Tips to Advancing Your Music Career

There's more to having a music career than just writing and playing music. If you're pursuing a career in music, there are many aspects of the industry that you might not have considered yet. These 5 ways will help to get serious about your music.

Expert knowledge can make the biggest difference between you and the musician next you. In an industry when the competition is steep, you want to have the upper hand. Musicians who are formally educated in music may find more opportunities in music entertainment.

Remember that music performance is just one part of the industry. There are also writers, composers, and producers. In fact, many award-winning recording artists have ghostwriters.

Honing your craft with online music education can give you the skills you need to enter into songwriting as a profession. Plus, you can learn from the privacy of you home studio or practice space.

If you have your heart set on being a touring musician, it might be time to get an agent. Agents are important industry middlemen who advocate for the highest possible payout and get performers gigs that offer premium exposure. To get an agent, do a little research on the company or individual you're interested in hiring.

Look at the agent's client list for performers in your genre. Also, be realistic about your fanbase. Go with an agent or agency that understands where you are in your career, and wants to help you get to the next level.

Finally, seek out an agency that takes a percentage of your earnings rather than an upfront fee. That way your agent only gets paid with you get paid

Your recorded music should be the best representation of your sound. It's better to have a single that is properly recorded, mixed and mastered rather than an entire album of low-quality songs.

While free home recording software and audio streaming services have made it easy to record and release a song, they haven't made it any easier to get great quality recordings. The art of audio production takes a skilled master who has expertise in all aspects of the process, from microphone placement to audio compression.

For many new fans, your recorded music is going to their first impression, so you want to be sure that your audio releases are well-made.

An EPK, or electronic press kit, is a complication of content that can be used to hire an agent, book gigs or get media coverage. It's often comprised of professional photos, recordings, videos and artist bios. In the golden age of music, these press kits were snail mailed to record executives and radio stations in hopes of contracts and airplay.

These days, musicians send out their EPK via email to venues, agents, record companies and media outlets. EPKs are a standard in the industry because they're a good way for musicians to showcase themselves and their work.

Most musicians don't like mixing art with business. If you want to advance your career in music, you have to learn something about the business. In the long run, musicians who learn about marketing agreements, tour budgets, and entertainment law may have an easier time navigating the music industry.

Realistically, you can't avoid the business side of music if you ever want to get paid for your craft. It's probably a good idea to learn about it if only to ensure that you don't get into a bad deal.

It's often said that successful music careers aren't made overnight. They take time. However, being an expert musician, hiring an agent, producing quality releases, creating a standout EPK and getting better at music business can help you get started.