This document discusses the benefits of being a DIY/independent artist and provides steps to start a music career without a major label. It argues that with social media and the internet, artists no longer need large labels to build fanbases and gain recognition. The document outlines 5 steps to start as a DIY artist, including knowing your goals, learning about the industry through research and experience, developing an online presence, building a trusted team, and remembering to have fun while treating it as a job. Overall, it asserts that the DIY route allows artists more control over their career and image and helps them gain valuable industry knowledge and experience.

1. DIY/ Independent
Music:starting on your
own
By Teyland Avery

2. My Theory/Article review
My theory is that in today’s music industry you don’t need
a large label to push you to start making a fanbase or to
even be a star.
The articles I reviewed tells artist that it is possible to
start their own career and step by step grow their own
fan base and catch the attention of Major record
labels,club owners and marketers.

3. No need to Sign to that big Label
For years artists have been trying to “sell their souls” to
join major labels just to have a little fame and money.
Nowadays there isn’t a need to have a major label to build
fans and get you radio play/advertisement.
You can simply advertise yourself by social media and it be
just as effective and even more rewarding.

4. Why I believe Being a DIY Artist is best for you
My Belief that being a DIY artist is the best
for you is because you can learn from your
mistakes and learn the music industry from
the inside out so when or if you sign to a
major label you don’t need them they need
you.

5. Growth in responsibility
Once you become an artist making music,you
will be able take responsibility for your
actions and Not have to worry about others
messing you up.
There is also the benefit of you knowing your
team and their intent towards you.

6. Entupenurship
Being and DIY artist you get to learn a lot
like being a product and how to sell
yourself unto the masses.
With the experience gained you can even build
a record label and help those who know less
than what you have learned.

7. The steps to start
1. Know/ Write down your goals
2. Get out there and learn
3. Get out there online and learn the online world
4. Find and Create your team
5. Jump start your career and remember to have fun

8. Step 1 Know/ Write down your goals
Your goals and outcomes are the most important part of
starting your career next to your relationships.
To start out your music career you need to know what your
goals are and what you want the outcome to be because
without that you are just doing random task and not
organized.
With writing down your goals and having an outcome you
learn and gain experience.

9. Step 2 Get Out there and Learn
The Music industry is like all businesses/ trades you have to Learn
and study the game before you join unless you want to hit a ton
of road blocks.
Go out to concerts, talk to local artist and learn what it is
like. Chose one of your favorite artist and watch their
interviews find out what problems they had and how the overcame
those struggles.

11. Step 3 Online world
The online world is a crazy thing you can become a star
overnight or you can connect with your favorite artist in
moments.
Learn how to build an online fan base and find out websites
you can use to put your music out.
Learn the proper way to promote your music on social media
and or by your own website.

13. Step4 Create your own team
This step to me is the absolute most important you can’t do
everything by yourself.
So you should build a team with people you know and trust or meet
people who are doing the same thing which helps you grow and get
connections( and even gain fans).
So when you do become big and want to sign with a major label they
will have your back and help you decide who to sign with.

15. Step 5 It can be a job but have fun
Remember being a artist is also a job and be very
stressful.
Create contracts with your team that works for both you and
your team.
Practice! Practice!Practice! Weather it is recording,
writing or performing.
Just remember to take time out to enjoy yourself and have
fun.

16. It’s the best way to start in the industry
You Get To learn the ropes.
You have a team that knows you and are dedicated to
building you unlike a major label with several different
artist.
You know how to do take care of yourself without the label
so If they drop you it will be the same as when you
started but you have more knowledge.

17. List of artist who started as DiY artist
Lecrae
Adele
Chance the Rapper
Jay z
Beyonce
Biggie smalls
Kendrick Lamar

18. Avoidance of 360 Deals/Bad Contracts
With starting on your own and studying the industry you are
less likely to have a 360 deal with a major label. They
will more than likely give you a management deal where
they will try to take the load off of your team and
manage your tours,press events and help get you radio
play.
If they try to give you a Deal it would be more like a help
than a deal to take your money cause you know the ropes.

19. Hand In your Design
The Best part of being a DIY/Independent artist is that you
have a say in everything that has your image and
likeness.
You don’t have to put on a front that you are a character
that the marketing team the label create you are simply
you.
Lastly you can be yourself and let your fans see that you
are the same person your music displays you as.

20. Works Cited
https://www.thebalance.com/five-ways-to-jumpstart-your-music-
career-2460787
http://www.musiccareers.net/career-articles/begin-your-music-
career/
https://tomhess.net/HowToStartASuccessfulMusicCareer.aspx