The music industry is notoriously difficult to get into regardless of what role you want to take.  Whether you’re a seasoned singer who’s been belting out tunes since the 90s, or you’re a bassist who’s new to the scene: a lot of similar problems will arise.  The issues of finding gigs, getting paid, and figuring out who to trust can weigh heavily on anyone’s shoulders.

Here’s what every music lover should know about working within the industry.

Listening To Music Isn’t Enough.

Some may think that listening to music is the best way to understand the industry’s ins-and-outs, and they are sorely mistaken.  Listening to music can be helpful if you’re trying to figure out what kind of music you want to make or what inspires you, but it’s just a tiny part of what makes an industry job.

Instead, pay attention to the production and advertising, and ensure that you focus more on the process of making and getting music out there rather than listening to your competitors.

Be Respectful To All Industry Workers

If you look down upon those working any jobs besides singing or playing music: you’re making a grave mistake.  Sound engineers, writers, producers, and agents all deserve your respect.  Regardless of the type of job they do, they’re there to help you sound good and create an album or single that will keep fans going wild.  Work with them, listen to them, and you can learn far more than you would be sitting on your high horse.

Reviews Don’t Equal Sales.

Although musicians like Pamela Rose Rodriguez may have a good mixture of both reviews and sales, most artists have to fight to get noticed.  A good critique may feel nice, but it doesn’t mean people are dropping their money on your music.  Pay attention to sales, plays, and radio requests first and foremost.  If you let yourself get lost in gaining reviews or allow yourself to become obsessed with who’s saying what: you’ll become more focused on trends than music.

Social Media Is The Best Advertising

Social media is the number one way to advertise your music: and that’s what it should be treated as.  If your brand has a specific personality, you can play this up online. Still, otherwise, you should focus on creating a space where your audience will reliably be able to find information on when and where you or your group is playing.

You Don’t Have To Be A Starving Artist.

Although the phrase ‘starving artist’ may bring to mind imagery of an out-of-work painter, the cliche is also lobbied against musical artists.  Although not every musician hits it big and can make millions off of their work, there are countless jobs in the music industry that make work more than possible.

If you want to make easy money, you can work on back-up vocals, do voice acting work on the radio, or work with companies who produce jingles and backing tracks for television and radio.  There’s no end to the amount of work possible as long as you’re willing to be flexible.