Music, photography, visual art and comedy

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 live musical performances, you may need to get a local council entertainment licence. 

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. 

Protect your own songs through copyright and consider trademarking band names. If you are playing any recorded music, you must have PRS for Music and PPL licences.  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. For example, Arts Council NI offers travel awards (rolling deadlines) and support through the Individual Artists Programme.

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.

Choose your 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

Each of the sectors will have different rates, and may have different licencing requirements. Consider creating a rate card showing day rates, usage rights, retouching fees and expenses. 

You will also need to consider copyright, which is complex but extremely important. As the creator of your photographs,you own copyright automatically but commercial clients buy usage rights. Always use written contracts covering:

• usage duration and territory
• exclusivity terms
• additional usage fees

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

Remember to watermark online portfolios and register trademarks for your studio name/logo.

Workspace options for photography businesses

As a photographer, you will need equipment and, perhaps, premises - although many freelance photographers work from home. Consider if you require:

• home studio – check council planning permission
• shared space – studio fees can range widely
• location shooting – minimal overheads

If you're starting up, 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 Professional Photographers Association of Northern Ireland (PPANI).

Whether you're a stand-up comedian, visual artist, actor, dancer or theatre producer, you'll need entertainment licences, strong marketing and solid business foundations alongside your creative skills.

Public performance regulations

You need a local council entertainment licence for any live event with a paying audience, covering:

• comedy nights, theatre and music performances
• dancing, circus or variety shows
• public contests, matches, exhibitions or martial arts displays
• billiards, pool, snooker, darts or similar sports competitions

There are exceptions to when the licence is required, such as performance that is part of religious worship, and private rehearsals without public admission. Your local council will be able to supply a list of the exceptions.

Find information on the Entertainment licence (Northern Ireland).

Search GOV.UK's Licence Finder 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.

Performers and artists automatically own copyright in their work, but may need contracts covering:

• commissioned artwork
• script rights for comedy/theatre
• choreography and performance recordings
• merchandise and name/likeness usage
   

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. This includes meeting standard requirements:

• registering as self-employed or a limited company
• filing Self Assessment tax returns
• getting public liability insurance
• considering VAT, depending on your turnover

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

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.

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 could test prices at craft markets before scaling online or in retail. Market selling will help you 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 more on growing a craft business: A guide for makers and designers.

Sector support

If you live and work in Northern Ireland and you create quality contemporary craft, you may be eligible for Craft NI support. On their website, you can find up-to-date training, support 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.

Licensing requirements

Performance events can range in size from small gigs to major concerts and festivals. You will need two separate licences for most music events:

• local council entertainment licence – required for live performances with paying audiences
• PRS for Music and PPL licences – for playing recorded music publicly (even background music)

Licensing covers live bands and DJ sets, festivals and open-air events, and club nights and theatre shows. Exceptions include private functions and  rehearsals without public admission.

Find information on the Entertainment licence (Northern Ireland).

Search GOV.UK's Licence Finder for other licence requirements for your business.

Health and safety responsibilities

Health and safety is an important consideration, and before arranging any event, you should get advice from health and safety officers in your local council. Event organisers must ensure:

• fire risk assessment and marked emergency exits
• capacity limits based on venue size
• security personnel (SIA-licensed for paid door staff)
• noise impact assessment (especially events after 11pm)
• PAT testing for all electrical equipment (lights, PA systems)
• first aid provision (trained first-aider and kit)
• sanitary facilities (toilets per 100 attendees)

Contact your local council's environmental health team for advice at least eight weeks before the event.

You may want to use a specialist contractor to make sure that you meet the requirements of the many regulations, including that on fire safety, environmental noise control and public safety.

Noise regulations

Strict controls apply in relation to noice, especially near residential areas:

• music must stop by 11pm unless special permission obtained
• sound levels should be monitored at venue boundary
• pre-event noise survey is often required
• complainants can trigger immediate closure

Work with local Environmental Health officers to agree operating conditions, and remember to take out all the necessary insurances which may include public liability, venue hirers indemnity, cancellation insurance and employers liability.

Read more about organising events in Northern Ireland.