Do You Need An Editor?

by Cari Cole

Okay so, you may or may not know this, but most of us have an editor. Musicians, bands, authors, entrepreneurs – any brand out there exists because of a team of editors who in different ways, play a role in the process of selection – and elimination.

Wikipedia says: “Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible and film media used to convey information. The editing process can involve correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate and complete work.”

You’ve all heard the idea in music that the spaces between the notes are just as important as the notes. Well, what you eliminate or leave out is just as important as what you show. And the truth is, no matter how talented you are most creators are not that good at the editing process because they are too close to their work – we all lose perspective when you are so in it – me included.

Because it takes more than one set of eyes to look at things – or ears to listen. It’s a tedious process – to make anything great that is, and we rarely get the “behind the scenes” look at what really goes on during the recording process. If we did, we would see all the edits, tweaks and minutia – the plethora of decisions along the way. The tugging, pulling and pushing, the many tiny changes in direction – the disagreements and process of consensus. The discarding of entire records of recordings, the re-recording process — and so on. More than one set of eyes or ears becomes your greatest asset – helps you get there (one’s you trust that is). If you’re aiming for more (and I bet you are) look for the right team players. You ain’t gonna get to that magical place on one set of eyes and ears.

And I know, I know, most artists don’t want to surrender control. I get it. I’m a creative control freak too. But if ya don’t trust anyone you’ve worked with to do it better – that just means you haven’t worked with people who are smarter than you – yet ;).

Here’s the deal:

As a “creative” visionary, it’s not that you need a team to spell out your vision (most of you have an overabundance of this gene) – you need other eyes + ears to help you deliver your vision.

I’ve come to realize over my 3 decade career with my own music and tens of thousands of artists I’ve worked with, that successful records emerge from a process – and who you choose to be a part of that process is a huge piece of the success of that record. Nothing great emerges without a great team of editors. Successful artists know that because they’ve experienced it.

Want more? Join me for a riveting conversation that you are guaranteed to walk away from smarter, informed and with a stronger knowledge to make your music deliver. Especially if you are making a record right now or considering making one – one that breaks through that is.

Register here for a free teleclass in 8 Steps to Your Breakthrough Record. What every indie artist cannot be without.

Tell me what you’re aiming for with your next record in the comments below!

©2013 Cari Cole, Vocal Mag, Inc. All Rights Reserved.