How to Succeed in the Music Business

Some tips can help you succeed in the music business.

Success in the music business is important whether you are an artist, agent or A&R rep. Understanding the music business is important even to artists because successful artists find top agents and record labels to help them with CDs and live performance sales. The music business can be difficult to get into if you are just starting your career. You need excellent connections and talent as well. Location is key too; being a small fish in a big pond is not always ideal.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Stay significantly organized. Understanding a plan of action can help you with whatever endeavors you wish to accomplish (see references 1). For instance, if you are an agent, write out a business plan that details how many artists you plan to represent by the end of the year. Note where you plan to find them and the qualities you look for in artists. You perhaps hope to find artists who have organized plans for themselves too. If they have an idea of where they want to be in five years, your job becomes easier.

2. Make an electronic press kit if you are an artist. An electronic press kit contains every bit of information an agent needs to market you. You typically include musician headshots, which are photos of you that represent your style. Other items to include are your biography, song list, lyric sheet, fact sheet, write-ups and special interest topics (see references 1). Agents should request that all artists they represent send them their electronic press kits. They can then forward the information on to record labels, venues and other important people.

3. Sell a product. Musicians can find success by offering CDs, tee-shirts and posters at their live venues (see references 2). They can also get additional publicity by marketing how-to CDs to instruct others to sing. Brett Manning, for instance, is a performer who also coaches performer Miley Cyrus. His product, Singing Success, has gained publicity through its use by artists Keith Urban and Taylor Swift. Using his career as your example may help you further your career. The main thing you need is talent, though. If you are going to sell instructional CDs, people must know that you have the ability to perform.

4. Continue to perform live if you are already organized. Performing helps you influence an audience, gather fans, and increase your level of expertise (see references 2). Being on stage is an important method to become a better artist. It helps you get an immediate reaction from people to understand what they like. Plus, you never know who may be scouting you in the audience.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't sign anything before you really read it. Be careful of contracts. You may sign away all your rights in a contract that lasts too long. Be sure it is a deal you want to take.

References

• JMI Publications: How to Get a Record Deal!
• Insomniac Magazine: Succeed in Music

Resources

• Singing Success: Brett Manning