Opinion: What upcoming artists need to know this year
23 January 2014
As much as I do not support the title ‘upcoming artist’ since I find it very limiting, that’s what most people use to refer to artists who are working their way into the music industry. Sadly many promising artists usually disappear from the music scene almost as soon as they appear, faced with several challenges along the way, and finding it difficult to survive in the industry.
After giving it a long thought I came up with a list of tips that may just be of help to upcoming artists.
1. Target Audience
As a new artist still coming into the game, you need to identify your target audience and work on it. Having the knowledge of your target audience will enable you as an artist to come up with good music that suits your particular target audience. You also need to research and understand the music preferences of your target audience.
2. Language use
Once you have identified your particular target audience, the next step is to package your product/ songs in a manner that your audience can easily identify themselves with. Sing in a language that your audience can easily understand and identify with.
3. Don’t work for the money, it will come later
Many promising artists kick start their careers very well but later lose it along the way, reason? They concentrated on the pay check and forget about the music; once the money fails to come through they lose hope and disappear from the scene. As an upcoming artist do not work so hard for the money, concentrate on improving your music and money will follow you later.
4. Work with the best in the industry
As an upcoming artist in the murky waters of the music industry, you need to work with the best brains in the industry. You have to look for the best producers, the best studios and even the best dancers to work within your music. Choose quality over quantity.
5. Consistency
Once you make yourself a name in the industry, do not sleep on the job, keep up the pace and release new music after a specific time range, say monthly, quarterly or even twice a year. This will ensure that you maintain your fan base as an artist which is very important.
6. Create a brand
Look around you and you will realize that every big artist has something that identifies him/ her with his fans. Create something unique with yourself, be it your voice, dressing or way of life that will make you and your music stick in our minds for a very long time.
After giving it a long thought I came up with a list of tips that may just be of help to upcoming artists.
1. Target Audience
As a new artist still coming into the game, you need to identify your target audience and work on it. Having the knowledge of your target audience will enable you as an artist to come up with good music that suits your particular target audience. You also need to research and understand the music preferences of your target audience.
2. Language use
Once you have identified your particular target audience, the next step is to package your product/ songs in a manner that your audience can easily identify themselves with. Sing in a language that your audience can easily understand and identify with.
3. Don’t work for the money, it will come later
Many promising artists kick start their careers very well but later lose it along the way, reason? They concentrated on the pay check and forget about the music; once the money fails to come through they lose hope and disappear from the scene. As an upcoming artist do not work so hard for the money, concentrate on improving your music and money will follow you later.
4. Work with the best in the industry
As an upcoming artist in the murky waters of the music industry, you need to work with the best brains in the industry. You have to look for the best producers, the best studios and even the best dancers to work within your music. Choose quality over quantity.
5. Consistency
Once you make yourself a name in the industry, do not sleep on the job, keep up the pace and release new music after a specific time range, say monthly, quarterly or even twice a year. This will ensure that you maintain your fan base as an artist which is very important.
6. Create a brand
Look around you and you will realize that every big artist has something that identifies him/ her with his fans. Create something unique with yourself, be it your voice, dressing or way of life that will make you and your music stick in our minds for a very long time.
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