If everyone I know chipped in the price of a pint I could attend this course and be a very happy Laura. I love you all.

 The Quad in Derby is running a course from January to April called 'Entry To The Music Industry' It's fully accredited, results in a qualification and is aimed at new/emerging businesses. As most people know I have been floating around the local music scene for many years now and have recently made the leap into starting my own little enterprise in promotional music copywriting. The reason I got into music journalism and subsequently into this promotional lark is because, as cheesy as it may sound, I truly believe that there is a treasure trove of genuinely awesome local talent around and it deserves as much exposure and support as it's humanly possible to give.

I have been lucky enough to come into contact with some insanely talented folk over the past few years, and have always tried to do my best to help in whatever small way I can, not for any reason other than my love of music, and faith in the people around me.

Now, for the price of a pint, you could help me too! The course fee is £300, an amount which I do not have wafting around, but if enough people chipped in just a couple of quid each I could reach my target and attend the course come January. Think of it as a Christmas present, or payment for cake (!), or just because you're feeling nice today.

 I would love to do this course and I think it would help me with the business and with promoting local music.  Here is a link to the course:  http://www.derbyquad.co.uk/course/entry-music-industry

I have no idea if this will work, but after investigating various avenues of small business grants and so on from the government, it turns out they're full of nonsense. I dislike asking for stuff intensely, so please don't judge, but if you can help me, I thank you.

Laura.