These days, as we soloists ride the economic roller coaster, it seems everyone has a suggestion on how to improve your business. Sometimes, however, the best approach is to keep things simple and not over-analyze. Trying to figure out what works and what doesn't in your solo business? Consider this:

In a recent interview Chris Martin, lead singer of the Grammy Award-winning British rock group Coldplay (Viva La Vida, Yellow, Clocks), spoke about how he and his bandmates determine which songs to include in their concerts, particularly during the early stages of a worldwide tour. Millions of fans turn out to see them — from London to Tokyo, Melbourne, Chicago and beyond — and Martin wants to make sure they have a great time. Besides their fan's raucous cheers, how can he tell?

"When we look from the stage, you can't really see people so much," explains Martin. "But you can see the light of the doorway of all the exits," he adds. "So the way to tell at the beginning of a tour which songs are working, and which ones aren't, is if you see people's silhouettes in the exits, then it means you're probably not playing the right song — 'cause a lot of people are going to get a hot dog, or whatever," he laughs.

Martin says he tries to make sure that the lights in the rear of the concert hall are just the backlit outlines of the door frames — with no people in them. "I know we're doing okay, when all the exits are clear. That's my way of judging it," he says. "The silhouette factor."

Pretty simple. No fancy, convoluted methods. Martin knows when Coldplay's song choices are right because the fans stay and hear them.

So how do you know if people like your product or service? What is your Silhouette Factor?

-- Terri Lonier
Founder, WorkingSolo.com

P.S. A big thanks to the 700+ small business owners who took our recent survey. The prize winners will be announced soon.