100,000 Independent Copies Sold...Is The Goal!!!
As we are all coming to realize there is special about an Indie artist. Something different, little off to the left maybe. Excellent musicians that for whatever reason chose to go it alone. Last generation these same Indie artist were called rebels, due largely to mis-understanding of just how the Indy musician ticked. Today fortunately our understanding of the artistic mind has grown significantly along with the fact that there are more outlets for Indie Musicians than ever before. In spite of it all there is just something about an independent musician.
Below is a well researched list of the 5 steps that any independent "Indie" artist must take. Ever ask yourself if your were just made to make it alone. Take a look at these 5 steps and see if they possibly align with any of your personality traits in general. If so then you should record a demo and release it on iTunes, if not then shop for a record deal. Even though the "Indie" is fast becoming a new standard in the music industry. there are some musicians that still prefer (even need) the good old fashioned representation of a good manager, free studio time or just prefer to release their music on a firmly established record label. So take a look and see where you fit in, or not.
1. Create and maintain a positive image - In the music industry artist come and quickly. A time proven way to ensure a long durable career is to create and cultivate an ongoing ever adapting image. Whether it be the rebellious "Rocker" or the best damn ukelele player in Ohio make sure you use it in the most positive way possible. Remember this is the only perception the public has of you and more often than not the line is blurred when it comes to fantasy and reality on the entertainment world. As an Indie musician your image is especially important since you don't have a major label handling you marketing and advertising. The image you maintain as an artist will in fact have an impact in ever major part of your career.
2. Share yourself with your fans - A major benefit of the digital age is the ability to communicate on a worldwide level. In the past the only association we had with our musicians were their album covers. They didn't have a web page or e mail address. Any alleged communication would be through a fan club maintained normally by some lonely power-hungry 34-year old teenager. So now that we have so many avenues of communication use them! Reciprocate with your fans. Let them know were you will be performing, ask for feedback on your music as an Indie artist (get a thick skin), let your fans tell you what they want. Believe me they will. Just remember honest feedback has the potential to save you millions of dollars (you don't have) on experiments and other projects that man not pan out...
3. Collaborate with other musicians - It doesn't matter how far technology advances in any industry, networking will always be king! So as an Indie musician don't turn down anything but your collar. With decent limitations implied basically any image-safe collaborations offered take them. As networking is, it is extremely effective so make sure you as much of it as you can. It works great in music as anytime you collaborate with another artist the two of you basically swap fan bases, further increasing yours. Finally never limit yourself under any circumstances. Collaborate with musicians that don't seem as successful or focused they could very well teach you some of the things ALL musicians should know. Vital things necessary to any musician being successful. Things like...(collaborate and find out!)
4. Keep your music focused - What I mean by this is decide which genre your music belongs in and stick to it! Currently it does seem the thing to do...experiment musically into other genres. And while a lot of artist are doing it it does run the risk of you diluting yourself as a musician. Simply put as with everything else in life you as a musician must have a base for your music. A solid genre of consistent music translates into a solid fan base. A solid fan base translates into solid sales. It is acceptable as an artist to "experiment" as a part of his/her being literally. Creatively speaking lots of musicians "dabble" in other genres out of artistic curiosity but there is big difference in an artistic showing creativity is a lot different than being "all over the place". And your fans can tell. You must remember as an artist you are obligated to provide your fans with quality consistent music, that they are familiar with! Think of it as it is a relationship you have with your fans. As with any other relationship there would be a problem with someone entering a relationship under one pretense then switching entirely to another. Just isn't fair in any aspect.
5. Why, where when did you became a musician - (Cover Story) Why? Because no one has to believe you! What say you woke up the other day and decided you could sing (surprisingly this happens alot) no one has to believe you. You can print as many CD's as you like, no one is obligated to buy a one! What moves CD's off the shelves? What is the bridge between you and your yet to be fans? For lack of a better phrase, a story, a reason...why are you singing? Where is this coming from is what the average music fan wants to know. I mean are you singing from the heart, soul? This is why for your first couple hundred interviews, any bios, VH1 specials anything make sure you tell your story. The reason you sing such beautiful melodies.Make sure whatever your reason it places your music high in priority. Reasons vary to every degree...like
"Mr. Jones why motivated you to start singing?"
"Well I used to watch my dad play drums for the JP Express Band and always had a love for music!"
or
"I wasn't allowed to sing as child. If we sang we were beaten."
"Oh my god Shelly Stompers you have the Number One record in the country "Backed up over Whisker". How does make you feel!"
"Well I wrote song in honor of my dead kitty whiskers, may she rest in peace."
After all good musicians should give their fans something to relate to something to put you in tune with your listeners, a. So first search within yourself. You may be surprised as to why you are really a musician and second what you do discover, don't be afraid to share. Both you and your fans are only people and have a lot in common. Simply sharing such issue's as you never quite got along with your father, you would be amazed at the amount of your fans that would identify with you on that level alone. So share yourself as a musician even if it forces you to get know yourself deeper. Never forget these are the life long fans the one's that identify with you as a musician. The true foundation of any fan base. Once they identify they will stick with you both through your ups and downs as an artist. These are the fans that even though you did venture over into another genre, and things didn't turn out the great. They still bought your music, loyal fans the best kind. So use this mini-guide to further your Indy career as a musician and realize just how much power you have now as a musician, especially an independent musician.
***I hope this information has been helpful in any way. If you have any question please feel free to contact us at thegoldentoken@gmail.com. We would be glad to hear from you.
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