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How to start a music business and succeed as an upcoming artist. Without a doubt, the music industry is a war zone full of competition. As an upcoming talented artist, there are steps you must take to make it in the music industry. You won’t get this kind of article anywhere else on the Internet. Being talented is not enough to start a music business and succeed. What are your strategies? How do you market your songs and what platforms have you set up? Below are steps you must take to venture into a successful Music Business.
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Basic Steps to Take to Venture Into a Successful Music Business
To start a successful music business You definitely going to need some funds for studio sections and producers. Music business is not free to start but there are premium services you can get for free. Some of the premium services you can get for free are music distributions. You can distribute your music with some digital music distribution platforms. As we proceed I will list out some platforms you can distribute your music for free with their advantages and disadvantages.
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Read Also: What’s the Most Profitable Business to Start in 2024 and Why?
Step one
Create Social Media Accounts
Open All social media accounts. This step is very important when it comes to the music business. To be successful in the music business you need a fan base. To build your fan base online you need to make your online presence known. How do you make your online presence known? Create and build your fan base online via social media. You can build your online fan base organically or through paid adverts. Building your fanbase organically may take some time but paid ads will get the job done quicker but this is not enough. It’s not just about creating social media accounts and building your online presence is your music unique? are you updated? do you have a good voice? is your music relatable and most importantly do you know how to build connections? Below are some reputable social media companies you can create your accounts, and get started.
Social Media Platforms
- YouTube
- Twitter or X
- Tiktok
Creating social media accounts is one thing. Being active and consistent on these platforms is another. To be able to build a connection with your fans on social media you must be active and social. Upload your projects and tours consistently to keep your fans engaged.
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Digital Music Streaming Platforms
- Apple Music for artist
- Tidal for artist
- Spotify for artist
- BoomPlay for artist
- Beatport for artist
- Audiomack for artist
- Deezer for artist
Above are well-known social media and music streaming platforms. You can register on all of these platforms to begin your music business success.
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Step Two
Work With Professional Producers.
Work with professional Producers. To be successful in the music business you must work with a professional music producer(s). As a music artist music producer plays a vital role in your music business’s success. Build a good relationship with your producer and ask for ideas and suggestions during the recording section. Don’t feel because you have a good voice then no producer can tell you how to pronounce a word.
Avoid free stuff. In the music business don’t focus on free productions it won’t take you far. The more free you get your music produced the more of lower quality your music audio becomes. Music producers work with motivation, inspiration, and reputation. Paying your producer the amount of money his services deserve will go a long way with your music career.
Your Music Audio Quality
Don’t ruin your music career with low-quality music productions. Work with producers who know the job if you are not satisfied with his production quality find another producer. Avoid too much familiarity it may ruin your career. Your Music Quality is the most important part of your career. If your music quality is bad, consider your career dead on arrival. That’s why it’s important to take notes and be careful when choosing a producer you want to work with. Most times a good producer should have his/her work speaking for them.
Work With Sound Engineers
Work with professional sound engineers. Make it a habit to build good relationships with sound engineers. Keep in mind that not all producers are really sound engineers. Some producers know how to create beats and record, but don’t know how to mix and master your songs. Sound engineers specialize in mixing and mastering audio to bring out the best quality and clarity possible. Some producers claim they produce, mix, and master, but in the end, they get your music messed up. If you find a professional producer who can do the three and you are satisfied with the work it’s fine.
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Step Three
Work with Professional Graphics Designers and Photographers
One of the ways to get your music out there and get people’s attention is good graphics for your music cover.
The quality of your pictures and graphics says a lot about you. When aspiring potential fans see your graphics they will be prompted to play your song. If your graphics are of low quality you might get your promotions skipped by a targeted audience. The higher quality and professional your graphics look the more new listeners and fans you generate. Don’t be in a hurry and go for low-quality graphics or try to get cheap work to spend less if you do, not too many people will take you seriously. Let your graphics be creative tell the graphics designer what you want.
Step Four
Promotion And Marketing
Promotion is very important for every music artist who wants to succeed. Without Promotion, you go nowhere. There are many platforms out there where you can promote your music. I have highlighted some earlier but there are more. To start your music promotions firstly make sure all your campaign materials are ready. Campaign materials are your Song, Graphics, and Short Videos with song trailers. Then reach out to DJs, this is important. DJs play an important role in distributing your music to different parts of the world. Make it a habit to build relationships with DJs. Some DJs work with radio stations and television 📺 companies, and build relationships with them. Run sponsored ads on your social media platforms, to personally reach your target audience.
Work with a Music Distribution Company.
There are several music distribution platforms out there both paid and free. Below is a list of free distribution platforms you can use there are advantages and disadvantages.
Free Music Distribution Platforms
- Songtradr
- Freemusicdistrib
- Indiefy
- Music Gate Way
- Sugomusic
The above-listed free music distribution platforms can be used to distribute your music for free. One thing about these platforms is they share your profit. Freemusicdistrib will take %5 royalties on every free music you distribute on their platform. It takes 14 days to distribute your music on these free streaming platforms which is one of the disadvantages. You don’t get to choose when your music should be released it must be released after 14 days from the day of upload. The advantage(s) is that you get to distribute for free.
Paid Music Distribution Platforms
Below are List of paid music distribution companies in the world.
These platforms are premium platforms. You pay to get your music distributed to professional music platforms. With these premium platforms, you can schedule your music release date. You can also pitch your songs to advertising companies who might want to use your music in adverts and get extra royalties and popularity.
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Work with Professional Music Promoter
Without professional music promoters, your music won’t go far. Don’t try to promote your music all by yourself alone it won’t fly. Research professional music promoters who can help push your music out there. Music promoters help you to get your music to radio stations, televisions, and digital music streaming platforms. Be careful when dealing with music promoters. Create and claim an artist profile on each digital platform where your music is distributed.
Step Five
Claim Your Artist Profile
This is the most important aspect of your music business career. Most upcoming artists don’t even know what claiming an artist profile is all about. If you don’t claim your artist profile you won’t be able to control your music online. Before bringing in a music promoter make sure to have a personal email with a good password only known to you. Your email should be used throughout all your distribution platforms to enable you to claim your profiles. You can only claim an artist profile if you have distributed at least one piece of music on that distribution platform. Don’t use multiple emails use just one for your music distribution.
What Does an Artist Profile Do for You?
- It helps you get recognized as a professional musician
- It enables you to claim your royalties
- It helps reputable organizations to get first-hand information about your biography and other benefits.
If you have done everything I said above congratulations you are on your way to success.
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Step Six
Major Promotions
In the music business major promotion is one of the most important phases of your music career. According to Billboard, IFPI figures, record companies invest over $7 billion each year globally in A&R and marketing alone to tell you how important promotions are.
What Major Music Promotion Can Do for You.
below are list of things Proper good major music promotion can do for you.
- It will help you build and grow your fanbase
- It will help you gain popularity
- It helps you get attention from other popular artists and fosters collaboration
- It will attract endorsement deals and other awesome benefits.
Being talented is not enough but proper promotion will get you where you want to be. As an independent artist, you must be ready to pay for promotions to make headway in the music industry.
Build Connections
As you gain a significant amount of popularity other musicians and brands will reach out to you for collaboration. Be careful of the deals you jump on. Always inform your lawyer and go through the documents before signing any deal. Don’t be overwhelmed by the benefits. Always look out for the terms and conditions to avoid disappointments that will ruin your career.
Conclusion
As a musician you are into business that need seriousness and uniqueness. Not all collaborations are meant for you, be careful who you collaborate with. Be unique and be mindful of copyrights laws. Never use another artist instrumentals for your project with permisions unless it’s under creative commons. Be consistent and don’t be quiet with your music. 🎶 Give respect to whom is due and don’t disrespect or fear anyone. You might face criticism in your music career is bound to happen. Just keep being better than who you were and improve your musical skills.
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