1. Always listen to your inner voice when making decisions.
2. Don't be afraid be honest with clients about their projects and always be tactful in suggesting that their project may not be ready for mastering or that some changes may make the whole project sound better.
3. Don't be afraid to walk away from a project if it seems that it is going to be more trouble than it is worth.
4. Have a good rate structure and stick to it. Don't discount mastering session time charges but do provide some value added perks. Musicians do talk to each other and once you have opened up the flood gates it is hard to close them.
5. Don’t be afraid to say no.
6. Don’t over engineer remote recording projects - sometimes the simpler setup is the best.
7. Don't promise things that are impossible to do. They will always come back to haunt you later.
8. Quietly rethink everything that you do and try to think outside the box when you get yourself into a corner.
9. Be realistic in doing time estimates for outside recordings and restoration projects.
10. Be aware of what image you are projecting to clients and always be the consummate professional in all situations.
11. Take some time to relax and spend more time with friends and family
12. When doing a remote recording go to the venue before hand at the time the recording is going to take place. Airplanes do have schedules and it is amazing how loud they can be. <enough said>
13. <bakers dozen> Have a better year in 2009 than in 2008.
I want to wish everyone on this board a very healthy and prosperous NEW YEAR and may you all have many more.
If you want to add to this list please feel free to do so.
