Video or Photo Documentary

We provide time lapse video, documentary and photography for Creative and Construction Projects.

There are many benefits to having a dedicated camera operator/photographer for your project:

1. You don’t lose time while stopping to document your work or project

2. You can move on to the next paid project (we can go back to get those all important “after” images)

3. Your photos and video look much more professional and steady

4. You will have documented evidence of your work for marketing, training, sales and use on your website

5. Few things are as dramatic for presenting job progress as a “time lapse” video

As executive producer and producer we have worked with many trades and business owners to document their work, edit it, and present it in ways that help them draw more attention to their talents (and the work they have ALREADY done).

Our services are affordable.  We can handle heights, lighting and getting the right professional shot (under any circumstances).

We are even equipped to deliver broadcast quality production in the event you would like to have your own web-cast or broadcast television show (self-help, docu-drama or just for fun).  We have narrators, hosts and animation capabilities as well (for that professional touch in communicating with a viewer, whether it is images, a great script or a smiling face).

MY OPINION: The best and easiest way to gain credibility as an authority in your field is to be depicted as one…in a video.

Mark Mahar

Give us a call and we can discuss your next project.

Phone A Friend

SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE

Over the last decade, it has become normal for me to hear from my clients about once a week to discuss an idea, obstacle or need in their business.

This casual relationship, with constant communication, has allowed me to stay in touch with my clients and be most effective in answering issues immediately.

I’m offering a subscription for what has essentially become a “phone a friend” relationship.

Having my personal creativity and attention applied to your problems is will save you thousands.

Having someone to speak with in a candid and confidential manner will save you thousands.

Having access to the talented people in my network, only when you need them, will save you thousands.

Having my experience to prevent you from making a mistake will save you thousands.

Applying my creative strategies will make and save you thousands.

JOIN HUNDREDS OF PAST CLIENTS that have benefited from my personal attention, creativity and strategic advice.  Your subscription, solutions and problems remain confidential (and that’s why my clients aren’t plastered all over my website).

- COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL -

The “Phone A Friend” Subscription is $99/month.

In addition to having my personal cell phone number, here’s what you have access to EVERY MONTH:

• Unlimited Q&A on the Forums (other professional contributors)
• Up to 6 Hours of phone or Skype consultation ($300 value)
• Confidential Support on ANY TOPIC in ANY INDUSTRY (I refer it out if necessary, typically at no fee)
• Internet Resources & Marketing Tools, reserved for my personal clients.
• Opportunities for tangible savings, reserved for my personal clients.
• Updates and News specific to your industry (60-90days before I publish it)
• Inclusion in our Affiliate Marketing Network (directed at one page of your website)
• Design, Web & Graphic support (if I can handle it myself you can just burn an hour on it – logos, etc…)

You will immediately experience the value of our services or you can cancel at any time.

PERFECT FOR STARTUPS, INVENTORS, ARTISTS & DISTRESSED BUSINESSES – START NOW!

The #1 question I get asked is to solve a problem on a specific budget.  I have yet to fail in charting a realistic course for success within a client’s budget.  I can show you how to do things that many businesses spend ten times as much for (without half the insurance measures I show you how to include).

How many people can you call who know your industry well enough to give you an intelligent opinion?
How many of those people can you be completely honest with, share your REAL concerns, and receive unbiased confidential advice?  I don’t SELL anything…I help business owners arrive at cost-saving conclusions for rescue, launch, efficiency, growth and sanity.

I make my living by providing unique creative solutions…and mapping routes to revenue.   I don’t sell anything other than my brain (and you can rent it for the bargain basement price of $99/month).  I expect you to cancel this subscription once we we figure out the best way for me to be available to you down the road.   Until then, I’ve made it as affordable as possible to “try me”.

Subscribe now (no cancellation penalty – buy it, try it, cancel at any time):

Marketing Results, Guaranteed

I am SO VERY PLEASED to announce that I am now making a few of my unique proprietary marketing tools available to the public.  This service represents an incredible value…and I have to confess that I’m totally excited about turning the marketing & advertising world on it’s head.

FOR A LIMITED TIME – ACT NOW!

AN ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION costs $1200/year (80% off)!
REGISTER BY August 31, 2011 and receive my “Phone A Friend” package for FREE ($1,200 value).

Here is how it works:

• Contact us with interest in marketing a website product or service.
• We analyze your products and services for the best application of our proprietary tools
• You pay us $1,200 to be included in our marketing and referral system (for one year)
• We coordinate with you and your webmaster to place the most useful/relevant hosted solutions on your server (sometimes it is just a tracking code).
• We track and monitor the progress of your internet traffic and sales.
• After 12months you decide if you received $1200 worth of services and results.

As long as you ride it out for the entire 12 months, I will personally honor any refund request…for ANY REASON (I only ask that you tell me personally why you felt it wasn’t a value).  It couldn’t be easier.

I defy you to find anyone in the SEO, Web or Marketing world who is willing to GUARANTEE RESULTS.  I not only guarantee results, but I guarantee you will experience growth in your business as a result of our relationship.  This will be an exciting relationship and you will enjoy your business more as a result of hiring my company.

• A substantial boost in web traffic (within 45 days)
• A substantial boost in online sales and incoming phone calls (within 90 days)
• Tips and Tricks to help you in other areas of your business (at no fee)

Our internet traffic and sales generation tools rely on a human referral system (not some automated search engine work-around). Visitors to your website are REAL…and they will read every line of your page.

Not only is it legal, ethical and amazing…it is extremely affordable.   Our techniques are a trade secret (don’t even think about asking “how we do it”).  Follow instructions and you’ll be pleased.  Our integrity is our most important asset.  That is why we screen companies (instead of just adding a “buy it now” button to our page).

Where else can you get a marketing campaign that promises to give you measured results AND offers a money-back guarantee (let alone at $1,200)?

1. If you don’t see the value in our program and strategies we don’t want you as a client.

2. If you aren’t willing to commit $1,200 to promote your business we don’t want you as a client.

(that’s why I’m willing to refund the entire amount to anyone who sticks with us for a year…and why I have set the budget so low that there is no excuse for even the smallest of companies).

Web Developers, Search Engine Optimization “experts” and Marketing Executives HATE ME…  Not only do I tell them to their face when they waste my client’s money,  I consistently prove that I can do more with a dollar than they can do with $1,000.   I can’t tell you how many times I’ve solved complex problems in 30seconds or less, right in the presence of high-paid pretenders.   IT DRIVES THEM NUTS!!!  Ideas are free but you can’t put a value on real talent and common sense.
It only motivates me more to know that my creativity is capable of frustrating people who work in the “creative” industry.

This is, without a doubt, the smallest single budget scope of work I have offered in my entire consulting career.

More Traffic, More Sales, An Expert Business Strategist, and Marketing tools at your disposal for a whole year.  My competition can’t even touch it.  I defy them to even try.

I’m either completely out of my mind or I have actually figured out a way of making marketing so affordable and profitable that nobody else can even come close to creating this level of value. After over a decade of consulting for small businesses, artists and inventors, which do you think it is?

I look forward to working with you and having a truly measurable POSITIVE IMPACT on your sales! (I guarantee it or your money back).

- Mark Mahar

Free Website for Startups

Attn: Entrepreneurs

It is challenging to start a business in any economy,  let alone an economy as uncertain as this one.

We believe that small business is the heart of the American way of life.  It is the engine of our economy.  As a service to innovative and enterprising entrepreneurs, we are offering free websites for qualifying businesses.

Here’s how it works:

• Register for the forums [SUPPORT FORUMS]
• Visit the “Welcome (General Stuff)” Section
• Read the “Free Website for Entrepreneurs” post
• Post a brief reply, explaining why you should be chosen to receive a free website for your business

The free custom site will consist of  5 pages of static content, featuring the products and services, a BLOG and other unique resources related to the business.  The complete hosted web solution will consist of WordPress Content Management Software  (open source) with custom modifications and templates.  All modifications are made online, by you (the owner)…and you won’t need a web developer to maintain your website.

QUALIFYING WEBSITES:

• At least one market ready, featured, product or service
• Paypal or Google Shopping Cart account
• Engaged Business Owner (with a blog and frequent entries)
• Highest consideration given to:
  • national products & services potential
  • “made in usa”
  • clear business plan
  • art & innovation
  • maintainable by owner
  • active blogger

Candidate will work with me and my team to arrive at the best presentation/branding.  We can retool your existing site or create an entirely new one.

The last recipient of our free website launch was VictorianTailor.com
The Victorian Tailor already had a website.  The problem she had in her business was a constantly changing inventory (constant web support for a small company).  I don’t like seeing small business owners handcuffed so I imported her existing design into WordPress, added custom templates and functionality, which turned it into a blog site with more “search engine friendlly” content and keywords.  I then trained the owner, Celeste,  on how to manage all the web content herself.   She never has to hire a web person to change her products again.  All the content you see on that site was put there by Celeste – if she can do it, you can do it!

Every 90 days, we will select one business to receive a website (it gets launched before the next site  is selected).

If no qualifying candidate site is found among the applicants, we reserve the right not to select any applicant.

We are running this promotion to give “business ready” entrepreneurs a leg up on achieving a professional web presence that they can maintain themselves.  We want our visitors to use our forums and we hope to have more of a relationship with our internet audience in general (while introducing them to great new companies).  We decide, at our sole discretion, if the website you need is within our skill-set (and if your business is ready for it).

Our decision to support your business with a free website revolves around one internal question: “Are we interested enough in being associated with your success that we will invest the cost of launching your website?” (the more creative, grassroots, self-sufficient and prepared your business is, the more likely you’ll be one of the businesses we pick to support).

You must have a domain name and hosting (about $120/year) and we take care of the rest.

Domain name and hosting can be bought through www.HighwayMerge.com

We HIGHLY recommend that you at least own the domain name PRIOR to discussing it on our public forums.  Don’t make a post that says “I want a website for mybusiness.com” if you don’t own “mybusiness.com”.

One business is scheduled to be selected on the following dates:

August 15th, 2011

November 15th, 2011

February 15th, 2012

May 15th, 2012

August 15th, 2012

We look forward to helping you succeed on the internet.

Visit the forums now.

(If you’re a web designer or developer interested in helping us make a positive impact with entrepreneurs through this free service, please contact us @ info@maharenterprises.com)

What Advertising Buys

There is a difference between Fame & Fortune – I don’t know how many ways I can communicate this to my clients, so I’m just gonna say it:

“Fame is easy. Fortune (on the other hand)…well, that’s kind of a b#tch.” – Mark Mahar

Fame doesn’t require a real plan…it just requires volume, a spotlight or a spectacle.
Fortune requires a plan (and sometimes it even demands silence).

The question isn’t whether you can get in the spotlight, or even if you can convert an audience into customers, the REAL question is:

 ”What do you have if your audience doesn’t act?”

Typically you’ll just have an invoice as proof you paid for your 15minutes of fame.
We CREATE ASSETS that you can sell or license to get your money back.

Marketing Firms, Advertising Agencies, Publicists and Promoters will all quote you a price to REACH an audience.  Anyone who promises you that an advertising campaign or promotion will be successful for your sales is over-extending themselves (nobody is savvy enough to predict whether your outreach will result in a transaction…they can only guarantee that your message will reach the audience).

At Mahar Enterprises, Inc. we make bold promises but “consumer action” isn’t one of them (it is always the goal, but nobody can make that promise).  We will, however, promise you a safety net – a backup plan.  EVEN IF your advertising campaign or promotion isn’t as successful as it needs to be for your sales, we can promise that any promotion we help you with WILL result in creating an alternative value somewhere else in your business or career…so you’re at least guaranteed to recoup the money you spent on advertising & marketing.

What?  (You might want to read that again.)

Who could possibly secure a marketing campaign with real assets?  WE DO…and you CAN.  Why put your dollars to use once with conventional advertising? You don’t buy anything else in your business to use once and throw away unless it is a direct expense.  Why should advertising be any different?

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this statement:

“The [PICK ONE] market has 3million customers and if I can just capture [MINUTE PERCENTAGE] of it, I can make a fortune”
(There are a 20million people who love Frisbees…and if I can reach 1% of them I’ll sell 20thousand of my new toys, right?  Wrong.)
Go ahead – roll the dice on a ”reach only” campaign and see if it pays for the 10,000 units you had to manufacture (or the phone bank you hired for the influx of sales orders to your new 800#).

If I had half the budget that some of my competitors charge for a regional tv ad campaign, I’d be able to put a company on the map (nationally) and inject enough asset creation into a business (just with the savings) that even if the ad campaign fell on it’s face they could still show a net profit by liquidating the new assets (and start all over again). 

I’m not saying “buy the cow and get the milk for free”, I’m saying:

“buy the entire farm (for the price of a cow), get the milk for free (and sell the farm if your milk business isn’t what you thought it was gonna be)”.

Who else can promise you that you’ll have a net profit from advertising?  I can.

I would never make the claim that I’ve always succeeded in getting an audience to take action.  BUT, I’ve ALWAYS succeeded in walking away from my investment in marketing with something I could sell for more than I spent on the marketing…and in some cases I’ve had to sell those things (no worries – that’s why I bought them in the first place).

Doesn’t that sound like something that is worth discussing?
Are you paying for advertising right now?
Isn’t the prospect of saving money, creating more assets and reaching a larger (more emotionally connected) audience worth a few minutes of your time.

Call me.  Email me.  Tell me what you’re buying for your money. If I can’t double the effectiveness of your effort and spending (while creating NEW assets) for the same budget or less, I’ll write a feature story about your company AND the campaign you’re running.  I’ll post the story right here on my site - I’ll tell the world you are a savvy business owner who is TRULY getting the full bang for their marketing buck…and that you stumped me (you’ll be the first).

Advertising doesn’t buy a plan…it buys an audience’s attention (like funding a megaphone).  With the decreasing attention span of audiences it becomes increasingly challenging to motivate them towards action.

Advertising isn’t an asset…it is a liability.
Wouldn’t you like your marketing to create assets (and reduce your liabilities)?

Introduce yourself and say, “I would like to see if your Passive Marketing Strategy is the right fit for me”.

Solutions!  It is what we create here (win/win/win).  For example: Either way, one of us will end up impressed, you’re guaranteed to reach a larger audience, and my visitors have a new product or service to look forward to (bonus: we all learn a little something we didn’t know yesterday).

 ;-)

Let’s discuss your plan, product, service or campaign.  What have you got to lose? 

Mark
(508) 985-0001

Sad State – Advertising Industry

This is one example of how music and broadcast production is deteriorated by a slow take-over by technology savvy (but otherwise inept) “advertising and media” talent.

The Advertising industry is going to crap…for what I think are obvious reasons.

Maybe you’ll agree, maybe you won’t, but I happen to think the actual production solicitation I just received is absolutely priceless (blow off your holiday weekend to present an idiot who knows nothing about music your speculative rendition of their crappy lyrics…for scrutiny by a “huge” ny agency):

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

[GREETING OMITTED]

Below is a special opportunity that we wanted to give you a heads up about. Just got the word about this project today, and need the music by 6:00 PM PDT on Saturday July 2nd, 2011. You can find this listing [COMPANY INFO OMITTED].

HUGE NY Ad Agency needs a SINGER/SONGWRITER SONG for a national NUTRITION/HEALTH BRAND’s TV COMMERCIAL. It’s estimated that this gig will pay $15-$25,000 up front, but the back will bring in more dollars–LOTS of national airplay coming down the pike. This is going to be a little complicated so read VERY carefully!

The TV spot features a male/female duet singing about taking your nutrition to the next level. It’s starts with a guy, playing guitar and he begins singing at 3 seconds into the spot. Ten seconds into the spot, he’s joined by a young woman who sings background vocals and plays tambourine. She becomes a one-woman band as she begins to ALSO play a kick drum and a keyboard–added in that order, and introduced one at a time.

All this needs to take place in 30 SECONDS, while they sing the lyrics below! The good news is that this is a DEMO, and the agency folks know the lyrics they’ve been handed by their client are on the fat side. Your job is to keep the CRITICAL parts of the lyric in tact, while cutting SOME fat to bring this song in at exactly 30 seconds. You can trim a “yeah, yeah, yeah” down to just one “yeah,” etc., but you MUST keep “Anthem” and “Go Nutrients” and as much of the original concept as possible and MOST of the lyric in tact. Quoting the Head Creative guy at the agency: “Write a great SONG with as much of the client’s lyrics as possible.” Easy, breezy, nothing to it, and bring it all home in 30 seconds!

Musically, this SONG needs to be UPTEMPO, HIP and FUN, and in a Jason Mraz or Bruno Mars-like style of putting (vocal) doubles or triplets on top of half notes. That could give it a cool, fun, funky feel while helping you get most of the lyrics nailed in 30 seconds. Melodically, your song needs to sound like a HIT with a KILLER HOOK–it needs to be infectious, memorable and singable.

This product will likely generate a series of TV spots, so nailing THIS one COULD get you to the front of the line for others. If your DEMO is chosen to be presented to the agency and client, you’ll need to be able to make minor changes (if needed) on Monday, July 4^th so the final version can be presented on Tuesday morning. If you’re not fully available Sunday (dinner time) through Monday (dinner time), please DO NOT submit for this listing! Welcome to the intensely fast-paced, whacky world of music for advertising!

Lyrics: 

You take a multivitamin every day

But you want to add a little something (hey hey hey)

So you reach for new [OMITTED] from [OMITTED]

Can I get a funky beat on the bass drum

Take Omega 3 to help your heart

Helps your eyes and brain too…so state of the art

Probiotic for when your system feels out of whack.

Immunity? No problemo! And support that digestive tract. (Uh-huh.)

Fruit & Veggie has antioxidants galore!

Will make you glow for the one you adore. (Grrrrr)

Get on up, throw your hands in the air.

Take your nutrition next level, Start a love affair!! (Yeah yeah yeah.)

Broadcast Quality is needed, even though they may ultimately use NY session singers for the vocals. You must own or control 100% of the Master and Composition rights. If you are chosen, the AD AGENCY will contact you DIRECTLY. The agency is not sure at this time if this will be a Work for Hire deal or exactly what form the deal structure will ultimately take. Bottom line, it will certainly be in line with whatever the Industry Standard would be in a situation like this. This is a HUGE agency, and they’re not in the habit of risking their reputation by cheating musicians–it’s not like they’re a record label – LOL!! Please submit one to three songs online or per CD, include lyrics.  All submissions will be screened on a YES/NO BASIS. NO CRITIQUES FROM [OMITTED]. Submissions must be received no later than SATURDAY, JULY 2nd, 2011 at 6:00 pm (PDT). [COMPANY OMITTED]

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

NOTE: I’m still laughing…and somebody is gonna get $25k to produce this piece of crap.  A “HUGE” NY agency is actually charging money for this (and I could probably do a self-perpetuating national campaign for your business for what this one spot is costing to have customers laugh at a product and an artist).  Sad state of affairs indeed.

Just thought it was worth sharing.

“Wing Theory” for Business

…so I was sitting around the other night, thinking about how business navigates the marketplace…and how the market may or may not actually respond as much like a fluid as many market professionals would like to believe.  If it were a fluid…[insert idea].

It occurred to me that Bernoulli’s principle is simply a scientific statement of how fluid reacts (pressure, speed, distance)…and that science is applied with great success for many innovations (not the least of which is an airplane wing).  There you have it:

WING THEORY for Business (TM) – utilizing Bernoulli’s principle as a creative basis to determine strategic modeling for business, where the market is a fluid.  Designing to gain altitude/distance or less pressure in business as a result of an efficient design.

I decided to diagram my thoughts as it relates to “altitude” in business.  A wing is for flight, right?  Let’s give your business wings.

I’ve attached a PDF for the curious and included preview images.

Bernoulli For Business (“Wing Theory” pdf)

In short – the innovative element of modeling a business in this manner is that it places a hierachy on management, while also labeling (and illustrating) the most important component of a busines (the “high spot”).  That “most important thing” is different in EVERY company (something that conventional business modeling doesn’t allow for as efficiently in visual depictions).

The tallest column in the structure of a wing determines both the radius of the wing and the potential for “lift”.  It illustrates a requirement for all the supporting/surrounding elements – what relevance they play in giving a business the shape necessary for strategic “lift”.  Weaknesses in a business model are more visually identifiable as well. 

There is way more to it than that, but this 4 page illustration very clearly communicates the broad strokes of adapting conventional business designs, while treating the 21st century marketplace as it should be interpreted (a fluid that can be navigated with the right design).

It isn’t science as much as it is a really just a clever/visual analogy.  In any case, this depiction allows for the most simplistic illustration of three simultaneous components (all of which are sometimes difficult to communicate on their own, let alone together):

1. linear hierarchy (business processes)
2. business philosophy (brand & market focus)
3. management strategy (strengths are strengths)

Enjoy,

Mark

Support Forum Up & Running

It is official – the new Online Support Forum is up and running.

I realize that actually GETTING clients and associates to migrate their topics and our working relationship onto “yet another internet interface” may not be the most convenient thing (let’s face it – we all have enough login screens to navigate in our lives).  Why then would I create a “Forum”?

It has benefits for everyone (existing clients, visitors, consultants and me).

* CHEAPER access to my services (and the services of my professional associates)

* EASIER FOR ME – I aim to somewhat centralize my customer service and support (while documenting it for others who have similar questions).  Some days I get 150 emails and “some” (cough) emailers still insist on excluding the content of the original message.  Want free advice?  Post it publicly and get free advice (where I don’t have to rely on my memory to know what I told you last).

* Access to information and services that you may not even know are available through Mahar Enterprises, Inc.

* CONSULTANT AWARENESS - a place for the many faces who have stayed behind the scenes for far too long (and some new faces who hope to be part of your “answer bank”).

* SEARCH ENGINE RELEVANCE – I’m not going to publish 500 pages of web content for all the crap I know how to do, just so a search engine can find me.  It’s gratuitous and confusing.  The more conversations that take place on the forum, the more “words” are associated with everyone – use it accordingly (as a client or a contributor – registration is free).

I hope you find it useful.

Everything starts somewhere.  However humble the beginnings, the Support Forum is officially “open”.

(a permanent web link lives in the black footer on  every page of our site – “SUPPORT FORUMS” – look down)

Cheers & Thanks,
Mark

Off-Shore Companies

Why are larger U.S. Corporations moving off-shore?

Simple – the COST:  Migrating off-shore results in a ”Net Tax & Maintenance” cost of 20-22% Net Income Burden…as opposed to the highest corporate tax rate in the world (35% U.S).  As not all corporations qualify for government handouts (in the the form of tax incentives) and many lack the administrative infrastructure to lobby or apply for these subsidies, the simple alternative is to level the cost of doing business with one simple word, “geography”.

Are you considering establishing an off-shore enterprise?

At a 22% Net Burden, this still may not be the most favorable solution for some small companies (because the federal tax code may have more favorable advantages if you “qualify” for the ever-growing list of things that Congress sees fit to exempt from the tax code).   Congress has what some would call a bad habit of attempting to “steer” business towards their intended centralized design for a consumer economy and your cost of eligibility may be less than the cost of migrating. 

Another consideration to keep in mind is that once income is abroad it typically must stay abroad (for tax compliance).  Measuring compliance against an Owner’s compensation plan/exit strategy, there may be additional considerations to increase Owner’s W2/Personal taxable income (adding personal tax liability or averting that new liability with added personal retirement infrastructure).  There is an inherent cost of establishing or protecting income reported through W2 as opposed to Scheduled earnings.  That is a good conversation for your tax professional. 

SERVING THE RIGHT MASTER:

I am personally an advocate for a 15% Corporate U.S. Tax and removal of all federal tax loophole/subsidies through a simplified tax code (the two must happen in tandem or there will continue to be losers on both sides of the job creation argument).   There is a third argument of solvency but, candidly, “government spending” (more aptly, “restraint from spending”) is a discipline that can’t be cured by the tax code – that is a whole other topic.  For the topic at hand, it is my personal opinion that legislators should not punish enterprise or pick who is and isn’t relevant in a free economy.  Until such time as Federal Legislators enforce an environment that is friendly to job creators and doesn’t reward select companies for a central solution agenda, Mahar Enterprises, Inc. is happy to help less agile small companies legally move their corporate presence off-shore (or any other strategic alternative).

A simplified tax code would change corporate burdens (requiring the services of fewer accountants and lawyers) while increasing tax revenue to the Federal Government.  I want to see it happen and I remain hopeful that all previously migrated corporations will return to their domestic roots.  Until then, I have an obligation to my clients (and other countries have more realistic tax rates for relatively low cost of migration).

ASSET MIGRATION:

Some might aspouse the virtual fluidity with which “holding companies” can transfer their assets in this technological and patent-driven market (given that many holding companies are a “paper change”, rather than a physical operational relocation).  I would point out, however, that the U.S. Patent and Trademark system is an important infrastructure to intellectual property holders, which provides a laundry list of protections (along with an abundance of practically “institional” legal precedent for domestic properties and rights-holders)…all of which may pose a higher migration risk to ”intellectual property holding companies” (Mahar Enterprises, Inc. included).  We would be happy to do a cost/risk assessment in conjunction with your legal and accounting team to assess any impact that migration may have on your intellectual property, but the point here is not to sell ourselves – the point is “we highly recommend an indepth evaluation of your intellectual property” (even if you hire someone else, please do it before even entertaining an off-shore decision)…and to weigh those considerations against the alternative.

COMPLIANCE:

Depending on your resident state, off-shore corporate compliance requires a “real” office with human beings, duplicate equipment, a board room, payroll infrastructure (sometimes all payroll processed through the foreign entity) and in some cases “on-site executives” (legally empowered executive level management; CEO, VP and/or COO to be resident to the foreign corporate headquarters rather than the domestic market area). 

Off-shore income reporting does not mean “hidden income”.  Sheltering a corporation on foreign soil should only be entertained for legitimate enterprise, in order to achieve a lower (and compliant) liability than the alternative.  If your intentions are to avoid reporting income, you won’t be in compliance with U.S. or State Law anyway.  Two jurisdictions already monitor your compliance for fraud and liability (State & Federal), with a dizzying tax code and redundant regulations.  Why compound this scrutiny and penalty by adding the jurisdiction of a third government entity?   If you are breaking U.S. Law, it doesn’t matter where your company is “based”.  Don’t be an idiot.   If you are, however, seeking a legitimate option it may very well be the best option.  Consult an accountant…then a lawyer.  At that point you’ll be equipped to budget for a migration support system (like ours) or consider the alternatives with a keen eye on risk assessment and life-cycle.

CONSIDER THE ALTERNATIVE:

There are tax incentives that may exist outside your industry (as a simple line-item deduction).  Some of these things simply require you to think “outside of the box”.

Example:  Did you know that if you produce a documentary about your company or leadership (or industry), with the intent of packaging it for retail or distribution (as a “Movie” or “Production”) that you qualify for a tax credit in many states (in addition to Federal Tax Credits)?  Do you have to advertise?  What is your advertising budget?

In some cases, this single “line-item deduction” (no schedule) essentially becomes an advertisement (one that people could foreseeably PAY to view or that a Network pays you to air) can off-set your tax liability for less effort/expense than migrating your company off-shore.  Not only does it feel more patriotic, but you have to advertise anyway.  Why not turn your tax credit into a potential piece of intellectual property? (with a potential revenue after it serves it’s initial dual purpose of advertising and tax exemption)

Packaging affordable alternatives is what we do…and that one example obviously creates four tiers at which there exists potential recoupment of investment (Tax Exemption, Marketing Savings, Licensing, Retail – to say nothing of the proper presentation resulting in branding from a social responsibility standpoint).  No smoke and mirrors.  These and countless other creative domestic solutions are available right now, through Mahar Enterprises, Inc. as part of our proprietary “passive marketing strategy” and we would be pleased to offer you an assessment.

Regardless – Through any alternatives you might consider, there should be a sequence of qualifiers – Compliance, Cost, Savings, Life Cycle.  Humbly, I would submit to you that the life cycle of foreign profits is “tax light” (foreign wealth accumulation – for tomorrow), whereas the life cycle of strategically executed profit is “tax neutral” (domestic economic agility – for today).  You don’t have to be a uniquely qualified, lobby-backed or administratively savvy corporation to exert your inherent agility…you just have to be proactive and compliant (domestically or abroad – whichever the case may be). 

“How” you use an asset or resource can be just as beneficial in reducing your liability as “where” you do business. 

Simply put: Geography isn’t everything (it is just one thing).

CONSIDER THE SOURCE:

We do not offer legal or accounting advice.  As either a partner in your migration effort or as a partner in your domestic strategic solution (passive marketing strategy or other proposed alternative), our role is to provide you with a compliant model – identifying any obstacles to achieving ”integrity” for your intended life-cycle (as advised by your legal and accounting team, in conjunction with our resources).  Please seek legal and accounting advice prior to engaging our services. 

We also have a “horse in the race”, as they say – we want your business.  Our opinions on this topic are inherently biased.  I personally believe that there is nothing immoral or unpatriotic about averting the blatantly selective tax grab that has been perpetrated by congress (and at the hands of lobbyists).  If congress didn’t convolute the marketplace, dilute the natural order of supply and demand, attempt to buttress failing industries (and their failing leadership) or incentivize failure, U.S. Corporations would have no reason to pursue a more clear and predictable alternative.  I’m a capitalist (just as my clients are).  We are here to earn your business and we have a perspective.

Business is conducted aggressively when it can be forecast with even the smallest certainty (there will always be risk-takers who see a straight line through even the most dynamic conditions).  Congress, however, has effectively fogged the eyeglass of many otherwise savvy and risk-willing corporate leaders…removing all sense of depth-perception from the marketplace.  The maxim that “perception is reality” is only true for business in the sense that perception as view of the market is what drives business decisions (and business brings ideas into reality).  Sometimes the importance of sequence (linear concept) gets lost with politicians (politics is inherently philosophical – consisting within a theoretical sphere of implications…not a mostly linear science as business is).  Congress would have citizens believe that a social consciousness is what creates perception/reality.  I would argue that social consiousness only impacts demand, whereas “supply” is a device of the business community.  As congress pushes on one, the business community will continue to find ways to AFFORD the risk required to pull on the other (supplying an idea with it’s birth into reality by leveraging resources – leveraging risk).

As I type this, the Federal Government is half-way into the fiscal year without an approved budget, while adding to a record deficit and essentially debating the constitutionality of financial insolvency as the debt ceiling caps for a fourth time in as many years (if that doesn’t demonstrate an abandonment of linear thinking, sequence, and consequence, I don’t know what else to tell you).  This is the hobgoblin of philosophy…just as the quest for agility is the hobgoblin of enterprise.

Corporate Migrations are a device of congress and a pragmatic risk assessment to many corporations.  Politicians set the game.  Corporations follow the rules.  At Mahar Enterprises, Inc. we only work with clients who are interested in following the rule of law (and I personally still think this is the greatest nation in which to launch a business).  It is because of our patriotic domestic interests that our focus on risk assessment and a life-cycle are weighted in ”domestic agility” …and drives the bias of our recommended services (it keeps JOBS and REVENUE domestic…while migration does have benefits for some, but not all, corporations).

Our/my perspective should not be the only perspective you seek in a consideration to “spend your way out of tax liability” (and I would point out that this statement feels counter-intuitive for a reason – listen to the little voice in your head).

Be proactive -  exit strategy, life-cycle and domestic agility are far more important than lowering your tax burden (and you can design to achieve all of them with the appropriate strategy).

This is one opinion from one source.   Thanks for visiting.

Mark Mahar,
President

Discounted Rates for “exposure”

For more than a decade I have dealt with hundreds of independent artists. I have found them to be what I consider the most generous people in business. Why? As “wage earners” they are the most willing people I’ve ever met to immediately “discount” their services in exchange for “exposure”.

Unfortunately, many of them misinterpret “exposure” (and misinterpret their own value).

I am writing this article for one reason and one reason only: Night Clubs

If you really examine the night club owner & manager mentality (or have worked on the night club circuit), you’ll find that it is the default position of club owners & managers to assume that they are doing a band or artist a favor by giving them “exposure”. (See my recent article on “Valuing a ‘service’” – and figure out your rate vs. what the clubs in your area actually pay). Really? Exposure? Let’s examine the argument of “exposure” from a reality that club owners completely ignore:

1. Having something like a musical act in a night club provides a venue with FREE marketing in every “event listing” available in the region (print, web, “night out” services, etc…). If they didn’t have an act at their club they would not qualify for this FREE advertising.
2. 98% of “club venues” (my guess – not statistical data) in New England have downsized so much to make “survival” practical that their maximum occupancies are under 200 (and many in the Boston area have occupancies under 100).  Not for nothing, but more people visit the websites of the artists I work with on a daily (even hourly) basis than can fit in those clubs – and they don’t have to leave the house for that audience.
3. Most venues have countless televisions and other crap going on in and around the venue…all of which make it nearly impossible for a musical act to garner the attention of the small attendance they have.   After competing with TV’s, juggling bartenders and scantilly clad “jello shot” girls…how many of those people can the band actually connect with to accomplish their mission of “selling a CD”, “Getting a Mailing List Subscriber”, or “Getting a REAL booking”.  Entertainment is about “connection” (and that’s why it is losing ground – not because people don’t appreciate good music but instead because venues insist on bombarding patrons with everything BUT good music).
4. Entertainment keeps patrons in the venue longer – is intended to enhance the mood (which should result in more sales).  If it doesn’t result in more sales there might be a different problem.  Hiring a band for one night…or trying a “steady Wednesday for three weeks” is about the weakest attempt possible at resolving attendance and patron spending.

Note: It takes 200-225 people for the “door” to be “equitable” (for even the most affordable professional band – that includes even the sacrificial perspective of a club date with a small cover charge).

In addition to the claims of “exposure”, many clubs want the artist to “bring people through the door” (of course – that’s the whole aim of having an “attraction” – to attract).  There isn’t an artist I know who doesn’t push to get people through the door – that’s their goal…but clubs regularly put the demand of attendance squarely on the ARTIST (instead of relying on marketing and advertising)…without providing any marketing support.

My favorite phrase from club owners is “and you’ll get paid on top of it” (as if their offering of $75/head is the icing on some glorious cake [ignoring that the artist is also the farmer, baker and waiter for this little confection]).

I would like to examine that “who’s job is it?” thing as well:   Why exactly would someone discount their rates by a substantial amount (the overhead and margin they rely on to pay for things like marketing and advertising) if they still have the responsibility of doing the marketing & advertising? Remember – a club is offering “exposure”…and they get a discount because they are providing it. (right?)

1. A club owner could negotiate to have Elvis Presley himself do a surprise comeback “I’m still alive” special in their otherwise dead night club on a Thursday night for $600…but if nobody knows about it what value is gained from paying Elvis $600? NONE - you’re gonna have an empty club and you’ll cry to Elvis’ manager that you can’t afford to repeat the event next month because “the math just doesn’t seem to be working”…or the so-called “promotion” doesn’t seem to be catching on.  (I love that whole “we tried it, without really trying it” thing that club owners bail with)
2. With rare exception it is MARKETING (not artists) that drive attendance – if you’re hiring a band with a huge mailing list it is because you want butts in seats.  That makes perfect sense…but club managers need to acknowledge that they aren’t hiring an artist in that case – they are hiring a marketing promotion. $300 is not enough for a marketing promotion (even if you do get free advertising in all the local event listings).
3. Even if an artist can rationalize that they are taking a serious wage cut in order to achieve an important component in their career plan (like email lists or subcribers to their YouTube channel or plain old “networking”)…those things are a device of the audience that is IN ATTENDANCE.  The AUDIENCE is the clubs selling point for exposure…so it is the CLUBS responsibility to provide the audience (and the artist’s responsibility to KEEP THEM THERE and GET THEM TO SPEND MONEY AT THE BAR).

WHAT DO CLUBS DO TO ACTUALLY PROMOTE ARTISTS? (apart from hiring a band and relying on them to spread the word).
HOW EXCLUSIVE TO THE ARTIST IS THEIR MARKETING? (is the band just filling a slot on the club’s weekly 80′s night and nobody knows the band’s name?)

If you are a nightclub manager reading this (and are the exception to the rule), you have my sincere appreciation for including “artists” in your legitimate “promotions”. I’ve known a few managers like you…but only a few. To the rest of you: Stop pretending to be “ambassadors of exposure” for artists and just admit you’re too lazy to engage in professional marketing efforts (and sadly, a local band with a mailing list is better at spreading the word about anything than you will ever be).

THE QUESTION

What then is the real benefit of performing in a night club? There are benefits. It is up to artists however to determine if those benefits are worth discounting their rates (in some cases by 90%).
This article may come off as a financial rant but it really boils down to time and energy (time is money and every artist needs to inject efforts into their “career” where it really matters…where it really has a return on their investment).
When considering a club date, here are the “decision questions”:

• Does the date satisfy my “survival rate” (see my last article on “Valuing a ‘service’”).
• Does the marketing, advertising and audience reach justify the discount (can you buy the marketing for less [perhaps you already have that many people visiting your website and need to get better at converting them to customers]).
• Is it a paid opportunity to rehearse or is it an underpaid commitment to fill a room? (especially when the part of your wage reserved for marketing was discounted to the club owner already)

If those things exist (and the need exists in your career)…GO FOR IT!

REALITY

I’ve worked with many clubs on promotions (and negotiated with countless others to no avail). Club owners don’t understand the concept that a musician should be making more than the “jello shot” girl does in tips. They don’t view it as hiring a one-night promotion (or understand what it is a band is truly trying to promote)…and they certainly don’t appreciate that “music” is a trade just like any other.

As you endeavor to spread the word about your talents, it is true that club dates can be a PIECE of your income and marketing strategy but it should not be your WHOLE strategy. Making it on the club scene just means you succeed in conquering the lowest rung on the income ladder at the paltry average of $100/night (plus tips if you’re lucky enough to have a gig where tips are part of the customer culture).  If you work 365 days/year that’s $36k before taxes.  That may be fine for a garage band composed of members who all have a full-time day job, but it does not a “career” make.  Just food for thought: A good waitress or bartender makes more than that.

Your income strategy should include other opportunities for “exposure” which can result in real revenue:

• Mailbox Money (licensing, royalties, digital downloads, retail sales, merchandise)
  • STUDIO TIME DRIVES MAILBOX MONEY (let me repeat that, “STUDIO TIME!!!”)
  • Song Contests / Music Reviews
• A good website (where you can attract those 90 visitors who might see you in a tiny night club)
• Private Engagements (where you can be paid to perform without the burden of “marketing”)
• Contagious Materials (videos, content and art that can be “shared”)
• Agency, Brand & Promoter Relationships
• Self-Produced, Ticketed Events (where you take the risk and actually get compensated based on the success of your promotional efforts)

That may mean your investment should be in home recording gear or video editing or hiring a camera man for your club dates…or saving money to rent a venue (“four-walling” as they call it) but it doesn’t mean you have to surrender to the illusion of “exposure”.  If you do take a club date:

Sell CD’s, get email addresses, plug your upcoming dates, website, youtoube page, etc…and know your rates off the top of your head in the unlikely event someone says “can you perform for a private engagement?”. 

An artist/band that can sell 10,000 CD’s can make a really decent living.  If you can do that in a club THAT is where you need to be.  If you can’t…welcome to the reality of the music business - invest yourself in your “career”. 

BOTTOM LINE

As an experienced promoter / producer – If I had to choose between booking a band for a club date at $500 and a charitable event for $300 I’m going to choose the charitable event. If you have to ask why you’ve missed the concept of “exposure” and you’ll continue to be a victim of people who use that word as a weapon to undervalue your contribution to THEIR business.

Very best,
Mark

PS. There is a distinction for NY artists about the term “club dates” – for the purposes of this article, a “club date” is a night club venue promotional night (not ticketed but maybe a cover charge).  It is not meant to describe private engagements (or as many NY musicians generally refer to club dates – as any ”non-concert” performance).