**Guest post by Kristen Ford, LA based indie rock act with a passion for music business. 

"Happy Thanksgiving! A time for awkward chats around the dinner table, carbs with a side of carbs, sweater weather, and Black Friday Sales!

This is that unique time of the year when all the retailers, life coaches, and memberships flex their marketing muscles and slash prices. For annual memberships, this can be the BEST time to purchase.

I worked at a big music store chain (I mean- you know the one ;) for a couple of years, and I remember staying there late on Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, putting up all the new pricing for Black Friday. Wait a minute- I have to sell customers insurance, endless add ons- Picks! Strings! Polish! Not to mention the cringe-worthy sales meetings, toxic bro culture, and these good-for-nothing customers get a BETTER PRICE THAN MY EMPLOYEE DISCOUNT???? On Black Friday, sometimes, yes.
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I also know from working in retail you get “buyer eyes” a kind of zombified hunger to consume products. I became obsessed with a pocket-sized DJ controller. If I just had this controller, I could learn to DJ, start playing gigs, make money, buy a bigger controller, and on and on. 10 years later, I still haven’t done a DJ set. I’m more of a guitarist.

When I worked at the outdoor apparel shop- same thing. If I buy this 0-degree-rated sleeping bag, I’ll have so many adventures! Antarctica! I’ll go explore the moon! I’m more of a hotel bish.

I once signed up for a music sync company (not Uber but…) that sends briefs of music needed for sync, reviews your song for a small fee, and, if deemed a good fit by the staff, will pass it along to the music supervisor. If the client loves your song- Cha-Ching!
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I had a friend who was selling consistently through them, so on Black Friday, I forked over a couple hundred bucks and sat naively ready for all my TV money to roll in. I didn’t think about the fact that my buddy had a home studio and was in the routine of checking all those calls for music, quickly writing, recording, and submitting. I was on tour in a van. I had lots of songs written but didn’t have the synth set up or the routine to execute successfully.

There is no one path to success, especially in music. Everyone’s journey is unique. Companies are experts at manipulating your emotions and pushing a one-size-fits-all solution to your dreams coming true. I played a lot of junkie guitars before I got my custom-built Gallagher. I went to the gym pretty regularly before I hired a personal trainer. Black Friday can be a wonderful time to save on a membership that will educate, inspire, and lift your career. It can be the perfect time to buy some gear that will serve you. It’s a wonderful chance to support workers, the economy and especially small businesses who need this shopping season to survive. Just take a deep breath, and think a bit before you hit that "buy" button this Black Friday. Because ultimately, no product or service can do the work for you. You’ve got to start DJing first.

Indie on the Move is a kick-ass community, educational platform, and impressive Rolodex of venues, festivals, and colleges which can certainly lift your career if you put in the work. Because touring is forever, baby. I’ve been using and loving the site for a looooong time now.

I’ve also got my own music and merch for sale at righteousbaberecords.com. They make great gifts. Now on sale.

Happy Black Friday!

kfo"

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