That today there is more music and opportunities within the music business should not be a surprise for those who want to dedicate themselves professionally, from this project we never tire of repeating “Living from Music or Living for Music” this play on words that I use (Iván Aranega) and that fortunately in some portals and even people who are dedicated to this business are using it (which I like) since that play on words may make a difference (and it does, read them well), returning to this article, here I explain among the thousands that there are 15 of which have served me well and I believe that using them well will also work in your project, there are 15 different profiles to be able to succeed in what I call “New Industry Musical” :
1.- Optimistic Profile: Be optimistic at all times (Fundamental).
It is the only true survival tool you possess and can control. If you start with eternal optimism you will be more resistant against the abandonment that you could begin to feel, this business requires special attention and above all “resistance” and “patience” is a long-distance race where the important thing is who resists, be very clear before starting on this. Try not to take things personally, the barrier to entry into the music business is incredibly high. The important thing is to know where you are going and how you can go buy organic sound cloud plays.
2.- Excellence Profile: Look at excellence and pursue it.
It all starts with the music you want to make, if you are one of those who follows trends it will be something temporary, if you want to live your whole life from what you do you must be very clear about what you do. Excellence is within our reach, it simply needs to be understood and observed. Study thoroughly with music teachers who are proficient in music theory and music appreciation. Study those who are successful in music and what they have done. The formation of the Music Business is also something that you should know or at least know about. Listen to everything, no matter the genre, and try to see the beauty in everything that is music, beyond your personal preferences, look for excellence in what you do, it is different to look for perfection in what you do because you are not going to get it . The foundation you have laid with your acceptance and understanding of these basic principles will define who you are going to be in your own musical career and whether you will be able to make a living from it.
3.- Entrepreneur Profile: Choose carefully who advises you.
This profile is one of the ones that I have always learned the most since undertaking music, as in any field of life, is also fundamental for me; people tend to seek advice from those who have had unusual success. It is good that you choose well who advises you (my grandmother is a good advisor but as you will understand she is not objective with Music) so you must surround yourself with people who at least get up every day and live for and for this, focused on the business as Your musical training is what I intend with these tips, apply them to your project.
But remember, the best advice always comes from those who have failed time and time again and are painfully aware of their mistakes, which they do not make again and above all they are aware of what they do in this musical world.
4.- Friend Profile: Create a group of professional colleagues who act as advisors for your music.
“My son is very talented” I’ve heard it millions of times, friends and family are great, but they are often too biased to give you proper advice when it comes to your music. Music professionals tend to give more productive advice and can set more realistic goals and expectations for you.
Remember: your grandmother will like everything you do, no matter what it is, so don’t take her advice too seriously!
5.- Athlete Profile: Know that no one simply woke up one day and put on a famous suit
The path to success in the Music Business is never straight and much less are there exact formulas (and whoever has it, tell me). By the time an artist manages to establish himself in the minds of the general public, there is already a story to tell about how and when everything has happened, so he is like an Athlete whom you can see running, for example, in the Olympics, but there is a great work behind to get there.
Unfortunately, most of your new fans will never experience that part of your journey. The illusion, for the general public, is that one day you woke up, wrote a song, put on your singer’s outfit and sing because you have that talent.
“The least thing you are going to do is sing” I always say it to someone who wants to dedicate themselves to this business, for example as a singer, it has its logic, since there is a lot to do to get to the stage, don’t get depressed, resist and continue training yourself. and preparing yourself for everything that may come to you.
6.- Student Profile: Understand well what are the most important sources of income in the Music Business.
Training and knowledge of this business is essential, for that you must study just as you have dedicated hours to the guitar, this part also requires knowledge, if you are one of those who do not like it, then surround yourself and trust people who know about it. business, sign everything and make it very clear which parts of the business to monetize, at least know where you can get income from (not just concerts) since that is where musicians think there is only income. Be clear about the alliances if they are necessary with a record label, publisher, booking company, publicists… As an editor, it is very important to know what a music editor or publisher does.
Publishing Rights: Composing and recording original music guarantees that you own both the phonographic and performance/mechanical rights, giving you the ability to publish and control your work.
I highly recommend reading our Tips section, where you will learn tips like in this article and more, soon you will be able to get our book “The Business of Music: How to Live from Music and Not Die Trying” and also our Online training workshops.
7.- Business Profile: Make your brand a company
Although sometimes what I am going to tell you is complicated, many times I have been told that this is not a business, you must do business in every sense. I know it is not easy but in the long run it is what will lead you to achieve your goals and be able to make a living from this.
One way to do this is to legalize yourself as a company, so you can receive tax deductions and manage your treasury and expenses properly. It also protects you as an individual and makes you more effective in financial growth.
When I say “do a business” it means that you think like an entrepreneur, control what you do, invest like in any other business and above all, as I have already repeated, be patient, like every business needs a process to see the results.
8.- Orchestra Profile: Learn to do a little of everything.
Be clear that at the beginning and being independent you will suffer a lot since you will have to do everything, do not think that you are going to have a team of 30 people doing everything for you, if you go as a “div@” well I think you are going to be very wrong path, humility in this is more important than oneself believes, so you must be the orchestra profile, do everything and see how you learn.
9.- Good practices profile: Record everything you do and sign.
If you compose and record your own music you need to have a clear knowledge of what rights management entities are and how they collect money for you, as I mentioned in the student profile section you must know your OBLIGATIONS and your RIGHTS, I put it this way Because if you do not first know your obligations (registration, signing of contracts, knowledge…) then you will not be able to have rights in this business, Management entities are very important for your career.
These societies track the performance of your works (e.g. whether your song is played on the radio, TV, in a movie, etc.) and pay you – as a composer and/or editor/administrator – based on how you performed. registered these works in the management company.
If you are the sole composer of a work then you will receive the full share of the composition income. If you are also the administrator/editor (you are if your works are original and you publish them yourself) you will also receive the full share of the publishing income.
Having an editor and alliances is always beneficial in the long run because he will surely do things where you cannot reach.
10.- “Divide and conquer” profile: Alliances.
“I do it all for myself” is something that I’m sure you’ve been told by more than one independent artist or group, which I’m sure is not possible since there is a lot to work on, for this you must have alliances in each part. of the business, otherwise you will be limited to “business as usual” and you will not get any further.
Music streaming platforms are now an integral part of the way people listen to your music, so make sure you are well represented on sites like Apple Music, Spotify and Pandora for streaming services by trying to get a record label I worked on it since it is very easy to have your music on digital platforms, but who moves your music to make itself known? Do you do it all?
11.- Internet User Profile: Focus on social networks
This is a topic that rarely needs much discussion, since everyone is a social media professional these days. However, it’s important to separate your personal social networks from your professional ones, even if they appear to be the same. Make your social media platforms build fan loyalty and represent your brand and music well.
You don’t always have to post about your music. Talk about topics related to the music industry, your favorite artists, and also things you appreciate as an artist!
Social media is a lot of work and, for most professional musicians, can consume many hours a day. Try using tools that cover all social platforms at the same time or publish posts throughout the day.
12.- Team profile: Create a great work team.
If you look closely at the most successful music careers, you will see that it is the team that creates success, not the individual or band alone. Labels, managers, booking agents, publicists and social networks all intervene creating a perfectly oiled team.
Recognize talent in others and keep them by your side. It’s about surrounding yourself with talented and highly motivated people, who believe in you and provide resources.
Yes, recruiting the right team members is a difficult task. However, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and consistency is part of your appeal to influential team members.
You’re already successful, now you have to keep it up! Use these tips to continue developing your career in music, as I have already said, this is a long-distance race and maintaining it can cost more than getting there.
13.- Worker profile: Be constant
There is a phrase I often use related to success in the Music Business: “If you play golf in a lightning storm long enough, you will eventually get struck by lightning.”
This basically means that you must continue in the race, without deviating, and have Faith that eventually the hard work will pay off. This also works for artists who have already known success.
Sooner or later, every artist must redefine their path forward. As in most businesses, every five years you should take stock of where you are in your career and plan for the next five years. Thinking business-wise is the yardstick to measure if you are going to live the life you imagine is what you want.
14.- Profile I don’t know anything about this business: Don’t bite the hand that feeds you
Thinking that “I know everything” is a mistake that I see very common nowadays, with these tips and in previous sections mentioned you don’t know anything, since new opportunities arise every day and I am sure you have no idea about it.
Musical artists, including myself when I was starting out, can have a selfish view of their music and character when they have some success.
We often think that the success we enjoy is the result of “my music,” “my hard work,” “my talent,” etc., and we make unusual demands on labels and our teams.
This does not bring anything positive. Being a diva never results in long-term success, it simply results in having a bad reputation.
15.- Solidarity profile: Share what you know and learn from those who know.
Very often one finds that this business is very little “supportive” in that it seems like something hidden when one reaches success, I think the formula is to share what you know, when I give workshops and conferences I am totally open to Giving advice and telling how one achieves their goals is not easy since what works for me may not work for you, but at least I think it can help you take your path with much more strength and knowing what you are doing, Each song, artist, singer, group… is a totally different world!