Right now, musicians and producers have two main options when it comes to the music business: the traditional major label model and the new music business model. While both approaches offer opportunities, the new music industry is full of diverse paths and revenue streams for artists to explore. The challenge is figuring out which opportunities align with your unique goals.
Step 1: Define What Success Means to You
Before you start mapping out your strategy, it’s crucial to define what success or “making it” looks like for you. Is success:
- Quitting your day job to make music full-time?
- Funding your next album or project?
- Building a dedicated fan base and connecting with an audience?
Your goals will shape the way you approach your music career. Not every artist wants to be a global superstar, and that’s perfectly okay. Some may prioritize creative freedom or financial stability over fame. Once you’ve defined your goals, you can create a strategy to achieve them.
Step 2: Set Challenging but Doable Goals
Once you’ve outlined what success looks like for you, break it down into manageable goals. Large-scale success can seem overwhelming, but breaking it into smaller steps makes it more achievable.
For example, if your goal is to build an online presence, you can break it down further:
- Create a professional website or social media hub.
- Develop engaging content to drive traffic to your hub.
- Network with other musicians and fans.
If you're not sure how to set these goals, check out my article on how to set attainable goals for musicians and producers.
Step 3: Create a Hub
Your hub is the central point where all of your traffic will flow back to. This could be your website, your YouTube channel, or your social media profiles. Your hub should act as your headquarters in the virtual world.
For example:
- If your goal is to build a social media presence, your Instagram or TikTok might serve as your hub.
- If you’re focused on video content, YouTube could be your primary hub.
Step 4: Optimize Your Hub
Once your hub is set up, optimize it with engaging content, high-quality artwork, and a user-friendly design. Whether it’s your website or social media page, the presentation matters. People won’t stick around if your website is difficult to navigate, outdated, or visually unappealing. Focus on improving your hub over time.
Step 5: Build a Small Network
After establishing your hub, it’s time to expand your reach. This means creating a network in the virtual world that will direct people back to your hub. For example, if you have a website, create YouTube content that entertains and subtly directs viewers back to your main platform.
Think of it as casting a virtual net to attract people across platforms and guide them back to your main focus.
Step 6: Get Social and Connect with the Community
To be successful, you need people. That means getting involved with the community surrounding your genre. Engage with other musicians, fans, and industry gatekeepers by commenting, sharing content, and contributing to discussions in a meaningful way.
Instead of spamming people with your music links, show genuine support for others in your niche. This fosters real connections and helps you become part of a supportive community.
Step 7: Attract an Audience
Once you’ve embedded yourself in the community, focus on building an audience. It’s essential to connect with the core audience in your genre—those who love discovering and sharing new music. Once you engage with this core audience, they’ll help spread the word about your music to a wider circle.
Think of it like an onion: your core fans are at the center, and as they spread the word, the layers of casual listeners expand, giving you a larger audience.
Step 8: Distribute Your Music
Make sure your music is available on as many platforms as possible, including iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Pandora, SoundCloud, and YouTube. Most people won’t buy your music the first time they hear it, so giving them access to stream or download for free is essential in the early stages.
Step 9: Make It Easy to Support You
Once you’ve built an audience, make it easy for people to support you. Whether they want to buy your album, stream your music, or purchase your merch, ensure they can do it without hassle. This could mean having a well-organized website or clear links on your social media profiles to purchase or stream your music.
Step 10: Show Love to Your Fans
Your fans are the most important asset you have, and it’s essential to show them love and appreciation. Interact with them regularly, thank them for their support, and create a sense of community around your music. Don’t take your fans for granted, as they are the key to your ongoing success.
Bonus Step: Give Back
Once you’ve achieved some level of success, it’s important to give back. Whether it’s helping other musicians, sharing advice, or collaborating with emerging talent, giving back to the community fosters positive relationships and supports the next generation of artists.
Conclusion
Navigating the new music business model requires creativity, strategy, and a clear understanding of your goals. By breaking your goals into manageable steps, creating a strong online hub, and building real connections with your audience, you can achieve success on your terms. The tools are at your fingertips—now it’s up to you to take control of your music career.
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