Right now is a great
time for independent artists to positions themselves for success in today’s
music industry. But how can you give yourself a better chance of standing out
from the crowd?
CONNECT WITH FANS
Building a strong relationship with your fans
is crucial to your success as an independent musician. To sustain and
grow your fan base you'll need to connect with your listeners
both online and in person.
Playing live as often as possible and in
plenty of different venues and locations. A killer live show is a great
way to win over new fans and keep your current ones happy. Make
an great impression on stage and make sure the audience remember you.
Connecting with your fans online is also key.
Not only should you regularly post interesting, exciting or maybe even funny
content to your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram profiles, but also reply to and
interact with anyone who mentions you in their Tweets and post. If someone
compliments your track – thank them!
Alternatively, have you ever thought about
vlogging? A popular YouTube series is a great platform from which to launch a
successful independent music career. All you need is a camera, internet
connection and an irresistible personality!
PLAY TO YOUR
STRENGTHS
Know your strengths and focus on them. It’s
all well and good being able to write a great song and release it online, but
there are plenty of other ways to boost your music career – and earn money
doing it.
If stage presence is your strong suit, you
could try and secure a residency at a local venue. A regular gig slot puts your
music in front of new people every week, and earns you extra cash to fund your
career.
If you've got a creative mind and know your
way around a camera and editing software, why not focus on making original
music videos? If they’re awesome enough, they could go viral!
BRAND IDENTITY &
AWARENESS
Get yourself some eye-catching graphics that
you can use across all your promotional materials, from your website and social
media accounts, to your posters, flyers, business cards, t-shirts, coffee mugs,
mouse mats and more! Creating amazing graphics is easier if you’re a Photoshop
or Illustrator pro, but if you don’t know your crop from your clone stamp,
you’ll be better off hiring an experienced graphic designer.
A strong brand identity can help to develop a
strong brand awareness. You want your logos and branding to become instantly
recognizable, and if they look cool, people will be more willing buy your
band’s t-shirt when they’re browsing your merch.
STOP WAITING FOR A
RECORD LABEL
No one is going to knock on your door with a
golden ticket, and no one is going to do the hard work for you. Don’t assume
that major labels know the secrets of the industry, or that signing a record
deal is even a good idea.
Many musicians who sign to a major record
label never actually end up releasing music, and labels can drop an artist as
quickly as they signed them. Nowadays, major labels hardly ever sign an artist
without a successful independent career behind them, so concentrate on doing
your own thing and don’t worry about chasing a big-money deal.
DO NOT IGNORE STREAMING
This year is going to be one of the most
successful years for the music industry, thanks to streaming. Major labels are
earning huge amounts per day just from streaming sites, so make sure you’re
getting a piece of the action.
Some artists have reservations about putting
their music on streaming platforms, but as an unsigned musician trying to raise
your profile and reach new fans, getting playlisted on the likes of Spotify and
Apple Music is an invaluable (and free) way to put your music in front of new
listeners.
WORK HARD
& STAY FOCUSED
This might sound controversial, but you shouldn't have a Plan B. Having a Plan B can
distract from your Plan A, and if you start doubting that your plan is going to
work, then it probably won’t!
Do you want to spend your life working on
something you’re not truly passionate about? Successful people take risks. You
may get to a point in your life where your friends have lots of money or a
new car, which can tempt you into taking a job you don’t really want. But don't
give up on your dream! Keep focussed and follow your passion.
