Getting started in the music industry is challenging if you don’t have money or the right connections. Plus, it takes time, talent, and perseverance—qualities most people do not have. If you’ve always dreamed of being a successful musician and you think you have what it takes, take a look at these five top ways to get started in the music industry.
Invest in At-Home Recording Software
One of the biggest obstacles bands and musicians face is money. That’s because it’s expensive to rent a recording studio and advertise. However, the digital revolution provides a way to record tracks without spending a lot of money. You can get a good quality microphone and install recording software on your computer at home. Some of the best recording software packages include GarageBand, Logic, and ProTools.
Write Blog Posts and Start a Website
Once you have some music to share, you should start a website to sell your music and write blog posts about what you’re working on as well as any upcoming gigs. You won’t be successful in the music industry if people don’t have a place to go to learn more about you and to buy your music. After you’ve set up a way to sell music on your website, you can learn how to get your music on iTunes, too. The more places you sell your music online, the better.
Promote Your Music on Social Media Sites
Having a website and selling your music on iTunes is not enough. You also have to engage with fans across social media to spread the word about your band or music. According to Mashable, people spend 18 percent of their time on social media sites when they go online. Plus, 56 percent of Americans have social media accounts, with Facebook being the most popular. That’s why you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to connect with these people.
Facebook is the go-to social media site for artists. For instance, Lady Gaga has 31 million likes on Facebook. Twitter is also a popular social media platform to use. Many aspiring artists have also had success turning to YouTube to get started in the music industry. This is because you can quickly gain a following if you create viral videos.
Get an Internship in the Music Industry
Companies love hiring interns because they work really hard for very little pay in order to gain experience and build contacts. So, an internship in the music industry is a great way for you to get a foot in the door and start meeting the right people, especially at a recording studio.
Participate in Music Festivals and Competitions
It’s hard for bands and musicians to get gigs if nobody has heard of them before, which is why you should start out by performing at festivals and music competitions. You can look for these in your local community, but there are even online competitions for bands. For instance, “Curated by Lyle & Scott” is a Facebook based competition where bands compete for social shares to win a gig with amazing exposure.
It is difficult to make it big in the music industry, but it is possible. Do you have any other tips for people looking to get started with their music careers?
