Playing to win
The UK is the second biggest exporter of recorded music in the world, after the USA. This should make the industry attractive for anyone hoping for a music career. Opportunities exist in creating, producing, performing, artist development or event managing. However, as well as the bountiful opportunities, there are many pitfalls to negotiate.
A great starting place on how to get a career in music is to uncover what you would like to do in the music industry. Are you a committed musician, a music producer or want to work in management? Sometimes agile music career development means looking for positions outside of the music industry, but still immersing yourself in music, such as a music teacher, or even as a composer writing for gaming companies, film, TV or even stage productions. There are many ways to get a career in music and profit from it. Research what job opportunities are out there and then look at where your skills lie. When you find something that you’re passionate about, look for an appropriate career pathway for it. Networking is a great way to research any role but at the same time develop your interpersonal skills as you meet music industry professionals.
So, you want to be a musician?
It’s important to focus your music performances where you can add value to your brand. Every time you perform you are fine-tuning your skills, audience engagement, stage presence and instrumental abilities. Being a musician requires confidence to perform onstage just like an actor. As a result, your onstage persona contrasts with your offstage persona. As your performance skills become more polished, your courage will grow, and this is an awesome asset for any singer or artist. If an audience relates to your singing and likes your sound, followers will increase on social media sites, and you will start attracting the attention of management and promoters that could place you within the music industry.
Find a mentor
Music industry mentors are extremely helpful, guiding you with advice on how to target your music, image, and identity. This impartial advice can be welcomed when your other advisors are promoters and managers. This could include someone within the music industry or even someone who has retired. Often these individuals have accumulated large networks from across the industry. They could introduce you to their network and open new conversations that will boost your credibility and in turn will provide you with more job opportunities.
Your own network
You should aim to make connections with music industry professionals, including those that are already in the industry or upcoming professionals. Through applying this strategy, you will be able to share and learn from the successes (and failures) of others. Networking with upcoming artists gives you the opportunity to collaborate and feel like you are part of a musical ensemble. You will also be able to receive constructive criticism of your work.
Your brand
Everything that you create and deliver within your career in music is part of your consumer service. It needs to be recognisable, memorable and enjoyable so that your music consumers stay engaged. Showcase videos of your performances on blogs or on your social media channels so that people get a taster of what you’re like when you perform live. Ultimately, people will discover your brand and you can gain more attention as a performer.
Building an online presence is important for artists. Posting engaging content consistently is vital but needs to be carefully filtered. Every picture sells your identity, and your live music should meet a decent quality benchmark. Poor quality content negatively impacts your followers. Consider festival footage you performed at, new music previews or photos. Target your new music at big music streaming platforms, like Spotify, iTunes and even YouTube Music.
Seek out the live events that will connect with your brand. The Top Music Venue Guide in UK 20-21 TicketMaster
Live music has a huge impact on the UK economy. British people feel like a part of a music tribe. After the Covid-19 pandemic, 43% of music lovers were keen to see live shows and 66% of music lovers would see just as many if not more shows than they would have before. Taking part in music events unlocks performance opportunities abroad, influencing new markets to travel to, grow your online audience and public profile further as well as giving you more of an insight into the music industry. These events could be online, on social media or blogs that relate to the music industry. ‘The Unsigned Guide’ is A UK toolkit for upcoming bands and musicians, that provides resources, tips and tricks for building your brand and taking it to new heights.
Be prepared to spend money to make money
Making a career in music can be an expensive investment, especially when it comes to music equipment. Temporary or part-time jobs are helpful whilst you find your feet in a music career that provides you with the financial security you need in order to create your brand.
Your music tribe
Due to the rise of social media platforms such as Instagram, a fashion identity that suits your genre of music is important for a successful career in the music industry. Music and style work together and can influence audiences. Ultimately you will build your own music tribe through social media.
Sam Ryder, a UK artist who represented the UK at Eurovision 2022 with his song ‘Spaceman’ built his career using the social media app TikTok. He posted videos of himself singing covers of well known songs. As a result, musicians such as Elton John, Justin Bieber and Alicia Keys started to follow him. He began his UK tour, ‘There’s Nothing But Space Man’ on 17th March this year.
Shawn Mendes, a Canadian artist gained a large following through posting covers on the once very popular social media app Vine in 2013. This caught the attention of music managers the next year and his debut EP was released the following year.
Expanding your options
Another great way of securing a career in music is by studying a Music Bachelor’s degree. You learn appropriate songwriting techniques when you’re working with clients in a recording studio environment. You gain an understanding of how music production software is used, how to get the most out of a recording when you are in the role of composer and understanding how the music industry operates. Most important of all you learn how to turn a profit from your hard work. The knowledge you learn from a university course is valuable for any future music job. You don’t have to go to a music school or business school to make a career in music. With the online tools that social media sites provide, anyone can start their own company.
Technical skills
If you enjoy the technical side of music, you could also consider becoming a music producer. Over time, create a portfolio of work, by collaborating with artists and musicians. You gain valuable practical experience and develop skills in production and communication whilst building a name for yourself and creating a good network. Music Apprenticeships can also be a great way of starting a career in Music Production. You will gain confidence through working with others and get paid for learning.
Alternatively, an internship with a record producer during recording sessions will also provide invaluable insight into their world. As a producer, you could be making the vocal sound cleaner, the electric guitar sound more distorted or the drums punchier.
How to get a career in the music industry?
Anyone can get a career in the music industry. However, persistence and perseverance is the key to success. Whether you are an artist or producing music, music is your business, so staying active on social media and engaging with fans or customers is your job. Taking time to build your following on social media and establishing your business brand, will eventually lead to work opportunities. Event organisers look at how good your social media engagement is more so than how good your singing voice is, and whether you attract an audience. Equally a music business that engages with customers regularly on social media will ensure success. When considering how to get a career in the music industry remember that your individuality as an artist or as a music business will help you stand out from the crowded market and ensure that money flows into your business.
An artist who writes original music may only need one successful song for their fanbase to grow online and on social media and for them to become famous. Building connections with local music producers, whether you are in front of the desk or behind it, builds a rapport and encourages people to want to work with you.
The likeability factor
You will need a good level of self-awareness and strong communication skills. This is an industry that relies a lot on the “likeability” factor and the likelihood of repeat business depends on it. You should be practicing your crafts every day so that you become a good musician. You should always have a short-term plan and question yourself every day on what you are hoping to achieve? These are the key features on how to get a career in the music industry.
Concluding thoughts
Playing to win is tough and there will be many ups and downs. One of the key obstacles that graduates have to face once they leave University is the competitive world of work. However, if you take every setback as a lesson from which to learn and grow, you will bounce back stronger and will be more likely to succeed!
Finding a mentor or music manager who can guide you on your journey to success is helpful in order to develop and grow as a performer in the music industry. Whatever your chosen career path following University, it is useful to turn to professionals with experience to help guide the way. Graduate Coach has helped over 5000 students turn their degrees into careers through the support of their coaching programs, which show you how to be the very best version of yourself, whether you want to be a live performer, a producer or a music manager. Find careers that align with what you are most passionate about.
Featured photo by Dids from Pexels
Written by Charlie Blackwood
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