The music industry generates billions of dollars annually, and scores of artists are out to claim a piece of the pie. Here are a few tips that can help you get on track to a successful music career.
Avoid Being a ‘Cookie Cutter’ Artist
Some may argue that mimicing someone who already has a successful career is a quick way to get attention. And they are right. However, you’ll be looked at in a similar light as the McDowell’s (McDonald’s knockoff) restaurant in the movie Coming To America. Step out of the box and avoid being a copycat off-brand. Create your own success. Never get complacent with where you are musically.
Stop Hiding!
Ok, you have 200,000 songs you’ve recorded, you watch and listen to music on radio and tv, and you say to yourself “That should be me!” But the problem is that you, two of your closest friends, and your grandmother are the only ones who even know you sing/rap. Once you’ve proven to be the best artist in your household, you’ll have to take it to the streets and put your music to the test. Build relationships with other talent by attending music networking events in your area. Collaborate with other artists and producers to broaden the reach of your music.
Accept All Criticism as Constructive Criticism
Not everybody is going to gravitate to you and your music. Pay attention to the reason listeners like or dislike your music. Is it the genre? Is it the quality? Is it your attitude? Knowing why people like or dislike your music (and/or you) will help you to make decisions about what you need to focus more on in the future.
Travel Around the World for Free
The internet is an extremely powerful medium that every artist should become familiar with. With free sites like Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Reverbnation, and a host of others, there is no excuse for not having your music accessible to billions of people worldwide. Its sites like these that many of today’s artists pay homage to for their success. The more internet savvy you are, the easier it will be to accumulate and connect with music lovers the world over with just a few clicks.
Stop Trying to Get Over, Take Care of Your Team
Your team is every, and anybody who contributes time, talent and services towards your career. They’ve spent countless hours setting up shows, creating beats, engineering sessions, creating flyers, cd’s, etc. These individuals are ride-or-die for you. How have you compensated them? Realistically, you aren’t guaranteed to be the ‘next one to blow up,’ so stop telling them that and give these people something tangible as a token of your gratitude. Something as simple as a meal can mean a lot. Ask your team what they are expecting and give them a full overview of your situation in the beginning. Not doing so can be misleading and can hinder your progress towards moving onward and upward.
While there is no surefire way to become successful in the music industry, knowing what’s expected of you as an artist increases your chances of gaining a share of this multibillion dollar industry. –steven simpson
