Are you a passionate musician looking for ways to launch your music career? There’s good news. Your dream can become reality if you are willing to put in the hard work. From becoming an artist manager or teaching online music lessons – there are 16 creative strategies to launch your musical career and jumpstart its growth. Discover which option best fits you as we explore ways musical skill sets can become successful careers.
Become an Artist Manager
Becoming an artist manager is one of the best ways to jump-start your music career. Your job as an Artist Manager involves booking gigs for clients as well as managing finances, booking studio time and organizing press releases on their behalf – an understanding of the music industry is also invaluable when starting this path.
Teach Music Online
Assuming you possess an instrument or style of music expertise, consider teaching it online. Services like Skype and Zoom make remote teaching possible from any location; all that’s necessary to start is a good internet connection and camera setup as well as some basic teaching materials.
Produce Your Own Music
Producing music on your own can be an excellent way to kick-start your career as a musician. Even without access to professional-level studio recording tools, producing professional-level songs using only a laptop computer with basic software can give you access to professional-level songs – adding great credibility.
Create Your Own Label
If you possess both the resources and musical knowledge to start your own record label, consider doing it. Though challenging, becoming the go-to source for new artists of various genres looking to gain exposure can provide tremendous returns both personally and for those in your network. A successful record label could mean enormous benefits – for you as well as others involved with it.
Sell Merchandise or Instrument Accessories
Selling merchandise and instrument accessories is an excellent way to generate extra income in the music industry. From creating T-shirts, hats, stickers and signature instrument parts with custom pedals sporting your branding to selling merchandise with your music’s brand on them. Selling merchandise and instrument accessories is a fantastic way to promote and build fan bases for your band or artist.
Become a Live Audio Engineer
Live audio engineering is another rewarding way to join the music industry. As a live audio engineer, you would be responsible for setting up sound systems at events such as concerts or festivals and ensuring all levels are balanced appropriately so all attendees can hear each performance clearly.
Network and Build Relationships
Building relationships in the music business is key for its success. Establish relationships with musicians, promoters, venues and record labels by attending industry events or joining online forums dedicated to musicians; doing this will allow you to find opportunities and collaborate with people who share your passion.
Obtain a Music Degree
Earning a music degree will not only boost your credentials, but it will give you an edge against other aspiring musicians. College education equips you with essential industry-relevant skills such as songwriting, producing, marketing and promotion; you can find many excellent schools offering degrees in either music production or performance that meet these criteria. Do your research before choosing one which best meets your needs.
Learn How to Use Technology
Technology plays an integral part of the music industry, so it’s vital that you learn how to utilize audio production tools and software. Once equipped with these skills, you can produce professional-quality recordings right in your own home studio. Creating high-quality videos or graphics for social media pages will also increase brand recognition.
Learn the Music Business Basics
If you want to succeed in the music business, it’s essential that you understand the basics of copyright law, contracts, royalties and licensing agreements. Familiarizing yourself with ASCAP or BMI before diving into any negotiations will also be helpful in making informed decisions regarding your career path. By researching and understanding these essential topics thoroughly, smart decisions will be made about future deals or negotiations in your career path.
Music Publishing
Music publishing is often overlooked but is an integral component of the music industry. Publishers provide essential services like collecting royalties and negotiating license agreements on your behalf as well as offering marketing support, sync deals and promotion for new songs or recordings. If you are serious about music as a career path it would be a wise idea to investigate your options for publishing before moving forward with any career plans.
Touring
Touring can be an invaluable way to spread your music and expand its fan base. There are various approaches you can take when booking tours: working with booking agents or promoters, using online resources like Songkick or Bandcamp or directly approaching venues – with some research and planning, you can easily create an effective tour plan that promotes your music while building fan loyalty.
Soundtracks
Film soundtracks and scores have become an increasingly popular way for musicians to gain exposure for their music. There are numerous methods available for getting your tunes onto these soundtracks or film scores; such as publishing companies or pitching directly to producers of projects you’re interested in.
Collaborations
Collaborating is a wonderful way to expand your network, meet like-minded artists and produce memorable music. There are various avenues available to find potential collaborators from local meetups and open mics to online platforms like SoundCloud or Bandcamp; collaboration can be an extremely fulfilling experience that helps both artists grow as musicians while building lasting relationships within the industry.
Song Overhaul
If your songs seem stagnant or lacking creativity, a complete revamp could be exactly what they need to revitalize them and bring fresh energy. A song overhaul can include revising lyrics or structure changes as well as adding elements like instrumentation or production elements for an entirely unique result that stands out among your other recordings.
Music Videos
In today’s digital environment, visual elements of music are becoming ever-more influential; creating music videos is an excellent way to get more exposure for your songs. There are various approaches you can take when making these videos depending on your budget and resources available; professional film crews may be employed or you could reach out to fellow musicians with video production skills for assistance or create DIY versions yourself using DIY methods.
There are various paths you can take when it comes to creating music, and experimentation and exploration are key in finding your niche. Whether your goal is a career in the industry, recording an album, or simply enjoying making songs with friends – these tips can help get your musical journey underway.