So you want to be a multi-platinum selling rock star making millions. Woo hoo! Great goal! But these days DIY (You-It-Yourself) has become mainstream, a way of life for many independent artists. So those dreams of getting signed to a major label are so far beyond the horizon it is really not an option anymore. So what now?
You want to get THERE but what is THERE?
Many people I talk to equate success and getting THERE to making music full-time, getting their songs into film and TV, going on the road and selling enough CDs and merchandise to support themselves financially. That is awesome. But unfortunately some indie artists have no clue as to what they really want. They are tired of their day job and want to make a change. They dream about the day they can quit and do music full-time. They dream but don’t act.
So how do you get there?
You must act!
Ahh, that is the hard part for many. How do you act? What does it take? I suggest spending time really thinking about your wants and needs. And don’t be vague! Don’t say I want to be a rock star so I can earn millions. Get out some paper and write down what THERE is to you. Aim high. But step back and look at the big picture. Be realistic. What do you need to do now to get onto the road to getting THERE?
Make an action plan then stick to it. If you want something badly enough you will do what it takes. You will do the work.
Oh yes, you heard me right. That nasty word that too many people can’t handle: work. That is the bottom line. You have to work it. You can’t sit back and coast. Well you can, but will that lead you to THERE? Doubtful.
I can think of several indie artists that work extremely hard. Here is what they all have in common:
*They persist.
*They network.
*They take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way. No excuses!
*They don’t complain. If things don’t go their way, they move on to the next one.
Do what it takes to get yourself THERE? Get committed! Make a plan. Take action. Do the work. Be a DO-ER! You will see results.
Copyright © 2007 Madalyn Sklar, IndieMusicCoach
Madalyn Sklar is a music business coach, consultant and author. She founded IndieMusicCoach and has spent over 11 years working with a wide range of independent musicians all over the world – U.S., Canada and Japan thus far. Her goal is to help indie artists achieve greater success in the music business by working smarter not harder. She is also the founder of GoGirlsMusic.com, the oldest and largest online community of indie women musicians, with a vision of bringing together and empowering musicians from around the world.
