When talking about success in life and business the music
industry is an entirely different ball game. Although music revolves around
talents and exposures, the possibility of becoming a hit outgrown a dependence
only on those virtues. In today’s world becoming successful in music in my
opinion is easier than it was in the oldies where artists normally depend on
major labels and marketers to promote their talents and work.
Music has evolved from being
just a tool of entertainment to a multi-billion dollar industry with varying
influence on our socio-political lives. It has become a tool to educate, create
awareness, and mobilizes towards ideas or goals.
Here are eleven laws that can help an independent artist climb the ladder of
success fast in the competitive music industry.
1. Research What It Takes to Win
While formulating your plan for success, make sure that you have all sorts
of trackable things that you can market. Major record labels aren't in the
business of promoting musicians that don't have these sorts of solid numbers.
These include online download numbers, independent record or song sales, online
presence on popular industry websites and blogs, YouTube views, tours, etc.
Any endorsement from established artists is especially important. All these
things not only work for you if you want to get signed, but these numbers work
well for you as an independent artist, too.
2. Use Your Resources Strategically
One of the most important things to keep in mind while you're
seeking success in music is to make sure you have another source of income to
stay fed, have a roof over your head, and keep your bills paid. Having no money
at all leads to stress that can interfere with your creativity. Not every
artist has a benefactor to cover most or all of their expenses.
You need to learn to manage your resources; no matter how limited they may
seem to you right now. In fact, the less you have to work with, the better you
will learn to manage and make the best of what you have. It will teach you how
to strategize how to turn each small bit into something bigger, a skill that
will only work for you more as you gather more resources later on.
3. Learn To Keep Your Creative Drive and Vision
Your individual creativity is the ability that can set you
apart as an aspiring unsigned music artist. Find what sets you apart from
everyone else and focus on that. There will be many moments where things will
look to stall, so you need to keep that drive to prevent doubt from letting you
become lazy and/or eventually give up.
Clearly defining your vision as an artist is how to keep that drive going.
Overnight success is a myth. Be realistic and understand that trial and error
is just a part of the game. By persistently finding what works best for you,
you'll eventually find yourself develop into the artist you were always meant
to become.
4. Always Make the Best Music You Can
Remember that industry success always begins with the music. You
have to connect with your audience, or you aren't going to find any success in
the music industry. Obviously, song promotion becomes a lot easier when the
music is actually good. It's actually most important to study how strangers
react to your music.
Your friends and family will often say whatever they think will help, not
necessarily what actually will. It's not easy, or everyone would be doing it.
Attaining success can be such a thankless job, but eventually, you could be one
of the lucky few that make it to the top of the hip hop music ladder.
5. Become a Master of Multitasking
Independent or not, at the end of the day, your success lies with you.
Learning how to become a multitasking master or a great delegator of
responsibilities is a major component of gaining success. Whether you look to
sign or not, be persistent in your networking and find people that understand
your brand as an artist. By having people on your team that are
all on the same page, you can get a lot done, even with only having a handful
of people. Promoting a music artist is hard work, but having your own team do
it can make sure your vision and your product's message stays consistent.
6. Value Independence
While there are the rare few who find quick success by signing with a major
label, remaining an unsigned artist and being independent is quite valuable.
Nothing against labels, but when you sign with a label, you become immediately
subject to their rules and whims. Staying independent as long as you can
actually work in your favor. The more established you and your brand are, the
more you will have control over long-term.
7. Develop Your Identity and Your Team
There is no one perfect recipe for success for independent recording artists.
But one thing that always works is developing your identity as an artist and
building your brand. Bringing together a professional team to build and develop
your brand can eventually create music that can sell itself.
8. Work Hard and Be Humble and Realistic
Every success comes with a little bit of luck, and it's no
different for unsigned musicians. Have a strong head on your shoulders and be
humble and realistic. Don't give into trends or just mimic everyone else. Most
of all don't get an inflated ego. Work harder with your actions, not just with
your words. And, of course, don't be a spammer when pushing your brand and
music.
9. Balance Online Presence with Physical Presence
Having an online presence, both on websites and social media, is
important. But nothing beats good old-fashioned networking and performances.
Balancing the two successfully is how you create a loyal fan base. You can't
just spam the Internet with links and hope people come see and listen to you.
10. Be an Expert in the Business
Just because you wrote, performed, and produced a song doesn't
mean that anyone owes you anything at all. You need to know how to sell tickets
or some other product. Otherwise what venue or sponsors will want to have you?
Music promotion as an independent artist can actually be done on a limited
budget. But you still need to learn how to invest that money properly to build
your music business. If you're not investing in your business, then your music
is just a hobby.
If you're looking for a
major record deal, it will take an investment of tens, if not hundreds, of
thousands of dollars into your business. You need that kind of investment to
bring in the returns that labels are looking for when signing artists.
Therefore, investing in your own indie music business is smarter since you can
still make a significant income with less money invested. This way you get to
collect everything you invested.
11. Be Visible and Consistent
The most important thing when selling any product, especially
music, is to stay visible. Even if you have to play some free shows to get
publicity, you should. Even if it's only in front of family and friends,
consistently performing is the only way you'll master your craft. Once you have
your songs down, get them recorded. Should you make them into videos and upload
them to YouTube?
Yes, and not just because
some sensations have come out of it. Yes, this means you're essentially giving
your music away, but it's worth it. You have to have something to link to
that's easily available, especially when it comes to sharing your product on
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. You have to keep up with the competition and
get your word out there. Once people get into your music, they'll help spread
the word for you.
It is not an understatement
to say music is quite challenging but independent music artists could bridge any
gap by mastering ways to deal with the challenges. One such is to learn how to
overcome the daily ups and downs associated with the industry.
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