Being a successful musician in the modern era requires a combination of talent, hard work, and smart business strategies.
The industry has undergone significant changes in recent years and it seems like ages ago that music enthusiasts had to purchase physical albums, buy music on platforms like iTunes or risk their computer security by illegally downloading music. Today, that’s all changed as technology has evolved.
From recording and production to promotion and distribution, modern musicians now have a plethora of tools at their disposal to help them create and share their music with the world. It’s estimated that 100,000 new songs hit streaming services daily. With that being said, it’s more important than ever to take a strategic approach to your music and utilize tips to streamline your workflow, so you can focus on what is the most important: creating.
Here are ten tips for the modern musician:
1. Set Clear Goals
The first step is to hold yourself accountable. This means identifying what you want to achieve, and then developing a plan to make it happen. This could include finishing a certain number of tracks per month, writing with other songwriters, playing a particular venue or reaching a specific milestone in your career.
2. Plan your releases
Whether you’re gearing up to drop a single, a music video, an EP or an album, it’s so important to have a release strategy. Always give yourself at least six weeks of lead time between submitting your music to your distributor and releasing your work. This allows time to promote your music and ensure the release date can be honored.
3. Never Stop Being a Student
Take lessons, attend workshops and conferences and practice regularly to keep your skills sharp. The most important aspect of being a successful modern musician is having a strong foundation in your instrument and genre.
4. Utilize Video
Stay active on social media and utilize the power of video. Use YouTube and Instagram to create music videos and live streams to engage your fans and showcase your music. Post about upcoming shows you have. Share an insider view into your songwriting sessions and creative process.
5. Network & Collaborate
Collaborate with other musicians. Not only can working with other artists help you create new and exciting music, but it can also introduce you to new fans and help you build your network. You’ll also learn more about the business and gain valuable insights from your fellow musicians.
6. Understand The Industry
While it's important to focus on creating, it's also vital to understand the business side of the industry. Learn about royalties, contracts, and other financial aspects of the industry to make sure you're getting a fair deal. Understanding the legal side of the music industry is essential if you want to protect your music and make money from it as a professional modern musician.
7. Always Backup Your Work
There’s nothing worse than losing a session. That's why it's so imperative to always back up your work. Here at Glyph, we design all of our drives with creative professionals in mind. Our portable Glyph Atom EV SSD drive is ideal for musicians on the go. Whether you're touring or traveling to sessions, this drive carries up to 8TB of super fast data storage in a package small enough to fit in your hand.
8. Keep Adapting
With the industry always evolving, it’s important to be adaptable and open to new ideas and opportunities. Don’t be afraid to explore different genres, platforms and marketing strategies to find what works best for you and your music.
9. Consistency Is Key
It’s important to keep showing up and putting the work in. It’s a good idea to have 3 or so finished songs in your arsenal for a release schedule so you’ve always got a few months of breathing room.
10. Find a Mentor
In the modern era, we can learn so much online. However, specific stories, detail and nuances will always be communicated best by a mentor. This could be a manager, a music teacher or an established friend within the industry. It's important to find someone trustworthy who you can bounce ideas off of.
One thing is certain. The music industry will keep evolving and musicians will need to adapt to these changes. Ultimately, don't forget to stay true to yourself and take risks. With the right approach, you can make waves as a modern musician in 2023.
