Kick Start Your Music Career by - Ogunsola E. A

Victor Hugo once said and I quote "music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is Impossible to be silent". To express that which cannot be said an action have to take place and not wait for your music career happen to you - step up and make it happen.
In this article am writing on things you need to do to kick start your music career.
There are many upcoming stars in the industry now a days but you begin to wonder why they often fail, you are reading this because you obviously don't want to fall in the same shoe as them.
Now let get to buz! Before going further let ask ourselves this questions:
1. why do I want to be a musician?
2. is it because of the wealth?
3. is it because of the fame?
4. or better still because you have the talent?. If it because you've got the talent then you are on the right path, you just need to hard more effort and zeal for what you do.

Here are the things you need to know that would breath a new life into your music career.

1. Know Your Goals


It sounds too obvious, but is it really? You may know that you want to "make it" in the music industry , but what exactly does making it look like?
Focus on short-term goals first. If you're a musician who has never played a show before, maybe getting an opening slot at a local show within the next three months is your first objective.

If you would like to start a label, choosing a name and doing the paperwork required to start a business within the next six weeks is a good first step.

It doesn't matter if you're further along in your music career or just starting out - whatever you need to do next requires a first step. Identify it. Then identify the next few steps after that.

Once the paperwork is done, for instance, will you sign your first artist? Figure out exactly what you'd like to complete in the next twelve months, break it down into steps, assign yourself deadlines for each step, and then, most importantly, do it.

Having small goals and accomplishing them will feel a lot more productive than spreading your attention across a million little half ideas you sort of try to see what will happen. And it will feel more productive for a good reason - because it is.

2. Get Out There in Person

Life cannot be conducted from behind a keyboard. Music industry success can have a whole lot to do with who you know, and the people who can help you aren't going to come over and ring your doorbell. Get out there in person and get to know some people who can open some doors for you.

Don't be afraid to take chances and don't be afraid of getting shot down. There's nothing wrong with hearing "no" in the music business - in fact, you'd better get used to it. The bottom line is that if you don't ask, you don't get.

And don't think because you live in some place way off the music map that there isn't anyone you can meet. Start small. Put in a call to the booker at the one club in town. Hit up the music reviewer at the local paper. You are not alone, I promise you. Big networking events can be awesome, but nothing is wrong with conquering your home court first.

3. Get Out There Online

OK, life and music careers cannot be conducted from behind a keyboard, but these days it is tough to get a start as a new artist without spending at least some time behind one.

Drown out the choruses of "you must be on X site" - X site changes all the time anyway - and instead find a social media platform or to two that feels comfortable to you and stick with using it. You don't have to be everywhere. You just have to be somewhere, and you've got to be there consistently enough to build up a community with your fans.

If you're trying to break into the business side of music, social networking isn't necessarily about building a community of fans, but it is about joining the music business community. Your direct line to someone who can help you get a foot in the door might be a tweet or Facebook update always.

Again, don't get bogged down in which site is fashionable or blah blah blah. Find the one that works for you and focus on making it great. And also - social media is never enough. Have your own website where you can control your identity completely and build your "brand," as it were.

4. Get Yourself Together



The music business isn't like the banking world, but it's still a BUSINESS. If you want music to be your job, then start treating it like one. Consider the following:

• Contracts can protect your rights and protect your friendships. Don't be afraid to ask for one, and don't be afraid to seek advice before signing one.

• Keep your appointments, show up for things on time and keep your communications professional .

• Consider expenses carefully.

• Meet your deadlines.

Even if you still have a day job, if you want to eventually go full time in music , then it pays to start treating it like a job right now.


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