I found this article while perusing the net lol. Its a good read for anyone tryna break into the industry.
written by Mike McCready
LINK TO ARTICLE
I’ve been singing this song for a while and I’m starting to get some validation from other bloggers and people in this business. Those who tout all the DIY strategies are seeing the tide turn on them simply due to the lack of success cases. It’s been years now that artists can have their music cheaply distributed to fans and even to all the digital retailers. Promotion widgets and tools have been spreading like wildfire across the web. But where are all the artists who have broken doing it on their own?
Don’t get me wrong. I think the entrepreneurs who are making music and acts easier to promote, distribute and find are doing a HUGE and much needed service. I recommend using them and really like many of the people behind these companies. The thing is, artists aren’t directly benefiting – at least not much. Do you know who is? Other entrepreneurs and the business people who are interested in getting behind acts to give them a big push. These new services have made it possible for smaller teams with fewer resources to compete against the big boys and get real results. But don’t let anyone fool you into believing it can be done by the artist themselves and for no money at all.
If you’ve been following what I’ve been saying lately you’ll remember I discussed a little experiment we did a few weeks ago where we tracked how effective artists are at promoting their own music to fans and strangers on the web. For the most part we reached the conclusion that firstly, artists aren’t very good at promotion and secondly that the audience is a bit burned out by all the requests to listen to new music that bombard them ever more frequently.
What does this mean? Mostly it means that if as an artist you want to stand out (and in addition to great music) you need a team. You need differentiating factors that will help you rise above the noise of every other artist out there trying to gain traction. It’s not unlike the challenges that are faced by a new company trying to enter a crowded market. You have to have marketing know-how, smart people who can execute a well-thought-out plan and you have to have the resources (read “money”) to make it happen.
Don’t shoot the messenger. You’re better off knowing this stuff than living in denial.
The new tools that have been developed by start-up companies to help artists get more done for less have really taken a bite out of the traditional music industry who have historically done things very inefficiently. Now, all the right moves can be made for less money but let’s be real, not for no money at all!
So, here’s one way to get it done (I discuss more of this stuff on my podcast: http://www.mikemccready.com/the-song-cat-ar-podcast/
1.
First and foremost you have to have great music. That’s a given. Get some professional feedback. Knowing that your mom, girlfriend, group of friends or other local musicians dig your sound is not enough. Usually it’s not real validation. Get the professional opinion of people who have made a living off their golden ears and gut instinct. Be flexible. Your song’s not done until you say it is. It can always be changed and improved upon if you get good feedback you believe in. And yes, it can be hard, rigorous work. That’s what separates the pros from the hobbyists. Oh, and one last thing on this point; just because someone else might be able to bang out a great tune on the first try and it takes you a bit longer, don’t despair. Take your time. The time it takes to write a great song is not a measure of talent. It’s a measure of experience and inspiration. Plenty of masterpieces were written over time.
2.
Professionally record your music. Hey, don’t get points one and two in the wrong order. Don’t go spend a lot of money recording your songs before you’ve honed them from the songwriting perspective. Also, no need to go out and spend $5,000 in the best studio you can find. You’re probably going to have to record them more than once and perhaps with a couple different producers so work your way into this. Do something first that illustrates your style and sound first. Make sure it sounds good and as close to radio ready as possible so that the listeners don’t have to use their imagination to hear how the song “could” sound. At the same time, you don’t have to hire Steve Lillywhite right away. Continue to get feedback and go spend the big bucks when you know you’ve got it right.
3.
As you’re working on points one and two be performing live. That’s more important for honing your stage presence than it is for building a local following. Yes, you want to build a local following but more than that you want to be an awesome live performer. Learn to love performing live if you don’t already. Your revenue from live performances will be a big part of your income. Consider working with people who specialize in career coaching and artist development.
4.
Get the right people to hear your music. As I’ve said in previous posts. Most of the time it’s going to take a mass exposure event or series of events to break you as an artist. The slow build is nice and you should continue to do that but it’s the so called “lucky break” that’s going to get it done for you every time. They call it a lucky break but luck is just the convergence of being prepared for success while you knock on every door trying to make it happen. When you know you’ve got the right song, sound and look – go for it. Submit your song to every appropriate opportunity. Chances are that if the professionals you’re getting feedback from in step one are telling you you’re ready, you’re ready and a deal will come if you just get your music into enough of the right hands. Heck, some of the professionals who are giving you feedback might even be the ones who end up offering you a deal. You never know.
Interact with industry professionals. Build the relationships and make sure your music is getting heard by the people with the power to make the decisions. It’s truly not about how many people hear it through your own efforts. It’s about how many of the right people hear it so they in turn can give you the oppotunity to get your music in front of millions.
You’re more likely to get this all done right with a solid team around you. You’re not likely going to be able to do this all on your own. Get someone who is good at business and who will work night and day for you to get your music into the right hands. If you don’t know anyone locally who can help you, consider submitting your music to managers seeking to manage new bands.
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