untitled


Home | Articles | BookstorePromote Your Music | Music is Your Business | Subscribe
Twitter | Start a Record Label | Radio Promotion | CD Art Design | Music Career Help

Click to email ChrisThe "Creative" You
and the "Business" You
by Christopher Knab 


Back to The Academy

I have been watching, studying, and analyzing why some people 'make it' and others don't for a long time, and I have given up trying to discover some magic formula that every musician can follow on the road to so-called 'success'.

Today, more than ever, there are countless advisors like myself who offer tips to developing acts and 'struggling musicians', and all too often we try to inflict some step-by-step process on musicians that will help them become tomorrow's superstar.

I have been asking myself some questions about this phenomenon:

Is there a difference between the attitude of successful, well known acts and the attitude of upcoming acts? Why do some musicians make it big, while other equally talented people songwriters and musicians never get their music heard by the masses? What specific skills and/or inherent talents do the successful artists embody that so many 'wannabees' do not?

Is it charisma? That special something that many artists seem to exude the minute they walk into a room? I think that is part of it, but many successful acts have as much charisma as a pitcher of milk, and yet do quite well for themselves.

How about a lot of money? That seems to be the one thing behind so many successful names these days. There are always major labels owned by huge multinational conglomerates behind so many superstars. They can buy their way into the hearts and minds of the public, right?

Wrong.

Money can only push something out to the public for their acceptance or rejection…that's all it can do. Nobody reaches into the public's wallet and forces them to spend their hard earned money on anything unless the public sees some real value in it.

Think about it. Today there is a lot of (what some observers) call 'shallow and immature' lyrics and disposable pop music, and yet, no one who bought that music would cop to that criticism. No indeed, the people who buy the latest sounds on the pop charts buy that music because it gives them some kind of pleasure. It means something to them.

I think we should look at what sells and what is successful from this standpoint; music fulfills the needs, wants, and desires of any group of fans because they identify with it. .Basically, they like a song because they can hum it in the shower.

The one thing that all successful acts have in common when they cross over to mass appeal is great songs! This is true as well for the more edgy artists who eek out a living from smaller fan-bases… they still write compelling songs that touch the hearts and minds of their fans.

I think that is the reason why some musicians succeed and others don't.

Whether or not you personally 'like' current popular songs has nothing to do with it. Enough 'somebodies' coughed up $10 each to prove your tastes may not be in-tune with what the general public likes.

But there must be something else that separates successful artists from those who don't connect with the public. What other thing is it that successful artists and bands have that separates them from struggling artists?

My answer is business savvy. Yup…that's it. Somebody somewhere in every successful acts history had enough business savvy people behind them to make them the stars that they are or were.

NOW…listen up! It isn't as simple as you think. In the past having some business savvy may have been the domain of a weasel-like manager, or record label executive. It may have been the unscrupulous business practices of shady lawyers and booking agents, as well as greedy club owners, or money hungry publishers. My point is that no matter what the behavior of a particular music business gatekeeper may have been…they got a certain part of the job done…they broke on through to the other side of the competition, and got their act's song into the ears of the thousands of music fans. And to do that, I can assure you they had a plan.

There are no short cuts to success, and there just isn't enough room at the top for everyone who makes music to make a living from their music. But there is a balance that can be obtained in one's life. With the tools available on the Internet, and the technology of downloadable music now an every day reality, no musician who writes great songs should have that much problem realizing modest successes with their music.

Be careful of the "10 Steps To Musical Success" and the " What every A&R Rep Is Looking For" articles and books. I myself have written some articles with similar such titles, only because they are my means of getting the attention of an ever growing group of music star 'wannabees'. Once I get their attention, I try to give them proven tactics and strategy tips that are time-tested ways that record labels and industry professionals work.

In reality, there are no 10 steps to anything! There is the conscious involvement, and commitment to your songwriting and musicianship, and to the business of music.

Remember that the world of commercial music is a world of dollars and cents, whether you like it or not. But that does not mean that Art and Commerce cannot walk hand in hand…they must do that.

I teach a history of popular music course, and it never ceases to amaze me how often history repeats itself when it comes to the question of artistic achievement and music business savvy.

Most 'artists' in the truest sense of the world are narrowly focused people who never take no for an answer. No matter what challenge comes their way, they have no recourse but to turn to their creative side and get lost in their music as a way of staying alive. Then, along comes a businessman or woman who either is or is not ethical, but knows the music business inside out. They hear the magic in a client's music, and they do what it takes to get that music into the marketplace.

More and more however, those businessmen and women are the artists themselves.

We live in a capitalist, consumer-driven society. The successful musicians of tomorrow will be those people who either attract dedicated, knowledgeable businessmen and women to do the marketing and promotion for them, or they take that responsibility on themselves and realize that no artist has to sell hundreds of thousands of copies of their music to make some money with their music.

However, you do have to be able to write and perform great songs, and then produce them with the 'sound' of your particular genre carefully understood and honored, AND you have to take the time to read trusted consultants and advisor's articles and books and also find time to stay on top of this ever changing business by attending a few music business conferences or seminars.

But you also need to do some 'grunt-work'. Call club bookers (over and over), read good and bad reviews, put on a great show when you're exhausted or sick, and tirelessly promote your music. This is where the 'entertainer' steps in and handles things.

The 'entertainer' is someone who knows that the show must go on. They know that no matter what obstacle is put in front of them, they will persevere. Looking at the work habits of most big stars, I think they all have an 'entertainer' inside them. That's what allows them to succeed in all areas of the business. That is what keeps them going during the fifth press interview of the day, and all the other crap that has nothing to do with music and everything to do with the business of music marketing.

When an upcoming artist finally 'makes it', the pressure to keep producing sellable music is huge. So the 'artist' has to be healthy and ready to create on demand. You may be asked to hit the road for nine straight months, then make a world class album immediately following the grueling tour.

What it all boils down to is that stars have to be on top of their game, both artistically and business-wise. It is essential to create a balance between music and business early on. First, make sure your psyche is in the right place. You know, screw your head on right! Be honest with yourself regarding what things you are and aren't willing to do to be successful with your music.

Then, make a plan. Map out how you will improve your skills in both business and art. Put it on paper. Try living the 50% business - 50% music lifestyle.

Make sure you honor your business commitments and always act professionally. Make sure you keep your artist side healthy and creative. Take days off, take walks in nature, take time to noodle around that new idea for a song that just popped into your head. Those types of habits will keep the artist inside you in good shape and feed the creative juices inside you too.

Being a famous musician is not a 'normal' life. To survive and thrive requires a special set of skills. The good news is those skills can be learned and developed. Every little bit you learn now will benefit your career plan down the road.

Put your hands together. The one hand is the creative side of you, and the other hand is the business side of you.

Now clap your hands.

-----

Christopher Knab is an independent music business consultant based in Seattle, Washington. He is available for private consultations on promoting and marketing independent music, and can be reached by email at: chris@chrisknab.net

Chris Knab's book,
'Music Is Your Business' is available from the Music Biz Academy bookstore.

Visit the
FourFront Media and Music website for more information on the business of music from Christopher Knab.
 


Submit An Article for Consideration!
Would you like to submit an article for publication at MusicBizAcademy.com? If you have music-related expertise you'd like to share with other musicians including career tips, how to's, or general music business-related articles, please feel free to send them our way. We'll be glad to consider them.
Submit your article!


untitled

The Four Fronts...
Artist/Product Development
Promotion
Publicity
Performance  


Get Educated...
Master the Music Biz!
Online Courses. Many Programs. Learn Day or Night.

Details Here
 


Christopher Knab
Recommends...



Music Is Your Business
Christopher Knab and Bartley F. Day's expanded edition of "Music Is Your Business" is filled with more insights into the business side of being a successful musician or band. Included are chapters on both Internet and traditional music marketing methods. The essential legal issues you need to know are explained as are music contract tips, how to license your music, attract distributors, get radio airplay and create a demand for your music. More...


How to Promote Your Music Successfully on the Internet

How to Promote Your Music Successfully on the Internet
Our in-depth guide to music promotion demonstrates how you can combine powerful internet marketing techniques to sell your music merchandise online! Learn what works, what doesn't, and what you shouldn't waste your time and money on.
More....


Our Top 25 Articles
How to Write an Artist Bio
Performance Contracts
Mastering Your Music
How to Copyright Music
21 Songwriting Tips

Tax Tips for Musicians

Sell Your CDs Online

What's a Record Deal About?
Artist/Band Interview Form

Inside Record Labels
Internship Do's & Don'ts
How to Make a Living w/ Music

How to Write a Press Release
Reasons Demos Are Rejected
Facts About Music Licensing

Trademark Your Band Name?
Planning A Radio Campaign
A Legal Checklist
Industry Quotes to Live By
Songwriting Techniques
Guerrilla Marketing Tips
Starting a Music Business
Live Performance
Music Marketing Plan
Can U Afford Distribution?

Lots More Articles...


All Content © 1996-2013
Midnight Rain Productions.
All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy