A lot has changed in the music world over the last ten or fifteen years. In the old days, an artist had to perfect their craft and hope that they were discovered at a local gig, or hope that they would get really lucky and meet somebody in the music promotion business who would take the time to get to know them and appreciate their talent.
Well, that's not the norm anymore. Sure, it can still happen, but the odds are even worse than they were back then. That probably sounds like bad news, huh? Well, in reality, it's not. Why? Because there are so many more opportunities for artists to connect with their fans and so many options to promote now, that you don't have to wait to be discovered. You now have the option of making your own luck, and as far as this author is concerned, that's a fantastic place to be.
Of course, that does mean a lot of hard work, maybe more hard work than before. Because now you have to be both artist and promoter, creative talent and business person. But as I like to say, and truly believe, no great reward comes without great sacrifice. It's kind of nice that way, because it means that when you make it, you've certainly earned it.
So what I'd like to do in this article is talk about 4 things that every new artist should do and know when they are starting out. Even better, these four principles can be kept going all through your career, no matter how big you might get.
Tip #1 - You must have a dream
This is non-negotiable, guys. If you want anything in life, especially something you don't have now, and something that will take a lot of work and dedication, you'd better turn it into a dream. It's our dreams that we peruse the hardest and suffer for the most.
And what is a dream? Is it just a desire for something, a want? No, a dream is a mixture of want and need, a clear goal backed by strong, almost overpowering emotional need. Dreams aren't just things we want, they are things we have to have or we'll just die! When you can turn your musical career into that kind of desire, you will have taken a huge step toward success.
Tip #2 - Try to be unique
I heard singer Franky Beverly say on an awards show one time that you should never fall for the flavor of the week. Do what you feel. That has stuck with me because it's exactly what I believe. I didn't get into music, and fall in love with it when I was a little girl just so I could copy somebody else and get lost in a sea of the same ole thing.
I have a pretty distinct sound. Sure, it's been influenced by a variety of musical styles, from rock to pop, to reggae to hip hop. But I don't set out to just copy something or try to sound like everyone else. And neither should you.
There's nothing wrong with creating a song that seems to fit in well with the current sounds of your genre, that is bound to happen. There's a fine line between fitting in and duplication. It's tough sometimes, but it's possible. Think about all the great artists you've liked through the years and how distinct their sounds are. And yet, how all of their work has its own flavor, a flavor you can pick up on. That's the best path to follow when creating your tunes.
Tip #3 - Learn the business
Like I said before, when you're independent, you have to wear all the hats, at least for a while. Eventually, you may hook up with a small record label, or a group, or some people who can complement your talents with their own. But no matter what, you should know all aspects of your craft.
That means you need to be more than a lyricist and musician. You should know the engineering too. Know how to mix and master your songs. You should learn the business side of things, how to treat yourself as a company and negotiate fees and keep accounts and so forth. And you should really, really, get to understand marketing. Marketing is at least as important as your talent, maybe more so, because marketing is how you get yourself out there and get people to like you.
Marketing and publishing and engineering may not be the fun parts of music, but they will ensure that when you get up on that stage, there will be lots of screaming fans to enjoy what you have to offer them.
Tip #4 - Take it seriously
Music is fun, isn't it? Writing and creating songs, getting up on that stage and playing and singing and dancing is awesome. There's nothing like it. But that is the reward of some very hard work, dedication and yes, suffering. That's right, you're gonna have to suffer a bit if you want to reach that height.
So take your music career seriously. Treat it like a job, or better yet, a business. Focus on the things you can do and where you can take action. You may have to work two jobs while you're building it, believe me, I know this for a fact, but it's worth it. And one day, when you have reached a level of success you only dreamed about, you'll have a great story to tell about your rise.
We could talk endlessly about these tips, and lots more, but I'll save that for another article. Just keep these four in mind and you'll be off to a good start. And do you know what's really cool about this? That success is measured by you, not by anyone else. You can grow to a point where you are a regional star, playing medium sized venues every month, selling T-shirts and CD's and music downloads by the hundreds and make some pretty good money. I know a lot of musicians who would be thrilled to make forty or fifty grand a year doing what they love. And that's the great part about doing it yourself. That kind of success is way doable. And once you get there, it just builds on itself. So keep dreaming, keep creating and shoot for the stars, and remember, it's Chaddy B to the Boom!
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