5 Music Industry Mistakes That Could Ruin Your Career

[@rivervaughanmusicstuff5771]

Bonus tip for anyone here starting out or interested in performing live. Do NOT play shows where you have to pay the promoter for the ticket prices. These shows lead many musicians, like myself in the past, to pay the remainder of the cost of tickets unsold. That's not to say you should never play these shows, but please make sure that you will have an audience that is guaranteed to make it to the show or at least pay the ticket price without expecting a refund if they can't make it. I made this mistake with my first original band at a place called West End Trading Company in Florida and boy, we lost about $200 that night. That may not seem like a big deal, but when you're part of a band of 20 somethings and are driving a couple hours from home to play a show while living on minimum wage jobs, that's a huge toll. Now, if you have an audience that will come out, shows like these are fantastic because typically you keep the profit after selling more tickets than the venue's minimum, as is the case with West End Trading Company's ticket policy. These shows are bad for bands and acts just starting out, but for middle sized and well established acts? You can really roll in the dough and provide your audience with a great show at the same time. So what are the shows you want to look out for when starting out? First, if you're brand new, open mic nights will help you get the feel for playing together infront of an audience. They're typically free and they're great for making connections with other musicians who are in the scene. Make friends with the musicians there as well as the place holding the open mic. If they like you, they'll be more than happy to give you a recommendation to bigger venues. Keep these contacts because you will grow off of eachother. Your next move is to get some video of you and your group performing live. Don't focus on the audience reaction but instead focus on where you can improve your stage show. What can you do to make yourself more interesting on stage? Maybe you're standing still? Try to move around a bit. Are you the drummer and can't move around? Consider making faces while playing and do some stick when possible. Have some energy on stage. Once you do that, research the local scene. Are you a hard rock group but your area only has country acts? Can you drive to the nearest rock friendly venue? If not, can you record some footage for the internet? With this research in hand, start making content and calls to these locations that are friendly to your genre if you can reasonably travel to them. This is a process, but when you get into your groove I can assure you that your journey will be filled with fun and funding.

[@rivervaughanmusicstuff5771]

Sorry, I went on a bit of a tangent. Hopefully, if you read all this, you take it to heart and push towards the dream you want to achieve. Cheers from Florida.

[@BennettYancey]

This is a great video man! I’ve been in church music ministry for about 22 years (started at age 13). I’ve learned so many of these lessons the hard way…*sigh*

[@TheThinkersBible]

This is great information! Your thumbnail pointed to the drummer so I had to click :) The charging and business are really critical, you're right. The one thing I'd suggest is, there is also the mistake of charging too much too early. If you're a pro quality musician yes, charge the going rate. If you're not quite there, then you might get passed over for somebody who actually plays well enough to charge. Unless it more like photography or painting where salesmanship can be more important than actual talent. But even there, *overall* , higher quality = ability to charge more. For equipment it's a little easier for drums because drum heads and cymbals are more important than shells. But you're right it's better to have a good brand name if possible, even if it's not their top-end gear.

[@hannuback]

I think the real question is that do you really want to make it into a commercially successful career? It's not necessarily the best option if you're making your own stuff and want to have that artistic freedom. It's easy to end up doing something else than what you wanted and exhausting yourself with everything else than the creative processes. You might as well have a day job and might even end up having more time for your art - and stress free when you do it. Having art as a career isn't for everyone.

[@lukecarodrums]

that’s a question you ask yourself when you get think you might fail regardless. Helps you justify not making your dreams and goals. “Ehhh I don’t think i really wanted this anyways”

[@hannuback]

@@lukecarodrums I made my dream come true, but that's the thing with dreams - they may end up being different than imagined. I realised that I am as happy or even happier goofing around my home making music than I am playing in front of an audience of 15 000 people. Dreams change, I'm happy with my day job and doing art as a hobby. It's a way of exploring my inner world and I don't like people reading my diaries either, so I mostly keep it for myself. Well, I still do gigs for a side hustle, but that's only because I get paid. Just saying that obsessing about commercial success isn't the only valid way to make art. I now have different goals with my art.

[@artie218]

Some people just enjoy playing and not looking to make a living at it, people can do what they want and if they are satisfied with playing for what you consider low compensation, that’s not a mistake if that’s their intention.. some people are fine without haggling over money when this is not their career .. I realize it makes it “ tougher “ for the “ professional “ cover bands to make better gig money but that’s the market and it’s not incumbent on one band to protect the price structure of another

[@TerenceFisher1]

First, I don't think I said anything about "low compensation" when talking about money and value. Secondly, If a band or musician charges money, even low prices, they are haggling over money, as you put it. They are just doing it for lower prices. Also, the message here is not about a "one for all" type thing, though I do advocate for that in some instances. The message here is about not short-changing your own value and protecting it.

[@rogerwhitsettdrummer2922]

THANK YOU FOR THIS INFORMATION!!! I’ve been there, done that!! I’ve always been intrigued by the business side of music!! I would ask questions, buy books on the music industry and listen to artist talk about the business side of music. Unfortunately the bands that I played with were only concerned with making what little bit of money that they could! They didn’t want to deal with contracts or rider contracts. When I tried to tell/suggest to them how to handle the business, I got accused of trying to take over their band!! I stopped playing in my area for over 10 years until I found the band I’m in currently. The manager is VERY BUSINESS minded, uses contracts and riders and isn’t afraid to say NO, if the business is not beneficial to the band! I make over 5 figures a year part time playing with this band! I no longer have to worry about the “business” because the business in being handled!!!!

[@ScottThePisces]

I really appreciate the effort and detail you put into this Terence! Thank you for being so insightful :)

[@davelaffertykeyboards]

Love your channel. You're speaking to a large audience that is underserved, keep up the great work!

[@rogerwhitsettdrummer2922]

Having the best equipment possible is what works for me. When I set my equipment up onstage, it represents who I am and my brand. I play 40-60 shows a year and I have to have equipment that I can depend on show after show! I can’t afford to use shoddy equipment! I will pay top dollars to get quality equipment…and if you are playing with a band who pays great money, you can afford to have top of the line equipment. All of the current equipment I use on stage has been paid for by my band pay.

[@camillesings1]

Thanks for the valuable information you share! God bless!😉👍

[@henrymusic350]

Thanks mate