Maybe. It is likely that one of them thrills you most. Pick that one. :) Or, if you have two different projects, you may very well have a different mission for each. (e.g. the singer/songwriter that "inspires people to take risks" may also be in a band where she "helps people to loosen up and have fun").
3. Um, not everyone is affected the same way by my music... what now?
That is true. Consider your *core* fans - what is it that keeps them coming back? Why do they *need* to hear you sing, why do they listen to your CDs on repeat? You mission is somewhere in the answer to those questions... you'll
know it because it will make you feel happy to know that is the effect your music is having.
4. What if I write songs for commercial purposes? Is this mission stuff
irrelevant?
I think it still applies. In this case, your *core fans* are first and foremost the clients who buy your songs. How do your songs affect them? This effect might very well be what leads to them purchase your songs.
5. What if I am not inspired by the mission I came up with?
Then that's not your mission. Keep searching :)
6. I like the mission I came up with, but it's too long.
Keep refining it until it comes out naturally. If you find the right wording, you'll be able to stand on the stage and remind yourself "I am here to _______" and you will feel so grateful to have the chance to share your music and have this awesome effect. You'll think "Yeah!"
6. Is my mission always going to be my mission? What if I change? What if
my fans change?
If your values change, your mission will likely change. If your core fan base seems to be shifting, it would be good to understand what that is about. Perhaps you've lost sight of what was important? Or maybe you've finally found what is really important- and maybe this shift in core fans is a wonderful development. No matter what, your mission is a combination of what your most ardent supporters receive from your music and what you aspire to. So if either changes, it would be useful to be aware of the change and decide if it is in alignment with what you hold precious.
One last thought - as a non-musician who depends on music to "help me laugh at my humanity", "open my heart", and "remember what's important" - I want to thank you again. Your music matters. It has likely saved lives...and inspired people to heal, to forgive, to keep on living, and to relax already. You are appreciated! :)
warm wishes,
Terri
Terri Mazurek, Artist Representative
Peppermint Booking and Management www.peppermintbooking.com
terri@peppermintbooking.com
Reader Comments (4)
to make people feel that anything is possible...after a cathartic evening that has touched them and made them laugh or cry or both to move them to the very core...and to leave them feeling that what is doesnt neccesary have to be what can be..to uplift people and give them a high that lasts days...and hopefully will make them reach a bit farther to that plane of existance that makes joy within their grasp...
I've been performing in various outfits since I was 19...I still dont have a fanbase...it has only been this year..since I turned thirty in fact that oppurtunities have surfaced that I wish to continue...that is I am finally getting the kind of work that fufills me...and that makes the effect(or is it affect?) to fufill the audience...and as I said before to uplift the audience...
And just as a sort of side note...I wanted to be well on my way before the end of my twenties ...I wanted to have a career...i figured I wouldnt be a fresh face anymore...that I wouldnt be able to ge work...but not so ironically that load I had placed upon my self...once unburdened...thats when the real possibilities opened up...and as I keep on saying that is what I want to give an audience the feeling that anything is possible and within reach....lastly i have found thirty FABULOUS...I am still a kid but not a child...and the possibilities are now coming to fruition
Nice insight to missions. I agree with Terri that one’s mission is discovered, and not invented. However, establishing a sound plan is critical. Also, breaking it down to the micro verses the macro level may be a bit too restricting. In the corporate world, there’s the ever-popular Mission Statement. The purpose of this statement is to establish a clear path to the goals of the company and provide shareholders with profitability and confidence. These statements are extremely broad and leave ample room for change, improvisation, and unlimited benefits. But, the ultimate goal is clear. That goal can be discovered with concise answers to four fundamental questions: (1) Where has my musical career been? (2) Where is it now? (3) Where do I want it to go? (4) And, how do I get there? There’s no doubt that a well-defined mission provides the best chance at success. Whenever the “how do I get there?” question arises, there must be a plan—the better the plan, the higher the rate of success.
Well… according to my comments, it looks like I have a lot of work to do….and I haven’t even practiced today yet.
Max
wow, good comments and certainly food for thought. it is easy to not even notice that you are drifting. only when you ask yourself these questions does it become apparent what you have been doing and what you need to do.
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