How To Survive In The Music Industry (Definitive Guide).
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It’s no secret that the music industry is changing. We’ve been hearing about it for years now, but as time goes on and we watch more artists fall by the wayside, it becomes even clearer just how much this business can change in a short period of time.
To survive, you need to adapt…quickly.
And so with that in mind, I present to you:
The Definitive Guide – How To Survive In The Music Industry.
1. Know That You Can’t Please Everyone
As the old saying goes, “you can’t please everybody, all of the time,” which is especially pertinent in the music industry.
The thing about music is that it’s subjective.
What I may like, you might not like, and what the masses enjoy today will be old news tomorrow.
Know That You Can't Please Everyone
It doesn’t matter how much of a zillion-time Grammy Award winner you are; there will always be someone who hates your music or thinks your work sucks (and vice versa).
So don’t try to please everyone – focus on pleasing yourself first and foremost.
2. Be Confident In Your Own Abilities
It is important to know what you are good at and play to those strengths.
A person who knows themselves well will be confident in their abilities, regardless of if they’re making music for a living or not – this self-awareness breeds competence.
Confidence can work wonders for survival because others start viewing you as someone who has got it together; that’s how people get jobs done!
Be Confident In Your Own Abilities - It is important to know what you are good at and play to those strengths.
It also helps with the haters because having confidence means believing in yourself enough so that even if some naysayer tells you something bad about your work (or anything else), you won’t let it phase you one bit.
And all of us could use more “I don’t give a f*ck” attitude these days.
3. Keep A Positive Attitude
The music industry is tough. It can be a very ego-boosting environment, but it’s also one where you’re constantly being judged by everyone around you (and potentially the entire world).
Many people get into this line of work because they want to have fun and create music for themselves or their fans.
But if your goal is something more than just having fun, keep in mind that there will always be someone who has an opinion about what you do – even when it doesn’t really matter to them personally.
Keep A Positive Attitude - A big part of surviving in the music industry is maintaining a positive attitude.
A big part of surviving in the music industry is maintaining a positive attitude. This applies throughout your career, but it’s vital when you’re just starting out and still trying to get people interested in what you do.
You may not always enjoy everything about this job, but try to find something enjoyable or inspiring every day – even if it’s as simple as seeing other artists who are doing well and getting recognition for their work.
If someone says they don’t like your new song because of X reason, that has nothing to do with how good the song actually is?
Smile and say thank you for listening! Even if they had constructive criticism, chances are there will be at least one person who disagrees with them.
And hey, if they’re not your target audience, that’s great news!
4. Be Willing To Do What You Need To, To Get The Job Done
This is where I tell you to be willing to do whatever it takes, even if that means changing how you normally do things.
The music industry is a volatile and competitive space. You have to be willing to do what it takes to survive among the competition.
Be Willing To Do What You Need To, To Get The Job Done
You may not always like your gig or what it does for your artistic self-expression, and that’s okay! – sometimes, you need to suck it up and look at the bigger picture.
5. Invest In Yourself – Take Classes, Buy Equipment, And Go To Events
If you’re serious about becoming a music producer, then invest in yourself. Take music lessons and buy equipment if necessary – this is your music career!
Take advantage of opportunities to attend events or workshops, including online seminars, to educate yourself on new techniques.
Invest In Yourself - If you're serious about becoming a music producer, then invest in yourself. Take music lessons and buy equipment if necessary
Network with other producers at these events by offering free feedback and asking questions about their production process. It never hurts to have more friends out there trying to do the same thing as you.
Nowadays, it seems like everyone can make something passable on GarageBand, but how many people truly excel? The answer: not enough.
There’s so much competition that it’s hard to stand out without making some effort towards self-improvement.
