The following tips are essential, life-long suggestions, for any and all
musicians to remember as they establish and/or maintain their music
careers.
1. Stop sending unsolicited demo recordings to record labels, and instead concentrate on building your own music name
and reputation by creating longterm relationships with your growing
fanbase. They are your ticket to success.
2. Take the time to
learn what the professionals in the music business do for a living. What
are their job titles, who do they report to, and what do they do
everyday when they go to work? The contacts you make in the music
industry can make or break your career because your potential success is
directly linked to any possible growing success of the industry people
who are climbing their own ladders to success. The music business is
built on the "buddy system." Everyone is attached to everyone else in
this industry. As you go, so go your business contacts.
3. Before
contacting any music business professional have 1(one) prepared question
for them that will not make you look or sound like an ignorant person.
i.e. Do not ask them how to become a atar, or how to get a recording
contract. No one has the time to answer such sweeping and naive
questions.
4. Create two contact lists: One for professional
people you actually have as a business contact. Another contact list
made up of all your fans. Keep both lists updated and using common
sense, reach out to both contract groups only when you have something
very important to ask of them and/or to share with them.
5.
Prepare a short 30 second description of your music. Memorize it and use
it every time you are asked "What kind of music do you make?" Don't go
on and on describing your music... your statement should clearly
describe your genre or style of music quickly and in compelling language
that will perk up the person's ears and find yourself with an
interested and potentially valuable new contact ready to support you.
6.
If you have trouble defining your music style, try this
exercise... define the word "originality" and note that within that word
is another word... "origin." Perhaps this will help you focus on what
makes your music unique. Never say your music is "unique," explain HOW it
is unique. This exercise will help you write your 30 second statement.
7.
Remember this always: People in the music industry who's job it is to
find and support new acts don't know what they are looking
for...BUT...they will recognize it when they hear it.
8. Find a
concise "Image" and follow it everywhere. This is important because the
first impression to someone unfamiliar with your sound is a VISUAL
experience most of the time. i.e. Your Logo design used to spell your
name, the title of your CD, or the design of your website, merchandise
etc. is crucial to attracting industry and music fans. Image IS
everything in show business, and in case you didn't realize it, music is
part of good 'ol show business. Research your favorite acts and study
their image.
9. People only respond to music they can personally
relate to. What is it in your songs and compostions that has inspired
your current fanbase and will grow to attract more fans and industry
support? Think hard on this point. It is a true key to any possible
success. Music contains emotions, so what emotions do your songs deliver
to a listener?
10. Does your music sound too much like another
artist or band's music? This is the biggest complaint from music
business professionals... too much music today sounds like retreads of
already successful artists. And, your fans are sensitive to this issue
too. There is way too much :redundant-sounding" music out there today.
11.
When you perform live does your stage pressence reflect the image
conveyed in your songs? Are you well prepared, well rehearsed, and do
the songs in your live set flow into each other in an exciting and well
balanced way?
12. It can never be said enough. Great songs, Great
compositions are the basis of all potential success, but "grunt work,"
everyday down-in-the-trecnches boring work, like updating your blog and
website, keeping your websie and social networking pages updated and
staying in touch with your fans regularly are tough jobs. Only you can
tackle these jobs and other jobs like putting up flyers for shows (on
and offline), updating your press materials, looking for gigs,
rehearsing... all these tasks require your commitment to carry them out
without complaining. Remember, only YOU can care the most...it's YOUR
music, YOUR career that we are dealing with here.
13. There is no
such thing as an "overnight sensation." Behind every act referred to in
this way are countless hours of hard work and dedication that got that
person or act to be able to take advantage of the breaks they got, and
remember too that the breaks you are looking for should be more than "a
record deal" or a "production deal." Look out for the ever increasing
demand for uses of your songs online, in films, TV shows and ads... the
list goes on. But you have to work consistently for these breaks to
happen.
14. Home recording is as common today as home cooking use
to be, but don't get trapped in the rut of staying at home and working
on your computer or home recording setup. GET OUT regularly and show up
at clubs and other concert venues on a regular basis. There is that old
saying "They only come out at night"... well that's very true when it
comes to music business personnel as well as music fans. So, get out
there and socialize IN -PERSON wherever you might live.
15. As
your fanbase grows create more and more merchandise to sell online and
at your live shows. Be sure your LOGO is on every piece of merchandise
you sell. (back to that statement-"Image is everything.")
16.
This last tip may be the most important of all. Conduct your business
from your heart. Yes, the music industry rarely operates from that
place, but don't worry about the industry, concern yourself with your
SELF... be righteous. Be upstanding. Be a professional in everything you
do. If you do that, believe me you will stand out from from the crowd.
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