Monica Said:

What is a good day job for a musician?

We Answered:

You're good at writing and you have some knowledge of web design. I suggest starting a blog! It might not pay (yet), but whilst you're finding a job, it will be a good way of staying productive and you never know what the outcome could be. I know two bloggers that have started doing it as a hobby (within the last couple of years) where one of them has gained a publishing deal, and the other has started her own online female magazine; the first issue featuring music sensation VV Brown. Tumblr is a great site to blog from. If you do need a company to do your website, have a look at a company I am working for part-time called mooveagency.com. They are a great company with very skilled web developers.

In terms of making money on the side, have a look at some promotional work. Roles include brand ambassador roles, operations and event management. Pay tends to be atleast £10p/h and there are always opportunites. Check out stuckforstaff.com for more details.

Furthermore, as you are a musician, check out albumlover.com. The website is launching next week, and is dedicated to promoting all artists from all genres, all on ONE page. Think a hybrid of MySpace and milliondollarhomepage. Users view artists from the website and never deviate away from the main page, meaning every artist has the opportunity to be seen. Check it out and enjoy the FREE subscription.

Cheers

William Said:

best day job for a writer/actor?

We Answered:

Have you considered a starting a small business? That way, you can decide when to work it and when not to.

I have an online/offline retail business. We sell hundreds of products and also have many well-know partner stores including Barnes and Noble, Sony Music, Office Max, Eddie Bauer and more. The nice thing about being online is that it doesn't have the huge start-up costs of traditional business.

My website is:

www.jewel.mychoices.biz

Check it out and if you are interested in a franchise we can discuss it further. There is a link on the top of the page you can use to contact me or you may send me an email if you prefer.

Caroline Said:

What's a great day job for an aspiring writer?

We Answered:

I work 40+ hours a week (7am - 3pm +3 hours of commuting) and I kind of write as well. I work as a teacher, so this means that I have work with me when I get home. I wish i could find a job that doesn't make me take my shitty work home that would be perfect.
It doesn't matter what kind of job you have as long as you can squeeze in some 30-40 minutes of writing everyday. so for your dream job please scratch out "teaching" from the list .
If you're looking for a desk job then this means that you won't have a lot of time to yourself during the work hours. Just find a job that you can't take home with you. Dedicate your time at home for writing.
Maybe the job you have now is the one that is best for you...you don't know..

Sandra Said:

Writer Needs a Day Job?

We Answered:

What do you think about working at a child care center? Since you like cooking, you may also apply for a cooking position at a child care.

I also know that many schools are looking for people to work in the kitchens/cafeteria.

Keith Said:

What are some good day jobs for a musician?

We Answered:

CAD drafting and web design would be flexible, since you'd be doing freelance work, but those jobs aren't exactly plentiful. And writing isn't exactly a good way to make a living, since jobs are very scarce and there are millions of unemployed writers competing for the few jobs that do exist (trust me -- I worked for years as a freelance writer). The trouble with jobs that offer lots of flexibility is that they tend not to pay very well. But if you were playing with a band, you'd only need evenings and weekends free to pursue music, so any job that had day hours would probably work for you.

I worked for five years as a new reporter while pursuing music, which wasn't ideal because part of my job involved attending evening meetings and covering events that took place weekends. But since then, I've had an ordinary day job (I'm a picture framer) that leaves evenings and weekends free. Some retail jobs are more flexible than others, but most don't leave time for even short tours. Some of my musical friends have worked in video editing, on road crews and even delivering pizzas. Basically, they do whatever they have to do to support their music.

As far as jobs that will help your career, that's a tall order. The only way to garner attention as a musician is to get out there and build a fan base. If you tended bar at a club that features live music, you'd probably have an easy time arranging bookings, but booking shows is pretty easy, anyway. If you've got an affinity for CAD drafting, that sounds worth exploring. It's a shame the job market is so brutal right now, since lots of otherwise good jobs no longer seem promising. But I'm sure whatever job you have, you'll make time for music. That hour per week playing in front of an appreciative audience makes the awfulness of any job worthwhile.

Manuel Said:

With Pelosi's admission that Artists and Writers shouldn't be required have to have a "day job?

We Answered:

if the goverment is going to subsidize writers and artist now i'll quit my day job

Lawrence Said:

Veteran writers, what are your suggestions for getting a first novel published?

We Answered:

First, write your story.

Edit your book several times to make it the best it can be, type it in proper manuscript form (visit http://www.writersdigest.com to find out what is needed), consider joining a local writer's group to get feedback from other would-be writers, and get it proofread by someone who knows what they are doing (don't rely just on spellcheck). Edit it some more.

There are a tiny number of publishers that accept unsolicited manuscripts (those that don't go through a literary agent), so getting an agent first is a really good idea.

At the library or bookstore is Guide to Literary Agents, published by Writer's Digest, or Bowker's Literary Marketplace (or visit http://www.agentquery.com). Look for agents that specialize in your genre, and are looking for new clients. Read, and follow, their submission guidelines. In those books will be something about writing a query letter, which is what you send to the agent, first. It's part synopsis of your book, and part explanation as to why your book deserves to be published. You have only that one-page letter to wow the agent, so take the time to make it a good one. Expect the whole process to take lots of time, and expect many rejections. When you are accepted by an agent, they will send your book to publishers, not you. The whole process is free, except for postage, until your book is bought by a publisher. That is when the agent gets their cut (usually 15%) of the money which would go to you.

Good luck!