Month 12: Final Project: Business Plan (BPL)

Finally, I entered the final class of the Entertainment Business Master of Science program. In this class, I finalized my business plan with the completed financial plan of my business. Also, I learned how to do elevator pith as well as the final business plan presentation. I learned that starting a presentation or pitch with stating the market problem is the key to attract the listeners.

Apart from the business plan, I learned about the important keys of the finance again. And also, I was taught how to enter the real world of entertainment business after graduate Full Sail University.

Through the entire Entertainment Business Master of science program at Full Sail University, I have learned how to write a business plan. It means, I can do market research, brand development, financial plan, risk management, and other skills that are required to make a business plan. I have also created a good network with my classmates. What I learned from Full Sail University will be helpful for my career in the entertainment industry.

Month 11: Business Plan Development (BPD)

In this class, I put together what I had learned in this entertainment business program. Each section of the business plan reflects each class, such as the marketing research section reflects the BSB class and the marketing section reflects the DMK class. Since the PTM class, I had developed the same business plan for entire program. Therefore, I had already done research the most parts of marketing researches and business opportunities. What I did in this class was I put those ideas and researches into written words and made a draft of the final business plan. Also, I reviewed my business plan several times in order to make sure id my business plan is a realistic and profitable.

Month 10: Digital Marketing (DMK)

Digital marketing is an important marketing strategy in this digital society. Therefore, this class was helpful to develop my business plan. What I learned the most from this class was how to analyze a webpages. By utilizing Google AdWords and Google Analytics, I could find out how many people visited my web blog and what keywords my potential customers are looking for. These analyzing website will help to develop my digital marketing plan in the future.

What I was surprised at this class was that QR code is a new technology in the United States. I had already used QR codes in Japan almost 10 years ago, and most of Japanese brands are using these codes for marketing. But this technology is still new concept in the United States. Therefore, I felt that some Japanese design companies that create unique QR codes can expand their market in the United States.

Month 9: Entertainment Media Publishing and Distribution (MPD)

In this class, I made a totally different business plan for this class because my business plan that I had developed through the program did not fit for the class activities. My new business plan for this class was establishing a magazine that filed with information about Japan. With this business concept, I learned the traditional publishing as well as the self-publishing.

If I want to publish a magazine in the traditional way, I have to find an agent and pitch him to publish my magazine. I practiced how to find right agent and how to write a query letter through assignments. Also, I practiced how to write a book proposal and business strategy to pitch publisher through the MPD class. On the other hand, I learned that the self-publishing is cheaper than the traditional way. I found out some good companies that can help publishing a magazine on the both printed version and digital version through the class assignment.

Month 8: Advanced Entertainment Law (AEL)

From this class, I learned how to protect my business from legal issues. For example, in order to protect my intellectual properties, I can register them as patent, copyright, and trademark. I also learned how long each right last and if I can register again or not.

In the blog assignment of this class, I could research about the potential legal issues of my business plan. I could not find any legal issue from exact the same with my business plan, but I found some legal issues that could be happened to my business from similar industries. By studying those legal issues, I could build up plans to avoid those legal issues.

I had other assignments that will help my future. I made some legal documents in order to resister a business, patent, and copyright with using the actual registration forms. This experience will be useful when I actually start my business and I have to submit these forms in order to protect my business.

Month 7: Product and Artist Management (PAM)

What I strongly remember from the PAM class is that the definition of the artist manager. In a video a famous artist manager compared artist management to a wheel. In his definition, the artist is the hub of the wheel. Booking, publishing, getting sponsorships, touring, and other tasks of the artist management are the spokes of the wheel. What the job of the artist manager is that make the wheel roll smooth by adjusting the length of each spoke. This explanation was easy to understand the role of the artist manager.

Apart from the clear definition of the artist manager, I created a position statement of my business plan that describes my company in a short sentence.  Also, I made a new product line for my business plan that can enhance my business.

I also made a live event plan with my teammates. This assignment taught me the importance of the artist rider. Each artist has different wishes for their dressing room, catering, transportation, accommodation, and so on. Therefore, understanding of those requirements is essential to operate a live event.