Last updated on Jun 7, 2024

What do you do if you want to break into the music industry?

The music industry is a competitive and dynamic field that offers many opportunities for creative and passionate people. However, breaking into the music industry is not easy and requires a lot of hard work, dedication, and strategy. In this article, you will learn some tips and advice on how to pursue your musical dreams and get noticed by the right people.

1 Define your goals

Before you start your journey, you need to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve and why. Do you want to be a performer, a songwriter, a producer, or something else? What kind of music do you want to make and who is your target audience? How do you measure your success and what are your short-term and long-term objectives? Having a realistic and specific plan will help you focus your efforts and avoid wasting time and resources.

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Shyamol Maracci

Music Producer and Record Label owner
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-Be Yourself. Don't sell yourself or your music view to trends. -Set realistic but dynamic goals. -Be open minded -Learn the history of the music you love, it will help you figuring out how did you end up loving that style while paying respect to those who made your music genre famous.

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2 Develop your skills

The music industry is constantly evolving and you need to keep up with the trends and standards. This means that you need to practice your craft regularly and improve your skills and knowledge. You can take online courses, join workshops, read books, watch tutorials, or find a mentor who can guide you. You should also seek feedback from others and learn from your mistakes. Additionally, you should diversify your skills and learn about other aspects of the music industry, such as marketing, networking, copyright, and legal issues.

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3 Build your portfolio

One of the most important steps to break into the music industry is to create a portfolio that showcases your talent and style. You should have a professional and attractive website, social media accounts, and online platforms where you can upload your music, videos, photos, and bio. You should also have a press kit that includes your resume, cover letter, press releases, testimonials, and contact information. Your portfolio should reflect your personality, brand, and vision and make you stand out from the crowd.

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4 Network and collaborate

The music industry is based on relationships and connections. You need to network and collaborate with other people who can help you advance your career and expose you to new opportunities. You can attend events, conferences, festivals, showcases, and open mic nights where you can meet potential fans, peers, mentors, partners, or employers. You can also use social media, blogs, podcasts, forums, and newsletters to reach out to influencers, media, labels, publishers, or managers. You should always be polite, professional, and respectful and follow up with your contacts.

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5 Promote yourself

The music industry is also very competitive and you need to promote yourself and your music to gain visibility and recognition. You should have a marketing strategy that defines your target market, your unique selling proposition, your goals, and your budget. You should use different channels and tools to spread the word about your music, such as email, ads, flyers, posters, podcasts, radio, TV, or streaming services. You should also engage with your audience and create a loyal fan base that supports you and shares your music.

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6 Be persistent

The music industry is not a smooth ride and you will face many challenges, rejections, and failures along the way. You need to be persistent and resilient and not give up on your dreams. You should also be flexible and adaptable and be open to new opportunities and changes. You should always keep learning and growing and seek inspiration and motivation from your role models, mentors, or peers. You should also celebrate your achievements and reward yourself for your hard work.

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Suthe Sounds

A DJ Helping People Think Beyond the Sounds | But How? -Let's Talk
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This is very true. 19 years later, after playing in 4 countries, each time I get to a new place, I have to start over and prove my musical talent to random people that already have their preconceptions about what I do and what I am going to play. Achievements in music will take many paths and they will come in many forms. What you see in the media is a fleeting moment. Most of those musicians are lucky to be relevant for more than a year. It should never be the end goal for achievement. 19 years ago, I couldn’t conceive of playing in another country. I would have thought I “made it”by playing in the bar up the street. Music evolves, and the musician should learn to always adapt like an impromptu jam session.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Music Industry

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What do you do if you want to break into the music industry?

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1 Define your goals

2 Develop your skills

3 Build your portfolio

4 Network and collaborate

5 Promote yourself

6 Be persistent

7 Here’s what else to consider

Music Industry

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