So you might have noticed the economy not being in the greatest spot right now. Lets add an election, holiday season and a government buyout to the mix and you are looking at the possibility of fundraising for your FSRP going a little slower than usual or maybe a little more challenging.

Don't give up! And don't think that you have to wait untill the air clears. First off, there are a number of ways you continue to get funds but also, the air is not going to clear for a while. If you want to wait this out, you wont get to record your album for a very long time.

It comes down to your efforts and how you are able to work. Anyone can work and do things when everything around them is easy. It shows the true tenacity and character of someone that can not only work hard on a challenging task, but also do that challenging task in a challenging time.

Continue to use the other aspects that have been talked about in fundraising, but also see how you can alter and apply things to the economy and where it stands. Watch the news. Listen to how other companies large and small are dealing with the crisis, and how they are overcoming these challenges to continue to sell and survive.

You are selling to people when you ask for a donation or an investment. You are selling them on the concepts of you, the Freedom Solutions Recording Plan and the spectrum of what you are creating, and all the avenues of both profit and sustainable success you are going after.

So we can conclude that the "product" that you are pushing, which are you and the creation of this project, is not bad or a bad idea. It is the economy and the situation happening around the world that are the problematic parts.

Taking the points of your project costing 80% less than the industry standard is now more than a single marketing point. Before, you were showing people how much money could be saved and how the same quality could be achieved. This is a great point and a point you should continue to use, but now you can add that in a struggling economy more artists need to follow this format since the money isn't there for people, labels or management to spend on artists.

You take that point a step further by asking for a donation or investment, in showing the benchmark how bands not only can save so much money, but how they have to save money in an economy that is not taking chances or spending a lot of cash on artists.

The second approach which I see all the news and with stores right now such as Wal-Mart, Kmart, Target and many others is the layaway and monthly installment plan. Unless you don't have a television, I am sure you have seen that Kmart commercial where the husband is raking leaves and asks his wife why she is going Christmas shopping since it isn't even Halloween. She answers back with a little whisper…"Layaway" and he responds as he looks to the sky; "Genius!"

It is genius. People don't have the money right now to go out the day after thanksgiving and spend a fortune on gifts galore. Some people this year are afraid to buy a turkey for thanksgiving itself.

So these companies are looking to continue to get your business by letting you go out to shop for what you want. Pay for it over three months and pick it up right before the holidays. This also will help give the economy a little time to bounce back and maybe by the time it comes to pick up the items, people might have a little less worry and spend a little more or put the remaining balance on their credit cards.

It is consumerism at its best and there is a dirty side to it but still, it is something that can be viewed in a positive way for you and other people raising funds. Right now if you were looking to some one to donate $250.00 to your project, most will probably say no and pretty fast. Even if you show them the blueprint and explain what is being done, as much as they may want to support it, there is more of a chance now that it will not happen since the economy has gone the direction it has.

Now switch gears with these particular people and approach the monthly installment angle. This can be a key and helpful approach. Second, instead of asking for a check there and then, ask for it over five months. A Monthly Installment plan for your FSRP from your donor. Explain where each payment will go. For example, the first payment will go to the preproduction invoice, the following months payment will go to the logo design, the next month will go to the studio time and so on.

This way you have not only created an easier way to raise large funds over a longer period, but you will give the donor confidence and take the stress away of a large check having to be cut right there and then. Also you are keeping this donor or investor in the loop, explaining the progress you are making and the steps and benchmarks you are reaching each month. This in turn with the economy bouncing back might make them feel more secure in you and the project and they might even donate more.

Problems will arise when you least suspect them. In the end it is how you deal with them and how you choose to deal with them. Take the assertive problem solving approach, research and see how others are handling similar issues. Then take the actions, make the changes and revamp your approach to find the success you are looking for. This goes for everything in and around your career. In actuality, the fundraising for the FSRP, as challenging as it may seem, is a good way to prepare for all the soliciting, promoting and marketing you will have to do once your project is done.

Learn these skills in this phase and then be able to execute, act and react better once your project goes to the public.

© Loren Weisman