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Legitimizing yourself as an artist can be extremely frustrating if you don't know where to start. The internet is buzzing with all kinds of information some good, some bad but it just doesn't need to be so confusing.
We are going to have to face the fact that, although there are many ways to monetize your music, not all will really move the needle in terms of financial stability as an independent musician/artist.
Some may even be a waste of time depending on where you are in terms of notoriety. This post aims to help independent musicians/artists have a better idea of where to begin focusing most of their attention.
The name of the game is making a living off music, so what is the best way to go about doing that?
The first thing to understand is everything you need to know can be found on copyright .gov all you have to do is read.
Performance rights organizations (PROS) are a google search away. So go join one of them and at least be sure to collect THOSE (there are several others) royalties.
So...you're a diligent artist and you have copywritten your masterfully created musical composition on copyright .gov, you have registered the works on your PRO of choice (ascap, sesac, bmi) and now your wondering what to do with yourself because that was a little too easy.
Well congratulations, now you're a registered no name nobody so awesome for being so safe!! Lmao I kid I kid....
The way I see it, get it done and out of the way! There are plenty of other things you are going to need to worry about, don't let it all pile up on you. Just record track, mix, master, copyright, register! Freekin done.
This will create an audience of people who you can be in instant direct contact with. You are going to want as much info as you can gather from them. You will want to know demographics and location for use on tours.
Now you need to beat the street son! You have just become more than an artist, you are now also a business man and or woman! Now you are going too learn online and offline marketing! You have created a product, now it is time to sell that product.
Nobody is going to come down from the clouds and save your ass, so you are going to have to put in the work to get your music out there in front of people. Simple as that!
Because of the law of reciprocity, people will be more inclined to purchase your merchandise. You may be able to sell physical albums at your shows but you will have to make sure to put a lot more thought into it.
Artwork and culture can make an album a creative masterpiece that takes on a novelty feel. Something like that with all the lyrics would be bought as a collectors item. Not to mention there has been a resurgence in popularity of vinyl as well as cassette tapes.
If you have an awesome stage performance as well as great music, you shouldn't have too much trouble drawing a crowd. Study the greats and prepare to deliver on every front! In other words...go hard or go home!
If you do this correctly, you will create an experience people will happily pay to experience again. They will buy your merch and sing your praises to the heavens...lol
The amount of income from streaming is pennies and cd sales are an obsolete thing of the past (for the most part). Cars are rapidly being sold without cd players and are instead equipped with multimedia players.
Everything is digital now, so we really need to keep that in mind. If no one will buy your digital album, why would anyone buy the physical album?
That said, you can utilize CD Baby and other platforms to sell digital as well as create physical discs. Alternatively you could put your music in a compressed zip file with the album cover and let your fans download it free? They will love you and come to all of your shows!
For this type of thing you will need to do your own research to discover how to get your music placed. You could try contacting the producers of a film or game you think your music would be perfect for and go for it.
Beyond building a list of contacts through email marketing, the best or most lucrative ways to make money as an upcoming independent artist in my opinion, are creative merchandising and sync licensing. Streaming and other services will generate very little income until your more known to the world. Remember, be creative, innovate and know your audience!
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