{"id":25386,"date":"2020-06-02T00:15:51","date_gmt":"2020-06-02T00:15:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/?p=25386"},"modified":"2021-08-07T09:14:57","modified_gmt":"2021-08-07T09:14:57","slug":"what-musicians-do-success-career","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/what-musicians-do-success-career\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Things Musicians Should Do to Achieve Music Career Success"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>How do you break through the clutter and achieve music career success when everyone&#8217;s making music including your 5-year-old nephew? If you&#8217;re an up-and-coming musician, here are the things you should do to level up your music career this year:<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a499e6a4681f\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a499e6a4681f\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/what-musicians-do-success-career\/#1-singles-not-albums\" >#1\u00a0SINGLES, NOT ALBUMS<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/what-musicians-do-success-career\/#2-go-for-social-media-influencers\" >#2\u00a0GO FOR SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/what-musicians-do-success-career\/#3-make-connections\" >#3\u00a0MAKE CONNECTIONS<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/what-musicians-do-success-career\/#4-play-at-a-smaller-club-but-fill-it\" >#4\u00a0PLAY AT A SMALLER CLUB BUT FILL IT<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/what-musicians-do-success-career\/#5-play-to-your-strengths\" >#5\u00a0PLAY TO YOUR STRENGTHS<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/what-musicians-do-success-career\/#6-stop-waiting-for-a-record-label\" >#6 STOP WAITING FOR A RECORD LABEL<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1-singles-not-albums\"><\/span><b>#1\u00a0SINGLES, NOT ALBUMS<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/gr-digital-influencer-blog-post.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-33041\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/SINGLES-NOT-ALBUMS-1024x650.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"381\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/SINGLES-NOT-ALBUMS-1024x650.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/SINGLES-NOT-ALBUMS-300x191.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/SINGLES-NOT-ALBUMS-768x488.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/SINGLES-NOT-ALBUMS-1536x975.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/SINGLES-NOT-ALBUMS.jpeg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s very difficult to gain a fan base by overloading them with a dozen or more of your creations at once. By releasing singles only, you set yourself up to potentially spread a consistent campaign out for twelve months versus twelve weeks &#8211; the typical promotion window for an album.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2-go-for-social-media-influencers\"><\/span><strong>#2\u00a0GO FOR SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/gr-digital-influencer-blog-post.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-25392 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/gr-digital-influencer-blog-post-520x260.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"520\" height=\"260\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Spending money on a publicist and a press campaign may not be the best option for new rising artists. Instead, find YouTubers, Instagrammers, and\/or Tweeters with substantial followings, send them a professional email or direct message, and ask if they\u2019d be interesting in premiering your music in their next video or social media post.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3-make-connections\"><\/span><strong>#3\u00a0MAKE CONNECTIONS<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/4020c3deaeb0905bc7c823cba9c74606-650x400.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-33040\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/MAKE-CONNECTIONS.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/MAKE-CONNECTIONS.png 225w, https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/MAKE-CONNECTIONS-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>There are more musicians than events. As a result, promoters and venues are bombarded with booking requests and have to diligently filter out the quality. Standing out as an act and personal relationships with promoters and venue owners are thus more important than ever.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4-play-at-a-smaller-club-but-fill-it\"><\/span><strong>#4\u00a0PLAY AT A SMALLER CLUB BUT FILL IT<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/4020c3deaeb0905bc7c823cba9c74606-650x400.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-25393\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/4020c3deaeb0905bc7c823cba9c74606-650x400-520x320.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"520\" height=\"320\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>When targeting venues and events, it is way smarter to play a smaller club with a 100 people capacity, which you can fill, than playing a 500 capacity club and leaving it empty.<\/p>\n<p>After all, promoters and venues are after revenue, and if you disappoint them once, chances are you won&#8217;t get a second chance. If you pack a place and people have a good time, they will almost definitely want you back.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5-play-to-your-strengths\"><\/span><strong>#5\u00a0<\/strong><strong>PLAY TO YOUR STRENGTHS<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/cover-bands-cover-songs-wedding-band0wedding-sing-wedding-bands-melbourne.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-25411 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/cover-bands-cover-songs-wedding-band0wedding-sing-wedding-bands-melbourne-520x345.jpg\" alt=\"music career success gig\" width=\"520\" height=\"345\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Know your strengths and focus on them. It\u2019s all well and good being able to write a great song, but there are plenty of other ways to boost your music career \u2013 and earn money doing it.<\/p>\n<p>If stage presence is your strong suit, you could try and secure a residency at a local venue. A regular gig slot puts your music in front of new people every week, and earns you extra cash to fund your career.<\/p>\n<p>If you&#8217;ve got a creative mind and know your way around a camera and editing software, why not focus on making original music videos? If they\u2019re awesome enough, they could go viral!<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6-stop-waiting-for-a-record-label\"><\/span><strong>#6 STOP WAITING FOR A RECORD LABEL<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/record_deal_contract.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-25412\" src=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/record_deal_contract.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"382\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/record_deal_contract.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/record_deal_contract-150x115.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>No one is going to knock on your door with a golden ticket, and no one is going to do the hard work for you. Don\u2019t assume that major labels know the secrets of the industry, or that signing a record deal is even a good idea.<\/p>\n<p>Many musicians who sign to a major record label never actually end up releasing music, and labels can drop an artist as quickly as they signed them. Nowadays, major labels hardly ever sign an artist without a successful independent career behind them, so concentrate on doing your own thing and don\u2019t worry about chasing a big-money deal.<\/p>\n<p>These tips are compiled from\u00a0the following sources:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/ogdenpayne\/2017\/12\/31\/6-things-up-and-coming-rappers-should-do-to-succeed-in-2018-part-1\/2\/\">Forbes\u00a0<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.musicindustryhowto.com\/gigging-101-how-to-get-gigs-the-ultimate-guide\">Music Industry How-to<\/a>, DittoMusic.<\/p>\n<p>________________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b><i>James Hill<\/i><\/b><i> is a veteran of the music industry. He first worked at Warner Reprise Records then later joined Interscope\/ Geffen Records where he managed producers and songwriters and got his first platinum record for Keyshia Cole&#8217;s The Way It Is. He is now helping indie artists with branding and manufacturing through his company <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/\"><span class=\"s1\"><b><i>Unified Manufacturing<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/a><i>, a CD\/DVD\/vinyl and merch company in LA.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How do you break through the clutter and achieve music career success when everyone&#8217;s making music including your 5-year-old nephew? If you&#8217;re an up-and-coming musician, here are the things you should do to level up your music career this year: #1\u00a0SINGLES, NOT ALBUMS It\u2019s very difficult to gain a fan base by overloading them with [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":25412,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22,24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25386","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-artist-tips","category-musicmakers-filmmakers"],"contentshake_article_id":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25386","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25386"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25386\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29094,"href":"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25386\/revisions\/29094"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25412"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25386"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25386"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unifiedmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25386"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}