THE STOCK MARKET.

In a blog written back in May 2010 I spoke about my frustration with the financial industry and the fact there didn’t seem to be a way for creative folk (ie: people like ME who can only seem to speak in metaphors... with hand gestures.. and possibly a song) to connect with the seemingly unintelligible world of INVESTING. Sorry, I’m generalizing, but *honestly* if I asked you to define:

IPOs * ETFs * EQUITIES * OPTIONS * & * MERs

...I’m sure you (insert me projecting my instincts onto everyone who reads this) would resort to hand gestures as well! No? Yes? Back to my date...

#1 on my list of requests was to have STEVE introduce me to my bank’s

PRACTICE INVESTMENT SITE.

Here I would have an imaginary $100,000 to play with, and could familiarize myself with how the stock market works - minus the risk. More importantly it would be an excellent way to gage my comfort level around:
losing
gaining
patience
and the root of it all...
fear.

Steve told me that the secret to the stock market - really - was to have a crystal ball at the ready (!!!!!) If you don’t have one of those, well, practicing to see how the market really works is probably your next best bet.

#2. I wanted answers, REAL ANSWERS, or COLOURFUL DEFINITIONS to the thousands of acronyms that litter each page or graph. With every answer from Steve I would counter with a statement that sounded like,

“So....this one is like putting all of your eggs in one basket and, this one is like buying one egg at a time from individual chickens on different farms? Got it.”

Please don’t ask me what he was referring to...I have since forgotten and can’t read my notes...

#3. After my 25 minute tutorial - turned into 1hr 15min - I discovered that the STOCK MARKET could be summed up as a very expensive popularity contest. If the market (the people) don’t like what they see in the press about the CEO of a company, POOF! The people sell their stocks (insert: we don’t want to play with you anymore) and the company can financially disappear. Add a positive mention from Ellen or Oprah, POOF! The stock value goes up and that CEO buys a Porsche.

Similarly, if the demand for one resource goes up (Mr. Wheat) then wheat’s friends (farming related products) will all have to act accordingly and meet the demand. If you’re savvy and can see the circle of friends that support Mr.Wheat (check his FaceBook wall) you can make smart choices and “friend” them all into your investment page before the the cost is too dear.

#4. A question from STEVE:

“How did you become interested in the stock market? I
don’t see many opera singers hanging out down at Bay and Front St.”

My answer was that since it would seem that money - quite literally - makes the world go around, isn’t it in my best interest to figure out what that ACTUALLY means? When you visit a foreign country don’t you, at the very least, want to know how to say,

“Where’s the bathroom and how much are these beautiful shoes?”

I want the language of money to be right up there with my knowledge of English and French-ish. Since I already have a good grasp of how to fill up my shoe closet in both of Canada’s official languages, (not to mention being able sing about Magic Flutes in German, or a locket with my lover’s face on it in Italian) I’m thinking that the *money speak* could prove to be equally practical.

Over the next few months I will PRACTICE with my PRETEND $100,000, let you know how I do, and see if the site can really convert an “oh so right brained artist” into a money making GENIUS!!!!!

Wish me luck!

practice investment site: Check out your internet banking page for something similar to RBC’s practice site & free investment consultations.

*as always, a reminder that my money musings are for entertainment purposes only.
Please see a licensed financial professional when making real decisions about YOUR money.

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“Yay!”

...I said to myself, shook his hand, and prepared to get out of the room before I did something stupid and lost the gig. In my excited flurry, gathering up my music, he said,

“...by the way, have you ever sung...VERDI....?”
(Uh oh)

“Why yes I have...umm...just a wee part, though....”

“Hmmm.....I’d like you to take a look at this and tell me
if you’d consider that as well. I think the colour of your voice would suit it perfectly.
You don’t have to tell me today.
Call me in a month after you’ve sung through it a few times.”

Saying NO

As a singer (any age, any level): When do you know WHEN to say NO?

We all want to build up the resumé, meet the right people, and perform amazing rep....but,

What has the potential to hurt you more?

1.Saying YES to something you’re NOT ready for or,
2.Saying NO and possibly losing out on a “big break”

We’ve all done it! And, fortunately, if you don’t learn from the first disaster, most likely (ding!) opportunity will come knocking again. I once said,

“Sure, I can do the two soprano songs for the last 4 shows...it’s not that high...”

For those of you who know me, a soprano I will never be, but as a 20 something mezzo looking for a break, I thought I might lose the gig all together if I wasn’t agreeable. Trust me, by the time the gig was over (insert tears after every show) I think everyone would have been happier if I had said NO.

See, there are a few things we FORGET when THE WRONG GIG comes along:

1. YOU, and you ALONE are solely responsible for that “YES” so, you’d better mean it.

2. “GETTING THROUGH” a piece, simply isn’t good enough.

3. NOBODY will say, “Tsk, the CONDUCTOR should have known better”

4. THIS IS A BUSINESS! Don’t offer a product unless you really have the goods.

5. YOU and your AUDIENCE deserve a more enjoyable experience.


We all want to be LIKED (a blog topic unto itself). We all want to WORK ($$$). We all want to EXPAND our horizons to create our BEST VERSION OF THE SELF. Being honest, and trusting your instincts however, can be just as important (in the world of professional music) as bulking up the resumé. Be confident that the best version of your talent RIGHT NOW is the most reliable gauge to help you answer truthfully when you KNOW that NO is the only answer.

(back to our story)

After a month of agonizing, realizing that there was NO WAY I was built to sing the suggested #VERDIwaytoobigformetosingnow rep, I finally made the call. To my surprise, the conductor simply said,

“Yeah, I don’t blame you for saying no. You’re probably still too young for that.
That thing is a BEAR.”

Saying YES (too scared to say no) to the wrong gig in my 20’s (thankfully) made a big impression on the NO that needed to happen a few years later. Final conclusion:

Saying NO IS the new YES.
; D

Thanks for reading, and for all of the re-posts on twitter, and FB feeds. #flatteredblogger

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“Just say yes, to everything, and see what happens.”

Hmph....

just say YES....

TO E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G.

All right, pretty boy....(in a fictional show)...you’re on!

Now, it has only been a few weeks since I’ve tried to employ this mindset of saying yes to everything but, so far I have been pretty successful.

• One really good gig popped into my inbox the very next day (no brainer), YES all around.
• The following day was a super small but, “I’m going to do it anyway” gig which, at the very least, has since clarified exactly what I DO NOT want to have in my life (nothing like a little fuel for the fire).
• And the third was saying yes to an invite to a party, a networking party, called W.H.O.W.

“I am an artist/entrepreneur - mother - lover - fighter! That’s me. I have a desire to live my life like a hero, take it up a notch, affect some positive action and inspire others. I pledge to get women helping other women. Let’s do this!”

...gives you some idea as to the amount of positive energy that goes into these gatherings. To make a long story short:

• you arrive at her home with a small appetizer and your drink of choice
• you put your name on a $20 dollar bill (optional) and put it into the pot (to be drawn at the end of the evening for one of participants..maybe you!!
• After everyone has arrived (and has had some food and drink) each woman has 2 minutes to present:
• who they are,
• what they are passionate about
• what they NEED to fulfill the project that they are working on and!
• what they HAVE to OFFER to others in the room for their help, their connections, their time.

Thanks for reading and good luck with your PROJECT YES!
*P.S.
For inquiring minds: At the end of the W.H.O.W. gathering, as promised,
a hand went into the pot of $20 dollar bills and drew a name....
(drumroll please)
Yup.
You guessed it, I WON.
Saying YES to a party meant saying YES to opportunity,
and, literally, a handful of cash $$$.
W.H.O.W. is right!

For more information on the amazing women of W.H.O.W click here http://www.meetup.com/WHOW-Toronto/

LEAVE A COMMENT below:

Tags: TORONTO ARTISTS, W.H.O.W

• the MUSIC
• the PRACTICE ROOM
• the HEADSHOT
• the AUDITION
• the PERFORMANCE
• and, a chance to WORK THE ROOM: SHMOOZING - OLD SCHOOL.*

• WEBSITE
• FACEBOOK page
• TWITTER feed
• BLOG or
• CHANNEL (for goodness sake!)

• ENDORSEMENTS,
• PARTY SIGHTINGS and the
• # of HITS or FOLLOWERS

“It’s not about APTITUDE, it’s the way you’re VIEWED,
and its very shrewd to beeeeeeee, very, very, popular - like - me.”
(Glinda’s aria from WICKED!)

Chatting with the talented, new kid on the block,
Elizabeth Bowman
owner and founder of
BOWMAN DESIGNS:
Design + Branding + PR Boutique
I learned a little bit more about
GOOD P.R. in the age of SOCIAL NETWORKING.

Trained as a singer, Bowman later discovered that she had an even greater passion (and TALENT) for helping young artists with their presence in the media, and their communication with the audience at large. Bowman is a no nonsense, design savvy professional with a very consistent set of principals when helping her boutique roster of talent. First up?

BRANDING

Remembering that (in this age of social networking) all of your SITES need to have a CONSISTENT MESSAGE, LOOK, and overall ATTITUDE so that the product (that would be YOU) is sending a high quality BRAND out to CAREER followers at all times. That includes paying attention to the little things like: repeating the photos (and photography style) presented on all of your links, updates, contact info, even your colour scheme. The more professional and consistent the look, the more recognizable and memorable your product will be.

Keeping a consistent theme when posting verbal updates is also key:

• Posting about upcoming gigs = consistent with the brand.
• Posting about your last relationship disaster on twitter...? Ummmm....not so much...

COLLABORATION
“The modern singer is all about collaboration. Making sure that your passions and genuine interests allow the audience to see the real person behind the art. If there is no personal connection, your followers will quickly become disinterested.”

One of Bowman’s artists has a passion for cycling. Connecting her talent (a great photo and a solid interview) with readers of a cycling magazine will highlight the artist’s other passions while being introduced to a new audience. It may not be music, but it IS authentic and, no doubt, these readers will see that there is more to this young talent than meets the eye. Brilliant!

COMFORT LEVEL

Familiarizing yourself with the FREE MEDIA TOOLS available to you and, more importantly, knowing where you are most comfortable presenting yourself, can go a long way.

If you are not internet/computer savvy, know when to ask someone for their expertise. Social Networking is the medium through which your “on-line personality” will be viewed by the masses... best to present it at the highest level possible.

As we wrapped up our conversation (and I tried to remember if my last twitter post was “brand appropriate” ) I scrambled to get her last parting words on paper. If you remember anything from this conversation I hope it is this:

“ARTISTS have the POWER to make art WORK.”

So, what are you waiting for?
The world is awaiting the on-line YOU.

Thanks for reading!

For more info on Elizabeth Bowman’s
DESIGN + PR + BRANDING services
please visit www.elizabethbowman.ca

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please CLICK below...

I - AM - A - GARDENER.
Yes, I am.

...ok, I don’t always know exactly what I’m doing but, things seem to be growing in my backyard because of ME. (Insert prairie girl grin.) I am re-planting one year’s harvest of one thing, to help make it stronger, and more bountiful the next year. I am ripping out what I don’t like (sans apology) and replacing it with what makes me happy. I AM IN CHARGE. I am in CONTROL .... ummm, of everything but the plants. Did I forget to mention that plants don’t grow when you want them to; they grow only when the conditions are right. They all have their own personalities, you just have to choose which ones you can handle, and care for in any given season.

Yes, you would be correct if you started to sense a metaphor creeping up... HULLO? Gardening? Growing? I didn’t start the blog to chat about your green thumb...

OOO! An accidental metaphor! YESSSS-aaaaahhh!
(I love it when that happens.)
Your green thumb! Get it? GREENBACKS, MONEY, MOOLA!
(pat myself on the back)

Growing a bountiful harvest in your financial garden is no easy task. I started off believing in one financial path only to discover that there was more than one way to create abundance. Some products that I was hell bent on not considering, I am now thinking might be something to add to the pot.

The two growth options I’m talking about today are
(solely to stir up a conversation and get people thinking about their saving options)
RRSPs and TFSAs.
(BO-RING, but keep reading anyway...)

When I first attempted to grow my money, RRSPs were basically the only suggestion made to me .

• Put money in
• Get a tax deduction against my income that year
• Watch it GROW
• FLUCTUATE
• or SINK into OBLIVION
• and GROW AGAIN
• RETIRE on what is left AFTER taxes
• EARLY WITHDRAWALS are taxed heavily so, it’s best to LEAVE IT ALONE
• ONE TIME USE for first time home buyers to be PAID BACK over 15years.

The success of my RRSPs was based on how well the banks did,
not necessarily how much I put away.

I didn’t get that it was a tool for banks to play the market (on my behalf) and if the market crashed so would I. In fact, nobody said anything about CRASHING, just growth. Hmph! To the people who only planted an RRSP crop over 30 years, and were about to retire in 2009, the fall of the 2008 market was the equivalent to a hail storm five minutes before starting up the tractor (and a big wake up call for me as I narrowly missed a huge loss myself).

I have no regrets about starting my savings with RRSPs.They were a great tool to use for a first time property investment. It was my best/only option at the time and it enabled me to get ahead on establishing an actual net worth.

WHAT WOULD I DO NOW?

If I was the same 25 year old singer today, wanting to start saving for retirement (and/or mile stone investments like a home/family/continued education) I would probably use the TFSA instead. The Tax Free Savings Account (which has only been in existence since 2009) is a place where money can be:

• STORED and SHELTERED from being taxed (up to $5000 yr.)
• WITHDRAWN for whatever you have been saving for, sans taxes on that income
• Unlike the RRSP, if you take it out, you DON’T have to pay it back
• CARRY FORWARD contributing room indefinitely
• CHOOSE to have it INVESTED like RRSPs (no tax on the interest) & will fluctuate with the market
• or KEEP it as a SECURE account ie: STOCK MARKET CRASH FREE (sacrifice investment growth for security)
• There was even an article that they might be raising the contribution limit to $10,000.00 by 2014
• Biggest drawback: It cannot be used as a yearly deductible against your income....b’bye tax return

“When I retire, I don’t want all of my savings to be taxed when I start to live on it as income. I may not get a tax break today, but today I’m still working, healthy, and able. I would rather pay now when I can handle it, instead of later.”
Something for artists (whose income fluctuates as much as the markets) to consider.

Again, I hi-light these two options today SOLELY to stir up a conversation.

There are many more options to consider (it’s no secret that I am a big fan of property).
My hope is that, at the very least, this will spur you on to
start digging in your garden and GET SOMETHING, ANYTHING GROWING
for a happy harvest in the future.

Thanks for reading!

*As always, a reminder that I am not a financial advisor. I write for entertainment and inspiration only. Please see a licensed financial specialist when making final decisions with your money.

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