How to Start Your Career - Marketing Yourself
by Shannon Kennedy
This article is for when you get out of college and you have to start your career but are
not sure where to start.
The first step to establishing yourself as a musician is to sell your name as an artist. You really have to promote yourself -
without being conceited (yes, this is possible). You just have to be honest and tell people what you do - it is key not to
exaggerate because they will find out the truth eventually. Ways to promote yourself include creating a press kit, staying in
the public eye, writing articles for magazines and websites, creating your own website, etc.
Do not be afraid to ask other musicians questions about what they are doing. Most musicians are willing to help other people
out because they are complimented that you think something you are doing is cool.
Take advantage of every opportunity that makes itself available to you - "opportunity knocks once". Have an outlook of saying
yes first and then finding out how to do it immediately after. However, you do have to make sure that the task is "doable"
before you commit to it.
Take business classes, English and writing classes, and public speaking classes. The skills that they classes offer are
irreplaceable. You need business because music is a business - you can't be successful without good business skills. You
need to take writing classes so you can write your own bio, or articles. You need to take speaking classes because you are
always going to be in the public's eye and you need to have speaking skills in front of big groups and small groups of
people.
An important skill to have is good time management. Find those few minutes to get what you need to get done finished. For
example, in between writing your latest composition and going to the studio to record for that one guy's new album, get a
few minutes of practicing in.
It is not enough to just be a good musician - there is a lot more involved in having a successful career as an artist. You
have to really want it and be willing to work hard to get there. You also have to be a good educator because people will
always want help - it is important to be able to tell other people what you are doing and how to do it. Get your own website,
have publicity pictures, a bio and written material about what you do.
