A Guide On How To Succeed As An Independent Musician
A Guide On How To Succeed As An Independent Musician
1. Don't look At Signing To A Record Label As Your Ultimate Goal.
Many people see signing to a record label as the holy grail. Everything they do is for that moment, and everything must be done to achieve that outcome. But what if that outcome isn't achieved, does that mean everything you've done up to that point is a waste of time?A record deal shouldn't be something that's needed, but something that is a potential outcome of all your hard worse. Focus on other more realistic successes, such as earning some extra income from your music, or getting some fame if that's something that'd interested you. Once you have different levels of achievement you'd be happy with, you're more likely to enjoy doing music and have less chance of getting demotivated if a deal doesn't come.
2. The less you spend, the more money you make.
Since you're not under a major record label, I'm guessing the money to fund your music is coming out of your own pocket. This may sound obvious, but the less money you spend releasing your music, the more money you'll make when people buy it. Now I'm not saying be a cheap skate or cut corners, quality is important when it comes to presenting your music. What I'm saying is think outside the box to get cheaper alternatives. Maybe you have a family member or a friend that does photography that'll do your pictures for free or at a discounted rate? The maybe with those pictures you can get a professional looking album cover or promotional artwork designed for free by a up-and-coming designer that wants to get some work out there / for their portfolio? Think outside the box, don't always be ready to pay for the most expensive services thinking that's the only option.
3. Build Links.
I will tell you now, NO ONE in the music industry makes it with talent alone. You need people around you, these people are links you'll build up along the way. Some will be more useful then others, just make sure you treat the valuable ones with respect and make sure they know you appreciate what they are doing for you. Getting the right links is key to you climbing the ladder, one good link could open up your career and have you performing alongside the biggest stars in the world!
4. Learn to accept rejection.
The nature of the music game is everyone's trying to make it somewhere. When trying to build links and make things happen, you'll find not everyone's willing to help you. This is perfectly normal. Imagine you reach a stage when you're a cut above the rest, but still haven't reached your peak. You're going to want to put all your time and effort into making it bigger, but you're going to have tens if not hundred so people starting out / lower then you trying to get your help moving them forward. It wouldn't be realistic for someone in that position to reply to all the emails sent their way / help everyone out. Approach people by all means, just don't take it personally if you don't hear back from them. If you can't handle rejection, music isn't for you.
5. Make sure every project has a aim. (Targets).
Everything you do music related should have a final goal. Why are you releasing that CD, what do you hope to achieve? Why make that music video, and how much revenue are you hoping to make back from it? If you give your fans a free download, how's it going to benefit you? You will have to ask yourself these and many other questions throughout your music career, and if you can't come up with a positive answer it's not worth doing.
6. Get regular feedback.
You need feedback to see how people are receiving your music. Asking the opinions of others will allow you to potentially see something that you missed and be able to rectify it. The secret to getting good feedback is not asking the same person all the time (Your sound or business plan will become to familiar to them and they won't be able to give as much of an 'outside view'), and making sure the people that are feeding back to you are HONEST. It's no point asking your music what she thinks if she's not into your type of music and will say everything's good just to not hurt your feelings... Which leads on to my next point:
7. Learn to accept criticism.
I've seen it so many times, people asking "What do you think of my song". They receive the reply "I didn't really like it because x-y-z", and the original artist starts getting all defensive or tells them they don't know what they're talking about. THEN WHY ASK IN THE FIRST PLACE?! As long as the criticism is constructive and from a person that knows about the type of music you do, you need to at least consider what that person's saying, even if you don't agree. If you're hearing a lot of the same feedback, it's time to admit you're going wrong somewhere and try to change what these people have identified as the flaws in your game. If you improve from it it's benefited you in the long terms, despite a early case of bruised ego...
8. Analyse and build on success.
You always need to analyse how your music career's going. What's working well, what's not. What else can I try to see if it can bring me any success? Now of course, you have to build on your findings. If you find out you've got a growing fan base in Devon for example, maybe try and set up their own Devon section on your website to get the craze moving further? Or try and do some shows around there? Whatever the case be, find in what area you're having success and build on it. Then use that information when promotion in other areas; 'Mr Musically talented #1, as seen in Devon's biggest music events'.
9. Be realistic.
Don't expect to be sipping cocktails in Hawaii this time next year, the music game can be a hard and long winded process to break into. Some people never make it to the level they want, many give up due to not reaching their high targets.Doing music should always be seen as something you do because you enjoy it. If you're only doing music for the riches but aren't seeing the type of money you want, music will frustrate you. I recommend you don't see music as a way of making big money, just do it for the fun. And if you get to a financially secure stage from music, that's a bonus. Just don't quit your regular job with the aim to solely make it in music, it's really not that easy...
10. Keep it flowing.
One mistake too many people do is put all their energy and focus into building one project or CD. They spend a year and a half making sure everything's just right, and when they release it it has a good amount of success. But people always expect more. They're not going to wait another year and a half for your next CD, by then you're going to be out of their minds and they're going to be focusing on the next big thing. My point is this: Always have something going on! Whether it's giving away a free download every couple of months, performing at shows, releasing a mini mix tape before your next big album, just something to keep you in the public spotlight. Make it hard for people to forget who you are!
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