image via Shutterstock / Africa Studio

Throughout my years of working in the entertainment industry as a YouTuber, blogger and a lead singer in a band I’ve learned that any upcoming artist is only as strong as his arsenal of materials. I’m not talking about actual talent or an artists ability to perform in front of a crowd or in front of a camera, but rather, the items an artist must have in his/her possession in order to modernize the business aspect of his/her chosen profession.

Most artists don’t actually rely on their sheer talent alone to reach their ideal level of success; in fact, there are essentially a number of items any artist must have in order to excel in the business aspect of his/her craft.

Of course, my list below is not the ultimate list – these are just the items that I could not go without as an artist, and neither should you!

1. eMedia Singing Method

The eMedia Singing Method is a complete step-by-step lesson guide to help you learn how to sing or improve your singing ability if you’re already a seasoned singer. It provides you with the basics in singing such as the proper singing technique, singing in time, and singing in tune. As you progress to a more advanced stage it will then teach you how to project your voice, increase your range, improve your diction, and develop skills such as vocal agility, expression, and sight-reading. The eMedia Singing Method also covers a variety of singing styles from folk to pop to jazz to R&B or even to opera and classical music.

This product is definitely a must-buy for any up and coming singer because it teaches you the fundamentals of singing. After going through this step-by-step lesson guide myself, I realized that there was so much more to singing than meets the eye! It made me pay more attention to proper posture and proper breathing as well as helped me manage my pitch better. The breathing exercises are also solid gold because it helped me sustain those high notes that I was never able to reach before. I’ve always wanted to take up singing lessons in the past but with this product priced at less than $60 – it’s a steal! I highly recommend this product so if you’re interested in purchasing it in Amazon then feel free to click on this link: eMedia Singing Method

2. USB Microphone

We love this item because you can actually make unparalleled recordings via the Yeti USB Microphone and then you can send the recordings straight away to your machine! The Yeti uses Blue Microphone’s restrictive tri-case innovation to transform immaculate, studio-quality recordings. It emphasizes four distinctive example settings so you can record vocals, instrumental music, podcasts, or talk in ways that would ordinarily oblige numerous microphones. With straightforward controls for earphone volume, design choice, moment quiet, and amplifier pick up- you’ll be making excellent recordings right out of the crate!

With its controls for earphone volume, design determination, instant mute, and amplifier pick up, the Yeti places you accountable for each level of the recording methodology. Now if you encounter some sort of feedback while recording a particularly loud noise, you can simply modify the amplifier’s affectability with the gain control and voila – problem solved! Alternatively, let’s say you need to enjoy a rest during a podcast, you can always use the instant mute button.

The mouthpiece comes equipped with a 3.5-millimeter earphone jack and permits you to listen to what you’re recording progressively without dormancy delays. You can change the volume of your earphones utilizing a control on the front of the mouthpiece. The Yeti obliges no entangled drivers to work; just connect it to your PC’s USB port with the included USB link, adjust it with your working framework, and you’re on – you’re primed to record! The receiver is good with Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP (Home and Professional), and Mac OS X (10.4.11 or higher), and it requires at least 64 MB of RAM. The Yeti USB Microphone also comes with a two-year restricted guarantee. If you’re ever interested in buying a The Yeti USB Microphone online you can click on this link: Yeti USB Microphone

On Amazon, users gave this item 4.1 stars based on 1,123 reviews.

3. You Can If You Think You Can (book)

Dr. Norman Vincent Peale’s book “You Can If You Think You Can” is by far the best book I have ever read. It is uplifting, timeless, straight to the point and it hits you right to the bones!

I actually got hold of this book at a time when I needed a real push in life. I was living a mediocre life and I believed that I wasn’t good at anything. I went by my day-to-day tasks with such mediocrity to the point of being almost dead. But after reading this book, I have never felt so eager and excited to be alive! What really struck me was that there were a number of encouraging stories of people from all walks of life and inspiring messages that I can actually apply in my daily life. Practicing positive thinking really helped me achieve my ambitions.

The book does not just focus on positive thinking though, it urges you to stand up and take action. I now believe that I can actually take control of my life and how I want it to be. Reading the book gave me the courage to face up to my fears, set higher goals for myself, and believe that I can go out there and achieve my goals. In Dr. Peale’s words, “What we think and visualize is, to a large extent, what we are about to become”.

Thanks to Dr. Peale and his book, I am now driven to do things I have never done before. I will not only read this book over and over again, but I will surely recommend it to my family and friends. It is simply amazing!  If you’re ever interested in buying this book online you can click on this link: You Can If You Think You Can

4.Sony Voice Recorder

I used to settle with the good old voice recorders whenever I needed to record public speeches or meetings for transcription. Eventually I got sick and tired of these old style voice recorders because they are heavy in weight, they have a mediocre recording capability, they have a short battery life and they also can’t keep up to the internet-driven demands nowadays.

I am thankful that I now have a high tech voice recorder that I can use and transfer recordings easily! I am referring to the Sony ICD-AX412 Digital Flash Memory Voice Recorder which offers voice recording at high quality, clarity and easy handling for its compact and lightweight features. Voice recording has never been this comfortable!

Its highly advanced technology features include a built-in 2 GB flash memory and it has a memory card slot for users to have the option to add memory to its built-in 2GB memory. Users can increase its memory up to 32GB thus saving large voice recording files is no longer a concern. This voice recorder also allows transfer of files to computers and uploading to the internet and it already records in MP3 which is the much preferred format this day and age. It has a long battery life what with 72-hours of recording battery life and has over 500 hours of recording time! Now that is something that makes it ahead from its competitors.

I would definitely recommend this gadget as it is a best buy considering its high-quality, responsiveness and affordability. Voice recording has never been this clear and easy with this gadget. If you’re ever interested in buying this voice recorder online you can click on this link:  Voice Recorder

5.The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (book)

Do you know the difference between abundance mindset and scarcity mindset? Are you secured enough to celebrate the success of others rather than feel threatened by it? In this book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey takes his readers to a broad dimension about strengthening people’s characteristics that will direct them towards their goals and successes through a win-win situation.

Author Stephen Covey is a world-renowned leadership authority who believes that success in life comes from a well-balanced arena of personal and professional aspects. In this book, Covey sets up his readers first by letting them embrace a positive mindset or what he calls a paradigm shift. Covey’s book will show you the importance of how one’s perception or interpretation of things can affect the person’s attitude towards success and positivism. It touches points about increasing productivity, positive thinking, time management and fuelling assertive muscles.

This book was first published back in 1990 and it has transformed millions of leaders, business individuals, parents and educators. Selling more than 15 million copies worldwide and more than 1.5 million audio version copies, the book was named by Time as one of the most influential business management books while author Covey was once named as one of the most influential Americans. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People was published in 38 languages and is considered as among the most impactful non-fiction books.

Incorporating the seven habits in real life will absolutely bring a victorious change in one’s existence. Habits 1-3 focused on personal behaviours, mental and physical creation. They were about mastering one’s self to understand the power that one’s attitude can bring to achieving goals. Habits 4-6 dealt on the importance of interdependence, team work, communication and the ability to share successes while habit 7 is the integration of all other habits to continuously promote and maintain effective attitude and lifestyle. It mentions self-renewal by harnessing physical self, sharpening mental state and strengthening spiritual connection.

The book does not promise a 24-hour miraculous change in your perspective but it has concepts that will surely deliver an indelible positive vibe within you. Lean in his words as presented in various anecdotes involving various family situations, business set ups, social occurrences and other general examples.

Do you feel like you need a personal overhaul? Let Stephen Covey take you to an inspiring and powerful talk through this book. It is a magnificent business and leadership handbook that relates to how your mindset can magnetise a positive outcome.

This book was published by Simon & Schuster and it contains 432 insightful pages that will recreate your views of self-mastery. It hinges on personal development and effectiveness that will draw a person near to the true meaning of success. If you’re ever interested in buying this book online you can click on this link: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change

6.Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Turntables

The very first Debut turntable was revolutionary of some sort. It was a hit among music lovers because it was easy to use and the sound quality was astounding. And with the rule of Compact Discs, it was something they could afford. Now here comes Debut Carbon, promising yet another revolution. This latest incarnation offers the same excellent reliability, style, simplicity, and flawless sound quality.

One of the many reasons that make the Debut Carbon is that anybody, even analogue beginners, can set it up thanks to the parts diagram and well-written instructions. It comes in 7 high-gloss colours: black, red, blue, green, silver, white, and yellow.

Made with some of the finest available materials, the Debut Carbon features a four-point O-ring foot design and a new Sorbothane motor suspension. The increased platter size (12 inches) and weight allow for even smoother rotation. The turntable also features a DC power supply that has ultra-precision frequency DC-driven AC generator for superb speed stability.

Combined with the Ortofon 2M red, the new and improved 8.6-inch carbon tone-arm recovers and tracks musical nuance with so much ease. With this features, the Pro-Ject Debut Carbon delivers a strikingly insightful and clean sound. In terms of general warmth and musical flow, it will definitely outclass any cheap CD players.

These are the reasons why Debut Carbon is getting near universal acclaim among music lovers. It seems nobody is surprised by how good the latest version is. The Pro-Ject Debut Carbon is available at Amazon for only $399. It is indeed a dynamite turntable above its price point. If you’re ever interested in buying this turntable online you can click on this link: PRO-JECT – DEBUT CARBON

7.Portable Bluetooth Speaker

When it comes to sound equipment, portability is a price to pay. But, with the Portable Bluetooth Speaker, you can experience high quality music with maximum portability and high quality sounds!

This mini speaker is packed with big, big features making it a really useful device. Let’s see what this little guy has under its shell.

Big Sound: This speaker is very compact and produces a huge sound. It has crystal clear sound quality. Not only that, it produces a very powerful punch. Feel the music, feel the beat.

Bluetooth Enabled: Say goodbye to wires with this Bluetooth-enabled device. It can play devices approximately 50ft away from it. It works 50% farther than other Bluetooth devices out there.

Long- lasting: What’s important with portability is that it may not last long enough. But, you can never go wrong with the Logitech UE Mini Boom. Its rechargeable Li-ion battery can last for 10 hours. It allows for USB charging so it’s very convenient.

Portable: Sometimes when you travel, you’d love to have this Logitech UE Mini Boom with you. You can play it anywhere you want. It is compact and simple to operate.

Add More: What’s even better is that you can get this connected with additional UE Mini Boom speakers using their phone app. That’s pretty clever, right? Now you can have twice the power.

I love these speakers because for less than $100, get everything you want in a speaker and more! If you’re ever interested in buying this speaker online you can click on this link: Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

8.Make Yourself Unforgettable (book)

I actually got this book on paperback and just to clarify this book isn’t written by the great Mr Dale Carnegie himself, rather, it is written by a number of people from the training group he had established.

Although new to his work, I found Mr Carnegie’s book: “How to Win Friends & Influence People” very appealing. Let’s just say for starters I am not a fan of self-help books, rather I’m more of the fiction aficionado. A friend encouraged me to read the book I mentioned though and with a lot of encouragement I might add! But I’d have to say that my friend’s efforts weren’t in vain because I found the book very enlightening.

The book had some good points – but the keyword here is ‘some’. The book feels like it is a summary of everything I’ve heard of before from people I personally know (hello grandpa). Basically, it feels rehashed. Some examples were poorly done to the point where I ask myself ‘who are these people in the book giving examples??’ The book is pretty easy to understand, no doubt about that. I still finished reading it but in the end it felt like a refresher course. If you’re ever interested in buying this book online you can click on this link: Make Yourself Unforgettable: How to Become the Person Everyone Remembers and No One Can Resist

9.Google Chromecast HDMI Streaming Media Player

This device is definitely the pinnacle of an accessible TV streaming tool that can easily fit in the palm of your hands. It’s simple, small and as long as your monitor or flat screen television has a HDMI port then it’s definitely good times ahead!

This device is an inexpensive alternative to set-top boxes and since most types of screens nowadays have a HDMI connection, it’s turning into a more attractive choice for both accessibility and pricing options. Chromecast, despite being cheaper than TiVo or Apple TV devices, operates pretty much the same way. But unlike these systems with their own dedicated hardware, Chromecast uses your wireless devices such as your PC, Mac, Smartphone or Tablet to stream data to your television set.

In terms of quality, this streaming device pretty much handles as advertised at 1080p. In terms of reliable internet connections, it handles HD playback over a Wi-Fi without any fuss. But since it’s a streaming tool, accessing local files need a workaround like the PLEX Media Server so you can access them.

Despite its many perks, the Google Chromecast does have its share of problems. While it’s more of an issue of updating software, there might be times where your device might not be able to detect it. Also it might even sometimes force you to turn off your Firewall if you’re working under a secure internet connection. But despite these minor hiccups, all in all this is a great device!

While this plug and play device might not be the perfect solution for cheaper widescreen streaming, it’s the closest thing to an affordable one. If you want a streaming device that provides inter-device accessibility, then this is probably the closest you’re going to get to a good one. If you’re ever interested in buying the chromecast online you can click on this link: Google Chromecast HDMI Streaming Media Player

10.How to Win Friends and Influence People (book)

“Dealing with people is probably the biggest problem you face.” Yes indeed, the art of communicating is something that maybe common to all of us, yet not all of us have perfected this art. Now that almost everyone has access to the communication highway, the world needs more than ever, a compelling guide that will keep the process of communicating more humane especially since we are all separated by wires nowadays and we often engage and conduct transactions both offline and online.

Carnegie understands this, and this has been his guiding principle in authoring his classic book, “How to Win Friends and Influence People,” which was originally released in 1934 and revised in 1981. This book is considered by far the most popular book on interpersonal skills. The latest edition titled, “How to Win Friends and Influence People in the Digital Age,” preserves the book’s famed old-timey style and generous examples.

The first and best book of its kind has been rehashed to tame the complexities of our times and it will teach you how to communicate with diplomacy and tact, build and capitalize on a solid network, make people like you, project your message widely and clearly and be a more effective leader.

The book identifies the essentials of communication including aspects that relates to social media as well as other forms of communication together with a method on how to make a lasting impression, build and maintain trust as well as lead to change without resistance from the people around you.

According to Julia Hobsbawm review of the book she said that “his book has been reprised and paraphrased using lots and lots of reference to Facebook, email and blogs, and padded out with many references to someone else’s report from Harvard Business School, Duke University, or references to Abraham Lincoln, about whom Carnegie once wrote a biography.” This book is a must for any upcoming artist! If you’re ever interested in buying the chromecast online you can click on this link: How to Win Friends and Influence People in the Digital Age