LET’S GET OUR HEADS ON STRAIGHT FIRST!
In this section, we’ll cover tips to help you get your head in the music game.
1. Be Optimistic at Every Turn
It’s the only true survival tool you have that you can control. If you start with undying optimism you will be more resistant against the neglect you may feel when first starting out.
Trust me, this will be tested!
Try not to take things personally, as the barrier to entry in the music business is set incredibly high.
There are approximately 80,000 albums released every year, of which Billboard and other associated charts report on a revolving Top 200. That’s 0.25% of the total releases each year that are moving and shaking enough to get on the radar.
Still feeling optimistic? Keep reading….
It’s the only true survival tool you have that you can control. If you start with undying optimism you will be more resistant against the neglect you may feel when first starting out.
Trust me, this will be tested!
Try not to take things personally, as the barrier to entry in the music business is set incredibly high.
There are approximately 80,000 albums released every year, of which Billboard and other associated charts report on a revolving Top 200. That’s 0.25% of the total releases each year that are moving and shaking enough to get on the radar.
Still feeling optimistic? Keep reading….
2. Observe Excellence and Be Excellent at Your Craft
This applies to everything you do!
It all starts with the music you listen to. Sometimes, society can train us to lower our expectations by convincing us mediocrity is acceptable. It is not. Excellence is at your fingertips, it simply needs to be understood and observed.
Study carefully from music teachers who are well versed in music theory and music appreciation. Study those who are successful in music and what they have done.
Listen to everything, no matter what the genre, and try to see the beauty in everything that is music, despite your personal preferences.
The foundation you lay now with your acceptance and understanding of these basic essentials will define who you will be in your own music career.
This applies to everything you do!
It all starts with the music you listen to. Sometimes, society can train us to lower our expectations by convincing us mediocrity is acceptable. It is not. Excellence is at your fingertips, it simply needs to be understood and observed.
Study carefully from music teachers who are well versed in music theory and music appreciation. Study those who are successful in music and what they have done.
Listen to everything, no matter what the genre, and try to see the beauty in everything that is music, despite your personal preferences.
The foundation you lay now with your acceptance and understanding of these basic essentials will define who you will be in your own music career.
3. Be Careful Who You Take Advice From
People often tend to seek advice from those who have been unusually successful. It’s a natural human tendency to do so.
But remember, the best advice always comes from those who have failed and are painfully aware of their mistakes.
People often tend to seek advice from those who have been unusually successful. It’s a natural human tendency to do so.
But remember, the best advice always comes from those who have failed and are painfully aware of their mistakes.
4. Form a Strong Professional Peer Group as Your Sounding Board
Family and friends are great but they are often too biased to give proper guidance and advice when it comes to your music.
Music professionals tend to give more constructive guidance and can set more realistic goals and expectations.
Remember: Grandma will most likely love everything you do, no matter what, so don’t take her advice too seriously!
Family and friends are great but they are often too biased to give proper guidance and advice when it comes to your music.
Music professionals tend to give more constructive guidance and can set more realistic goals and expectations.
Remember: Grandma will most likely love everything you do, no matter what, so don’t take her advice too seriously!
5. Know That No One Simply Gets Up and Puts on Their Famous Pants
The road to success in the music business is never a straight one. By the time an artist breaks into mainstream consciousness there is always a story to tell about how and when it all happened.
Unfortunately, the bulk of your new fans will never experience this part of your journey. The illusion is, to the general public, that one day you woke up, wrote a song, and put on your famous pants.
Don’t let the long and winding path to your success get you down, it’s totally normal!
SETTING UP YOUR MUSIC BUSINESS PROPERLY
This section is all about the business of making music, and making sure you get paid.
The road to success in the music business is never a straight one. By the time an artist breaks into mainstream consciousness there is always a story to tell about how and when it all happened.
Unfortunately, the bulk of your new fans will never experience this part of your journey. The illusion is, to the general public, that one day you woke up, wrote a song, and put on your famous pants.
Don’t let the long and winding path to your success get you down, it’s totally normal!
SETTING UP YOUR MUSIC BUSINESS PROPERLY
This section is all about the business of making music, and making sure you get paid.
6. Understand What the Top Revenue Streams are in the Music Business
Touring, Publishing, and Branding.
These top three revenue makers in the music industry encompass a wide range of sub-topics, but it’s important you understand how you can make money from these three main sources.
Touring: Touring and playing live is self explanatory. Festivals in particular are currently at an all time attendance high. It’s about getting the fans to your shows and having the promoters wanting you on stage.
Touring, Publishing, and Branding.
These top three revenue makers in the music industry encompass a wide range of sub-topics, but it’s important you understand how you can make money from these three main sources.
Touring: Touring and playing live is self explanatory. Festivals in particular are currently at an all time attendance high. It’s about getting the fans to your shows and having the promoters wanting you on stage.
Publishing: Writing and recording original music can ensure you own both your master rights and your performance/mechanical rights, giving you the ability to publish and control your own works.
[Check out CD Baby Pro to make sure you’re collecting all the publishing royalties you’re owed worldwide.]
Branding: Branding requires that your image and likeness – your logos, who you are and what you represent – are clear and aligned with similar products that aggrandize your musical mission.
I highly recommend reading This Business of Music, which is currently in it’s tenth edition, as a reference guide to your business future.
[Check out CD Baby Pro to make sure you’re collecting all the publishing royalties you’re owed worldwide.]
Branding: Branding requires that your image and likeness – your logos, who you are and what you represent – are clear and aligned with similar products that aggrandize your musical mission.
I highly recommend reading This Business of Music, which is currently in it’s tenth edition, as a reference guide to your business future.
7. Incorporate Your Brand
At first you most likely will be pinching pennies at every turn, so be smart about your cash flow and your spending!
One way to do this is by incorporating so you can receive tax breaks and manage your cash flow and expenses properly. It can also protect you as an individual and be more effective in financial growth.
Honestly, it’s not that hard. Just go to LegalZoom.com and spend the $500 to start your own LLC, or whatever structure company you want.
At first you most likely will be pinching pennies at every turn, so be smart about your cash flow and your spending!
One way to do this is by incorporating so you can receive tax breaks and manage your cash flow and expenses properly. It can also protect you as an individual and be more effective in financial growth.
Honestly, it’s not that hard. Just go to LegalZoom.com and spend the $500 to start your own LLC, or whatever structure company you want.
8. Learn How to Produce Your Own Music
Let’s face it, the days of needing big recording studios is long gone.
I have constantly given this advice from the beginning and the result is always the same. Those who learn how to produce their own music have a much higher chance at success.
Not only does it make you well versed at your craft but it makes you highly authentic with your sound.
Yes, there is a learning curve. Sure, it’s gonna take some time and money.
But if you are serious and passionate about your music, this will be an amazing experience for you. Gear today is accessible and affordable and you can set up shop in your parents’ closet, if need be.
Make it work for you! Your recorded music is your calling card to your artistry, so start producing now.
Let’s face it, the days of needing big recording studios is long gone.
I have constantly given this advice from the beginning and the result is always the same. Those who learn how to produce their own music have a much higher chance at success.
Not only does it make you well versed at your craft but it makes you highly authentic with your sound.
Yes, there is a learning curve. Sure, it’s gonna take some time and money.
But if you are serious and passionate about your music, this will be an amazing experience for you. Gear today is accessible and affordable and you can set up shop in your parents’ closet, if need be.
Make it work for you! Your recorded music is your calling card to your artistry, so start producing now.
If you are the sole writer then you will receive the entire share of the writer’s revenue stream. If you are also the Administrator/Publisher (which you are if your works are original and you’re putting them out yourself) you’ll collect the entire share of publishing revenue stream, as well. So make sure you register as both a writer and a publisher!
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