Hey. Yes, this is a very do-able topic.
First, they call it show BUSINESS. While I love the show, I have reluctantly come to understand that if I want to eat, I have to attend to the business.
Here are things I wish I did better:
Taxes/bookkeeping - if you are self employed you need to keep good records, learn to maximize your deductions, plan for retirement, and pay quarterly taxes ALL while maintaining a performance and rehearsal schedule. Basic business classes would (I hope) go a long way to this. The more you know about your money, the more time you can eventually spend enjoying what you do.
Why isn't the phone ringing - If you want work, you have to get it. I rely on word of mouth and do well, but I really would be SO much better off if I knew more about advertising and marketing. I wish I had photoshop, pagemaker, premeire, and dreamweaver skills. That way, I could do so much more when it came to making brochures, videos, and web pages. Sure you can hire out for this, but imagine how much you could save if you could do the basics at least yourself.
THEN there is the issue of getting people to your site. Classes on Time Management, Advertising, and Marketing could prove valuable. There are a lot of very talented people who cannot make a living doing what they love. It is because they lack these skills.
There are also a few college programs in Arts Administration (University of KY has one) that might have classes in these areas as well.
Now, as to the "show" side of things. I think the more you know, the better the product you can deliver. So, even as a magician, I wish I knew more about sound and light tech. I need to communicate with the people who make me look good, and if they realize I respect them enough to know about what they do - they will try harder.
As a magician, learning to use your most important tool - your body - is critical. A health program, movement lessons, voice lessons, and acting lessons will make you a better magician than hours spent working on the pass.
Did that give you a few ideas?
Let me know if you need more.
Brad
