Have you possibly been having this really strong feeling, sort of a conviction to start making music? Or perhaps you’ve written some songs that you cannot bring yourself to produce and release? Could that hesitation be fear? Fear that people won’t like it or fear that it would not be what you imagined? Maybe you just can’t figure out how or where to start and thus don't want to commit. Regardless of what the case may be, we have highlighted some steps you could take in these beginning stages, keep reading!
Do not quit your 9-5 just yet.
This probably seems obvious but at the same time, not really. You would need a source of income as you begin your new journey; you can’t expect to burst into the music scene and succeed on your first try, not saying it's impossible but if that's not the case, you would need resources, especially financial, on this journey recording, production, mixing, and your 9/5 job can provide that. Like any career, it's a marathon, not a sprint so try not to make any impulsive decisions. For further motivation, you could even attempt to work that 9-5 job at a music-related firm but DO NOT QUIT just yet.
Stay consistent.
We understand the frustration that comes with trying and not seeing immediate results - at that point quitting may even seem justified. As cliché as this may sound, quitters never win. Consistency is the practice you need for improvement. The beauty of small beginnings is the grace to experiment until you find your unique sound. You could also broaden your knowledge of music as you build momentum. Quitting means 'never knowing what could have been', no surprise that regret is a by-product; always there to whisper “what if”. You could even be on the brink of your success right now. Look at consistency, especially in the beginning phases as a good time to build a brand, a loyal fan base and fine-tune the quality of your sound.
Set attainable goals.
This is a very useful point in every aspect of life. You need to set goals in your career to ensure you stay on track and grow. Of course, you should set long and short-term goals to heighten your consciousness of what you need to get done at a particular timeframe. This should not add stress and pressure of “making it big” but it should help keep track of achievements and milestones to totally eliminate the vice of time-wasting and procrastination.
While setting goals and making plans they should be realistic. Meaning that a short-term goal should be more like, “write the first verse of a song”, not “buy a studio” because even if you have the resources to buy a studio, what are the odds that it will actually be in use when you have no song to even record? The point here is to be realistic so you don't feel discouraged when you don't accomplish an obviously unrealistic goal.
Build an online presence.
After creating a song from start to finish you would not want to be the only one listening to the song, would you? Exactly.
While you patiently work in the background for your big debut you could start building a community of music lovers like yourself, especially people with an interest in your genre. In fact, those earlier days are the best time to connect with your audience and followers on a more personal basis, almost to the point of friendship with a tinge of professionalism. You could even ask their opinion on your music before release. With time, this could be beneficial to you because you never know who may know someone who could propel your career to greater heights. Literally, anything could happen but in the meantime, you should build genuine connections.
Study the laws of music.
The importance of having some knowledge of the business of music cannot be overemphasized. Sometimes people would like to take advantage of new musicians still finding their footing in the industry; for example, by adding a track to a video or movie without any credit or royalties. If you ever find yourself in this position, you need to understand how much authority and jurisdiction you possess as the creator of that intellectual property, or else you may find yourself on the losing side.
If you are a music creator that has done some if not all of the options above and trying to try something new, here it is; put yourself out there. No this is not the same point as the online presence one. Take a leap of faith and attempt...
Live performances
Record labels may not want to sign your music immediately but attending live shows is a good way to network. You also get to practice your performance starting with smaller crowds; the perfect time to work through the stage fright. It doesn’t have to be a paid gig; you can volunteer to perform at family events, school events, or any other occasion.
With tickets, you could also generate income from people who are beginning to love your music and their friends who may not have heard anything about you.
In conclusion, earning money from music is not as easy as it sounds but it is also not impossible. Persistence is getting you closer to it. Well done! If you've been feeling the push to create music, the best time to start was yesterday, and the next best time to start is today, right now. There are many people just waiting to hear what you put out. We hope you found this helpful. Can you think of any other steps you took, or are taking as a new artist trying to make it in the music industry? Comment them down below!