As an independent artist, you are your own boss. From writing new songs to social media marketing, it’s pretty much a DIY operation. As such, you have to be a one-stop shop or a really great delegator, because if you stop working, your career stops working as well.
Have you given much thought to the aspects of your music career that really drive you? Or those that you really don’t enjoy doing? Have you asked for help or do you take care of everything yourself?
Consider these aspects of your career:
- Lyrics: Do you work in isolation or do you bring in a co-writer(s) for inspiration and motivation?
- Song composition: Do you write all of the music yourself or do you collaborate with your band members to create the music?
- Show promotion: Do you single handedly get the word out or have you considered delegating this responsibility to other band members, friends or fans? Have you set up a street team to help you with the work?
- Video Production: Have you attempted to create your own video? How did the process turn out? Or have you hired a video team to help you create an innovative video? What was your experience like?
- PR: Have you contacted the media on your own to obtain album reviews and show reviews? What was your experience like? Or have you hired a music publicist to help you out along the way?
- Merch: After your shows, do you man the merch table or have you delegated this responsibility to a savvy salesperson, fan or friend? Or do you split the merch responsibilities among the band? How has it worked out?
- Website and brand design: Did you design the band’s logo or did you hire a designer for assistance? What was the outcome?
- Accounting: Who handles the money? Have you hired an accountant or do you take care of the books on your own?
If you take care of all the ins and outs of your career, how do you handle it all without feeling overwhelmed? Perhaps you’ve hired a business manager and/or split up responsibilities with in the band. If so, how has that been working out? As we’ve mentioned, it’s important to utilize any and all resources that you can—so if you’re feeling overwhelmed, and trying to juggle too much work at once, don’t be afraid to ask for help. You might be surprised by just how much help you get!
Tell us what you think! We want to hear from you: what aspects of your music career really drive you? What are your favorite and least favorite aspects of your career? How do you manage everything? Post your thoughts in the comments section or on our Facebook page.
Up next: A SongCaster Social Media Makeover!
The SongCast Crew
I enjoy writing and playing new songs on various instruments as I evolve them to be recorded. I miss not playing in bands with others because it’s such fun.I don’t play live at the moment ,but I enjoy making original videos, take photos of my career …just name it, I do it all alone.Don’t know if managing and publishing factors are not becoming an interest as a profession as well. I am used to doing it all alone.
Thank you for your comment!
Do you work in isolation or do you bring in a co-writer(s) for inspiration and motivation?
Beats On Dek Records Owner Jason B. Ricks AKA J.R answers:
If i’m collaborating on a track with multiple artist I elaborate off of the hook. My inspiration comes from listening to the soundtrack, topic, and clever parodies . I have never use co-writers within my lyrics. I often listen to whats going on in the genre of music i’m approaching then write or freestyle my responses. Doing this, in my given situation at that very moment/mood (also depending whats was said before on that track), reflects and gives my fans a view of the topic based off my true feelings. If i feel as a artist is talking to me, why not respond if possible?
Do you write all of the music yourself or do you collaborate with your band members to create the music?
Anytime I get together and work on a track with the band members we all give our input to generate the best product we can possibly come up with. There has been time’s that I’ve had to write for some of the members but As the producer, if they are having writers block, its my job to get there creativity back flowing.
Do you single handedly get the word out or have you considered delegating this responsibility to other band members, friends or fans? Have you set up a street team to help you with the work?
I depend on the fans, band members, friends, Internet blast, Flyer’s, performances, ETC… to get the publicity needed. We have a steady growing street team for anyone who wants to join at http://www.Reverbnation.com/BeatsOnDekRecords . I briefly Speak with each one independently to get them caught up so that we can get ready for up an coming objectives, and events.
Have you attempted to create your own video? How did the process turn out? Or have you hired a video team to help you create an innovative video? What was your experience like?
I always make amateur home video’s until we get to the point of having the equipment to have them professionally done. The turn out always amazes me. Just to get the message across- A lot of the videos were done from my cell phone (Now isn’t that cool). This lets you know that from my perspective anything is possible and you have to work with what you got! Check it out for yourself !!! http://www.BeatsOnDek.com or http://www.YouTube.com/Jricks2006
Have you contacted the media on your own to obtain album reviews and show reviews? What was your experience like? Or have you hired a music publicist to help you out along the way?
I have a Publicist to help our artist and company along the way. I constantly review our product and always follow up an check behind any album and show reviews. This is extremely important to me. It helps tremendously.!!
After your shows, do you man the merch table or have you delegated this responsibility to a savvy salesperson, fan or friend? Or do you split the merch responsibilities among the band? How has it worked out?
At this point the band members and street teamer’s will be responsible for moving the merchandise. It’s a constant struggle when the main focus is to get heard. So If you see us out show your support.
Did you design the band’s logo or did you hire a designer for assistance? What was the outcome?
We are still working on that perfect logo so nothing to this point is permanent. We have designers for the! There genius.
Who handles the money? Have you hired an accountant or do you take care of the books on your own?
The money is held in alternate accounts for alternate objectives. The Label handles this. Not yet a need for an accountant.
If you take care of all the ins and outs of your career, how do you handle it all without feeling overwhelmed? Perhaps you’ve hired a business manager and/or split up responsibilities with in the band. If so, how has that been working out?
Life is overwhelming! It takes some individual labor at times but always fall’s into a team effort. Without the support of the family, friends, and fans we would still be dreaming? The job has to be done the rite way so we are always looking for that next person to come along with there new ideas and and strategies to take our business to the next level.
What aspects of your music career really drives you? What are your favorite and least favorite aspects of your career? How do you manage everything?
I have been doing music my whole life, from band, Hip-Hop, Jazz, and concert. It has always been in my life and I hope that it reflects in my company. I get excited to create and bring the thoughts of performances to the stage. I just don’t like the artist that does this better than us, were chasing after you(so, if we cant beat ya join the beat)! This competitive field will always keep us busy. Its always hard to manage everything but its just like the tortoise and the hair story, little by little things get done, the rite way and get better each time.
Great post, J.R. Thanks for your input.