THE BIGGEST MISTAKE NEW ARTISTS MAKE

by | Jun 8, 2013 | Music Industry | 0 comments

The biggest mistake new artists make is recording an EP or an album.

It’s best not to record an EP or an album if have no audience. It’s a waste of time, money and resources. You would be better off doing cover songs on YouTube. Build an audience first. Create demand for your product then record.

Let’s take a look at what a typical career plan is for a new “artist”:

  1. Write some okay songs.
  2. Play the songs for some family member or girlfriend/boyfriend. They say to you: “You should record that”.
  3. Decide you want to be an artist (possibly influenced by encouragement from loved ones and not from critical acclaim from a songwriting contest or a music industry professional). Think you are better than you actually are (this is why most new artists can be exploited easily).
  4. Decide to fund your recording yourself (a mistake in itself).
  5. Take 4 to 6 months to record. Do no promotion or other work while you are “concentrating” on making a good product.
  6. Print 1000 CDs as it only costs a small amount more than 500.
  7. Play some shows locally.
  8. Get discouraged because only 50 people bought your CD. Store 950 CDs in your basement. Give them away to your co-workers or anyone who will take them.
  9. Repeat or give up. Complain that the music industry is tough and is a closed system that doesn’t let anyone new or talented in.

By contrast, an artist that is likely to succeed in the music industry will:

  1. Write and rewrite excellent songs that were either co-written with or checked by an established songwriter who is signed to a music publisher or who has a song writing track record.
  2. Play songs dozens of times or more live (best if on the road/tour).
  3. Decide to record as audience is asking to purchase the songs. (Demand is created).
  4. Use IndieGoGo, Kickstarter or small indie to fund your modest recording.
  5. Take 3 to 6 months to record, but release singles or covers on Youtube and continue to market and gain more of an audience. Blog, videocast, tweet often.
  6. Build a brand for yourself with image, logo, professional branding statement and plan.
  7. Register a business name, take steps towards turning your music into a business.
  8. Make a small run of CDs.
  9. Have a record release party that is well attended that is video taped with highlights posted on YouTube.
  10. Sellout of CDs in a few months and order more.
  11. Attract the attention of music industry professionals. Look to build your artist team with bookers, manager etc.

While the above is a vast generalization, you get the idea.

Informed artists build lasting careers.

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