Gaining recognition in the music industry doesn’t happen overnight. If you’ve recently decided to take your occasional week-end jam as a career goal, you better prepare for the long haul! Becoming a successful artist requires more than just talent and good music production skills. In fact, you must also know how to market yourself and build a listenership; without an audience, your dreams of riches and fame will ultimately fall flat. But worry not. In the following guide, we’ll explain how you can go from amateur to pro in a matter of months and make a genuine, long-lasting impact on the industry.
Master Your Craft
Any worthy musical artist must pride themselves on mastering the ins and outs of their craft. As a novice, it is imperative that you dedicate time and effort to learning different instruments, studying music theory, and becoming proficient in using music production software. All of this will equip you with the knowledge to put together tracks that are captivating and appealing to the public, whether you play solo or in a band.
Build a Unique Musical Identity
But don’t rest on your laurels just yet! You might have taught yourselves everything there is to know about music, but you won’t set yourself apart unless you cultivate your own distinct style. Draw inspiration from your favorite genres, artists, bands, DJs, and more. As a matter of fact, this aspect should transcend music entirely; anything from a movie to a popular music festival can allow you to build a unique musical identity.
Develop Your Web Presence
In a world that grows more interconnected each passing day, aspiring rock stars must harness the power of the internet and online platforms. This enables you to create visibility, gather an audience, while also getting more Spotify plays that can help future listeners to find you. In any case, with some bit of research, you’re bound to find a dedicated platform that will help your career take off and help you make a name for yourself. This will, in turn, generate even more interest and a bigger listenership.
Surround Yourself with the Best
Now, if you’re leading a band, the importance of surrounding yourself well can never be stressed enough. Who you choose to embark with on your journey will affect your ability to become successful and stand out from the crowd. The competition is tough! As such, leave friendships and feelings aside, and focus on bringing in creative, talented musicians who bring value and help you grow (and vice versa).
Invest in Professional Equipment
It would be unrealistic to begin such an undertaking without a dedicated studio. This isn’t to say that you should pour in thousands of dollars on top-of-the-line recording equipment; instead, invest in quality hardware and software that allow you to have a well-rounded music production experience and unleash your potential. These include a powerful computer, mics, headphones, a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), among other essentials. Some online research will point you towards dozens of specialized guides with everything you’ll need depending on your preferred genre. If you need help with audio mixing, you may consider getting help from professional sound engineers.
Push Your Limits
Experiment. Give up perfectionism. Be bold. If you think you’re better off sticking to your comfort zone, you’re mistaken. Some of the best music ever created was done “by accident”, when an artist decided to fool around and try out mixing genres, experimenting with different instruments, tempos, and sound combinations. As such, once you allow yourself to push back boundaries and visit uncharted territories, you will realize the power of your true potential.
Network with the Community
If your goal is to gain recognition, invariably, this will go through a lot of networking. Sharing your passion with like-minded individuals and frequenting artistic circles will allow you to make a name for yourself and benefit from other people’s expertise and feedback. Reach out to fellow musicians, join social media groups, take part in concerts and events, and you’re bound to witness your popularity skyrocket!
Stay Updated
Lastly, but importantly, keep yourself up-to-date with the industry by listening to the latest releases and consulting top charts periodically. Not only will this help you grow your music knowledge, but it also allows you to get familiar with what appeals to the public, whether you’re a guitar player and singer, a rapper, or an electronic music producer.
This all sounds like quite the challenge, doesn’t it? In truth, succeeding in the modern music industry does call for a good deal of creativity, perseverance, experimentation, and phenomenal self-promotion skills. Ultimately, once you put yourself in a positive and self-encouraging mindset, nothing will stop you in your quest towards becoming an acclaimed rock star. Good luck!