Breaking into the music industry as an independent artist can be both exciting and overwhelming.
Without the support of a label, every decision counts. So to set yourself on the path to success, here are nine helpful steps every aspiring new and independent artist should consider:
1. Find Your Voice – Write and Record Quality Music
At the heart of every music career is, of course, the music and creator.
Focus on creating songs that showcase your talent and connect emotionally with listeners. If the song doesn’t strike a chord (haha…) and mean something to you, why would it with anyone else?
Invest in high-quality recordings, whether you’re working from a home studio or collaborating with a professional producer.
A polished track can make a huge difference when reaching out to venues, potential fans, or playlists.
2. Practice, Practice, Practice! Perform Live
Live performances are a powerful way to showcase your talent and gain new fans and followers.
Start with local gigs, open mic nights, and community events. Each performance is an opportunity to gain your stage legs – that is build your stage presence, learn to connect with an audience, and sell merchandise.
3. Find Your First Ten – Start to Build with Your Audience
Building a fan base starts with genuine engagement. Reply to comments, host Q&A sessions, and share behind-the-scenes content to make potential fans feel connected to your journey. The first few times you do this, you might only get a couple eyes on your content, but that’s okay!
The more authentic and interactive you are, the more loyal your audience will become. Presence online and IRL is of the utmost importance.
4. Socialize! Get Out and Network with Industry Professionals
Connections can open doors.
Meeting other artists and industry folks in your genre and area of the world help to build community. Find associations you can join, songwriter circles, attend local music events, join online music communities, and reach out to producers, managers, and fellow artists.
Networking isn’t just about self-promotion—it’s about building mutually beneficial relationships that can help you grow. You may even make a couple friends while you’re at it!
5. Time to Engage! Build an Online Presence
In today’s digital-first world, having a strong online presence is non-negotiable.
Set up profiles on key social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X, and create a professional website that serves as your digital hub. Plan time to record content if you’re not comfortable recording content daily or weekly.
Get comfortable in front of a camera, decide what you want to share with the internet, and be intentional about it.
6. Clean It Up! Define Your Brand and Style
Your music and image are your calling cards.
Take time to define your sound, genre, and the message you want to convey through your art. Your brand should reflect your personality and resonate with the audience you aim to reach.
From your logo to your stage presence, ensure consistency across all platforms. It’s easy to think your audience is “everyone!” But in reality, it’s going to be easier to talk to a smaller audience and grow from there.
7. Create a Marketing Plan
Don’t leave your success to chance.
Plan your releases, social media campaigns, and promotional activities strategically. Consider investing in ads, working with PR professionals, or collaborating with influencers to maximize your reach.
Consistent and thoughtful promotion can help you stand out in a crowded market. Not everyone is going to blow up on TikTok – assume that’s not how you’ll break your career.
8. Release Your First Song!
You need to find a distributor that works for you.
Whether that’s TuneCore, Believe, Symphonic, or CDBaby, upload your music and the distributor will upload to streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple, and Amazon to make it easily accessible to listeners.
A distributor also helps pitch your music to editorial playlists, and market your music.
9. Start to Build a Team
As your career grows, you’ll need support.
Start assembling a team that might include a manager, booking agent, publicist, or social media strategist. Depending on your priorities, you may not need everyone right away. And – who comes first isn’t the same for every artist.
It is important to surround yourself early in your career with skilled professionals that can help you focus on your craft while they handle other aspects of your career.
Time To Get Started!
Starting your career as an independent artist requires passion, dedication, and a solid strategy.
There are a lot of things you ‘should’ be doing to advance your career. What’s most important is deciding what YOU want to do to move the needle forward, creating a plan, and sticking to it.
Remember, every small step brings you closer to your goals, so stay focused and keep creating!