How to be Successful in the Modern Music Industry

The music industry is constantly shifting, twisting, and changing with every passing year; not only the type of music being made from new technologies, but also the way it’s being distributed and consumed. It’s daunting, we know, but this blog is aimed to assist in the navigation of this evolving world. It’s for anyone involved in the music business—producers, beatmakers, engineers, set designers and producers, content creators, and, of course, musicians. Think of this as a tiny aspect of your artist development: a bi-monthly insight into the movement of the music industry. There’s no simple answer to what “works” when it comes to marketing your art, but a good start is observing trends and paying close attention to what receives the most attention—and what doesn’t. It’s clear that for the past decade the music industry has been controlled by the internet; from music videos on Youtube to Tik Tok trends, it’s become a crucial key to success. But in a world where anyone can go viral, it’s difficult to stand out. Due to shortening attention spans mixed with the abundance of music releases, everything rides one attention-grabbing moment. It could be a couple of lines that create a trendy Tik Tok moment, a funny or unique backstory about the lyrics, or an exciting reaction from someone else. All it takes is that one moment with your song as the backtrack, and suddenly people are curious about the rest of it! And even if your first attempt doesn’t score you one million views or a record deal, just remember that consistency is the most important thing. Once you’ve started to build a following, so much can change. Staying on the topic of interaction, collaboration can be another great tool. Whether its bringing someone new on a project for a fresh perspective or learning new skills from a peer, it can go a long way in your personal growth. And while that growth is integral, it can also be beneficial from a marketing point of view. Think about it: for years, bringing artists together has been a successful way to grow fanbases. We all know there’s no better feeling than walking out of a concert with a new artist to go home and listen to. Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all for success, especially in this industry. With the age that we’re in, however, it’s more important than ever to keep up with the internet trends within the music realm. This is just the beginning of these blog posts—be sure to check back in for more industry insights, glances at the underground music scene, and artist interviews!