Being a musician, performer, or artist of any kind is a tough road to go down. Regardless of how much it’s been romanticized in our society, the reality of being a full-time artist these days means a lot of hard work and perseverance over everything else. Artists who are just starting out may have a ton of technical skills to support their craft but may not know how to approach setting specific goals for themselves or navigating the professional artist landscape. For musicians, there are a ton of things that professional performers wish they had known before getting started, and that’s what we will talk about here today. The seven items below are small bites of wisdom for new and upcoming independent artists. The creative world is no easy ride, so start getting the help you need today!
Get Music To Streaming Platforms
The most important thing to know how to do in today’s music world is how to get music on Spotify or other streaming platforms. Today, musicians don’t need to go through a label to accomplish the task of getting their music out there. Artists can now use music distributors to distribute their music to streaming stores like Spotify and Apple Music. All musicians need is a finished song/album and to sign up with a distribution service. Then, upload your media and set a release date!
Set Clear Goals
One of the things that set artists back is setting goals that are too high or unrealistic. Again, the image of a performing artist is glamorized, and many who desire to be recording artists are striving for a level of fame that is difficult to attain. Start by setting meetable goals for yourself. For example, writing two songs a month or setting out to book a few shows in a several-month period are both more meetable and realistic goals for artists to meet.
Don’t Be In a Hurry
Success as a musician takes time, and many find themselves in a hurry to become famous or find their first big break.
The reality is that most people don’t find that big break, and if they do, it’s the result of years-long work and craft honing. It doesn’t happen overnight, so be kind to yourself as you develop your voice and fine-tune your craft. If you stick with it, you may find success in your right before you know it.
Define Your Own Success
That brings us to our next point, which is to determine what success looks like for each individual. There are a number of ways to be successful as a working artist and independent musician, not just by being a superstar. And in reality, the ground beneath cultural icons is starting to crumble. Songwriters, composers, technicians, engineers, and teachers all play their own roles in the world of music, and each has its own measures of success in the field.
Be Consistent
The longer you try and the more focused work you do on your craft, the more skills you will develop. And that’s true for the craft of creating music and promoting it. The more consistent you can be with promoting your work and showing even a small audience what you’re up to can help fortify your fanbase, even if the project isn’t as active as it usually is.
Get Out There and Network
Musicians who stay at home all time, while common, may find that they aren’t meeting people in their industry. Musicians and artists need to meet other people in their community to further expand their network. If you are an artist starting out, make it a point to attend shows as often as you can to support the artistic community in your area and meet potential new friends or collaborators.
Find People You Trust
Meeting people is important because when an artist has something of value, predatory deals are just around the corner.
The music industry has a sharp edge and is known for manipulating musicians into signing unfavorable deals that leave labels with most of the money. Surround yourself with friends in the community who can help you make the music you believe in.
Conclusion
When it comes to getting started in the music industry, one of the most important things is to learn how to upload music to Spotify. Having access to these tools and knowing how they work will empower new artists to distribute their music and do more independent work to promote singles, EPs, and new albums when they come out. Additionally, make sure to take your time, set clear and meetable goals, and define success for yourself. There are many ways to be successful as a musician, and you don’t need superstar status to be a valuable member of the music community.
