The music industry can be fun but not as romantic as social media paints it. It will take a couple of rising and falling to master the inner workings of the music industry. We want to spare you the painful lessons other successful indie artists had to go through. Let’s get it straight; it’s pretty intimidating to approach the music industry underprepared and unarmed. That’s why we are here at Disctopia to remind you of all the vital things you might be skipping. Stay calm; we’ve got your back. Just do you your part of the pact;
1. Network as If Your Life Depends on It
While it’s easier for you to make a name as an independent artist than ever before, who you know and roll with still matters. A simple connection can change the trajectory of your indie music career forever.
There’s a lot of networking tips out there, but what we’ll tell you is to listen more than talk.
2. Never Ignore Existing Fans In Search of New Ones
It’s OK to go in search of a new audience for your music but not at the expense of the old ones.
Whether you have 50 or 10 million fans, you need to go in search of a meaningful way of engaging your existing audience. Keep them engaged in your search for a broader fan base.
3. The Non-Musical Content Now Matters
Yes, you are a musical artist, but you can also showcase the artistic side in a non-musical way. Your fans are dying to see you fool around on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and Snapchat.
We are talking solid visuals that can put your music in a new context.
4. Trademark Your Name and Music
Don’t get carried away as soon as your names start being mentioned in clubs, radio stations, or blogs. The journey is just about to start, and part of what you need to do is trademarking both your name and music.
This is quite easy to do; approach the US Copyright Office and get it done.
5. Don’t Stop Going on Tours.
Of course, we live in the age of the internet and music streaming, but that should not water down music tours. Instead, it should strengthen your grip on the digital music scene.
Think of it like this, the audience you’ve performed for is likely to go in search of your music on Disctopia and other streaming platforms.
6. No One Can Market You Better Than You
This is not to sound cliché, but you are in the best position to put yourself out there. It’s not yet the role of a publicist or media manager, but your role. Yes, we know that marketing does not come naturally to most artists, but it’s your key to the kingdom.
Focus on marketing yourself as much as you would invest into making the best music.
Final Thoughts
This piece serves as a gentle reminder of what you should be doing as an independent artist to get ahead.
The most important of these tips is to treat your music as a business. Also, don’t stop learning and honing your skills as an artist.
