How to sustain yourself as a music artiste

It is not new anymore that as a music artiste, you might have to push yourself initially before you get a record label deal or even get signed to a management. You have to set out on your own, promoting your music so as to get noticed/ known by both potential investors and music fans.  

For most new acts, it is difficult to be a full time artiste when you don’t have some sort of support structure.  In as much as it would enable you focus more on building your music brand, resorting to just doing music is not an easy one.

It is not a wise move to attempt to be a full time music artiste if you don’t have one or two regular stream of income flowing into your life.  This also applies even if you have cash stored somewhere. What happens when the cash is exhausted and you have not gotten a deal yet? Is there an avenue where you would get another when this cash is exhausted? It is better to be an upcoming artiste with your dignity intact than be a broke talented person who is not taken seriously.  This is not very good for your image.

Here are a few suggestions that could help you decide while you wait for that deal or investment from interested parties.  The idea is to help you make some money and also have time to push your music.    These suggestions are intended to keep you near the industry so that in any way, you are gaining experience, acquiring knowledge and building relationships which would contribute to the growth of your career.

1.      Get a (part time) job.  Part time could mean working half a day on working days or working on an agreed number of times in a week.  You could get to work in a music band as a backup singer or as an instrumentalist (if you can play any music instrument already), get a job in a music studio, or music company -where you will be paid.  Please make sure its where you‘ll be paid because that’s why you are getting a job in the first place. Moreover, you can also get a job in any business organizations.

2.     Do freelance jobs. These are jobs whereby you would be called up when you are needed and they could last from days to weeks or even months. They are not full time jobs. You could be a freelance staff of more than one organization and this greatly depends on what you have to offer. The idea is that when you are not working, you have the time to do your music.

3.     Acquire a skill especially that which has to do with music or entertainment in general.  You could learn music production or studio engineering. This is a plus for you as it would be contributory to your music career. Also, other skills that can be acquired are web design, graphics design, photography and likes.

4.     Online business. I mean legal online business e. g forex, online marketing etc.  Online business would also help you have the time to work on your music.

5.     Do business. For example ‘Buy and Sell’ or be a middle man. Buying and selling is said to be the easiest form of business to start. This is because you would require little or no money to begin.  You could also engage in music related businesses like CD duplication and printing of materials (like CD jackets, posters)

6.     Sell musical instruments and supply to music studios or organizations that make use of them (e.g churches). You could engage in the sales of digital and analogue music wares.  You could pose as the authentic supplier of these goods in the market.

7.     Learn to play an instrument and tutor. This also positively contributes to your music career.  Learn to play the guitar, drums, keyboard or violin and offer to tutor when you are good enough.

8.     Look out for areas in the music industry where there is a great demand. There are a few ones. If you find one, then you are in business. This is because there is a ready demand.

Stop daydreaming of ‘blowing’ tomorrow. You will blow, but it might not be tomorrow. There’s time for everyone. You have to keep trying, and to keep trying, you need support; financial support especially.  It is very frustrating to be talented or have a gift or skill and be broke or unaccomplished. Trust me, I’ve been there. I know you might hate the idea of having to also do something other than music but you might need to share your time and commitment in other to achieve your career goals.  This way, you would get there faster than sitting around and waiting for the big break to take place. Waste time not.

Lastly, if you are in school, that’s one good thing.  It is better you focus on getting your certificate first.  That’s one avenue of getting economically empowered. After all, we go there (school) these days to earn a living in the future.  You are lucky, you have a career already- your music. 

Keep the dream. Stay alive.