Five Ways to Extend Your Music Career
Review and photos by: Patrick Axovius, Writer @Triqueofficial
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner/Editor @PlaylistTC
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I know, you want to make music that's so good, it'll make the entire world groove like a pack of party animals on a Saturday night. You want to be the Beyonce or Ed Sheeran of your generation, filling stadiums and making teenage hearts swoon. But hold up - have you thought about the long game? How long do you plan on being a superstar, and what's your strategy for staying on top like a cherry on a sundae?
These are the million-dollar questions that most musicians forget to ask themselves. Sure, it's great to be the flavor of the week, but what about next week? And the week after that? If you're not careful, your music career could fizzle out faster than a wet firecracker on a rainy day.
So listen up. It's time to start thinking about your long-term plan. How will you keep your fans interested and invested in your music for years to come? The secret sauce to your musical success is lurking just below in the next section. Don't be shy, dive in and get saucy with it!
#1. Don’t Starve or Overfeed Your Fans
The music industry has an unspoken rule: less is more, but not too less. Confused yet? Let me explain. You see, the law of supply and demand doesn't just apply to businesses that produce toilet paper and hand sanitizers. Nope, it's also relevant to the world of music.
In the long term, if you flood the market with too much of your sweet, sweet tunes, your fans will start to take you for granted. You don't want to overfeed your fans with too much music and turn them into musical gluttons, always craving more and more until they become sick of you. And you certainly don't want to starve them either, leaving them parched and desperate for even a small crumb of your musical genius.
So, limit the supply of your tracks and make them rare like a unicorn sighting. But be careful not to vanish like a magician's rabbit for too long, or your fans will move on to the next big thing faster than you can say 'New phone, who dis?’
How to Find the Perfect Routine
Alright, you musical maestro, it's time to get your release routine on point! But before you start scheduling your next album drop, let me tell you - there's no magic formula for the perfect release routine. It's not like some secret recipe for a tasty stew, unfortunately.
Nope, finding the right routine for you is all about trial and error. You gotta experiment and see what sticks. Just like trying out new hairstyles or fashion trends, you gotta find what works best for you and your unique style.
You may be thinking - "I need to know the perfect routine!" Well, my friend, that's like asking me to tell you the meaning of life - it's just not gonna happen.
But don't worry, it's not all doom and gloom. Just think of it as a fun little puzzle to solve. You gotta take into account things like your music style, your fan base, and how competitive the market is. It's like playing a game of chess, but with music.
However, here’s a guideline to help you:
As a rising act, you gotta get your sound out there and make sure people know who you are. That means putting out singles like they're going out of style (which, let's be honest, they probably will at some point).
How often should you be dropping these musical gems? Well, the experts say at least once a month. That's right, you better get busy churning out those hits if you want to build up that fan base.
Of course, you gotta be smart about it. Don't go blowing your entire budget on a music video that nobody's gonna watch. But if you do it right, you'll be raking in those streams and building up a loyal audience that's practically begging for your debut album.
As an established act still fresh in the music scene, you may have already made it big in the music world, but that doesn't mean you get to rest on your laurels. Nope! You gotta keep that momentum going by dropping a fresh album at least once every 18 months.
And here's the thing - you can't just drop that bad boy (or girl) out of nowhere. You gotta build up that hype by releasing a few singles beforehand. That way, your fans will be practically foaming at the mouth by the time the album finally drops.
18 months is like two whole pregnancies, I know! But trust me, it's worth it. Think of it like a fine wine - it takes time to mature and reach its full potential. Plus, it gives you plenty of time to work on your dance moves for the inevitable tour!
And as a venerable music veteran who’s been in the game for over 15 years, you may know a thing or two about making hit tunes. So, what could be the perfect routine at this point?
Well, my dear friend, at this stage in the game, it's all about quality over quantity. You don't need to be dropping singles every other day or albums every 18 months. No, no, no. You've already built up that fan base, and now it's time to leave a legacy.
That means taking your time and crafting classic tunes that will stand the test of time. You don't want to be remembered as the artist who flooded the market with mediocre tracks, do you? No, you want to be remembered as a legend.
Of course, these are just guidelines, not hard and fast rules. Maybe you're feeling particularly inspired and want to drop a surprise album tomorrow - go for it! But just remember, at this stage in the game, it's all about leaving that lasting impression.
And if all else fails, just flip a coin - heads you release a single, tails you release an album. It's foolproof! Lol.
#2. Niche Down
You see, the greatest musicians in history didn't become legends by accident. They honed in on a specific sound or genre that made them stand out from the crowd.
Think about it - would Led Zeppelin be as iconic if they dabbled in country music? Would Beyonce be Queen B if she tried to do death metal? Probably not.
That's why it's so important to find your niche in the music industry. Whether it's gospel or environmental-friendly tunes, sticking to a specific theme or genre will help you build a loyal fanbase that will stick with you through thick and thin.
And let's be real, you don't want to be known as the musician who switches up their style every other week. That's like trying to date a hundred people at once - it's just not gonna work out in the long run.
Instead, focus on building a strong relationship with fans who love your particular style. That kind of connection will lead to a long and fruitful career in the industry.
But hey, that doesn't mean you can't switch things up from time to time. People love a little bit of spontaneity in their lives, after all. Just make sure to do it with a sprinkle of style and flair.
So go forth and find your niche, my musical friends. The world is your stage, and it's time to shine.
#3. Maintain Good Relationships
Dear rising music mogul, getting to the top is only half the battle. If you want to stay there and keep killing it in the industry, you need to know how to maintain those crucial relationships that got you there in the first place.
You may feel you’re a talented rockstar, that doesn’t need anyone else! And while it's true that attention can do funky things to our egos, it's essential to remember that no musician is an island.
So, don't be a snob. Take the time to nurture the relationships that matter most to your career. Whether it's your label, your manager, or your music industry connections, these people have your back - so make sure you have theirs too.
Now, I'm not saying you should be a kiss-up or anything. That's just not cool. But building personal relationships with the key players in the industry can go a long way in keeping you relevant and successful.
So, keep the good vibes flowing. Make music that they'll love to support in their own way, and watch your career take off. And who knows, maybe you'll even make some lifelong friends along the way.
#4. Look Out for Competition
When you release a song, you're essentially throwing it into a ring of fire, where it'll be battling it out with every other artist who's ever picked up a guitar, tambourine, or triangle. And let's face it, even if you do manage to get someone to listen to your tune, they might just hit skip and move on to a classic like the Spice Girls or Beethoven. So, it's like being in a never-ending talent show, where you're up against the legends of music, both living and dead. The only way to survive is to constantly up your game and ask yourself, "How can I be as good as Lady Gaga or Mozart, without going insane?"
When your music begins to make waves, fans will begin to compare you to artists on your level, and if you take the moment for granted, you might lose out your shine to your supposed rivals. You need to understand that there's always someone willing to take your spot therefore you can't slack for a moment.
Competition never dies off, regardless of how long you've stayed on top of your game. However, the consequences of not protecting your territory against your competition can only be minimal if you've gained a lot of relevance over years.
If you've been ruling a music scene for about a decade or more, you're bound to have admirers trying to copy your swag, sound, and overall vibe. Don't get me wrong, it's cute and all, but let's be real, from a business standpoint, those copycats could become your rivals, especially if they're younger and hotter. So, don't get too comfortable on your throne, keep pushing the boundaries, and stay ahead of the game.
To survive in this dog-eat-dog world of music, you've got to be strategic. Consistently drop bangers, but don't flood the market like a leaky faucet, it's a delicate balance. Polish your image with a kickass PR team and social media presence, 'cause let's be real, perception is everything. And hey, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em! Collaborate with your competition to show that you're confident enough in your skills to team up with them, and who knows, maybe you'll end up ruling the charts together like the dynamic duo you are.
#5. Marketing Keeps the Ball Rolling
Making music is like having a passionate love affair. Sometimes you may get caught up in the magic that you forget about the importance of constantly showing off your beloved (the music) to the world. That's where marketing comes in, folks. It's the essential wingman you need to help your music get noticed and get lucky.
You might think marketing is less important to your longevity once you become a star, but in reality, it's even more critical because your failures will be more visible to the public. To ensure you stand the test of time, you have to ignore the voices of laziness and the lure of comfort. Keep doing whatever got you there in the first place.
You gotta keep hustlin', even when you're on top. Hit up radio shows, run social media campaigns, put your face on billboards, and take promo pics like your life depends on it. And when you need a breather, come back with a bang, something so epic it breaks the internet.
In short, you gotta be an attention seeker, but you also have to know when to draw the line. Don't be that desperate artist who's always begging for attention. That's just sad. Instead, learn to work the room and leave them begging for more. Trust me, your reputation will thank you for it.
Conclusion:
Chasing a long-term career is not all about the hustle and grind, sometimes you need to take a chill pill and give yourself a breather, for the sake of your health and creativity. If you always put yourself in the line of action, you'd burn out and also be unable to see flaws in some of your decisions.
I mean, come on, you don't want to end up looking like a zombie with a guitar. Always take breaks, hit the beach, or go hiking, and come back with a fresh perspective. Being away from work gives you a chance to see things from a different angle.
Take care of your life off the music scene, learn to maintain the balance and you’d live a more fulfilling life which would eventually become evident in your creativity and longevity in the long run.
Trust me and try this, your future self will thank you for it. Adios, rockstar!
Patrick Axovius is a seasoned music executive based in Minnesota with over eight years of experience managing artists, branding social media sensations, and working as an A&R/Producer for talented artists. About a decade ago, Patrick toured venues around Illinois and neighboring locations with his fusion pop band 'Cheddar Base,' headlining his first show and selling about 1000 tickets, all before turning 19. Patrick has gained extensive knowledge and expertise in the music industry from his experience working with Jton Music, a Houston-based management firm that supports globally renowned Afrobeats artists such as Yemi Alade and Paul (one half of the Psquare Duo). He currently develops young talents and plans to establish his own label in the future to revolutionize the music business.
