Making It in The Music Industry---Faster: 4 Key Indicators

If you study successful musicians, artists, bands and songwriters, one common theme does show up pretty fast---tons of hard work. But just because the work is 'hard' doesn't mean it's right, or necessarily the best way you can go about it. Other factors that have contributed to the success of various 'musical conquistadors' include the tried and true playing out as much as you can, distributing business cards, CD's, and networking as much as possible, etc. But still--no one wants the damn process to take another 10 years for them to finally 'get there', right?

And some of it does just take time--time for you or your band to become seasoned and consistently delivering professional quality performances, time for the right people to find you, etc.  However--there are about 4 key indicators we've noticed (with regard to the current music scene) that tend to deliver the most for your hard earned time and money and have proven to be ways to work 'smarter', not harder:

1) Go find a great music competition or two and enter your best material--it's one of the fastest tracks to the real thing:  And if that means spending a little more to travel to a better studio or to pay for a better recording or producer, then find a way to do it because you're only going to get one, maybe two listens or views of your video and if it doesn't strike 'em, the judges will be saying 'next'. There are several current artists that have gone from zero to hero in just a few months to prove this-i.e. Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, etc. The ASPA offers a great singer songwriter contest right here, with no age limits.

2) Network effectively and don't waste your time: Keep your ears open for people talking 'music industry speak' and make sure to walk by in between sets and thank them for listening, etc--start some easy conversation and see where it goes.  Also keep an ear out for those people that say 'they know someone' - a major producer, artist, etc - and of those that really do, see if there's any way they could review your material and maybe 'point you in the right direction' (use those words--it's non-threatening and it leads you where you want to go more often.

3) Venues: find out and keep an eye out for the best places to play, venues, festivals, etc where other people have been 'discovered'. Obviously, play where you need to so that you get the income needs met, but make time to visit and play wherever there's a known history of 'discoveries' by music industry professionals.

4) Develop your own newsletter (and website if possible), blog, something---and keep in touch with fans at least every couple of weeks with new music and what's going on with your career---and don't forget to ask if anyone knows someone at a label, major studio, etc -- you might be surprised at who knows who, and how fast your material can end up in the hands of the right people.

Remember--work SMARTER, and THEN work harder! And don't forget to check out the ASPA 2014 Singer Songwriter Contest! It's a band contest, country music contest, artist contest and singer songwriter contest all rolled into one!

ROCK ON!

The ASPA

Want to Get That Record Deal Faster? Think Music Contest

A lot of artists and bands work extremely hard trying traveling everywhere just to get notice by the right people, to finally get that record deal so they can finally get out on tour and boost their careers. But that's a heck of a lot of work and quite costly as you're basically paying for your own 'tour'.  A smarter way to get where you want to go much faster is to enter a quality songwriting, artist or band contest.

 

Yeah, there are some bogus music contests or singing contests, etc out there, but there are some very legit ones, too. And not to toot our own horns here, but the ASPA offers a very real, good quality competition with no BS and a lot of opportunity even if you don't with the thing!  And--it's very easy to enter, with no age limits, and can easily put you right in front of major labels that are VERY MUCH looking for the next great talent. That's their business and they are always looking for someone who has the skill and drive to partner with.

 

Our team of judges are connection to Sony, Warner Bros, Hollywood Records, Virgin Records, Ten Ten, and a bunch of top-level musicians and artists who are well connected too--and many of them like to invest in new artists!  And-you don't even have to win!. Our judges look and listen to ALL entries and do pick out quite a few that they feel have talent and pass them on to labels, investors, producers, etc.  All of this for a small entry fee of either $25 or $35, a very affordable way to get your music heard by the right people.

 

So if you've been struggling to 'make it' or just want to get there faster, check out our ASPA Singer Songwriter Competition - you'll be glad you did.

 

The ASPA

http://www.theaspa.com

Making It As a Songwriter, Artist or Band: 4 Tips To Get There Faster

 

 

If you study successful musicians, artists, bands and songwriters, one common theme does show up pretty fast---tons of hard work. But just because the work is 'hard' doesn't mean it's right, or necessarily the best way you can go about it. Other factors that have contributed to the success of various 'musical conquistadors' include the tried and true playing out as much as you can, distributing business cards, CD's, and networking as much as possible, etc. But still--no one wants the damn process to take another 10 years for them to finally 'get there', right?!!

And some of it does just take time--time for you or your band to become seasoned and consistently delivering professional quality performances, time for the right people to find you, etc.  However--there are about 4 key indicators we've noticed (with regard to the current music scene) that tend to deliver the most for your hard earned time and money and have proven to be ways to work 'smarter', not harder:

1) Go find a great competition or two and enter your best material--it's one of the fastest tracks to the real thing:  And if that means spending a little more to travel to a better studio or to pay for a better recording or producer, then find a way to do it because you're only going to get one, maybe two listens or views of your video and if it doesn't strike 'em, the judges will be saying 'next'. There are several current artists that have gone from zero to hero in just a few months to prove this-i.e. Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, etc. The ASPA offers a great songwriter contest right here, with no age limits, and TONS of benefits.

2) Network effectively, consistently (like, every single week) and don't waste your time: Keep your ears open for people talking 'music industry speak' and make sure to walk by in between sets and thank them for listening, etc--start some easy conversation and see where it goes.  Also keep an ear out for those people that say 'they know someone' - a major producer, artist, etc - and of those that really do, see if there's any way they could review your material and maybe 'point you in the right direction' (use those words--it's non-threatening and it leads you where you want to go more often. Don't forget to join a couple of music associations or organizations, like NSAI, The ASPA (see below), etc--there are a lot of resources that can speed up the process like crazy.

3) Venues: find out and keep an eye out for the best places to play, venues, festivals, etc where other people have been 'discovered'. Obviously, play where you need to so that you get the income needs met, but make time to visit and play wherever there's a known history of 'discoveries' by music industry professionals.

4) Develop your own artist newsletter (and website if possible), blog, something---and keep in touch with fans at least every couple of weeks with new music and what's going on with your career---and don't forget to ask if anyone knows someone at a label, major studio, etc -- you might be surprised at who knows who, and how fast your material can end up in the hands of the right people.

Remember--work SMARTER, and THEN work harder!

ROCK ON!

The ASPA

Aspiring Musician, Artist or Band Looking for a Better Way? Check Out The ASPA

Trying to build an audience as an independent musician or artist can be tough and take a long time, but the rewards can be worth it, though. If you own all the rights to everything, it may take several years, but when it does finally get some momentum, you get all the licensing fees and money generated from live shows, merch sales, etc.

 

That’s one good way to do it, and the ASPA (American Songwriters and Performers Association) is designed to support people creating their own success like that, with band contests, industry information, contacts, opportunities and more. In fact, our contests really offer more opportunities and options than most other competitions…

 

That’s because 1) if you win our current Singer Songwriter Competition, you’ll get a professionally produced EP, radio airplay and be introduced to several record labels, producers, etc, that may offer you a record deal and put you on the road touring faster than you ever though possible. OR–if you don’t like going that way, you can just take the EP and use it, market it, sell online, license, etc–your choice.

 

AND–you don’t even necessarily have to win the competition to get somewhere–if our judges think you have what it takes, we’ll put your name and information on The ASPA HotSheet and send to the labels anyway, which may get you a record deal that way, a distribution deal, investor help and more.

 

There’s a LOT of opportunity with the ASPA–it’s not just a music organization or songwriter association, it’s literally the shortest route to get where you want to go with your music career while still leaving YOU in control!

 

Check us out: http://www.theaspa.com