20 things you can do to launch your career in the music industry
Ryan
1. Lay out your star map to success.
I will write more on this in the future but basically, it is a way to set your main goals, then set more attainable goals that you will have to reach in able to reach your main goal, then set smaller actionable items that work toward your sub goals so you aren’t just spinning your wheels.
2. Complete Music Update has a vast amount of information on the subject here:
http://www.completemusicupdate.com/article/launching-your-band-online-youre-not-making-music-youre-making-internet/
3. Practice, Practice, Practice with a purpose.
Don’t just go over your material once each practice. Pick a song and drill deep. Decide what you want to do with it and try to change the phrasing or change a section... work the song so it gets better. Don’t just write it and leave it.
4. Set up a social medi page for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram...etc. Depending on where your audience is, start a social media page for your music that is separate from your personal account. Once your social media account is set up, share it with everyone you know, then share it with everyone you meet. Use your social media platforms not so much as a platform for your music, but more like a window into your personal life, as a way to connect with your audience. Here is a great article with 5 guidelines to use when setting up your social media accounts for your band.
https://burstimo.com/promote-your-music-using-social-media/
5. Set up a website
Setting up a website can sound a bit daunting, finding the right template, finding the right images of you and your band, dealing with the plug ins and extras, setting up a landing page, making sure every thing works as it should, worrying about mobile compatibility and the whole host of other things that could prove to be more difficult than you have the technical ability to deal with on your own.
You could spend the money to hire a freelance web designer to build your website for you or you could do it yourself. There are plenty of DIY site builders out there. Here is an article with the top 5 DIY platforms for musicians.
https://www.techradar.com/news/best-website-builder-musicians
6. Record
Recording your music to share with the world is probably one of the most important things you can do as a musician. If you have not made any recordings yet, do it as soon as you can. Make sure your music is available on your website for download (always a free download for an email address). If you have a low budget, download an app like GarageBand or download audacity, buy an audio interface and go from there. If you have a mid range budget buy some recording software like Reason, Logic, or ProTools. And if you have a larger budget, go to a studio, hire an engineer, and put out a professional quality recording.
7. Mix / master
If you decided to record your own music, I highly recommend finding a technician or sound engineer to mix and master your music. The difference can be night and day. Here is an example:
https://youtu.be/YAxxI0pbOQE
8. Design merchandise
Now with Merch By Amazon it is easier than ever to design your own merchandise. Basically there is no inventory to keep track of, no shipping, no customer service, Amazon does it all for you! All you have to do is design your logos, upload them to amazon, and sell your stuff!
Passive.marketing, a blog written by Neil, has a great tutorial on how to work Merch by Amazon here.
9. Build an EPK.
EPK stands for Electronic Press Kit, it is basically like having all of your credentials as an artist available in one place when you want to book shows. Sonic Bids has been the authority in this arena since its inception.
https://www.sonicbids.com/electronic-press-kit/
10. Book shows
Calling around and booking shows takes a LOT of energy. It takes a LOT LESS energy if you have an EPK. It is also SUPER helpful to know how the process works. In the beginning you will need to know where you want to play and why. At first it may be simply to take any gig that comes available, but after a while you will want to make sure you are playing the right places to advance your career. This all links back to the star map to success.
11. Sign up for free publishing
Publish your music! There are tons of ways to publish your music for free. Soundcloud is probably the most popular. Here is a list of the lesser know free music publication sites.
12. Pay for publishing
There are dozens of different music publishing and distribution companies out there. Here is a very comprehensive article that highlights the best and worst qualities of each company. It is written on Digital Music News.
13. Build your audience in person
I Always say NEVER say Always or Never lol…OK, Always try to perform for as many people as you can, Always make sure you make time to talk to and connect with the audience! Spend time before the show talking to people and take time afterwards to talk to them as well. If you are going to get a bite to eat, invite some of the fans. Making an emotional connection with your fans will make them life long fans.
14. Build your audience online
Now a days it is so important to develop an online presence. Make sure you are connecting with your audience members in person and online. You can do this through some of the above tips, your website, your social media….etc.
15. Build your email list
I know it seems like email lists are not where technology dictates where our focus should be, but email lists are the biggest asset you can have online. Your audience members have given you permission to market to them, it would be foolish not to keep them posted on your new t-shirts, shows, crowd funding campaigns….etc. There are tons of email services out there.
16. Connect with your audience, learn who they are
This is all going off of what I said earlier about making emotional connections with your audience. Now a days, the simple demographic does not work. You really have to build up your tribe and leverage them. There is a great Ted Talk given by Amanda Palmer HERE on making connections with people, then leveraging those connections so you can continue doing what you love for them.
17. Learn why your audience does what they do...where they buy in particular
Talk to the people in your audience, learn about them, If they all dress similarly ask where they buy their clothes. If they all have the same type of euro scooter, find out where they go for service….etc. Then you will be able to ask those business owners to work with you to sell your goods to your current audience, as well as grow your audience by increasing exposure to people who will probably become a part of your tribe.
18. Leverage your audience/ tribe
Once again I refer to the amazing Amanda Palmer. https://www.ted.com/talks/amanda_palmer_the_art_of_asking
19. Shift the burden of marketing.
Create a reason for your audience to bring friends to your shows. Offer an incentive to hang out with you, a free digital download….something to entice your audience members to begin to shoulder that burden of marketing your brand. I will write more on the subject later so be sure to check back!
20. Level up.
One of the sure fire ways to grow in skill and size as an artist is to find artists who have a similar audience to you and open up for them. You will increase your exposure within your desired audience base.
Bonus
21. Level up laterally
Find a band from a different city who has a similar vibe and audience size as you and trade opening acts. You go to their home town where they have some traction and open for them, and in return you have them open for you in your home town where you have more traction. Your audience get to have a better experience because they now like both acts, and you get to grow your audience base at the same time.
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