Ep 108-Robert Paterson on Selling Yourself

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Cited as a “modern day master” by AXS.com and the “highlight of the program” by The New York Times, New York City-based composer Robert Paterson has won awards for his music in virtually every classical genre, including Composer of The Year from the Classical Recording Foundation. Upcoming premieres include Three Way, an opera in three acts, with librettist David Cote, to be premiered by Nashville Opera in January 2017 and at BAM in June 2017.

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Composer, and American Modern Ensemble co-founder, Robert Paterson returns for another interview discussing selling ourselves, being authentic, and creating your brand.

Rob’s previous The Portfolio Composer (formerly called Composer on Fire) interview can be found here: Ep 2-Robert Paterson and Simplicity

Topics discussed in this episode:

American Modern Ensemble
Getting new concertgoers in the door
Need to learn how to market yourself
Titles of pieces
Using stories
Being approachable
Being ourselves
Selling yourself
Learning from the pop/rock world
Must Read: Fascinate by Sally Hogshead
Finding unusual things
Eric Whitacre
See situations from different perspectives
Find happiness within
You’re the master of your own destiny
Enjoy your successes
The myth of youthful success
Getting commissions
Go after ensembles you are in alignment with
Asking them how they want to receive your music
Negotiating other things than money
Making the ask
Offering a guarantee
Assure them you are on the same page

Website:

www.robertpaterson.com

Recommended Listening:

2 Comments

Robert Paterson December 17, 2016 at 1:05 pm

Hey Garrett, thanks again for the interview (and a second one at that). It was a lot of fun. Speaking of marketing, I just created three new pages for my new opera, which tie into the opera, and cross the line between fantasy and reality:

http://www.dreamcompanions.net
http://www.salomedomme.com
http://www.pleasurepilgrims.com

And here are two links to the opera itself:
http://www.nashvilleopera.org/three-way/
http://robertpaterson.com/three-way
- Garrett December 20, 2016 at 5:29 pm
  
  My pleasure, Robert! Thanks for the links. 🙂

Comments are closed.

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To help composers with the business end of writing music through mindset, marketing, and business skills.

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I believe that composers are self-employed small business owners. In order to succeed in getting our music in front of people who are interested in hearing it we need to know essential business skills such as marketing and networking. Building a successful career as a freelance composer is possible and thinking like an entrepreneur will help composers make a living writing music.

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reeesm

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