Investing in your career as an independent musician is a business venture. It isn't free. I didn't anticipate the journey as I was barely aware of the music industry online when I began and this is just the premise. This is an enterprise almost similar to a start up company in a new music industry where the internet plays a major role in distribution and copyrights. Th upside is...many avenues can be pursued free as opposed to what used to happen in the 'bad old days.'
I fortunately encountered a music industry specialist who produced great results across the independent music spectrum This guy said he believes there is a free recipe. At this point it is still too early to talk about success as an independent musician or anywhere near it. I still remain optimistic about my career. One can say that being a working artist is a complex adventure. It is. Especially when the economy is still unstable globally. Again, however, there are many avenues that can be investigated and/or pursued for free.
I fortunately encountered a music industry specialist who produced great results across the independent music spectrum This guy said he believes there is a free recipe. At this point it is still too early to talk about success as an independent musician or anywhere near it. I still remain optimistic about my career. One can say that being a working artist is a complex adventure. It is. Especially when the economy is still unstable globally. Again, however, there are many avenues that can be investigated and/or pursued for free.
Managing the distribution process is essential; therefore, the use of alternative distribution is mandatory nowadays. Starting with new independent distributor taking a portion of your revenue. This realm is now slowly shifting to the attitude of the independent artist submitting their music free whilst the distributor takes a percentage after a sale. Then satellite radio airing music for free and even malls and grocery stores distribution, the scene is changing rapidly today. A famous digital platform, available though apple computer products, (not to name it) is already challenged with digital rights management technology available for your cell phones and computers.
The use of regular distribution is still possible through regular major labels but is rare and should be embraced when made available. Some structures feed your one single to all kinds of distributors within the whole industry. This particular point will be addressed in a later blog so you may wish to subscribe to this blog for free or sign up to my free mailing list at the end of this entry.
You name the location and independent musicians needs to find its market, such as the appropriate radio stations to air songs. For example, I have read that there are people who are paid to sit down in New York City and wait for the radio reps to listen to your tunes. Later in the game agents, with their business and administration prowess constantly oozing from them, come in to the picture to develop your talent and brand the artist image as an independent artist selling your act and helping you open for major artists. One advise, use email promotion wisely. (see below). It is mandatory. Your own mailing list could become a goldmine and should start helping you selling. It takes time to build a solid list of followers so get to it as soon as you can.
Then it always comes down to the quality of your production, recording and your music and how much people like your stuff, which is only possible if it is good. And it must be good as people in the value chain are taking a little share of your revenue.
It is exciting to develop a universe around art. Nowadays I wonder and realize how many hats an independent artist needs to wear to be capable of entering the music industry. It is business. The golden days is coming leaving space for all kinds of artists and a new industry.
The question is to find out whether or not the independent artist is ready. I do not think too many truly are and I'll probably be shot at dawn for saying this. The difference is; one independent artist and the next one is that one knows how good they are. On the other hand, someone like myself knows how good I'm not. I finally understood the complexity of the new and ever-changing environment and can feel comfortable enough to take myself as an example. Scars and all. We are quick to assume. The industry is changing constantly and reinvents itself. Keep in touch right here.
