So, I posted this spring what my “business goals” were for 2025. Here’s an update:
- Learn 20 new songs and add them to my “ready to perform” list. I’ve addded 23 songs to the ready to perform list.
- Perform 15 of those new songs at a live venue. To date I’ve performed 13 of the new songs at various venues. Some of them have already become “regulars”.
- Learn 3 new ukulele songs (as part of the 20 new songs goal). I’m o’fer here. Just hasn’t been a focus, but shoot, I have Oct - Dec. to learn them. Still do’able.
- Book at least 15 shows. Performed 17 full shows this year. There may be a couple more yet to be added. I’m guessing I’ve done music at 6 or 7 open mic’s.
- Perform at 2 new venues. New venues this year, Fenn Valley (4 shows), St. Julian in Rockford MI (2 shows), and a private party in a “Barn’dominium”. I have 2 more possible bookings which both will be at new venues as well!!!
- Investigate the possibilities that “Merch” might be able to bring. Not just investigated, but launched 3 products, A soapstone car coaster and 2 sizes of coffee mugs. Unfortunately the new tariffs will result in an unsustainable price increase on the raw mugs and coasters so they will be discontinued.
- Write at least 2 blog posts per month. Well, I have posted (including this one) 15 blogs but I have not hit “2/per month”. I’m posting as I have relevant things to say.
- Increase FB Followers to >200 people. I’m currently at 188 followers. I will say I am not pressing hard to add FB followers. In fact I’m trying to determine if I can abandon FB. Bluntly, I’m fed up with all the BS that comes with being on FB.
- Monitor Website hits and continuously improve site with a goal of reaching 1,000 visits. To date I’m at 740 website visits. My Google algorithms still aren’t performing as expected. However, I’ve learned that the more I post, the more hits I get. I’m not giving up on this goal… but there’s work to be done!
- Write 2 songs. (I am not, and never have been a writer, but now is the time to try). I have some interesting chord progressions I’ve written down and a bunch of non-associated lyric lines ready to be expanded upon, but so far…no songs. Still some time available, especially with no shows on the books.
So, all in all, not terrible. Some goals, indeed are “stretch goals” (which isn’t an excuse) and involve me learning and doing things I have never done before. I’m truly proud of that. I do have a little more than 3 months to add to the list of “completed”. Even though “show season” has ended, know that I’m focused on doing more, learning more and trying a lot of new things.
Till next time - Stay focused and enjoy this fall weather!
Tom