So I came across this post so I decided to share it, a very wonderful tips to follow if you wanna make it in life I the music industry.
Everywhere I go these days, I get assaulted by upcoming artistes with all that “be my manager”, “hear my music”, “introduce me to a record label”, “play my song to this industry person” etc. 2019 is about to end, please stop that pity behaviour, you are a gift to the world, please act that way. Music business has come a long way and investors or whoever that wants to be a part of your journey will first look at the profits before anything. That Nicki Minaj line that goes “People would support you when it is beneficial” is such a realistic line that I am considering putting it in my bio. A “big man” will love your music to death but won’t invest a penny if he doesn’t see the potential of getting his profits, so quit that sorry attitude and do one thing, the most important tip of this whole article – BUILD CLOUT. Investors might not even believe in your talent but if you have a buzzing fanbase, you are 50% ready to be the next big thing.
Here are some tips I compiled after careful thoughts on how to blow in this music industry of ours.
Tip 1Use the Internet and all its tools to your advantage. Besides having your own domain name and website where you promote releases and shows, you’ll probably want a presence on the main social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. But don’t over-commit your time. If you spend all day working on social media, what happens to your music? It’s better to skip some social media rather than do a poor or infrequent job of staying in touch with your fanbase. And of course, you’ll want to make access to your music easy through YouTube, SoundCloud, iTunes Store, CD Baby and the like. Last, but definitely not least, build and use an email list to stay connected with your fans.
Tip 2I don’t know what I want to listen to but when I do, I love it also record labels too, they don't know what they are looking for, but with any luck, they will recognize it when they hear it. Work on developing your own signature sound rather than trying to shape something to please A&R people or future fans. Trying to be like Wizkid, Olamide and maybe Rema will rather give more hype to your predecessors than you. Strive to find your own true identity through your music. And don’t feel like that once you’ve established a musical identity that it need be set in stone. Great artists such as Wizkid and Tu baba have continually reinvented their personas and music throughout their careers. If you think I am lying look at their first albums and the songs they make now.
Tip 3Stop making the same foolish mistakes over and over. Insanity has been described as repeating the same habit continually while expecting a different result. All of us at times get trapped in creative dead-ends, but the way out is not through repeating the same moves that got us there in the first place. Challenge yourself to find new inspirations, and develop at least one new creative technique a month.
Tip 4Realize that no one is waiting for your music. If people are going to become fans of your music, you must approach the promoting of your live shows and the promotion of your releases with the same planning and professionalism as the artists whom you admire have promoted their music. Marketing music has changed radically in the age of the Internet and social media. That technology has the potential to take your music to the world at little or no cost. But knowing that it is up to you to let the world know about your music, is an important first step to take as a responsible independent musician.
Tip 5Avoid telling people in the music business that your music is "good". It is a much overused and weak word. A&R reps, music directors at radio stations, the music press, and buyers at distributors and stores presume you think your music is "good," because you put it out to begin with! When they listen to it, they will decide if it is the kind of "good" music that they feel can get behind and be proud of supporting from their position of power in the music industry. And let's face it, it is the public who will ultimately decide if your music is “good” by buying it or not. That’s not say, you shouldn’t talk up your music. But use your words; shape an elevator pitch that accurately reflects what you and your music are about.
Tip 6Create great graphics, take good pictures, put out pleasing contents. You want to build the same kind of “brand awareness” for your music by creating a memorable logo and graphics. Make sure your content is legible/identifiable in a wide range of sizes and that you use it everywhere your name appears: posters, flyers, press releases, letters, business cards, stationery, websites, and whatever project covers.
Tip 7Listen to other kinds of music beyond your own particular genre. There is much to be learned from other styles. All music offers a vast reservoir of new melodies and rhythms to experiment with, and to incorporate into your unique sound. If the future of music promises anything, it is the ongoing mix of old and new styles coming together in profoundly new ways. Please unlearn, learn and harness.
Tip 8Do shows outside of the usual clubs that cater to your genre of music. Branch out a bit, consider gigs at live band shows, churches and somewhere challenging. So many artists think that the only valid venues to play are the clubs. Look around, start noticing where you see performers playing music, and ask yourself if that venue isn't a valid one for you. Give your fans more than one place to see you perform while finding new followers.
Tip 9Stay humble, thank people. You might be surprised how often music reviewers, DJs at radio stations, and club bookers don’t get thanked by artists. So, make their day by sending a card, a small thank-you gift, or simply by giving them a shout out. Some artists tend to feel they are owed something because of their talent. Guess what... they aren't. Being grateful and thankful are essential qualities for success. Cultivate them and watch the doors open.
Tip 10Don't ever stop making music. One sure way to gain some level of success as a musician is simply to not stop being one. There is no one timetable or path to success. Most artists termed "overnight successes" are in reality years in the making. If you find yourself approaching the creative act of making music as a chore, what is the point in that? Some of the most successful musicians out there are people who simply never stopped making their own music, performing it regularly, and finding a comfortable way to go about doing the business of their music. They could not not music. Are you that passionate? Would a part of you die without your being able to make your music? If so, just keep doing it, the rest will follow.
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