Most musicians don’t break into the industry because they’re eager to do marketing or deal with financial obligations. They do it because they love music. They also typically have a talent for singing, songwriting, or playing an instrument.
When you’re an independent musician, however, you’re also essentially running your own business. You might not have a manager or agent to help you with the daily operations of things, and you don’t have a record deal to ensure you’ll get paid what you deserve for every gig.
So, it’s essential not to ignore or neglect important business factors. With that in mind, let’s cover a few tips on how to navigate those considerations for long-term success in the music industry.
Generating Revenue and Marketing
It doesn’t seem very “rock and roll” to focus on the financial aspect of being a musician, but it’s important. Without money, you’re not going to be able to keep doing what you’re doing. Unfortunately, unless you’re playing major gigs every night, touring probably isn’t going to bring in a lot of consistent income.
So, it’s often necessary to find other revenue streams you can depend on while you’re touring, or even during your “off” seasons.
You can do this by selling merchandise. Not only is it a great way to generate income, but it’s a fantastic opportunity to build yourself as a brand. If you don’t already have a website, consider creating one as soon as possible so you can link your merchandise there for people to purchase at any time. Setting up an online shop and your own barcoding system is relatively easy, so once you put in the initial legwork, you won’t have to dedicate a lot of time to maintaining it unless you add new merchandise.
You can also strengthen your brand and engage more with your fans by focusing on marketing – especially through social media. You should ultimately strive to reach as many sectors of your audience as possible. Although it may seem difficult to do this, but the best way you can reach more of an audience is to personalize more of your online postings. Respond to questions. Host livestream events. Let your fans in on what you’re doing “behind the scenes”. Not only will marketing yourself attract more people to your music, but it will encourage them to buy tickets to your shows and invest in merchandise even when you’re not touring.
Legal Concerns
While it would be great to be able to play whatever you want, wherever you want, and whenever you want, you need to also consider the legalities. Understanding some of those legal issues before you start writing or playing will make a big difference in keeping you and your work protected.
First, it’s important to know your rights as a songwriter. You should always have everything you write officially copyrighted. Doing so gives you the right to:
- Reproduce;
- Distribute;
- Perform publicly;
- Perform sound recordings;
- Display.
It also protects your work from being taken by someone else. That’s also important to note if you’re “borrowing” from someone else’s work. Playing a cover song is always fun, and more people are likely to tune in if they recognize it. But, if you’re taking things one step further and using samples from other people’s music without their permission and you’re trying to play it off as your own, you could run into some serious legal troubles.
Just ask Vanilla Ice.
Time Management and Self-Care
If there’s one thing that probably seems even less rock and roll than worrying about your financial obligations, it’s getting enough sleep.
But, prioritizing self-care is essential as a musician, especially when you’re on the road. Although you may not exactly have access to a bubble bath while touring, you can focus on the more important aspects of self-care, such as effective time management. Whether you play music full-time or balance it with a day job, time management will help you to avoid burnout. Delegate things to others whenever possible. Prioritize things that need to get done first. Decide what ‘moves the needle’ for your brand and spend more time focused on those things.
When you learn how to better manage your time, you’ll be able to practice self-care more frequently. That looks different for everyone, but typically includes things like:
- Getting enough sleep;
- Eating a nutritious diet;
- Exercising and staying active;
- Maintaining your mental health (mindfulness, meditation, journaling, etc.).
Dedicate a small portion of your day to something that reduces your stress. Being a musician can be incredibly rewarding. You’re living out your dream, even if you’re starting small. But, it can also be incredibly stressful when you’re doing it all on your own. Taking care of yourself will keep you physically and mentally healthy. When you’re not worried about your well-being, you’ll be more motivated to expand your audience.
There’s a lot of “business” when it comes to being an independent musician. It’s not as simple as pulling out your guitar and strolling up to a venue every night. However, the seemingly pesky work behind the scenes will end up as the most rewarding and will help to boost your success and longevity. Don’t ignore these considerations, no matter where you are in your music career.
By Indiana Lee