How to succeed in the music industry or music business is less about chasing dollars and more about owning your artistry.
A lot of people though enter the business and end up leaving weathered, jaded, and disappointed that they didn’t succeed.
There is no industry quite like the music industry. If you are just beginning your music business career, it can be quite challenging getting to know the ins and outs.
If you have the ability to learn and adapt, however, you might be able to overcome these obstacles and maximize your opportunities. The following list outlines six key areas that can be used to define success and failure in the music business, all worth considering as one carves out their place within the industry.
Build Your Music Industry Skillset
Evaluate different roles in the industry and begin to build a portfolio of skills that you can use to apply to different positions.
Versatility is key. Many people who are dead-set on being one thing in the business, unwilling to pivot to a role where they may be better suited and where there may be more money to be made, oftentimes end up missing out.
For example, if you want to be a recording engineer, perhaps there is another way to get your foot in the door than applying to be a recording engineer and to probably not be accepted. The wider your skillset, the more potential there is for you to be used and to make connections in various corners of the business.
If you want a job in the music industry, begin by examining where your skills can be applied i.e. management, technology, design, production, etc.
Consider Pursuing A Music Business Internship
Securing for yourself an internship in the music industry can put you in front of key people for them to discover your passion.
There are a number of internship opportunities in the music recording industry that allow workers to gain experience and to make contacts.
There are all types of categories of work to apply for internships in music, from A&R to marketing.
Though the prospect of not getting paid is not ideal, it puts you into a role where you can gain that experience that will one day get you paid and more importantly, it begins building connections.
Music Industry Networking Must Be A Top Priority
Network with music industry players at every opportunity. Be open. Be available. Be outgoing.
Always be meeting new people and do not be shy about introducing yourself. The music industry is built for networking and you can never know too many people.
You never know where one of these relationships may lead. It could be a future job or a creative opportunity down the line. Bumping into someone at a recording studio has been known to lead to gigs and major opportunities.
When you can, attend all the events you can that are relevant to your priorities and make an effort to network.
Be Aware Of New Industry Trends
Music is an industry led by trends and fashion, and being aware of them will keep you on the edge of its evolution.
Subscribe to music trade magazines and newsletters, check their websites, follow them on social media, and keep engaged with what’s going on in the industry.
The more you know, you more you may be able to make an impression on a potential employer or collaborator with your expertise during those valuable networking hours.
Also, keep listening to new music. The better you know the artists out there making music, the faster you can jump in on conversations about them if they ever come up.
Don’t Limit Yourself To Any Specific Area Of Music
Keep in mind the whole of the entertainment industry. Music is closely associated with other creative industries such as film, TV, sports, and others. Have an open mind about what kind of career you want to have.
If an opportunity comes along where they may be more potential for long-term growth, don’t hesitate to take it.
These experiences will help to shape you as a professional in the entertainment or music industries. As long as you’re up for the work, you’ll never be unhappy doing what you’re doing.
Pursue success. When you have the chance to pursue work in a category that may have more long-term potential or more money attached, there is no reason not to accept it. It can take years to jump around through different jobs before eventually landing up somewhere you really want to be.
Always Work Hard
We save this one for last but it is more important than any of the other music industry advice we can give. Work hard.
You may even say, you shouldn’t just work hard but be the hardest worker in the room. Do not become complacent, and always go above and beyond expectations to ensure that you keep yourself as an indispensable, valued member of the team.
Hard workers get attention and if you work smart on top of that, there is no way you aren’t going to succeed.
How success and failure are defined is different for everyone. For a lot of people, it’s the art they participate in. If you’re able to help produce an album that is artistically accomplished, that is the dream. For others, they may be focused on a dollar amount, i.e. how much income they make or how much money a specific project makes.
Consider for yourself how you define music industry success and failure. Know before you enter the music industry what that is.
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