Since it’s the last week of 2016, I thought I would share some suggestions for moving your music career dramatically forward in the coming year. Remember, you CAN make money making music!
1. If you haven’t yet, I highly recommend you check out Indie Connect Magazine at www.indieconnectmag.com. It is packed with articles, resources, tips, videos and more on all aspects of the music industry. We’ve added more to it since my last newsletter. Special thanks to all of you who have been reading it already! We have had over 32,000 page views in 3 weeks!
2. If you want to keep up on what’s happening in the industry on a daily basis, I highly recommend subscribing to ‘The Deans List’ by Dean Kay. It’s a daily email packed with up-to-date industry info (he’s on holiday break). Go to goo.gl/smI5v3, click on ‘The Dean’s List’ and subscribe. Tell ’em Vinny Ribas sent you!
3. Set goals and set times to work on them. These include songwriting goals, performance goals, income goals and marketing goals. Put time on your calendar when you’re going to work on them every week. Then don’t let other interests take precedence. Getting into this habit alone will change everything for you!
4. Surround yourself with people who are more talented, more knowledgeable or have stronger skills that you have. Learn from them. Challenge yourself every day to get better. Remember there is someone else out there who wants the same gigs, song placements etc. that you want, only he or she IS getting better every day! One way you can find people like this by joining professional industry organizations such as NSAI, Global Songwriters Connection (www.globalsongwriters.com), a local songwriter organization, a local musician Meetup group (www.meetup.com), the PROs etc..
5. Learn skills outside of music that will help you. For example, learn to network effectively both online and in person.It will help you put a team together. Take a sales course. It will make you better at landing gigs, Take classes or attend workshops on social marketing. It will help you develop your fan base.
6. Utilize the free online library at www.indieconnect.com. It is packed with free articles, videos, podcasts and more.
7. Be sure you are receiving all of the money you are due. You may know that ASAP, BMI and SESAC pay songwriter royalties. Sound Exchange, on the other hand, pays ARTIST and MASTER RECORDING OWNER royalties (www.soundexchange.com). I referred one artist to him and they had a check for $6,000 waiting for him! If your music is in film or TV, have you looked into the Film Musicians’ Secondary Market Fund (www.fmsmf.org)? Don’t leave money on the table.
8. If you’ve reached a roadblock in your career, hire a reputable coach to get you out of your rut. Be sure to check references before signing on the dotted line. (Shameless plug – yes, I do consult with serious artists)
9. Follow music industry thought leaders on social networks. Read their blogs, There is SO much great information out there. Don’t get left behind!
10. Take relevant workshops, courses, seminars etc, and attend music industry conferences. Immersing yourself in the industry will introduce you to new connections, ideas, methodologies, practices and insights! After all, it only takes ONE change to make all the difference!
Have a spectacular 2017 – and don’t forget to connect with me on Linkedin!!
Vinny Ribas
P.S. – If you have a product or service that you want to market to musicians, consider advertising in Indie Connect Magazine. contact me at vinny@indieconnect.com.
