How Musicians Succeed

The executives at Lead Alliance help musicians and artists develop and increase sales from their music through innovative technology, establishing new relationships with fans, and building successful business around the art of music. The company handles all business affairs including sales, marketing, legal, copyrights, publishing, licensing, distribution, support, web, technology, touring, branding, and artist development.

“We have developed a knowledge and understanding of music by involving ourselves in all aspects of the industry, the systems, and the processes. I wrote the following 20 things it takes to be successful in the music business. I consistently read people’s advice in books and on the internet on why musicians fail in the industry,” says Lead Alliance CEO Mike Downey. “For this article, I wanted to focus on a positive note and on what musicians should do to succeed.”

“We’ve worked with successful artists, writers, producers, and corporate personnel from Los Angeles to New York. The consistent thing I see is that everyone, including Lead Alliance, is constantly working to make more music and improving the craft of art and commerce each day. Successful people in music have drive,” says Lead Alliance CMO Adrian Smith. “That’s one thing we can only help people realize their goals, but can’t force the will and the drive.”

“Musicians must not be selfish,” Lead Alliance COO Greg Preston Tyiir comments. “This is a collaborative business and either musicians work together as a team, or quite simply record labels tell them what to do and they may or may not be happy.”

THE 20 REASONS HOW MUSICIANS SUCCEED

1) You work to be a star instead of fantasizing about it.

2) You have a clear business plan and surround yourself with a team with solid business knowledge.

3) You have understanding of how the music industry works and you have good concepts.

4) You are willing to do whatever it takes to make it. You sacrifice, get in the trenches and do grunt work. You use failure as a stepping-stone.

5) You work with committed fellow musicians in your group. Weed out uncommitted.

6) You save or raise enough money to record and promote your music.

7) You make opportunities happen and realize no one will just come along and discover you.

8 ) You study and perfect your skills and trade to become a master musician.

9) Your music is original and you have inspired ideas.

10) You believe and understand that art and commerce is inseparable.

11) You stay motivated everyday, have mental toughness and never give in!

12) You plan for the day after you succeed. You have clear goals so expectations and rules are discernible.

13) You recognize that the song is your boss. At the end of the day do what is best for the song, make it the best it can be and the rest will follow suit.

14) You play music for the fans and you strive to entertain fans at all times.

15) You recognize that talent only gets you so far. You must be attentive, focused, consistent, and tenacious!

16) You have pride that pushes you to accept nothing less than your personal best, however you are not arrogant.

17) You have a quest for perfection, you are self-motivated, you want to beat the competition, and you work as a team.

18) You understand the structure and formula of hit songs. You have a strong hook with a memorable chorus, good melody, your song is well produced, its short in length, and has appealing lyrics.

19) The music business can burn you out. You must recharge your energy everyday and always stay positive.

20) You keep your fans interested with fresh content. Mix up your media between video, audio, blogs, contest, merch, reviews, and photos. Spread these media items out over time to lure your fans. Tease fans with snippets of songs.