Why Bringing Your Demo to a Record Label Is a Bad Idea

Why Bringing Your Demo to a Record Label Is a Bad IdeaWhy Bringing Your Demo to a Record Label Is a Bad IdeaWhen youre eager to for the decision makers at a record label to listen to your demo, the idea of stopping by their office, CD in hand, is tempting. But is it ever a good idea? A resounding NO. Why Bringing Your Demo to a Record Label Is a Bad Idea In almost every instance, dropping by a record label office unannounced to give them your demo is going to backfire and heres why Its uncomfortable No one at the label wants to be subjected to listening to your demo in front of you, and they dont want to accept it from you in person either. Its leid because of an uppity attitude nor is it a reflection on your music. Rather, everyone at the label understands how much your demo means to you, and the vast majority of the demos any label hears will be turned down. Giving the label the space to judge your demo on their own terms will work in your favor. Putting them on the spot will n ot. It might not be an office This one only applies to small, indie labels, but you might be surprised how many of your favorite music businesses are operating out of someones bedroom or garage. Turning up at someones house? Awkward. And a little scary...for both of youThe receptionist is ready for you On the other end of the spectrum, major labels have front desk receptionist who have dealt with people bearing demos thousands of times. Youre not getting past them. Plus, a vast majority of labels that have receptionists dont accept unsolicited demos. Youll be remembered for the wrong reasons It might seem like visiting a record label with your demo shows some spunk and go get em attitude. It may seem like a great way to make an impression. You might not be forgotten. And youre unlikely to be remembered fondly. Record Label Demo Policies Almost every record label has a demo policy clearly listed on their website- follow it to the letter. The demo policy isnt there to discourage y ou. It exists to establish an ?efficient method to deal with the demos that pour into even the smallest labels. The label wants to give your demo gets the chance it deserves, or alternatively, to save you from wasting your time approaching a label that cant be of help. Here youll also find acceptable demo formats (eg, CD, mp3 clips), their mailing address, the name of a specific demo (AR) rep to whom you should address your package, and the follow-up guidelines indicating whether its acceptable for you to call or email. Now, the caveat Every rule has exceptions. You may happen upon a label that invites drop-in visitors, and there undoubtedly a musician somewhere, who got a deal by bursting into a label office with a demo. However, your best bet with demos is to stick to the guidelines.

5 Ways to Spin Your Next Team Meeting

5 Ways to Spin Your Next Team Meeting 5 Ways to Spin Your Next Team Meeting So, how do you create excitement for the weekly routine? I thought youd never ask. Below are five ways to spice up your next team or department meeting and, hopefully, bring a new level of interest and enthusiasm to your employees andwell, you.RelocateMost often, team meetings are in the same place at the same time on the same day. Its already becoming redundant just writing about it. Why not move your next meeting to a different location, preferably outside of the office. Try a nearby Starbucks or caf that allots the needed space for you and your team to gather. Employees can purchase their favorite caf treats (or you can provide them as an added bonus) to get them in the relaxed, loose mood and away from the normal, boring office setting. Sometimes its just nice to get away.Show, Dont TellMost meetings consist of talking. As a matter of fact Im not sure how youd conduct a successful meeting without commun icating. Lets take the norm out of your next gathering and cut down on so much talking. Demonstrate ideas, concepts or new initiatives to employees instead of outright telling them about these things. For example, if lack of communication is an issue to discuss on the agenda, give your team puzzle pieces and split them into groups. Have each team work together to rebuild the puzzle (a small one, of course). Afterward, explain how important communication is for the successof the team, justhow it wasto build the puzzle. Team members can also discuss how they communicated and why during the activity to ensure an active discussion. Showing versus telling takes the boring out of listening. (whew)Order InDo you usually provide food during team meetings? Even if its a short meeting, offering refreshments such as fruit, tea and snacks, helps. You can even put a theme on your weekly meetings to liven up the attendees. Why not have Taco Tuesdays or French fry Fridays? Or you can change the fo od schriftart each meeting. One week can be Italian, the next Greek, the next American, and so forth. Food always brings in the crowd.Share the PowerThe boss usually runs the meeting, after all, thats one of the things he or she is paid to do. Try sharing the power during meetings. Maybe one meeting out of each month a different team member has the responsibility of running the meeting. Workers can send the employee items to put on the agenda and he or she will have full range to run the show. This can engage your team members and help them feel like one unit with equal parts. Of course, at the end of the day you are the boss, but sharing a little power every now and then can help workers feel dependable and valuable while simultaneously valuing your role as a manager.Surprise, SurpriseWho doesnt love a surprise? Bring in guest speakers or key people from the company every now and then to address staff during weekly meetings. The best surprise of all? Cancel the meeting

Master At Arms Navy Descriptions And Qualifications

Master At Arms Navy Descriptions And QualificationsMaster At Arms Navy Descriptions And QualificationsIn the Navy, the military police force rating is the Master at Arms (MA).MAs are the Navys security and force protection professionals.This military cousine security job provides the Navy with security specialists who perform anti-terrorism, force protection, physical security, and law enforcement duties on land and at sea.Navy Military Police (MA) may operate a force protection watercraft, direct an investigation, control a base access point, or supervise a K-9 asset. Some specific MA duties include conducting waterborne security patrols, protecting oil platforms, managing base access, conducting base security patrols, law enforcement operations, providing protection forhigh-ranking dignitaries and government officials. They may also perform security inspections, conduct K-9 explosive and narcotics detection missions, organize and train security personnel, operate brigs (the Navys v ersion of jails), and conduct investigations and crime prevention programs. In 2003, the Navy Recruiting Command was assigned a new contract mission for entry-level applicants and started actively recruiting Masters at Arms from its annual pool of candidates versus having to cross train after several years in the Navy before able to become an MA. It takes roughly nine weeks to create a Navy Master at Arms.Their class A school is located in San Antonio, Texas. Naval Technical Training Center at Joint Base San Antonio.Joint Base San Antonio is the result of joining Lackland Air Force Base and the United States Army Fort Sam Houston, and the United States Air Force Randolph Air Force Base, which were merged on 1 October 2010. Environment A master at armsmay expect to be assigned to duty at shore stations in the U.S. and overseas aboard ships as either ships company or security team or as part of a maritime expeditionary security squadron. The work environment varies widely with in dividual assignments and country where deployed. Master at Arms personnel serve in security locations around the world and provide land and sea security in support of joint service operations. Qualifying as a Navy Master at Arms Once theyve completed boot camp, recruits seeking law enforcement and security positions report to San Antonio, Texas for nine weeks of A-school training. Theyll learn anti-terrorism techniques, crime prevention, civil law, communications, and receive firearms training. There are opportunities for the top students in the class to continue their training in specialized jobs within the rating, such as Dog handler. Those seeking a position as a master at arms need to achieve a combined score of 100 on the word knowledge (WK) and arithmetic reasoning (AR) segments of theArmed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. They will also need to be able to qualify for a secret security clearance and be a U.S. citizen. Theyll need a record free of nonjudic ial punishments or convictions within three years of applying to be an MA. A domestic violence conviction disqualifies any MA candidate. Master at arms recruits should have a valid drivers license, no speech impediments, and are required to pass a drug test. They should have no history of mental disorders, alcoholism or drug abuse, and need normal color perception and vision correctable to 20/20. Advancementopportunitiesand career progredienzion for a master at are directly linked to a ratings manning level those in overmanned ratings have fewer promotion opportunities than those in understaffed ratings. As you progress in rank and skill within the Master at Arm rating, here are some of the opportunities within the career field or Navy Enlistment Codes you can consider for your personal growth Military InvestigatorDog HandlerKennel MasterAfloat Corrections SpecialistProtective Service Specialist Sea/Shore Rotation The sea/shore rotation for a master at arms is as follows First S ea Tour 48 monthsFirst Shore Tour 48 monthsSecond Sea Tour 42 monthsSecond Shore Tour 48 monthsThird Sea Tour 36 monthsThird Shore Tour 48 monthsFourth Sea Tour 36 monthsForth Shore Tour 48 months Sea tours and shore tours for sailors that have completed four sea tours will be 36 months at sea followed by 36 months ashore until retirement. The master at arms rating is classified as an INUS/OUTUS (in the U.S./Outside the U.S.) community, which means that instead of being assigned to ships, many of their overseas assignments are classified as sea tour duty for sea/show flow purposes.