91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ

Starting a music business does not necessarily need to be a full-time venture. You could, for example, be a part-time performer with a separate day job, either as a soloist or with a band, or you may want to start a small record label, open a shop, promote events, run a course or sell music over the internet.

Legal requirements

It is important to remember that, however specialised your interest is, some things that are common to every new business. For example:

• legal requirements such as business regulation, insurance and taxation
• activities such as marketing and sales

These are all vital considerations you should focus on when starting a new business.

Licensing and intellectual property

If your business involves musical performances, you may need to get a licence, and you should also consider intellectual property (IP) rights of anyone whose music is involved in the performance.

This can be anything from bands performing someone else's material to playing an album in a nightclub or the radio in a public place. You must also comply with the control of noise regulations.

If you are a performer or a composer, you can benefit from using the internet to promote yourself. One of the least expensive ways is to use social media and networking sites. However, you should consider the implications of putting your IP on social networks, as this can increase the chances of illegal sharing and may also mean giving some IP rights to the network host. If you invest in your own website, you will have more control over your IP and branding, and can also use it to sell downloaded versions of your work.

Read more about protecting your intellectual property.

Funding and grants for music-related businesses

As well as funding from your own savings, family and friends, or a bank loan, you could consider getting grant funding - or other types of finance - for your music-related business.

See more on finance and funding for music businesses.

Starting a business as a photographer requires some special considerations as well as things that every business needs to take into account, including legal requirements, insurance and taxation.

Even if you start as a freelance or part-time photographer, you will still need to meet all of your tax and legal obligations of a new business.

Photography sectors

The first thing to consider is which sector you want to establish yourself in. For instance:

• wedding or portrait photography
• commercial and advertising photography
• creative or fashion photography
• photojournalism

You will need to consider and set up a charging structure, potentially including a rate card, both for your photography and also the rights usage.

You will also need to consider copyright, which is complex but extremely important. Make sure that you understand:

• how to avoid copyright infringement
• your economic rights from owning copyright
• how to license or buy other people's copyright

As a photographer, you will need equipment and, perhaps, premises - although many freelance photographers work from home. You might consider buying an existing business, going into a partnership or a joint venture with others in your sector, or you may just start from scratch.

You can get advice from professional associations, such as the .

If you work in the performing arts, whilst you may have specialised requirements you will still need to follow basic business principles, particularly concerning legal and taxation matters.

Public performance regulations

The law requires you to get a licence from your local council for any live entertainment for an audience. Entertainment includes:

• theatrical performances
• dancing, singing, music or other similar forms of entertainment
• circus performances
• public contests, matches, exhibitions or displays of boxing, wrestling, judo, karate, billiards, pool, snooker, darts or similar sports and games

There are exceptions to when the licence is required, such as performance that is part of religious worship. Your local council will be able to supply a list of the exceptions.

Find information on the .

Search  for other licence requirements for your business.

If you are promoting or arranging a live event for an artist, you may have extra obligations such as venue fire safety and taking care of security arrangements. For more information, see venues and musical events.

One of the key considerations, whether you are just starting out as a performer or have been in the industry for a long time, is your marketing.

Even if you are represented by an agent, you can help yourself with self-promotion and marketing. For instance, you can set up a small business website or blog to help you interact directly with the public. You may also want to consider making your material available through other channels such as social networks or digital publications which are relevant to your specific area.

You will need to take into account copyright issues to protect yourself and to avoid infringing someone else's intellectual property rights.

If you have a particular talent for arts and crafts, you may want to turn it into a business, either as a part-time enterprise or as a full-time endeavour.

Although every sector is unique in its own way, the basic principles of business best practice and legislation should be considered. If you are starting up, you will need to look into whether or not you are infringing someone else's intellectual property (IP). You will also need to take steps to protect and monetise your own IP assets.

You will also need to make sure your taxes and more general requirements such as marketing, finance and business planning are in order. 

Some arts and crafts businesses can easily be run from home, selling goods by direct marketing or over the internet. If this is viable for your business, read up on marketing and find out how to set up a small business website.

Pricing your artisan product

When you work out the prices for your work, you need to take into account your time and the cost of any materials, as well as the profit you need to make to cover your general business overheads. See how to price your product or service.

You will also be able to establish whether your product is viable - whether you can make it at a price that is attractive to customers, and which will be financially worthwhile for you. If you find that an aspect of what you are doing is too expensive or too time-consuming, consider your processes and the design of your workflow and supply chain.

It's possible that by going to a different supplier for materials or outsourcing a part of your work, you may be able to save a significant amount of time or money. See how can I use design in my business.

Sector 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ

If you live and work in Northern Ireland and you create quality contemporary craft, you may be eligible for . On their website, you can find up-to-date training, 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ and opportunities available to craft businesses in Northern Ireland.

If you are organising performance and music events, you will need to meet the same basic requirements as any other business. You will need to consider the legal and taxation issues, as well as marketing, finance and business planning.

Performance events can range in size from small gigs to major concerts and festivals. You will need a licence from your local council, as well as from copyright owners when playing either recorded or live music.

Find information on the .

Search  for other licence requirements for your business.

Health and safety is an important consideration, and before arranging any event, you should get the advice of health and safety officers in your local council. You may want to use a specialist contractor to make sure that you meet the requirements of the many regulations. These include fire safety, environmental noise control and public safety.

Read more about organising events in Northern Ireland.

Starting a music business does not necessarily need to be a full-time venture. You could, for example, be a part-time performer with a separate day job, either as a soloist or with a band, or you may want to start a small record label, open a shop, promote events, run a course or sell music over the internet.

Legal requirements

It is important to remember that, however specialised your interest is, some things that are common to every new business. For example:

• legal requirements such as business regulation, insurance and taxation
• activities such as marketing and sales

These are all vital considerations you should focus on when starting a new business.

Licensing and intellectual property

If your business involves musical performances, you may need to get a licence, and you should also consider intellectual property (IP) rights of anyone whose music is involved in the performance.

This can be anything from bands performing someone else's material to playing an album in a nightclub or the radio in a public place. You must also comply with the control of noise regulations.

If you are a performer or a composer, you can benefit from using the internet to promote yourself. One of the least expensive ways is to use social media and networking sites. However, you should consider the implications of putting your IP on social networks, as this can increase the chances of illegal sharing and may also mean giving some IP rights to the network host. If you invest in your own website, you will have more control over your IP and branding, and can also use it to sell downloaded versions of your work.

Read more about protecting your intellectual property.

Funding and grants for music-related businesses

As well as funding from your own savings, family and friends, or a bank loan, you could consider getting grant funding - or other types of finance - for your music-related business.

See more on finance and funding for music businesses.

Starting a business as a photographer requires some special considerations as well as things that every business needs to take into account, including legal requirements, insurance and taxation.

Even if you start as a freelance or part-time photographer, you will still need to meet all of your tax and legal obligations of a new business.

Photography sectors

The first thing to consider is which sector you want to establish yourself in. For instance:

• wedding or portrait photography
• commercial and advertising photography
• creative or fashion photography
• photojournalism

You will need to consider and set up a charging structure, potentially including a rate card, both for your photography and also the rights usage.

You will also need to consider copyright, which is complex but extremely important. Make sure that you understand:

• how to avoid copyright infringement
• your economic rights from owning copyright
• how to license or buy other people's copyright

As a photographer, you will need equipment and, perhaps, premises - although many freelance photographers work from home. You might consider buying an existing business, going into a partnership or a joint venture with others in your sector, or you may just start from scratch.

You can get advice from professional associations, such as the .

If you work in the performing arts, whilst you may have specialised requirements you will still need to follow basic business principles, particularly concerning legal and taxation matters.

Public performance regulations

The law requires you to get a licence from your local council for any live entertainment for an audience. Entertainment includes:

• theatrical performances
• dancing, singing, music or other similar forms of entertainment
• circus performances
• public contests, matches, exhibitions or displays of boxing, wrestling, judo, karate, billiards, pool, snooker, darts or similar sports and games

There are exceptions to when the licence is required, such as performance that is part of religious worship. Your local council will be able to supply a list of the exceptions.

Find information on the .

Search  for other licence requirements for your business.

If you are promoting or arranging a live event for an artist, you may have extra obligations such as venue fire safety and taking care of security arrangements. For more information, see venues and musical events.

One of the key considerations, whether you are just starting out as a performer or have been in the industry for a long time, is your marketing.

Even if you are represented by an agent, you can help yourself with self-promotion and marketing. For instance, you can set up a small business website or blog to help you interact directly with the public. You may also want to consider making your material available through other channels such as social networks or digital publications which are relevant to your specific area.

You will need to take into account copyright issues to protect yourself and to avoid infringing someone else's intellectual property rights.

If you have a particular talent for arts and crafts, you may want to turn it into a business, either as a part-time enterprise or as a full-time endeavour.

Although every sector is unique in its own way, the basic principles of business best practice and legislation should be considered. If you are starting up, you will need to look into whether or not you are infringing someone else's intellectual property (IP). You will also need to take steps to protect and monetise your own IP assets.

You will also need to make sure your taxes and more general requirements such as marketing, finance and business planning are in order. 

Some arts and crafts businesses can easily be run from home, selling goods by direct marketing or over the internet. If this is viable for your business, read up on marketing and find out how to set up a small business website.

Pricing your artisan product

When you work out the prices for your work, you need to take into account your time and the cost of any materials, as well as the profit you need to make to cover your general business overheads. See how to price your product or service.

You will also be able to establish whether your product is viable - whether you can make it at a price that is attractive to customers, and which will be financially worthwhile for you. If you find that an aspect of what you are doing is too expensive or too time-consuming, consider your processes and the design of your workflow and supply chain.

It's possible that by going to a different supplier for materials or outsourcing a part of your work, you may be able to save a significant amount of time or money. See how can I use design in my business.

Sector 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ

If you live and work in Northern Ireland and you create quality contemporary craft, you may be eligible for . On their website, you can find up-to-date training, 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ and opportunities available to craft businesses in Northern Ireland.

If you are organising performance and music events, you will need to meet the same basic requirements as any other business. You will need to consider the legal and taxation issues, as well as marketing, finance and business planning.

Performance events can range in size from small gigs to major concerts and festivals. You will need a licence from your local council, as well as from copyright owners when playing either recorded or live music.

Find information on the .

Search  for other licence requirements for your business.

Health and safety is an important consideration, and before arranging any event, you should get the advice of health and safety officers in your local council. You may want to use a specialist contractor to make sure that you meet the requirements of the many regulations. These include fire safety, environmental noise control and public safety.

Read more about organising events in Northern Ireland.

Starting a music business does not necessarily need to be a full-time venture. You could, for example, be a part-time performer with a separate day job, either as a soloist or with a band, or you may want to start a small record label, open a shop, promote events, run a course or sell music over the internet.

Legal requirements

It is important to remember that, however specialised your interest is, some things that are common to every new business. For example:

• legal requirements such as business regulation, insurance and taxation
• activities such as marketing and sales

These are all vital considerations you should focus on when starting a new business.

Licensing and intellectual property

If your business involves musical performances, you may need to get a licence, and you should also consider intellectual property (IP) rights of anyone whose music is involved in the performance.

This can be anything from bands performing someone else's material to playing an album in a nightclub or the radio in a public place. You must also comply with the control of noise regulations.

If you are a performer or a composer, you can benefit from using the internet to promote yourself. One of the least expensive ways is to use social media and networking sites. However, you should consider the implications of putting your IP on social networks, as this can increase the chances of illegal sharing and may also mean giving some IP rights to the network host. If you invest in your own website, you will have more control over your IP and branding, and can also use it to sell downloaded versions of your work.

Read more about protecting your intellectual property.

Funding and grants for music-related businesses

As well as funding from your own savings, family and friends, or a bank loan, you could consider getting grant funding - or other types of finance - for your music-related business.

See more on finance and funding for music businesses.

Starting a business as a photographer requires some special considerations as well as things that every business needs to take into account, including legal requirements, insurance and taxation.

Even if you start as a freelance or part-time photographer, you will still need to meet all of your tax and legal obligations of a new business.

Photography sectors

The first thing to consider is which sector you want to establish yourself in. For instance:

• wedding or portrait photography
• commercial and advertising photography
• creative or fashion photography
• photojournalism

You will need to consider and set up a charging structure, potentially including a rate card, both for your photography and also the rights usage.

You will also need to consider copyright, which is complex but extremely important. Make sure that you understand:

• how to avoid copyright infringement
• your economic rights from owning copyright
• how to license or buy other people's copyright

As a photographer, you will need equipment and, perhaps, premises - although many freelance photographers work from home. You might consider buying an existing business, going into a partnership or a joint venture with others in your sector, or you may just start from scratch.

You can get advice from professional associations, such as the .

If you work in the performing arts, whilst you may have specialised requirements you will still need to follow basic business principles, particularly concerning legal and taxation matters.

Public performance regulations

The law requires you to get a licence from your local council for any live entertainment for an audience. Entertainment includes:

• theatrical performances
• dancing, singing, music or other similar forms of entertainment
• circus performances
• public contests, matches, exhibitions or displays of boxing, wrestling, judo, karate, billiards, pool, snooker, darts or similar sports and games

There are exceptions to when the licence is required, such as performance that is part of religious worship. Your local council will be able to supply a list of the exceptions.

Find information on the .

Search  for other licence requirements for your business.

If you are promoting or arranging a live event for an artist, you may have extra obligations such as venue fire safety and taking care of security arrangements. For more information, see venues and musical events.

One of the key considerations, whether you are just starting out as a performer or have been in the industry for a long time, is your marketing.

Even if you are represented by an agent, you can help yourself with self-promotion and marketing. For instance, you can set up a small business website or blog to help you interact directly with the public. You may also want to consider making your material available through other channels such as social networks or digital publications which are relevant to your specific area.

You will need to take into account copyright issues to protect yourself and to avoid infringing someone else's intellectual property rights.

If you have a particular talent for arts and crafts, you may want to turn it into a business, either as a part-time enterprise or as a full-time endeavour.

Although every sector is unique in its own way, the basic principles of business best practice and legislation should be considered. If you are starting up, you will need to look into whether or not you are infringing someone else's intellectual property (IP). You will also need to take steps to protect and monetise your own IP assets.

You will also need to make sure your taxes and more general requirements such as marketing, finance and business planning are in order. 

Some arts and crafts businesses can easily be run from home, selling goods by direct marketing or over the internet. If this is viable for your business, read up on marketing and find out how to set up a small business website.

Pricing your artisan product

When you work out the prices for your work, you need to take into account your time and the cost of any materials, as well as the profit you need to make to cover your general business overheads. See how to price your product or service.

You will also be able to establish whether your product is viable - whether you can make it at a price that is attractive to customers, and which will be financially worthwhile for you. If you find that an aspect of what you are doing is too expensive or too time-consuming, consider your processes and the design of your workflow and supply chain.

It's possible that by going to a different supplier for materials or outsourcing a part of your work, you may be able to save a significant amount of time or money. See how can I use design in my business.

Sector 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ

If you live and work in Northern Ireland and you create quality contemporary craft, you may be eligible for . On their website, you can find up-to-date training, 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ and opportunities available to craft businesses in Northern Ireland.

If you are organising performance and music events, you will need to meet the same basic requirements as any other business. You will need to consider the legal and taxation issues, as well as marketing, finance and business planning.

Performance events can range in size from small gigs to major concerts and festivals. You will need a licence from your local council, as well as from copyright owners when playing either recorded or live music.

Find information on the .

Search  for other licence requirements for your business.

Health and safety is an important consideration, and before arranging any event, you should get the advice of health and safety officers in your local council. You may want to use a specialist contractor to make sure that you meet the requirements of the many regulations. These include fire safety, environmental noise control and public safety.

Read more about organising events in Northern Ireland.

Starting a music business does not necessarily need to be a full-time venture. You could, for example, be a part-time performer with a separate day job, either as a soloist or with a band, or you may want to start a small record label, open a shop, promote events, run a course or sell music over the internet.

Legal requirements

It is important to remember that, however specialised your interest is, some things that are common to every new business. For example:

• legal requirements such as business regulation, insurance and taxation
• activities such as marketing and sales

These are all vital considerations you should focus on when starting a new business.

Licensing and intellectual property

If your business involves musical performances, you may need to get a licence, and you should also consider intellectual property (IP) rights of anyone whose music is involved in the performance.

This can be anything from bands performing someone else's material to playing an album in a nightclub or the radio in a public place. You must also comply with the control of noise regulations.

If you are a performer or a composer, you can benefit from using the internet to promote yourself. One of the least expensive ways is to use social media and networking sites. However, you should consider the implications of putting your IP on social networks, as this can increase the chances of illegal sharing and may also mean giving some IP rights to the network host. If you invest in your own website, you will have more control over your IP and branding, and can also use it to sell downloaded versions of your work.

Read more about protecting your intellectual property.

Funding and grants for music-related businesses

As well as funding from your own savings, family and friends, or a bank loan, you could consider getting grant funding - or other types of finance - for your music-related business.

See more on finance and funding for music businesses.

Starting a business as a photographer requires some special considerations as well as things that every business needs to take into account, including legal requirements, insurance and taxation.

Even if you start as a freelance or part-time photographer, you will still need to meet all of your tax and legal obligations of a new business.

Photography sectors

The first thing to consider is which sector you want to establish yourself in. For instance:

• wedding or portrait photography
• commercial and advertising photography
• creative or fashion photography
• photojournalism

You will need to consider and set up a charging structure, potentially including a rate card, both for your photography and also the rights usage.

You will also need to consider copyright, which is complex but extremely important. Make sure that you understand:

• how to avoid copyright infringement
• your economic rights from owning copyright
• how to license or buy other people's copyright

As a photographer, you will need equipment and, perhaps, premises - although many freelance photographers work from home. You might consider buying an existing business, going into a partnership or a joint venture with others in your sector, or you may just start from scratch.

You can get advice from professional associations, such as the .

If you work in the performing arts, whilst you may have specialised requirements you will still need to follow basic business principles, particularly concerning legal and taxation matters.

Public performance regulations

The law requires you to get a licence from your local council for any live entertainment for an audience. Entertainment includes:

• theatrical performances
• dancing, singing, music or other similar forms of entertainment
• circus performances
• public contests, matches, exhibitions or displays of boxing, wrestling, judo, karate, billiards, pool, snooker, darts or similar sports and games

There are exceptions to when the licence is required, such as performance that is part of religious worship. Your local council will be able to supply a list of the exceptions.

Find information on the .

Search  for other licence requirements for your business.

If you are promoting or arranging a live event for an artist, you may have extra obligations such as venue fire safety and taking care of security arrangements. For more information, see venues and musical events.

One of the key considerations, whether you are just starting out as a performer or have been in the industry for a long time, is your marketing.

Even if you are represented by an agent, you can help yourself with self-promotion and marketing. For instance, you can set up a small business website or blog to help you interact directly with the public. You may also want to consider making your material available through other channels such as social networks or digital publications which are relevant to your specific area.

You will need to take into account copyright issues to protect yourself and to avoid infringing someone else's intellectual property rights.

If you have a particular talent for arts and crafts, you may want to turn it into a business, either as a part-time enterprise or as a full-time endeavour.

Although every sector is unique in its own way, the basic principles of business best practice and legislation should be considered. If you are starting up, you will need to look into whether or not you are infringing someone else's intellectual property (IP). You will also need to take steps to protect and monetise your own IP assets.

You will also need to make sure your taxes and more general requirements such as marketing, finance and business planning are in order. 

Some arts and crafts businesses can easily be run from home, selling goods by direct marketing or over the internet. If this is viable for your business, read up on marketing and find out how to set up a small business website.

Pricing your artisan product

When you work out the prices for your work, you need to take into account your time and the cost of any materials, as well as the profit you need to make to cover your general business overheads. See how to price your product or service.

You will also be able to establish whether your product is viable - whether you can make it at a price that is attractive to customers, and which will be financially worthwhile for you. If you find that an aspect of what you are doing is too expensive or too time-consuming, consider your processes and the design of your workflow and supply chain.

It's possible that by going to a different supplier for materials or outsourcing a part of your work, you may be able to save a significant amount of time or money. See how can I use design in my business.

Sector 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ

If you live and work in Northern Ireland and you create quality contemporary craft, you may be eligible for . On their website, you can find up-to-date training, 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ and opportunities available to craft businesses in Northern Ireland.

If you are organising performance and music events, you will need to meet the same basic requirements as any other business. You will need to consider the legal and taxation issues, as well as marketing, finance and business planning.

Performance events can range in size from small gigs to major concerts and festivals. You will need a licence from your local council, as well as from copyright owners when playing either recorded or live music.

Find information on the .

Search  for other licence requirements for your business.

Health and safety is an important consideration, and before arranging any event, you should get the advice of health and safety officers in your local council. You may want to use a specialist contractor to make sure that you meet the requirements of the many regulations. These include fire safety, environmental noise control and public safety.

Read more about organising events in Northern Ireland.

Starting a music business does not necessarily need to be a full-time venture. You could, for example, be a part-time performer with a separate day job, either as a soloist or with a band, or you may want to start a small record label, open a shop, promote events, run a course or sell music over the internet.

Legal requirements

It is important to remember that, however specialised your interest is, some things that are common to every new business. For example:

• legal requirements such as business regulation, insurance and taxation
• activities such as marketing and sales

These are all vital considerations you should focus on when starting a new business.

Licensing and intellectual property

If your business involves musical performances, you may need to get a licence, and you should also consider intellectual property (IP) rights of anyone whose music is involved in the performance.

This can be anything from bands performing someone else's material to playing an album in a nightclub or the radio in a public place. You must also comply with the control of noise regulations.

If you are a performer or a composer, you can benefit from using the internet to promote yourself. One of the least expensive ways is to use social media and networking sites. However, you should consider the implications of putting your IP on social networks, as this can increase the chances of illegal sharing and may also mean giving some IP rights to the network host. If you invest in your own website, you will have more control over your IP and branding, and can also use it to sell downloaded versions of your work.

Read more about protecting your intellectual property.

Funding and grants for music-related businesses

As well as funding from your own savings, family and friends, or a bank loan, you could consider getting grant funding - or other types of finance - for your music-related business.

See more on finance and funding for music businesses.

Starting a business as a photographer requires some special considerations as well as things that every business needs to take into account, including legal requirements, insurance and taxation.

Even if you start as a freelance or part-time photographer, you will still need to meet all of your tax and legal obligations of a new business.

Photography sectors

The first thing to consider is which sector you want to establish yourself in. For instance:

• wedding or portrait photography
• commercial and advertising photography
• creative or fashion photography
• photojournalism

You will need to consider and set up a charging structure, potentially including a rate card, both for your photography and also the rights usage.

You will also need to consider copyright, which is complex but extremely important. Make sure that you understand:

• how to avoid copyright infringement
• your economic rights from owning copyright
• how to license or buy other people's copyright

As a photographer, you will need equipment and, perhaps, premises - although many freelance photographers work from home. You might consider buying an existing business, going into a partnership or a joint venture with others in your sector, or you may just start from scratch.

You can get advice from professional associations, such as the .

If you work in the performing arts, whilst you may have specialised requirements you will still need to follow basic business principles, particularly concerning legal and taxation matters.

Public performance regulations

The law requires you to get a licence from your local council for any live entertainment for an audience. Entertainment includes:

• theatrical performances
• dancing, singing, music or other similar forms of entertainment
• circus performances
• public contests, matches, exhibitions or displays of boxing, wrestling, judo, karate, billiards, pool, snooker, darts or similar sports and games

There are exceptions to when the licence is required, such as performance that is part of religious worship. Your local council will be able to supply a list of the exceptions.

Find information on the .

Search  for other licence requirements for your business.

If you are promoting or arranging a live event for an artist, you may have extra obligations such as venue fire safety and taking care of security arrangements. For more information, see venues and musical events.

One of the key considerations, whether you are just starting out as a performer or have been in the industry for a long time, is your marketing.

Even if you are represented by an agent, you can help yourself with self-promotion and marketing. For instance, you can set up a small business website or blog to help you interact directly with the public. You may also want to consider making your material available through other channels such as social networks or digital publications which are relevant to your specific area.

You will need to take into account copyright issues to protect yourself and to avoid infringing someone else's intellectual property rights.

If you have a particular talent for arts and crafts, you may want to turn it into a business, either as a part-time enterprise or as a full-time endeavour.

Although every sector is unique in its own way, the basic principles of business best practice and legislation should be considered. If you are starting up, you will need to look into whether or not you are infringing someone else's intellectual property (IP). You will also need to take steps to protect and monetise your own IP assets.

You will also need to make sure your taxes and more general requirements such as marketing, finance and business planning are in order. 

Some arts and crafts businesses can easily be run from home, selling goods by direct marketing or over the internet. If this is viable for your business, read up on marketing and find out how to set up a small business website.

Pricing your artisan product

When you work out the prices for your work, you need to take into account your time and the cost of any materials, as well as the profit you need to make to cover your general business overheads. See how to price your product or service.

You will also be able to establish whether your product is viable - whether you can make it at a price that is attractive to customers, and which will be financially worthwhile for you. If you find that an aspect of what you are doing is too expensive or too time-consuming, consider your processes and the design of your workflow and supply chain.

It's possible that by going to a different supplier for materials or outsourcing a part of your work, you may be able to save a significant amount of time or money. See how can I use design in my business.

Sector 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ

If you live and work in Northern Ireland and you create quality contemporary craft, you may be eligible for . On their website, you can find up-to-date training, 91Ï㽶»ÆÉ«ÊÓƵ and opportunities available to craft businesses in Northern Ireland.

If you are organising performance and music events, you will need to meet the same basic requirements as any other business. You will need to consider the legal and taxation issues, as well as marketing, finance and business planning.

Performance events can range in size from small gigs to major concerts and festivals. You will need a licence from your local council, as well as from copyright owners when playing either recorded or live music.

Find information on the .

Search  for other licence requirements for your business.

Health and safety is an important consideration, and before arranging any event, you should get the advice of health and safety officers in your local council. You may want to use a specialist contractor to make sure that you meet the requirements of the many regulations. These include fire safety, environmental noise control and public safety.

Read more about organising events in Northern Ireland.