Last time I appeared here on the Muze blog, I pointed out that time may be the most important asset of all to invest wisely. How you invest your time will dictate the outcome of your projects — however, so will the ways you invest your money.
A dollar well-spent can open new doors for your career, and there are talented professionals across the industry, offering services that can bolster your creative vision.
Ready to invest your money to advance your music career? Here are a few suggestions to help you on your way.
Invest your money in coaching.
So many musicians and creatives embark on their journeys with a “Ready. Fire. Aim.” mentality. They might have big, abstract dreams, but they may also lack the knowledge or experience to bring them into reality.
The first step is getting organized, and that’s where a good business coach comes in. A business coach will work to identify your mission, vision, and values, and will help you set and execute goals that bring you further into alignment with those things. A good coach is an accountability partner, a fountain of ideas, and a solution-minded resource that can help you reign in your boundless creativity.
Hire a publicist.
A pre-requisite for this one: make sure that you have knowledge of your own story and objectives before you invest your money into PR. If your story is, “I’m a singer-songwriter from My Town, USA,” go back to the previous step (re: coaching); get clear on your mission, vision, and values; and develop an understanding of how that makes its way into your art.
Why is that important? Because a publicist is going to be pitching you for media and partnership opportunities (among other things), and they need a compelling story to tell! While a good publicist can certainly help you develop that story, coming into this relationship prepared will mean that you’ll spend less time “in development,” and more time in pursuit of opportunities to transform your career.
Invest in music production.
From an audio perspective, your finished musical product has the potential to create a lasting impression. If you want your music to compete in a saturated market – and especially if you have no production experience of your own – it’s wise to enlist a producer who has experience bringing out the best in artists similar to you.
Remember: you’re competing for market share with the top artists in your genre. If you’re a pop artist, does your work hold its own on a playlist alongside Taylor Swift? If you’re in a rock band, does your work flow seamlessly into a Foo Fighters song, from a quality perspective? Give yourself an opportunity to shine as bright as the stars you look up to, and invest your money into someone who knows how to take your music to that level.
Many of your fellow artists are producers, too! Sign up for Muze and take a look to see who has the skills you’re looking for.
Update your visuals.
As new technology and visual-first platforms continue to develop, musicians must come to terms with the notion that the way they present themselves visually is important. In some instances, it may be even more important than the quality of their musical output!
Having high-quality photos, videos, graphics, and release artwork that tell a story is imperative to building a platform – and it’s difficult to handle those things by yourself, let alone do them well.
You have an entire world of visual artists at your fingertips (especially when you consider that many of them are right here with you on Muze). No matter your career level, you can find creatives who are capable of providing high-quality work that fits both your vibe and budget. Not only will hiring these folks take some of the pressure to create content off your shoulders, but it will allow you to focus on what you do best: make music.
