Why It’s So Hard for Independent Artists to Break Through
No one cares about you until you are already successful.For independent artists, that reality can be brutal. Anna Stephens of Decent Music PR looks at why breaking through is so hard and how artists can take back control.
‘People Don’t Want to Know, Until You’re Big’ – Why It’s So Hard for Independent Artists to Break Through
by Anna Stephens of Decent Music PR
Breaking into the music industry has always been a tough challenge, but in today’s world, it’s become a relentless uphill battle for independent artists. The harsh truth? People don’t care until you’re already big. From music consumers to industry gatekeepers, nobody seems interested in an artist until they’ve built significant social traction or gathered street cred. This reality can be incredibly frustrating for talented artists who are still waiting for their moment to shine.
Even the most gifted musicians struggle to break through if they don’t already have a fan base or viral presence. Talent alone doesn’t cut it anymore; without the necessary hype or recognition, the industry and audience often won’t stop and take notice. This leaves many artists frustrated and questioning their next steps, as they’re expected to market themselves just as much as they create their music.
Has the Industry Forgotten Artist Development?
In today’s world, the focus has shifted away from nurturing and developing talent. Labels, in particular, are more concerned with artists who are already viral or have large social media followings. This trend has made the industry lazy, and in many ways, it’s forgotten the importance of artist development. Where is the commitment to artists based on belief in their potential? Is the music even the priority anymore, or is it all about the numbers?
This is where the shift in mindset needs to happen. Artists can no longer wait for others to believe in them. Instead, they must take matters into their own hands, using their creativity and hustle to carve out their own space. It’s no longer just about the music; it’s about the work you put into getting it heard.
Empowering Artists to Take Control of Their Careers
Instead of viewing this reality as a roadblock, artists should see it as an empowering opportunity. Yes, the industry may be driven by trends and social media metrics, but this doesn’t mean that hard work and dedication won’t pay off. For those who aren’t among the lucky few to receive top-down support, there’s still hope. It just takes a lot of grafting, persistence, and the willingness to embrace every aspect of being an artist, not just the creative side.
Here are three steps to help independent artists take control of their own careers:
1. Look After Yourself: Taking care of your mental health is crucial. Balancing your craft with time to recharge is essential to avoid burnout. Being a successful artist isn’t about living a chaotic, tortured existence — it’s about maintaining your well-being so you can continue creating. If you’re not in the right headspace, your creative flow will stagnate, so don’t feel guilty for taking breaks.
2. Write, Even if It’s Rubbish: The creative process isn’t always easy, and sometimes the inspiration just isn’t there. But the act of writing regularly — even if it feels like it’s not your best work — is essential. The moments of brilliance come only after hours of unproductive writing. Keep honing your craft, because the more you write, the more you’ll improve. Ultimately, you’re going to need lots of songs, especially given that today it’s all about single releases. Consistently delivering great new music is always your primary goal.
3. Accept That You’re a Marketer Too: In today’s music landscape, artists are also marketers. Whether you’re posting on social media, creating PR campaigns, or playing live shows to promote your music, you are the one who cares the most about your success. No one else will invest as much effort in making sure your music reaches the right people. Be proactive, learn marketing techniques, and engage with your audience.
Conclusion
While the music industry has its flaws, there is power in embracing the hustle. Independent artists who understand that talent alone won’t get them noticed, can empower themselves to take control of their careers. If you want to succeed, you have to wear multiple hats: musician, marketer, and entrepreneur. The days of waiting for a label or industry figure to “discover” you are over. Now, it’s up to you to make your music seen and heard, one step at a time.
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About Me
I’m founder of Decent Music PR, where we empower artists to get in front of the right audiences across press, streaming platforms such as Spotify, and social media platforms via targeted ads campaigns. We are constantly developing strategies for artists to get in front of the right audiences and take charge of growing their own fanbase for themselves.
Visit www.decentmusicpr.com for more information on the various services we offer artists across all genres.
‘Cause they lack the connection with art communities. That’s what I think. Many are talented, but they lack a little luck.
As much as we’re told that we have to be marketers as well, some, really many of us are not just built for that. We can learn the skills but if it’s not you’re thing the way the music is will you go at it with the same passion as creating music? A couple of years my bandmates and I put as much effort as possible in promoting ourselves. It ended not really amounting to anything. We ended the year in the same place. A local band playing about a half dozen gigs and selling some merch. We made about $30 in Spotify royalties and around the same on Bandcamp. After looking at what we would have to bring in even to just go part time we knew it wasn’t feasible. Now what promo for the recorded music we do goes towards Bandcamp. We don’t see any difference in streams on Spotify, etc. compared to when we do promote and when we don’t. Either way monetarily it ends up the same. We gave up on trying to get on playlists after we paid someone and then about 2 weeks later had the song pulled down from Spotify because apparently they were using bots. As for the live shows, we just accept whatever number of people show up. We hear a lot of excuses. The article talked about no one caring unless you’re already famous. Some people tell us if we start playing past such and such time they won’t come because they have to get up in the morning and sometimes they don’t but they still go to bed early but it’s a safe bet that they gone to concerts during the work week and come home late because it was a well known act. I’m not complaining as such but it seems like most times hard work just doesn’t pay off anymore.