Who are you?

What do you do?

Whom do you do it for?

Why do you do it?

Who are you? This is basically a biography. Only include major influences, experiences and calling. This is not a time to give your life story - just a time to give people a context of who you are.

What do you do? This is what you're trying to accomplish with your calling and gifting (which, by the way, should work together...I can't tell you how many people I've dealt with who felt "called" to do something they clearly didn't have the "gifting" to do. See my article on Understanding Your Calling on the Artist Resources page).

Who do you do it for? This is what will truly focus you. Who is your audience? Demographic is not a dirty word. It should be something to help focus you in your craft. By "demographic" I don't necessarily mean age group (though it often includes that); I mean what kind of person are you trying to reach, move, influence or inspire?

Why do you do it? What is the passion behind your art? What motivates you, inspires you and fuels you to do what you're doing?

I encourage you to sit down and write out answers to each of the above questions. Write out three versions, the first one should be a full page (this may seem hard to do, but it is essential for an effective artist to consider these questions in-depth); the second version should be a paragraph long and the third answer just a sentence. Next, combine all the one-sentence answers into one paragraph and memorize it. This should be 15-20 seconds long - and will be the perfect answer for anyone who ever asks you what you do.

The artists I've worked with have all been shocked how much this very simple and elementary exercise has helped focus them not only in their craft, but even in the business aspects of their music.

Also be sure to read my article for Christian Musician Magazine on the Artist Resources page for 5 basic interviewing principles.