Top Mistakes People Make Trying to Break Into the Music Industry

1. Slacking Off

This is important for everyone, not only for musicians. But artists, in particular, can benefit from listening to this crucial advice. You may have been born with insane talent, and that’s wonderful. Still, that doesn’t mean you won’t have to work as hard as everyone else (if not even harder) to break into the scene. This is music business advice 101.

Complacency is rarely rewarded. Fully dedicate your time, energy, and heart to this endeavor and your hard work will be rewarded. You shouldn’t expect this to happen overnight and your success may look different from that of others, but where you put attention, power follows. A huge mistake made by people trying to break into the music industry is a lack of effort devoted to pursuing their passion. Remember, energy in equals energy out.

2. Fear of Individuality

An important piece of business advice for the music industry is that you will be hard-pressed to find success when you can’t trust your own voice. Your talent can (and will) be shaped and evolved for the better by other musicians and teachers you surround yourself with, but at the core, your style should be true to you, not to anyone else.

When trying to break into the music industry, you shouldn’t be afraid to break the mold and explore your individuality. Success is far more fulfilling when you achieve it on your own terms. Trust your gut. Often, you’re the one who truly knows how to proceed forward in a way that best serves yourself and your talents.

While it may seem like only certain people with a look or musical style make it, it pays to be yourself in the music business. Following this advice will help you stand out from your peers and make you more memorable to followers of your work.

3. Surrounding Yourself With Negativity

Again, this advice applies to everyone and not just those trying to break into the music industry. That said, artists should be especially wary of whom they surround themselves with. Make sure you’re choosing your friends wisely, prioritizing your time with people who believe in you, support you, and can collaborate with you creatively. The last thing an up-and-coming musician needs to be around is those who don’t actively support your success.

4. Failure to Network Properly

Networking is important business advice you can’t do without in the music industry. These days, networking is paramount to your success as an artist. It may not always come naturally, but it’s important to start learning how to put yourself out there. While some people are better at this than others, networking is a skill that can be developed and practiced. Networking leads to opportunities and connections, and those breaking into the music industry cannot afford to lose out on these.

5. Insufficient Branding

It can feel a bit like shameless self-promotion, but trust us: if you want to make it in the music industry, you’ll need to start actively thinking about how you want to be perceived as a brand. There’s no shame in branding. You want to be recognized for your musical talents but without a face to put to your talents, it’s considerably more difficult to achieve this. Take it seriously — and have some fun with it!

Following this business advice when trying to break into the music industry will help open doors for you. Yes, your talent will speak for itself, but having a recognizable brand will make it easier for you to connect with a larger audience.

6. Not Being Patient

You may have already heard this advice on breaking into the music industry, but it bears repeating. It may take years or close to decades to get your big break. And it can be frustrating when it looks like your efforts aren’t being rewarded, especially when you’ve been in the industry for quite some time and others seem to be “getting their shine” before you.

But it’s during these times when you have to be patient and not pressure yourself. You may feel the need to rush into signing certain contracts or deals that look good now, but aren’t beneficial in the long run. Unfortunately, this is a mistake many artists make when trying to break into the music industry.

While you “wait your turn,” you can use the time to improve yourself as a musician. This includes learning how to use different music recording software or improving your stage presence.

7. Not Learning the Tools of the Trade

Speaking of music recording software, it helps to learn how to use different tools as a musician. Yes, your voice is an instrument, especially if you’re a performer. But knowing how to mix beats and produce music can help you stand out as an artist. Not only will you be a more versatile performer, but you’ll be able to create a demo yourself without having to rely on someone else to do it for you.

Plus, you’ll be able to communicate better with producers when you know how the software and equipment works. Not only will they be impressed by your knowledge, but you’ll be able to get the sound you want. This advice is invaluable for anyone trying to make it in the music business.