Common Questions from Aspiring Musicians:
-
What's the number one thing you need?
- Guidance
- List of promoters
- Social media strategy
- Understanding how to reach the right audience
- Manager and booking agent
- "I have great music, why is no one listening?"
-
What's the number one thing you want?
- Recognition
- Opportunities to play gigs
- Making a living off music
- Quitting day jobs to focus solely on music
Common Aspirations: "I want to play gigs and have a career in music that pays my bills so I can quit my job and do music full-time."
A Seasoned Perspective: 20 years ago, I would have had similar answers. Now, as a professional musician, producer, and teacher, my perspective has shifted.
The Reality Check: Many aspiring musicians only see the tip of the iceberg. They see someone on stage or with millions of Spotify plays and think, "I want to do that." However, achieving such success involves much more than what is visible. The music creation part is significant, but it's just one piece of the puzzle.
Most successful musicians and producers spend the majority of their time on activities other than making music. They have teams they pay handsomely, and even then, they work tirelessly to keep their businesses thriving.
Quitting a day job to pursue music full-time without a solid plan and financial backing is a risky move. A more sustainable approach involves understanding and embracing the entrepreneurial aspects of the music industry.
A Typical Week for a Successful Musician:
- Monday & Tuesday: 12 hours of meetings with the team.
- Wednesday & Thursday: Studio time for music creation.
- Friday & Saturday: Travel, shows, meetings, social media, constant work.
- Sunday: Travel, hopefully some family and chill time.
When it's album writing or touring time, the workload can increase to 70-90 hours a week.
Key Business-Building Pillars:
- Your Product: Music, videos, merch, products.
- Your Brand: Integrity, honesty, delivery, timing, communication.
- Marketing: Advertising, outreach, content creation, promotions, affiliate partners, paid ads.
- Fan/Customer Acquisition: Sales, emails, funnels, referrals, networking.
- Business Systems: Websites, growth strategies, funnels, partnerships, team building.
- Relentlessness, Consistency, and Hard Work: Repeat.
Real Talk: If you do just one thing every day to push your career forward beyond just making music in your studio, you will be part of the 1% who make it happen. The bar is lower than ever, but you must be willing to work hard.
Takeaway: Success in the music industry requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond talent and music creation. It's about building a brand, marketing effectively, acquiring fans, and maintaining consistent business systems. Hard work, dedication, and a clear understanding of the industry's demands are essential for turning dreams into reality.
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