Music is one of the toughest industries to break into because of the scores of artists competing to create the most liked music for the audience. It’s certainly not a walk in the park to create something that has never been created before.
There is no fixed set of rules or formulas that can help you succeed in the ever-expanding music industry. However, there are some basic points that you need to keep in mind if you want to ride over the waves of aspiring Mozarts and get noticed by people.
You Can Never Practice Enough
The old saying- ‘Practice makes a man perfect’ probably sounds too cliched but it holds true for literally every aspect of your career. If you want to achieve greatness in your melodious journey, you cannot afford to miss even a single day of practicing your art. You might possess an ocean of talent inside you but if you do not practice and hone your skills, no amount of talent will be able to help you make it big. All forms of music require consistent practice, be it specializing in a particular instrument, like the guitar, or using software to create EDMs.
In a piece by Malcolm Gladwell, a renowned Canadian journalist, he claims that the key to success in any field requires you to put in 10,000 hours of practice. Trust me, this works so much so that even Eminem follows this golden rule.
It is true that some privileged young kids, whose parents have an interest in music and also the resources to help their children, start at a pretty early age and thus get a headstart in the 10k hour rule. If you do not belong to this category, there is no need to be disheartened. You just need to put in some extra effort to catch up with those who started early. If you took up a career in your late 20s, you definitely need to put in more effort than someone who started back in high school.
Embody Your Music
With so much competition, it is obvious that you will have to do something out of the box in order to get noticed. The age when Marketing was only applied to physical commodities is gone. It is the 21st century, and in order to succeed as a musician, you will have to build a brand around your art- a brand that engages diverse audiences.
The best way to turn your music into a brand is to create a lifestyle that reflects your music genre. This will help people relate to your tunes and amplify the personification of your music. Initially, you are bound to face some difficulties while coming up with the persona you need to follow, but once you figure out the genre that appeals your audience the most, stick to it.
Use Technology And Other Free Resources
There are dozens of platforms available where you can promote your music with millions of people free of cost. Use these platforms to engage your audience and show the world who you truly are. The more people relate with you, the more likely they are to listen to your music and appreciate it.
Apart from that, there are zillions of music management tools to give you a hand in various aspects of your career. Do your own research, list out the pros and cons and pick your best bet in your given budget. I found Daystage music management tool to be very useful for amateurs.
Be Friendly With Everyone You Come Across
Most musicians make the mistake of thinking too highly of themselves to early on their career graph. This inflates their ego and they tend to mistreat their fans and other artists. Whether you are just starting or you are the Beyonce of your age, there’s no reason that will ever justify the snobbish behavior. If you do not want to meet such a fate, remember that there have been, and will be, thousands of artists who will be on the same level, if not better than you.
There is no room for ego in the world of music. The moment you become egoistic, your career will take a step towards its doom. You must never fail to acknowledge artists whose music is better than yours. Try to understand the USP that distinguishes their music and the reason why it is well-received by the audience. Every new artist you meet, meet them with an open mind – trust me, it will only get better.
Treat everyone with respect- your managers, competitors, fans, and everyone else who helps you during your career. After all, without them, you might as well be creating music for your own ears.
Now, what’s the wait worth for? Get started with that melody!