1:27 PM 8 Ways to Build Sustainable Music Careers |
| Some people blame the weak economy, but I mainly fault music faculty for failing to incorporate entrepreneurship education into their curricula. Here, then, is a snapshot of 8 ways that aspiring musicians can equip themselves to earn good livings from their art. 1. Learn About the Music Business We can’t expect to forge sustainable careers unless we have a basic understanding of our industry. To that end, we should read about the music business, be aware of the diverse roles that professional musicians fill, and know the fundamentals of how non-profit and for-profit music businesses operate. Then, we can discern ways to present concerts and otherwise sell our work. 2. Acquire Professional Know-How As soon as we discover aspects of the music industry that appeal to us, we can begin acquiring professional know-how. For instance, young musicians can shadow or assist professionals, intern for arts organizations, and enroll in the likes of grant-writing seminars. 3. Develop Multiple Income Streams The Future of Music Coalition publishes a summary of 42 musician revenue streams. Students who learn about those streams can begin attaining the skills to tap them. In contrast, musicians who only know of 1 or 2 ways to earn income prime themselves for disappointment. 4. Build In-Demand Skills Our communities need us to supply all sorts of musical products and services. Religious institutions, for example, employ vast numbers of musicians, so keyboardists who gain organ and conducting chops can easily get work as church or synagogue musicians, as can singers who learn to lead choirs. There’s also an ongoing demand for music teachers, which means that musicians with pedagogical and self-marketing ability can often work as much as they like. 5. Connect with New Audiences Those of us who seek out audiences beyond ordinary niches create robust channels for income and collaboration. 6. Become Tech-Savvy Musicians who can produce quality online content position themselves to reach diverse populations. To bolster your tech and marketing knowledge, see the Music Careers page at MusiciansWay.com 7. Lead Joseph Polisi, President of the Juilliard School, says, "Our students should have a much better sense of their environment, politically, socially, economically—and also the idea that as leaders they should shape the future, and that they should also have a way of shaping their own future, instead of expecting the profession, the field, to simply provide them with employment.”** One way that we can assert our leadership is to put together innovative concert programs and community engagement projects; then, we can present our work broadly, becoming artist-citizens in the process. 8. Embrace Lifelong Learning Artists who ignore the revolution taking place in the music industry risk being left behind. When we keep on learning, though, we can create relevant work that attracts new audiences, generates revenue, and lifts communal spirits. |
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