7 Ways to Be a More Professional Musician

Making a living as a musician can be incredibly challenging. From dealing with unreliable income to competition from other artists to trying to raise money for expensive recording and promotion costs, there are many obstacles facing musicians. Even with the proliferation of streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music, it is still challenging for independent artists to make sustainable incomes in the music industry. It can be a long and difficult journey for many musicians, but one that is worth striving for due to the joys that come with creating music.

One way to make the journey a bit easier is by taking steps to present a more professional aura and to capitalize on your talents to help ensure your income. Here are some things musicians can do to help them stand out and make a better living.

Network

Networking isn’t just for people who wear suits to work. Joining online and in-person music communities can be helpful for getting your music out there and connecting with other musicians and industry professionals who may be able to help you reach larger audiences or introduce you to venues where you can play. Being part of a local music community is an important part of building a fanbase. Meeting other musicians, playing shows together, and collaborating on projects can help expand a musician’s reach and create new opportunities for growth.

Sell Merchandise

Selling merchandise such as t-shirts, mugs, hats, and more can be a great way to make money from your music. You can sell merchandise with your own branding at shows or create an online store to reach fans all over the world. Merchandise might feel secondary to your music, as it should be, but it’s also a way to build your brand and grow your audience. Everyone wearing one of your t-shirts is a walking billboard for how great your talent is.

Give Lessons

Offering lessons is a classic way musicians make some extra cash. If the idea of listening to youngsters painfully plod through learning the basics of an instrument sounds awful to you, remember that there are all levels of musicians looking for lessons to improve what they can do.

Teaching songwriting can be another great way for musicians to make money. If you remember how exciting it was to learn your instrument, helping others learn how to play instruments or write songs can be a gratifying experience in addition to generating additional income.

Invest in Good Quality Equipment

Musicians should invest in high-quality instruments, microphones, amplifiers, and other audio equipment that will help make their sound better and more professional. It’s equally important to care for and protect the instruments and equipment you have. Something as simple as a hard case for a guitar ensures you will show up to every gig with a working instrument. Having good quality equipment that is well cared for signals to employers that you take your work seriously and that you will be professional in your dealings.

Create a Website

Having an online presence is essential for any musician looking to build a fanbase. Creating a website is an easy way to showcase music, keep fans updated on upcoming events, and sell merchandise or music downloads.

The best part is that it doesn’t need to cost anything besides a little time keeping it updated. If you have merchandise, having an online store on your website can be a great way to generate some passive income, too.

Perform Live

Lots of musicians showcase their music online and through social media. However, fans love the authenticity, robust sound, and personal experience of live performances. Live shows can be a great way to make money as an artist and often require little overhead costs such as marketing or equipment expenses. Strategically booking smaller shows around the country or even internationally can help you expand your reach and gain more fans over time.

Take It Seriously

Highly professional musicians have a variety of characteristics that set them apart from the rest. They have an incredible work ethic and are willing to put in long hours for their craft. They also possess strong dedication and discipline, which allows them to stay focused on creating quality music despite all of the distractions life can bring.

Highly professional musicians also recognize the need to remain organized and have efficient processes in place for managing their recordings, tours, marketing, and other parts of the music business. Finally, they possess an entrepreneurial spirit that allows them to take creative risks and innovate within the industry. Professional musicians understand that success is hard-won and will fight for it with every ounce of energy they have.