Do You Make Any of These 9 Music Career-Killing Mistakes?
Mistake #1:
Selling Your Music On iTunes
Consider the Music Executives' point of view
It's a fairly deep concept - beyond this tip sheet. But the essence is that low sales numbers in iTunes can actually work against you when the industry is determining whether your act is commercially viable. There are several other reasons as well.
The bottom line is that there is a right time to offer one's music on iTunes, but most do it waaaaay prematurely.
Mistake #2:
Bad Songwriting
Everything starts with a great song.
So write great songs. Not good songs . . . GREAT songs!
Here are some tips:
- Listen and accept the feedback of others (especially non-musicians).
- Be honest with yourself - is the song the best it can be? Don't "finish" it prematurely just to feel like it's done if it could be better - and you CAN make it better.
- Don't Bore Us - Get to the Chorus!
Remember, the essence of writing is re-writing:
George Lucas wrote 6 versions of Star Wars. Did you know Luke Skywalker was originally named Luke Starkiller? -- Yikes!
There are many techniques for writing songs with universal appeal, which I teach in my liveworkshops.
Also, I show you techniques to get honest feedback on your material.
And finally. . . Remember: The best production in the world can't save a bad song any more than fancy CGI can turn a bad script into a great movie.
Mistake #3:
Ignoring Audience Feedback
Check Your Ego at the Door
It's one thing if half the people like your music and half don't. This happens a lot. But if 8 or 9 out of 10 people are not liking your material, that is worth paying close attention to.
Put your ego aside and try reworking your material in a different direction.
Mistake #4:
Collaborating With The Wrong People
When Collaborating in the Music Biz, Be Authentic.
Far too often I see people pretending to be more "happening" than they really are - portraying themselves as more successful in music than is the reality.
This becomes a problem when the person you are collaborating with is doing the same.
You both end up spending valuable time working together trying to ride the other's coat-tails, only to eventually discover that both of you are not as far along as you thought.
This is especially prevalent in Los Angeles.
Mistake #5:
Cheap Demo Production
If you want to be a rock star, you gottaSOUND like a rock star
Hear the difference seasoned production can make in the perception of both the quality of your songs, and you as an artist:
Click here for Before & Afters.Remember: Cheap demos make you sound amateur.
Mistake #6:
Marketing – Too Little, Too Unprofessional
You're only as good as your marketing . . .
Unfortunately that is true. That's the bad news.
The good news is that I teach you how to market yourself and your music at my liveworkshops - and it's a lot easier than you think!
So sign up for the next Music Success Workshop in Los Angeles on Sat & Sun. Aug. 10 & 11, 2013.
Mistake #7:
Waiting To Be “Discovered”
No One's Gonna "Cinderella Story" You.
At least not until you are ready. Are you ready? If so, then realize that a big part of being ready for the modern musician/artist is being entrepreneurial. You've got to do the work.
For example, you gotta have a mailing list and know the ins and outs of how to work it properly. Build your following - to the point where you are an undeniable force to be reckoned with (music biz-wise, that is.)
There are many, many other things you can do to take charge of your career. You can make great recordings of your material, you can send your music in for placement in film & TV, you can attend events to network and learn what others have done to be successful.
One such event is my Music Success Workshop, presented by Gibson and Propellerhead. Learn more here.
Now you're not waiting to be discovered, but being proactive about your career. (Ironically, that's usually when ya get discovered - go figure.)
Mistake #8:
Not knowing The Motives Of Everyone You Deal With
A Fish Likes Worms . . .
What motivates a label executive is vastly different from what motivates a song publisher…. or music supervisor…. or music attorney…. or a record producer. Ya gotta learn the "secret handshakes" to rise high in this industry.
In other words, you need to know what bait to put on the hook for the fish you're attempting to catch. You may like New York cheese cake, but a fish likes worms.
Mistake #9:
How Sending an mp3 Demo Can Ruin Your Career
Bypass This Million Dollar Mistake
This applies mostly to sending material to music supervisors. They want links only, because mp3s bog down their email servers. They hate this, have to spend all their valuable time deleting your music off their systems - and then they black list you.
Placing your music in film & TV is the fastest way to gain entry into the biz. So you don't want to tick off the precious few gatekeepers to this world. There's a better way than emailing your mp3 demo, which we'll cover in depth at the Music Success Workshop.
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