Success in music: How to be successful as an artist in the music industry

SUCCESS IN MUSIC
How to be succesful as an artist in the music
industry
By Suzan G

CONTENTS
3: Introduction
4-5:TopTips
6: Starting Out
7-8: Goals
9: Job And Experiences
10: Searching For Opportunities
11: Success And Failure
12-13: DiversifyingYourTalent
14: Practice
15:Your Image
16: Performing
17: Songwriting
18:YourTeam
19: Record LabelTeam
20: Managing
21: MusicVideos
22: Confidence
23: Investing IntoYour Career
24: Record Labels
25: Record Deals
26:What Do Record LabelsWant?
27: Making MusicWith A Computer
28: Recording Studios
29: Useful Websites
30: Conclusion

INTRODUCTION
The music industry is the hardest industry to find a career in especially when you’re an artist,
producer, musician... However, music is something that everyone loves but, pursuing as a career
can either be something to have big hopes for or to worry about. But, don't worry! I'm the same
too so, I'll help find research, my experience, studies and knowledge to guide you.
For a starter, write down a list of 10 things you want from your career, e.g. teamwork, experience,
happiness, money...Try and see what how this will come out of a music career and how you will
encourage this idea.
Whenever you mention an artist people automatically thingTaylor Swift, Selena Gomez and to be
honest most artists aren't famous like that not even close.This isn't because, they're not good it's
because of luck, connections, social media and what the modern media likes or has seen.
Sometimes, people aren't noticed, heard or have as many fans so, music won't make money for
most people. However, 90% of musicians don't make it as big doesn't mean you can't or at least
enjoy your job.You must think what these celebs do to get successful, e.g.YouTube, social media,
promotion...

TOPTIPS
These are some basic tips for people going into this career or bumping into
opportunities...
Don't hesitate, have confidence but, don't be overconfident with what you say as actions
speak louder than words and you'll be underestimated.
Always have communication as talking with other people makes things easier for people
and you can work with people without issues. And sometimes when you don't mention
things or leave out questions then you'll lose an opportunity for advice or you will
miscommunicate things with people.
Whenever you get a good opportunity don't give it up especially when your available
because, doors close quickly on you and you most likely won't get it again so, consume as
many as you can.

MORETOPTIPS
If you don't like some people you work with and you can't do much about it then try not to
create problems and be only slightly assertive as you can lose opportunities and you will
form bigger issues as well as a bad reputation in front of other people.
Be yourself, often people think they should put on an act or be someone else in order to get
somewhere or to satisfy people but, it won't make you pleased or others and it won't help
you towards success especially when your allowing labels to control your image or what
you're doing.When your being yourself people will like you for you even though some
won't, you'll always have haters.
Don't be afraid to speak up about stuff you know is wrong, when your being controlled, and
someone's done something bad because, it will cause more trouble if you don't even though
you're afraid of losing your job. Because, at the end of the day you feel better and people
won't forget you speaking up for what's right. However, be careful how you inform others
and don't argue over things that will usually happen.

STARTING OUT
Luckily, we live in 2018 so, technology is an opportunity to get discovered and to find an audience.
Start aYouTube Channel and start uploading covers or originals of you singing with an instrument or
backing track. Stay committed by planning when you will do it, e.g. once a week.Then give yourself
shout outs on social media to get the word out about your videos.Tell your friends to give you
shoutouts too because, this will provide more attention towards your music.
Use Soundcloud, it's like Spotify or apple music but, it allows independent musicians to release their
music and others can download too. If your worried about recording your music, don't hesitate
because, on Apple computers you can download Garageband and it records/edits music
professionally.Then start posting on Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and so on about your releases.
Try to use your skills or a photographer to create a cover for your releases.
Promote on Instagram about your music by turning your account to a business account with the label
'musician/band'. It costs money but, it will show your posts to every single person on Instagram which
is great as everyone will be aware of your music.

GOALS
Having the huge goal of becoming a success in music one day is why you are here and its critical to
break it down to sub-goals. Sub-goals are to set for yourself to give you a step towards your main
goal.They help me a lot as it gets you to do the things you need to support your on-going hard
work and it keeps you on your feet.
Right now set yourself a bunch of goals you want to achieve in a week, e.g. perform in a café,
write a screenplay or hire a studio room. Do this every month, where you set yourself bigger goals
and try to achieve them. Also have a list where you keep adding goals with deadlines which is key
as it gives a push exactly like a to-do list but, for achieving success.
It's so useful to do this, as you can't just jump to your main goal because, you need mini goals to
take you to that point. So, your technically asking yourself, 'What do I need to do to be successful?'
The best part about setting goals is that your giving yourself an extra boost by completing more
things to become even more successful. In the following slide, there's an example of a 'daily goals'
template to visualize of how yours could look like.

 Within the link it explains why setting goals on a daily can cause success:
https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/how-the-act-of-daily-goal-setting-makes-you-
successful.html

JOB AND EXPERIENCE
Obviously, most stars don't become a professional singer/musician at first.They usually start
differently to get to where they want and it's a tricky road to get to that point in life. However, it all
takes experience and effort.The issue is you can't grow up working towards just becoming a
singer/songwriter as there's a lack of money, luck, connections and even if you are doesn't mean
your safe in the label. But you can work towards it by finding jobs in the music label like marketing,
A&R and more. Even these jobs are hard to get unless you have a good education and skills.
Instead you can volunteer or get an internship at the label from 16 and over which provides
experience, advice, connections and a taste of what the labels like no matter what you do whether
you get money or not. Or perhaps try find jobs like backup singer, stage crew, roadie or basic jobs
that will pay you but, are good opportunities to meet people and get them to help you.You can do
this by emailing many labels, music companies to ask them whether they offer jobs and send your
CV too!Truth is you'll get lots of 'no's or you won't get emails back so, try your hardest to email as
many as you can.These are great things to do during your rocky path.

SEARCHING FOR OPPORTUNITIES
The internet is the most advantageous resource for grasping opportunities and allows people to
discover you too through putting yourself on it.There's dozens of prodigious websites that upload
your CV and allow you to explore leading auditions, jobs and opportunities involving music, acting,
dancing and so on. Most of them email you opportunities and people needed for a certain job/role.
Some need money for passing further accesses to highlight your profile and to let you sign up for more
roles. Not always do you have to apply for talent-based websites as websites like Reed offer any jobs.
It's beneficial as it contributes exceedingly towards your passage to success by granting people to
discover you and opening doors for you. So, beneath are several websites specified in talent
discoveries, acting auditions, casting calls and creative jobs:
https://www.mandy.com/
https://www.mediavolt.co.uk/
https://www.backstage.com/
https://www.famestreet.com/
https://www.starnow.co.uk/

SUCCESS AND FAILURE
In order to succeed we must try and try over again but, no matter how many times you put
effort you will fail and that's part of the process. Failure is only negative when you give up
and failure is not an option so, see it as a positive impact by using it to teach you a lesson
and make you stronger.The people who always succeed as a result of their effort will have
no experience or idea of what to do when they do fail. On the other hand, people who are
not afraid of failure and have faced it won't hesitate as much in the future plus it speeds up
the process of success. Especially, in the music industry you'll receive many 'no's, debt, lost
opportunities and shut doors in your journey.This means you must never give up or back out
or stop believing because, it's going to happen. Even when you have reached the main
succeeding point in life, it's not over as failure can still occur when your successful. So, if you
want to be successful in music be prepared for failure and the negative side of the journey.
To overcome failure, below is a useful wbesite to acomplish that:
https://www.wikihow.com/Overcome-Failure

DIVERSIFYINGYOURTALENT
The music industry is extremely competitive and becomes more difficult to make it in as
recording artist meaning you must have a new sound as well as having several talents or being
able to produce, record, write...
If your just a singer or also play 1 instrument, you should try to be able to play at least 2
instruments.This is because, it helps with writing music and makes you a better musician as
you're capable of playing more than one instrument. If you only want to focus on one instrument,
then you should learn how to read music so, you can write/make music. All these skills encourage
labels to sign you and it improves you as a singer/musician. Furthermore, if you start out
independently then you need to be able to write, read, record, edit and produce (your) music
which sounds like a lot but, it's possible and enjoyable when you love making music.
To do this, you must do research, learn, study and then practice it! In the next slide, there's the
key things you should consider as a musician if you want diversify your musical talent. Also, if you
search up the 'How to's' onWikiHow it reveals how to achieve it.

PRACTICE
We always hear the phrase, 'practice makes perfect' and this is because, it's so vital to practice for
everything no matter what it may be. In the previous slide, it views 7 things a musician should aim for
or be able to do. If you want to achieve these things, then you must practice a lot in order to become
better. Don't always limit yourself to practicing because, there's so much to be learnt and improved.
However, don't over work yourself either as you can damage your voice and frustrate yourself.
Prepare a timetable and write down what time in the day do you want to practice and work on
music. It's incredibly helpful to organize what you do in the day, it pushes you and you'll get used to
having a routine.You could also separate it into the different things that you will do each day, e.g.
writing. Here is an example of a filled timetable for music to give you an idea.
Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
4-5 Guitar/piano Guitar/piano Guitar/piano Guitar/piano Guitar/piano Guitar/piano Guitar/piano
5-6 Write Write Write Record Make music
(Computer)
Edit Final edit +
Upload

YOUR IMAGE
Self-image has so much to do with the music industry and success in general because, it affects your
career, social life, opportunities and mentality. How you see yourself is important because, it's to do
with your confidence and self-esteem. Being successful includes having confidence about yourself and
not hesitate about how people see or think of you. However, the music industry judges you based on
your image which is your abilities, personality and appearance observed through first as well as
altered impressions. It's hard to alter people's negative impressions that are significant to your career
but, it's better doing that instead of changing your image. Nowadays, artists are preventing the
industry from converting their image as they've learnt to fight back and not change their image to be
successful even if the door closes on them.The only time you should change something about your
image is when it's something negative that you've done so, you need to recover your image in order to
gain respect and this will often happen in the industry with certain people. Most labels don't want to
completely change your image but, they try to make you the 'star' that you aim to be through
boosting your confidence and bringing the best out of your appearance to reveal that. Unfortunately,
society expects artists to be 'sexy', mature-looking and having this complete makeover that makes
you look like what they imagine of a 'star'. So don't get caught up in that mess as it can ruin your self-
esteem and mentality even when you believe you have become more stable as an artist because, fans
or the label accept you after the complete change in your image. Be yourself and embrace your
originality because, that's what causes you to stand out as an artist.

PERFORMING
It's fun and nerve wracking to perform but, on the good side it's the best way of revealing your music
to people and finding an audience.
If you’re a student perform at your school/college as much as you can, at assemblies, celebrations,
fairs and so on.This can encourage the school to recommend you to future education, scholarships
and music opportunities. Moreover, it will increase your confidence to help you prepare for any future
performances.
Talent shows!This route is the most common but, it's not the only way to make it, as winning is
unlikely for most. However, big ones are shown on nationalTV and have HUGE audiences so, you get
noticed, offered more opportunities and opened to more gates if this once closes. Anyways it's likely
you will get more attention towards your music and it will create an appearance to the industry, e.g.
The Four, X Factor.
If you’re a solo performer or not it's great to perform as a band or have players, e.g. guitarists, pianists
and so on.This will create more entertainment, attention and interest within your music. Moreover,
performing with just music keeps the stage and audience alive so, having players or members to be a
part of that makes your performance better.

SONGWRITING
 Nowadays it's all about being original and writing the music yourself to prove your talent and to make it
on your own as well as impressing people and labels. Most fans and audiences prefer artists who write
their own music because, you express your emotions which connects the audience with your music. I
mean probably if your reading you might've been writing because, people who love music often start
writing which then encourages them to sing. So, start writing whether it's lyrically or your using a guitar
or piano to find a tune and melody to help.
 This can make more people interested in listening to you, you can sell your music or promote it to get
noticed and it can make managers, agents, labels consider you. Or maybe you can be signed to become a
writer at a label which can help you make money, have connections and make them consider you as an
artist.There's so many benefits and goods to songwriting and it can help you discover a new sound, sub-
genre and help you find your style.
 If you need any inspirations check out popular singers or songs written in your style and try to use their
ideas to help yours. Moreover, if you need tips when you run out of songs to write take out random words
from a bag or hat to write about or do the same with chords, e.g take out 4 chords to find a chord
pattern. Or use this website perhaps to get some ideas: https://blog.landr.com/10-songwriting-
techniques/

YOURTEAM
If you’re a solo artist you have a team built around you in the label so, you can do it for
yourself to have people help you in your career.To be honest you'll see that a lot of
artists like Ed Sheeran or Blackbear mostly do everything themselves to be successful.
However, no matter how great, talented and independent you are, you make the best
out of your work when you work with other people even when you want to take the
credit for it.There's much you can do independently so, having people on board will
increase your success as it's the 'team work' that makes an artist a star.Try to find
people who do music, use your connections and musician friends to create a team for
you to help you succeed. On the next slide there is a label-built team to help you get
an idea of how an artist's team looks like in the industry.

RECORD LABELTEAM
Here is an example of a team built
around an artist in the label as you
need an agent to book concerts,
tours and the manager to manage
you to create opportunities.There
are publishers who come when your
releasing music and they manage
your songs and make sure that all
the royalties to which you are
entitled are being collected.There's
sub pubs so, the royalties don't get
lost.The label/A&R find talent and
when they sign the contract their job
is to make your music popular and
make you successful.

MANAGING
The previous slide gave a main brief of what a manager does for the artist as she/he is closest and
discusses the most with the artist. Often, artists like to have managers to help them out as it's hard
and quite stressful to be working in the music industry. So, the manager is there to help you out and
make you the top artist at any label you sign.Whether you're not at a label the manager will help you
with promoting your music, creating an image, finding your audience, signing a label and opening
opportunities. Later, the manager's job becomes less as you have agents,A&Rs, publishers, producers
and so on. But, having a good relationship with the manager is key as they will want to help you with
you want without feeling uncomfortable or hesitating to suggest requests.The best part is a good
manager focuses on you completely and has or finds you connections when you don't know how to.
They're the opening gate so, having a manager whether they're professional or someone who's quite
familiar with the music industry then that's how you will start building your team and finding
opportunities. Sometimes a manager can become a mentor for some people as they mentor you
through your success and what you want to do to be successful as well as being less about finding
connections and more about giving advice on what to do and how. For example like this as it's giving
information on what you need to do to help you out independently.

MUSICVIDEOS
Everyone loves watching a great video with your music for entertainment and to listen to
your music even more. It creates a story/image from your song and it sometimes explains
the meaning of your lyrics to listeners. Moreover, it promotes you as an artist/band,
advertises your music and sends it out there through a different way. Another amazing
thing that music videos do for artists is that they reveal other talents like dancing and
acting as well as increasing your profile.
It's possible to produce videos yourself for your music instead of just releasing it on
YouTube (for example) with a picture/title.You can do this with your connections and by
hiring a director and a small crew with a small budget. If your unable to pay for shooting a
video, below is a website that provides top tips on how to make one on your own for free:
http://thecreativeadvisor.com/how-to-make-a-music-video-on-your-own-for-free/

CONFIDENCE
Everything mentioned in the previous slides are amazing but, how are you going to do all of it independently
when you have low confidence. It's significant to have self-confidence because, you believe in yourself more and
have a positive mindset towards what you do.This is massive in the music industry because, if you're positive it's
more likely to succeed and if you don't do good then a positive attitude leads on to trying again.Additionally, if
you don't believe in yourself then the low self-confidence prevents you from trying and succeeding. It's
understandable though, you weren't born with confidence you must boost it.To attain this you should:
1. Stay away from negativity, erase negative people out your life because they will bring you down and you're
worth people who will support you and believe in you.
2. Show it, put a smile on your face, have good posture as it gives the impression that you're confident.This will
become a habit and boost your confidence.
3. Don't give up, ever! After, you do something and fail, don't accept it. Continue to try again even if you failed
because, it will increase your confidence as you've proven your determination to succeed.
4. Be ready, always be organised and prepared for everything that you're going to do. So, learn it beforehand
because, you won't end up freaking out about it.
5. Write all the good things about you and put them somewhere where you can see every day to remind you how
great you are.

INVESTING INTOYOUR CAREER
 If you want to gain money out of music,you must invest! If you can't invest into your career you won't get
far at all. In grey are the things that you should invest money in and the others are ones after you get
further into your career:
 Studio time
 Booking gigs
 Travelling (gigs)
 Pressing your CDs professionally
 Music ed/instrumental study
 Distributing music online
 Personal web
 Promotion/ads
 Music videos
 Photoshoot

RECORD LABELS
Most artists rely on the label but, you can't blame them when they haven't
got a clue on what to do within the label to improve.That's why you need
to know how record labels function so, that you're prepared for anything
that happens within a record label. Firstly, I'm only going to dash some
information out on the label itself because, there's a mad amount on it and
inquisitive artists must know half at least. On the 30th slide it presents
many websites that inform you about record labels so, it's only best to do
some research in your own time on them. Many record companies today
own several record labels like Sony/atv, they're called parent companies.
There's thousands of people who work in the company under many
different titles and they're all organized into this heirarchy. On the right is
how the departments and jobs in the record label is organized.To go into
further depth on all aspects in the record label read the articles within the
following links: https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/record-
label.htm & https://heroic.academy/understanding-music-industry-artist-
managers-booking-agents/

RECORD DEALS
After reading through record labels you're wondering 'yeah, that's great...but how do I get a
record deal?'. Back then, you would have the talent and then give your demo to the right person
to just make it happen. However, that was the old method and the music industry has changed
because, there's competition out there and people want something new and worth signing you.
Remember, that when you get signed it's not the succeeding point where you burst out into
excitement because, it's only the beginning where you must work so hard to prove yourself.
Otherwise, if you have no success or a new project going on during the period of your contract
then labels will drop you.As an independent musician it's possible to make a good income and
you have full control but, there's only much you can receive out of being one.The label is rough
but, they're the ones that place you on the charts, magazines, adverts, concerts and produce a
great amount of money. So, if you want to be at that level in music then you should aim for a
record deal.
Within this website it explains what a record deals in huge extent:
https://www.soundonsound.com/music-business/recording-contracts-explained

WHAT DO RECORD LABELSWANT?
Continuing from the previous slide, if you want to get signed you need to know what record labels
want within independent artists to consider you. Here are the 6 Ps that highlight several needs:
1. Prove that you can attract audiences with your performance skills and your music because, the
audience are the people who buy your music, merchandise and concert tickets.They also spread
your music intriguing more people to listen to your music meaning a wider audience.
2. Prove that you have thousands of fans because, a strong and a large fan base draws fame
towards an artist and they buy your music as well as being aware of anything that you release.
Fans are the ones who fund you as well as making profit for the label and they're a massive part
of your success.
3. Prove that you can sell as labels want to witness whether you're selling enough units. Basically,
you're meant to be selling quite a copious amount of songs even if you're expected to sell less
because, it implicates that fans are still willing to buy and that you're going to continue
promoting your music and merchandise.

1. S
2. S
3. S
4. Prove that you're easy to work with because, you're still worth the same before and
after fame so, you shouldn't have attitude or be arrogant like it doesn't matter as
you're very important. Labels won't put up with that at all because, you should be
showing respect and treat every opportunity like it's as valuable as the very first one
you ever had.
5. Prove that you're charismatic because, your personality can take you far in life. People
in the label will notice you're likability and want to work with you, they'll visualise a
bigger fan base and bring gratifying music out of you because, of the real you opening
to people. Don't worry though, be yourself and show kindness because, it will be given
back to you through success.
6. Prove that you're easy to contact through social media and perhaps your own website
to allow record labels to access easily. Place you're emails, accounts and so on!

MAKING MUSIC WITH A COMPUTER
Nowadays, we have the technology at home to create music ourselves on
fantastic software's. However, it's quite hard to learn how to record and edit on
music sources without knowing how to get started. So, below are the things that
you should do/know to make music with a computer!
1. Download a digital audio workstation (DAW) , meaning you should download a
mixing/recording/editing software, e.g. GarageBand, Logic pro, Ableton live or
Steinberg Cubase pro.
2. Buy producing equipment like focusrite, keyboards, synthesizers, microphones,
controllers and electric guitars to plug in your computer and then record.
3. Educate yourself on how to use DAW by reading instructions, watching tutorials
and other usefulYouTube videos on using them (specific ones to learn on).

RECORDING STUDIOS
A recording studio is a room where sound recording, audio production and mixing
takes place.This is where music is made and if you ever see one, you'll notice that
the artist is often in a booth and there's a sound engineer sitting at the
workstation with a producer occupying the recording process. When being a
signed artist you'll be working a lot in a recording studio but, independent artists
must book studios (non-label studios) to make music there if they want to do it
professionally.
This can be part of your process if you would like to record in a studio apart from
recording on a computer at home by booking studios online like Miloco studios
which represent many studios in London. If your also curious about getting an
engineer or producer, then Miloco studios as well as other private studios provide
a range of professional engineers and producers.

USEFUL WEBSITES
 There's an enormous amount of info, articles and guides on Music whether it's on history, industry, artists, genre, instruments
or theory. It's all on the web so, below are many websites to dig that info from however, some aren't specific links meaning
you must search what you're seeking for, e.g, how to start a record label or how to be a music know it all. It's all there!
 http://www.independentmusicadvice.com/
 https://www.sonicbids.com/
 https://heroic.academy/
 https://www.musicindustryhowto.com/
 https://www.wikihow.com/Category:Arts-and-Entertainment
 https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/music-technology-channel.htm
 http://www.thebigmusicproject.co.uk/
 https://musicmap.info/
 https://method-behind-the-music.com/
 https://www.soundonsound.com/
 https://musopen.org/
 https://www.musical-u.com/ear-training-exercises/
 https://imslp.org/wiki/
 https://www.bimm.co.uk/employability/understanding-the-music-industry/

CONCLUSION
Thanks for reading through this
guide and I hope it's been very
useful for your planning music
career. Remember that your
dedication to music matters as
well as effort, love and practice.
Don't do everything mentioned in
one go, attempt them one by one
and to gradually make your way
through your pathway to success.
~ Suzan

Success in music: How to be successful as an artist in the music industry

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