Getting a music career off the ground isn’t easy. There are thousands of people out there right now fighting for their music to be heard. That said, you should never abandon your dreams. Even if you’re not about to become the next Adele or Alicia Keys, you can still build a fanbase in music and make some money from your passion. If you’re a beginner to songwriting, here’s a guide to help you. Below are just a few ways to kickstart a career in the music industry.
Play gigs to build a fanbase in music
Playing live is still the best way to get people to hear your voice. Contact some local venues and use your connections to find gigs. Play enough shows and you’ll start getting dedicated fans, all while making money. In order to get comfortable playing live, try out busking and play in local bars. Or perform for friends and family.
Sites such as Music Industry How To have some great guides for developing stage presence. Remember that no band sells out on their first show; some of the biggest acts rose to fame through slow and steady touring.
Studio time can kickstart a career in music industry
Having a recorded song, EP, or album should be your next step. There are plenty of pieces of software out there for bedroom producers who want to take the DIY approach. But if you don’t have the patience to learn all these production skills then grab some studio time instead to start getting your music career off the ground.
Many recording studios offer a free hour taster session or seasonal discounts on studio time. Make use of these promotions to build a fanbase in music. Get yourself a professionally recorded track or album that you can then promote locally and afar.
Distribute your music
Once you have recorded tracks, you’ll want to distribute them to kickstart your career in music. Companies such as Nationwide Disc duplication are able to copy your music onto CDs that you can then sell on a website or at live gigs.
Most people today listen to music online so consider platforms such as iTunes and Spotify too. Free mediums like SoundCloud and YouTube are great for just getting your music out there.
Consider a PR company
A music PR company can send your music to media outlets, potentially getting your song some radio airplay, as well as interviews and reviews from publications. Look online for established companies and check out reviews and testimonials to see who they’ve helped build a fanbase in music.
Some PR companies specialize in certain genres, such as rock or hip hop. PR doesn’t work for everyone though. And it can be an expensive way to kickstart a career in music. For those on a budget, consider looking for PR services on sites such as Fiverr for deep discounts.
Market yourself to get your music career off the ground
No matter how many companies you use, nothing will work if you don’t actively market yourself to build a fanbase in music. You can save a lot of money simply by using social media, creating a website, using DAW recording software, and promoting yourself.
By coming up with creative promotional strategies of your own and creating a strong personality and angle for yourself, you’ll eventually gain the interest of people. Success in the entertainment industry can follow. Remember that fame often is a slow rise to the top. But when you build a music career off the ground and you love what you do, then it’s absolutely worth the time and effort.
Girl! Great post! Very good practical steps! I can’t wait to share this on our studio page on FB!
Hi, Christy. You should check the list of 25 different creation applications I’ve created. Maybe it will be useful to your readers.
As a student audio engineer – This is all awesome advice. Also consider all media platforms and community interaction is a huge thing! You could even hit up some universities. Lots of students are looking for amateur artists to record FOR FREE! So check them out!
Awesome advice – thanks!
All very good advice!
Great advice! I’m trying to do most of these things, although for me, music is more of a hobby than a career. But maybe a career some day!
It’s really grt christy you are helping others out there who are interested and are willing to get their music heared like me though i do not know anything bout music but still can sing a bit grt and this blog of you’s is gonna help me a lot so tq christy😇
Thanks for this post, Christy! I have just started with my blogging journey on music and want to start singing again.
Very powerful post. Words to live by. Thanks so much! Looking forward to the next one.
I fancy playing a gig, though that won’t happen so soon, as I have not yet even done busking. Somehow I always get very scared. I have played on some music school gigs, though I’d like to arrange my own one. The thing is, I’m not too confident when playing and singing at the same time while people are observing me… Sounds very stupid, I just don’t know how to overcome these insecurities. Any advice on not being afraid? :D
I hope you go for your dreams! It sounds like you have some performance anxiety (which is NOT stupid at all). Perhaps this will help you: https://whenwomeninspire.com/2017/05/27/ease-your-anxiety-helpful-tips/
You should definitely check out aggregators like CD Baby! They are definitely worth mentioning, I used CD Baby myself and I’m thrilled with how it turned out, and with current changes makes CD’s and hard copies becoming less relevant to masses, aggregators are great source. Wonderful piece, it was very informative!
Cool! Great to know your tip about CD baby :)
You’re very welcome!
I love this read and that it offers realistic ways to make money as an artist. Anyone aiming to succeed can accomplish them. Sharing with friends. I’m a music critic.
Thanks for the support, shares, and lovely comment!
Awesome article! I was working on my portfolio today and did quick search query to get the logos of the two record companies I was signed to in the early 90s…(once a writer you’re always a writer of all types of content.)
Also
If you don’t mind I’d like to offer this for your gig/studio/distribution section: – Record your live performances and post to your website ,YouTube , snap chat or any social networking platform that has live and video capabilities. Independent recording artists can gain a following from the exposure and record company executives adore new artists with a built-in fan base.
That’s awesome additional information, Mel! If you’re like to write a short follow-up post about this, feel free to write me through my Contact page here at the blog. I’d link back to your blog in the post. Awesome to learn about your music background :)
Thank You for your generosity… You’ve nailed majority of the “journey” – – if we had social media back then, it would have given our career the boost we needed before we “aged” out. 😊
I love this post … so original… I often put some Lana del Rey´s songs on YouTube … I use Google Chrome to be able to watch the videos on my TV, which is quite good. When the songs include the lyrics (quite often as I created a special Playlist) I sing along… And loved it… I would have loved to take lessons or something like that. A song can move me in such deep levels… Thank you for sharing, hun… Sending much love. ;) <3
OH I love when you share songs on Twitter, Aqui. I’ve discovered some songs from your Tweets. Great re YouTube on your TV too. It’s neat that Lana del Rey confirmed our twin image yesterday, by the way ;) Much love to you too <3 Thanks for the comments here!!
A PR Company is a good, great even idea. Not so sure about gigging. There are far too many fabulous 40+ years musicians, who’ve walked the walk out there (male and female) earning next to nothing playing pub type venues when they are owed much more from the business than they’ll ever get back that it’s scary. It is a major shame that 1% of musicians take in 95% of the potential/actual income out there. As ever a brilliant read, well crafted, Christy
I was sooooo hoping you would comment here, George! Thank you for lending your experience to this article. What you say about the 1% is true of authors too, interestingly enough. Hope you’re settling back at home well
I could be wrong about gigging, I must confess. I gave it up at the age of 17. The politics of bands and the lack of money for effort put in did it for me. I think, and again I could be wrong, that to chase that glimmer of hope that you might make it big only works if ego matches ability. There’s a lot of ego’s out there and it always seems ‘ability’ has to take second place. I am guessing that writing is the same. That must take nothing away from your post though. Pointers for those that digest them always help, and I am lacking on the PR front, I know – so thank you, Christy.
Hi Christy
Nice this small article.
I kiss you and take care of you.
Tony
Do you sing, Christy?
I do but I’ve been called tone deaf so I don’t do so professionally ;) I wish I could carry a note! Watch out if you’re ever in my car as I do like to sing!
Belt it out!! Maybe they’re tone deaf!!
Laughing ;) I’ll have to test that theory, GP!