Starting a music career seems like an easy thing to do, especially if you have the talents. But, it takes a lot more than talent and connections to become popular and sell tickets for your live concerts.
Sometimes, it takes a lot of time until you find a label to sign a contract with them. That’s why some talented people decide to be independent musicians. That means they don’t have to sign contracts or pay royalties to record labels. Instead, they get paid directly from fans who purchase their songs via services like iTunes or Spotify.
Independent artists often struggle to gain traction because they lack experience working within the music industry. They also face challenges such as dealing with copyright issues, licensing fees, and other legal matters. As a result, these musicians usually rely on their connections to land gigs and partnerships with major companies.
How to Build Credibility as an Artist?
A person should work on their online presence to build credibility as an independent artist. That may include connecting with influencers and engaging the audience through social media platforms. By doing that, artists can build relationships to secure opportunities without having to sign label contracts.
Social media and online presence are a must for those who want to start a solo career after being part of a band. These artists can often count on the fans’ support all the time. There are many ways to build credibility, but the audience is mostly on social media, so it’s a good start.
What do you get as an Independent Musician?
Being an independent musician can mean a lot of things. Artists can control their time and schedule and don’t answer to anyone else, like managers or labels. The artist decides where to publish the music and what to do with the money they eventually earn.
Knowing that most music consumers these days use streaming platforms, artists don’t even need to record CDs. Instead, they can launch their new music on Spotify or another service and increase their chances of exposure and being recognized by others.
If you like the idea we described, we will gladly share some interesting tips on how to become an independent musician and what to expect.
1. Start Playing Music at a Young age
Music is something that should be learned early in life. When you first start out learning how to play an instrument, it’s best if you do it before the age of 10. Children can learn anything while young, especially if they have talent. If you think it’s too late for you, encourage your child to embrace their talents and love for music.
Also, many artists learned to play instruments during their teenage or young adult years. But if you really want to learn how to play some instrument, you can try it no matter the age. The key is to love what you do.
2. Learn About Music Theory
To make great music, you don’t need to know any formal music theory. However, understanding some basic concepts regarding harmony, rhythm, melody, and dynamics will help you create songs that sound good. You may even want to learn how to read sheet music and master scales.
Also, keep in mind that not every musician is educated about that. You can find talented people in all niches. They just learn the basics and embrace their talents and creativity, turning them into catchy songs.
3. Promote Your Work on the Social Media
Social media is an almost free way to promote your work and show people what you can do. You can use your personal accounts to share your YouTube song covers or Twitter to promote your streaming channels. Make sure you engage your audience regularly, so they can like and share the videos or streams.
4. Play Live Shows
Playing live shows allows musicians to connect with their audience and perform in front of people who care about them. Playing these shows regularly helps build confidence and improve your skills. You can start as a guest artist to some local band and keep growing from that moment on.
Additionally, you can perform live shows online. Since the pandemic in 2020, people have loved to watch artists getting bigger and more recognizable online. Use social media to promote yourself as an independent musician.
5. Find a Mentor
You probably know at least one enthusiastic musician to spread knowledge. You can easily find someone ready to help you in your mission to become an independent musician. A good musical mentor will teach you everything you need to know about being a professional artist. They will guide you towards success while providing advice along the way.
Final Thoughts
Trust your talents and boost your self-confidence because you can indeed become a good artist. By following these tips, you are ready to focus on your career when you get all these things settled. That’s one of the ways to boost your confidence and become a recognizable independent music artist.
