A Career in Music :10 Steps to Success ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠with Bob D'Eith

10 Steps to Success

1)     Do you understand what role you want to play in the music industry? If you are in a band, does each member of the band understand his or her role in the group?

2)     Do you write and/or perform GREAT songs?

3)     Have you created world-class sound recordings?

4)     Have you created an amazing live show? Do you perform, tour or showcase often?

5)     Have you learned how to deal with the media? 

6)     Have you built an impactful online presence? What is your social media plan?

7)     Do you treat your music career as a business? 

8)     Do you go after every possible revenue stream?

9)     Do you have a strategy for the every-changing digital landscape? 

10)  Are you prepared to work very hard for a sustained period of time?

“If you’re hoping to make a career out of music, this ...could be the difference between getting it right and flaming out.” 

Alan Cross (Broadcaster and Host of The Ongoing History of Music)

A Career in Music :10 Steps to Success ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠with Bob D'Eith

Perseverance is critical.

If you hear of an overnight success story, there is a very good chance that this happened over a 10 year period. Yes, there are some artists that get a fortunate spike in TikTok views and get a lot of attention, but how many of these artists are actually ready for a career in the music? The commitment to building over an extended period is hard, but essential to create a sustainable music career. Hang in there!

I have been in the music industry for 30 years as a recording artist, music lawyer, record company manger, author and music association director.

“If you’re hoping to make a career out of music, this ...could be the difference between getting it right and flaming out.” 

Alan Cross (Broadcaster and Host of The Ongoing History of Music)

A Career in Music :10 Steps to Success ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠with Bob D'Eith

Go after every revenue streams

They say that the music industry is a game of pennies, well maybe fractions of pennies these days...but, it is really important to know what revenues you can make from your masters, your songs, your trade name, your personality and other intellectual property.

Let's dig in.

I have been in the music industry for 30 years as a recording artist, music lawyer, record company manger, author and music association director.

“If you’re hoping to make a career out of music, this ...could be the difference between getting it right and flaming out.” 

Alan Cross (Broadcaster and Host of The Ongoing History of Music)

A Career in Music :10 Steps to Success ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠with Bob D'Eith

Planning for success

Setting clear goals and mapping out a plan to achieve those goals is really important. Many artists just throw the music out there and hope for the best.I like to say that you make your own luck in this business. Having a plan for your releases, your tours, and your career trajectory makes a huge difference.

I have been in the music industry for 30 years as a recording artist, music lawyer, record company manger, author and music association director.

“If you’re hoping to make a career out of music, this ...could be the difference between getting it right and flaming out.” 

Alan Cross (Broadcaster and Host of The Ongoing History of Music)

A Career in Music :10 Steps to Success ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠with Bob D'Eith

Treat your music career as a business

We all just want to write songs and perform live. All that business stuff sucks...well, maybe, but it is an evil necessity to jumpstart your career. Make your own luck by treating your music career as the business that it is.

I have been in the music industry for 30 years as a recording artist, music lawyer, record company manger, author and music association director.

“If you’re hoping to make a career out of music, this ...could be the difference between getting it right and flaming out.” 

Alan Cross (Broadcaster and Host of The Ongoing History of Music)

A Career in Music :10 Steps to Success ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠with Bob D'Eith

Success with the media

Learning how to get attention from people in the traditional and digital media is very important. Learning how to be effective at getting your message out is equally important. Let's talk about making friends with the media.

I have been in the music industry for 30 years as a recording artist, music lawyer, record company manger, author and music association director.

“If you’re hoping to make a career out of music, this ...could be the difference between getting it right and flaming out.” 

Alan Cross (Broadcaster and Host of The Ongoing History of Music)

A Career in Music :10 Steps to Success ⁠⁠⁠⁠with Bob D'Eith

Music in a digital world.

We are analogue beings living in a digital world. Streaming, AI, Social Media, Videos, TikTok...it is a lot. Let's dive into the challenges and opportunities that digital presents to musicians.

I have been in the music industry for 30 years as a recording artist, music lawyer, record company manger, author and music association director.

“If you’re hoping to make a career out of music, this ...could be the difference between getting it right and flaming out.” 

Alan Cross (Broadcaster and Host of The Ongoing History of Music)

A Career in Music :10 Steps to Success ⁠⁠⁠with Bob D'Eith

Creating a killer live show and touring it.

So, you have great songs and amazing recordings. Performing is another thing to really dig into. Listen to this chapter for some pro tips on building your show and creating something that can sustain your career for years to come.

I have been in the music industry for 30 years as a recording artist, music lawyer, record company manger, author and music association director.

“If you’re hoping to make a career out of music, this ...could be the difference between getting it right and flaming out.” 

Alan Cross (Broadcaster and Host of The Ongoing History of Music)

A Career in Music :10 Steps to Success ⁠⁠with Bob D'Eith

Creating world-class recordings

Everyone has a studio in their computer, but does that mean you are creating recordings that will stand up to other artists in your genre? With over 100M songs on Spotify, how do you stand out from the rest?

I have been in the music industry for 30 years as a recording artist, music lawyer, record company manger, author and music association director.

“If you’re hoping to make a career out of music, this ...could be the difference between getting it right and flaming out.” 

Alan Cross (Broadcaster and Host of The Ongoing History of Music)

A Career in Music with Bob D'Eith

Songwriting

It all starts with a song - sounds trite, but it is true. A lot of artists can write a good song, but what is really needed is a great song. let's talk about that!

I have been in the music industry for 30 years as a recording artist, music lawyer, record company manger, author and music association director. 

“If you’re hoping to make a career out of music, this ...could be the difference between getting it right and flaming out.” 

Alan Cross (Broadcaster and Host of The Ongoing History of Music)