STEP 1: Perfect your performance Play as many open stages as your can to network with others and solidify your stage presence. Become a familiar face and make sure you get to really know the people. Give this a 6-month time period. STEP 2: Book shows in your community Build your following little by little in [...]
We recently got this question from one of our readers, and in light of last week’s post, You’re Talented. How Come You’re Still Broke?, we thought it was the perfect time to respond. Q: As an independent artist starting out, I just released a CD and have no significant budget. What should one consider being successful? [...]
Today’s post was written by a good friend and fellow singer/songwriter, Kurt Scobie. Kurt has written for Grassrootsy before: “What Exactly Does a Full-Time Artist Do All Day?“. In today’s article, Scobie gives you very practical tips on how to make your career last. Read and apply! _______________________________________________________________________________ I want to share what I think is [...]
Promotion is a process. You can’t just put an album out the day after you get the master back. And you can’t expect to get a full-house at your show if you book it one day in advance. It takes time to build hype. Here is the 3-step plan to promoting something…anything! PLAN Don’t [...]
The new year is upon us! In the Spirit of change/resolutions/starting over, I propose that all the musicians reading this come up with a visible change in the way they spread their music. Here are a few ideas… (trying to keep posts shorter so its not too much to read in one sitting) Book Yourself. Then Book [...]
So for mother’s day, I went home to visit my mom. To my surprise, my parents had some friends over and the 4 of them were talking about an NGO they would like to start overseas. The more they talked, the more I knew what today’s post would be. No matter what goal you have [...]
Have you seen it yet? If not, you should definitely go check it out. Being a social network enthusiast, this movies wasn’t just entertainment for me. It was sort of like a lecture. I could probably write-off the ticket stub on my taxes. *chuckle* (that’s not a joke…but maybe it is) 1. There’s no point [...]
It’s that time again. Time to reference the blog, How To Make a Living Playing Music, by musician Danny Barnes. It’s an excellent article that every aspiring musician should read if they want a realistic view of what it takes to make it in a music career. Here are today’s thoughts on his blog. “Keep working on finding [...]
Ok, I admit. Last week’s post was a bit brutal. But the more I look over various chapters of MacLeod’s Ignore Everybody: And 39 Other Keys to Creativity, the more I realize that he is offering the reader two choices. DO or DON’T. You either DO your passion or you sit back and watch others [...]
“Goals that are products of dreams are worth pursuing” It’s the last week of the year. Yea, official “New Year Resolutions” are highly overrated but goals are not. Take some time this week to really think about your life and your music. Evaluate: Where were you last year and how far have you come? I [...]
As independent artists, our job is to do what the labels do without the money or network that labels have. See “Thinking Outside the Box – Thinking like a Record Label“). It’s an overwhelming task and chances are that you’ll never be able to do it like the “big guys”. But there are ways to make this job [...]
Grassrootsy often features (and is probably biased towards) solo artist, so here’s something for you bands out there! Its important to realize that if you’re in a band, you’ll have to figure out a few things that you might not have to worry about as a singer/songwriter. Open a Bank Account This is especially important for [...]
While visiting Artist House Music (and incredible music business site) today, I came across a really rock-solid marketing plan by Boston-based Band Convey. It prompted me to put up this post. Make sure to check out Convey’s Marketing Plan when you have a chance. The key to having a killer marketing plan is being practical. Yea…you’re [...]
Someone will say “No” to you. That’s pretty much the worse that can happen is. But somehow that holds so many artists back from reaching their full potential. “No” should never deter you from trying to do something you think is impossible. Here are some thoughts/ideas of seemingly outlandish things that you may think are out [...]
