You love to write music. You have the gift of taking the emotions of your story and putting it on paper; then paired with musical notes that tumble across the pages. Soon your composition is brilliantly written and you know that today, with this one song, you are going to be the next artist to walk across the Grammy stage. DO NOT give up on that dream.
Today, more than ever, it is going to take more than just writing that one song. It's going to take more than just broadcasting to the world that you have written a Grammy-winning song. These messages inundate all media platforms. Artists are working hard at their day job to support their time and efforts in building their music with very little results. Then asking "why?" Why am I not walking across that Grammy stage?
About 10 years ago I walked into the office of Vogue Bambini in New York City. Vogue is a fashion and lifestyle magazine. Vogue Bambini details the latest in kids' fashion trends. My then three-year-old would be walking the kids fashion runway. I was actually in the offices for business on behalf of a client of mine, and my son walking the runway was a bonus as they were shy of having enough three-year-olds. As I walked through the waiting room, I saw the most dressed up infant, toddlers and grade school kids you have ever seen. Each parent holding files of their kids pictures, resume, and bios. Parents hoping their child would be chosen. Ethan, my own son, did not have to be put through an audition. What parents did not understand or even know is that once brought back into the audition room those files were never opened. All that glam was pushed aside. What the decision makers wanted to see was the natural, raw, God-given beauty these kids had. Not the flashy lashes, or made-up or over-the-top outfit. Babies were stripped down to a diaper and t-shirt. I felt bad for the moms who went to the expense and effort to present the best of what features their children had, spent money on portraits, head shots, and fancy resumes as well as enhances with high-fashion bling.
Why share this story? As a musical artist, there is much expense at the front end of trying to get your music produced. Producers are making a killing off of young artists who are spending their last dollars to get the music in their hands. All pretty, all glammed up, and all produced. It is expensive and costly. Just like parents spending thousands to have their kids files built out to look like the next kid star. If you have those financial resources, that is a bonus and it does help, but what if you don't. You have taken all your money to produce your music. You now have it on Amazon, or iTunes and there it sits. I always asked the question when an artist contacts me. "How many have you sold outside of family and friends?" The other end of the phone gets quiet. And the numbers are often less than ten.
If you are a musical artist and are reading this, did you heart just sink a little? Knowing this has been you? I am contacted on a regular basis to listen to an artist's music and asked, "Can you help me?" Recently I wrote this in an email. Funny to be quoting myself but here it goes...
Your friends and family are always your biggest fans who want to see you do well. After they have done their part there is almost this false sense of success just around the next turn. After all, if your friends and family love you, won't the rest of the world? A big fat NO!! Today, more than ever it's your story, your friendship, and your ability to book venues both small and large that builds your music, your story and ultimately your fans. It's important to have your branding and marketing in place.
Anyone who is interested in taking your music to the next level is not going to be impressed with your fancy CD. In many cases, because there is no long-term relationship with your producer, you get a sound that is not really the sound you have when performing live. This is a major fail for fans that do end up picking up your CD after hearing you live. I do not mean to discourage you. There is nothing stronger than that desire to get your music in the hands of many fans. What can you do?
1.Have all your social platforms consistent in the branding images and messages you choose.
a. Do these platforms at a glance, at a click, hook a viewer to want to learn more about you? About your music?
b.Do your images, headers, and profile picture represent you and most importantly, your music?
c.Show thyself. Your face is the start of your music story. Clean up and look good.
2.Begin to tell your story.
a.Make sure you are sharing your journey on ALL your social platforms.
b.As you share your story and experiences be respectful on ALL your social platforms of those in the music industry. You never know who is looking at your social sites. You never know who knows who? And you never know who might actually click through to your music or NOT because of something you have said that is disrespectful to the music industry.
c.Fans want to know you. If you only broadcast your music, begging people to listen and share, you become white noise. And white noise is not music. Talk about who inspires you, share others music that interests you. Even in sharing your story it is not all about you.
d.Your story matters. If you can write, then you can blog. Even one paragraph about your journey gives more meaning to your music. You will gain a following and fans as the hearts of humans connect with your experiences.
3.Be who you are online as you are in real time.
a.If you are going to be a Grammy-winning artist, then every stage you step onto, no matter the size of the audience should be your Grammy performance.
b.A Grammy-winning artist made it on that stage because there was something that was different about them. Do not become like everyone else. Be yourself and let your music and heart be seen and heard.
c.If you are not comfortable being online, then find someone who can help you become the online you, that is you offline.
Producing good music is important to the music industry. Do not get me wrong about that. However if that is all you have at the end of production, and at the end of your dollars, a fancy well-made CD, who is going to be buying it? If you do not have your social platforms in order, and no one knows you or your story then you are just another artist with a day job, running around on your off hours and spinning your wheels. If you have read this far, thank you. Now go start with number one and get your house in order. Your online media is ultimately going to be your best resource for growing your fans, your relationships and help drive the sales of your music. One click at a time.
If you are a musical artist be sure to follow me on Twitter @elizabethtraub. I love listening to new artists as well as some of the oldies. Tweet me questions around your music and I promise to tweet you back my best advice, answers or direct you to someone who can help.