5 ways to fail as an Independent Artist

This post will surely ring true to anyone who has worked in the Music industry for any considerable amount of time. As a matter of fact, you might have noticed some of these things just from watching some of your friends (at least on Facebook) do the same.

A few decades ago (the 90s) it was very expensive to record  a song or produce an album. In addition home recording was still in its infancy to many of this generation, even then, gear was expensive and very difficult to use. Things have changed now and we see A LOT of new bands, rappers, and producers have popped up everywhere.

While we may enjoy supporting our friends we may find it hard to when they are constantly barraging us with half completed work and unfinished material. In other instances your friend may be trying to convince you to come to a show, even though youve never heard them even mention they were musicians until recently.

There is nothing wrong with this renewed growth in musicians, bands, and producers, but we all know they cant all be successful, and sometimes those with talent and actual potential get thrown in the pile with those that will almost surely never make it.

So here I present you the "How to Fail as an Independent Artist" list. Feel free to change this to the "Never do the following" list if you take yourself seriously as an artist:

Constantly flood your wall with unprofessional work.

While you may be exited to share your latest track with the rest of the world, no one wants to hear distorted vocals, or muddy mixes. We all listen to a lot of professionally finished music ALL THE TIME. So even though your work may be conceptually and musically appealing our ears will hate it and we wont know why. Its the small things we cant put our fingers on. Atleast have someone professionally mix your track. You want people to take you serious, then be serious and use a professional. If you were SERIOUSLY trying to become a professional boxer, would you trust yourself to train you, or would you seek a good trainer before being thrown in the ring?

Be unprepared for sessions, be late also.

Ive heard many managers, engineers, and producers, complain in the studio about how such and such artist would be great if they had good work ethic. Others show up to a session with a mess of loose leaf lyrics, and worn out from a late night before. If your not prepared to succeed, be prepared to fail.

Its easy right, so dont work hard.

Talented individuals beware, as we are the ones who most often fall into this trap. Talent can blind us into thinking hard work is unnecessary. If you want to be a master at something practice and work hard. Often I hear people say their "hustling" or "grinding." This couldn't be farther from the truth if your not doing something daily to develop your art form. Write, write, then practice, practice and practice some more.

Don't tell your friends, dont even put yourself out there.  

Just as bad as flooding your friends is never letting anyone know what you do. If you play guitar, you should be the first person your friends think about if someone asks if they know a guitar player. Sometimes people are afraid to share what they do because they are afraid to find out they aren't talented enough to be successful. While I don't believe in letting others opinions stop you from doing what you want, wouldn't you want to know if your wasting your time as soon as possible? Well if you have honest friends you will find out quick enough if you put yourself out enough.

Nobody cares about integrity so don't display any.

In the words of Tony Montana "all I have are my words and my balls and I don't break them for nobody." Is your word BOND. Are you there when you say you will? Do you cancel sessions, practices, and projects because you over commit? We've all had this issue at some point. But people will always remember the time you left them hanging, waiting, or disappointed. My advice is always tell people you will check to make sure you have no other commitments and get back to them. Most importantly... GET BACK TO THEM. Were all busy, so its more important even that we do what we say when we say it. On the same note, don't be the person that talks bad about others when their not around. If you do you will be seen as a coward, and untrustworthy. Want to increase your respect 20 fold? Get in the habit of addressing issues with people directly using tact.

Successful people are willing to do what unsuccessful people are not.

So true in every way. Have any stories about dealing with some of these issues? Or do you have any other advice for Indy artists? Please share!

Bonus: I read a great book that studied why people like Michael Jordan and Bill Gates were so amazingly successful. The reason will surprise you. Check it out below. (please note this is not an affiliate link so I have no vested interest in you purchasing this book. However if you do read it let me know what you think!)

The Outliers