7 Successful Habits of Artists
Updated: Jan 15, 2021
Whether you are a singer, songwriter, rapper or music producer, being successful with your craft can prove tough. But why is it so difficult to get your songs to reach your target views or streams while some equally good artists can do that with ease? What's their secret, then?
Well, I hate to break it to you but there are no secrets. Your success depends on how much effort you put into your production and marketing. All the things that you put into reaching out to your fans depend on your attitude. So where can you start?
We'll get into understanding what successful artists do on the daily basis. Their habits that get them to where they are now. 🔥🎶
1. Have a Workplace Attitude
Schedule your song-writing, beat making, recording, mixing, mastering sessions even if you are doing these all by yourself. When you are in session, don't allow yourself to be disrupted by any source of distraction. Yes, turn off that Netflix series that you are catching up on. This is YOUR time to be productive.
Respect the time and attention your session needs. You'll never know if this is the song that will become a global hit!
2. Quality Product
I remember when 24Rses came through the studio on a rainy evening to talk to me about a song that he wanted to do. We both went through so many different revisions of the song before he finally landed on one final version in the span of 3 months. That song was called "Happier". It's one of those songs that became the talk of the town.
Be really, really, really sure that you are going to offer to the public something that they will be excited about and would want to spend their money or even 3-4 minutes of their time to listen to your song.
Every successful songwriter or rapper that I've worked with will do whatever it takes to make every song an undeniable hit, no matter how many revisions it will take. It will, without a shadow of a doubt, PAY OFF!
3. Make Great Demos
To simplify, a demo is a track that an artist would send to a record label for their consideration. What they'll do is listen to your demo and decide whether or not it's worth signing you a record deal. Record labels receive so many submissions so your demos need to sound as close to the finished product as possible.
If you don't have your own studio, work with a friend who does or hire a demo producer so that they can help make you a song get a chance to be acknowledged by record labels.
4. Challenge Yourself To Be Better
If you think you know everything you need to know as a songwriter or rapper, you may as well just STOP WRITING NOW! But really, don't!
Trust me when I say this; successful artists, singer-songwriters, and rappers are always eager to learn more about the craft of making a song. They would go beyond what they already know and learn even things that go into making a song like beat-making, recording, mixing and mastering.
They don't necessarily have to know them in-depth but the basics of these things will help them become efficient artists and songwriters especially when they work with producers.
Learn everything you can about your craft and your business and always be one step ahead of those songwriters/rappers who don't.
5. Treat Your Songs Like Business Products
Tell me if this scenario is familiar... Are you frustrated to see that your song is nowhere near the same views as that artist who is just as good as you? Well, why does this happen?
There's only one explanation…
Because you're not selling or marketing it enough. Even if you are not selling physical copies of the song or album, DON'T shy away from selling or sharing it with your family members, friends, the people you know in the music industry.
When you know you have spent money and time on the production of the song, there's no reason for you to be mysterious about your social media presence and hoping to create some buzz from such approach. Learn how to market your song and sell it to people.
Invest yourself on a social media marketing strategy just so you can direct your target audience to buy or stream that song of yours on Spotify or Apple Music or wherever you put your songs on!
6. Expand Your Network
As an artist, there are so many ways you can network and get yourself known in the industry. Let people know who you are by going to events, gigs or live shows. You can also collaborate on songs and projects and get recognized in the business. You are not just selling yourself as an artist or rapper, but you are simultaneously selling your songs.
Scared of rejections?! Don't take it personal. It's just business. Smile, move on, and try again!
If you are an aspiring artist, hang in there...
The only big failure is when you quit trying.
7. Think Global
THE WORLD IS YOUR MARKETPLACE!!!
Think beyond the borders of your own country. One simple way to get your music recognized is by collaborating with people from a different country. How will you know if the audience there like your song?
Easy! Use these 5Rs.
Research. Reach Out. Release. Reiterate. Repeat.
Learn what's trending in the country and understand what the target audience want to hear. Then engage with different artists they listen to and talk about potential collaboration. Be prepared with a demo so they know what to expect from the project you are proposing. Get the song mixed and mastered, be analytical during the first day and week of your release, and see what you can do better in the next release!
And... That's it! It may be easy to adapt these habits but it's really difficult to maintain a routine on these habits. Just remember if you treat your songwriting more as a business than just a hobby, you will see yourself being consistent with it. If you are also interested to look for a studio to record, mix, and master your songs/demos at, Beats & Caffeine is always here ready to help! 🔥🔥🔥
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