When you look at all of the people who want to make a living from their music in the world, the number is big and increasing. So why don't all of these people make a living off of their music? There is a lot at play when it comes to making your music and brand successful to the point of being able to do it as a full time career. Learning from people's mistakes can help you with your music career so that you can avoid or change course to a successful path. Here are 10 reasons most music creators fail.
They Give Up
Focus On The Wrong Things
Bad Timing
No Work Ethic
Bad Mindset
Lack Of Talent
Spend On Non Important Things
Didn't Know Who Their Audience Is
Didn't Differentiate Themselves
No Direction
1. They Give Up
Some of you may know who Kaskade is. He is a multi platinum American music producer/dj. It took him 15 years to have one of his songs reach the billboard charts. By most standards 15 years is a long time. Most artists, producers, or any musician for that matter will not be able to take this long term approach when it comes to their career. The majority of people gave up during this decade and a half long stretch except for Kaskade which is why he become successful at his craft.
2. Focus On The Wrong Things
How many artists that you know would rather focus on their cover art, graphic design, instagram photos, and promotion rather than putting hours in to practice? The music creators who fail, focus their attention on the appearance instead of the quality of their work. Doing the work is hard and not always enjoyable. Which is why most do not succeed.
3. Bad Timing
Music creators can very well find their niche and appeal to a certain group of people. In times where your genre may not be in alignment with the trends of music can lead to failure. Whether you are too soon or too late depends on the current trends of the music industry and if you will ride it out or shift gears to what will work.
4. No Work Ethic
The truth about getting good is that you have to put your work in. The Beatles played for 15+ hours every single day in Germany 7 days a week for months on end. Before anyone ever heard a single song from them. They performed cover songs during this time and struggled at first. As they continued on playing with one another they became so in sync that they are one of the greatest and most successful bands in the history of music.
5. Bad Mindset
Music creators who fail all have this in common. They blame others, the industry, their finances, their lack of time, and everything under the sun why they didn't make it. Their attitude towards the things that are going wrong in their life becomes their demise.
6. Lack Of Talent
Yes you can lack the necessary talent it takes in order to be a success. But, you can acquire the skill of becoming a successful music creator. Anyone is capable of gaining skill when it comes to consistent practice over a period of time. In certain positions in music a possession of some talent is required. Then you can decide how far you want to grow this talent.
7. Spend On Non Important Things
Where you spend your money determines what you value in life. The music creators who fail spend their money in unnecessary ways. Then blame they don't have enough money to back their music career. They also spend their money on false promises and companies promising to double their audience in a day. Learn from this so you don't fall into these types of traps.
8. Didn't Know Who Their Audience Is
To become successful you need to know who you are making music for. When you have an understanding about what other people want, you can then deliver it to them. When you have an audience that is interested in your music, continue to make the music they like. It may not always be what you want, but at the end of the day if you want to become successful you have to deliver on your fans wants.
9. Didn't Differentiate Themselves
The competition is increasing every single day with people who have hopes and dreams about becoming the next big thing. This is well and good but there are a million other people just like you who make similar music. What makes you different? Music creators who do not differentiate themselves in the form of their music, personality, brand, or style fail. You are unique as you are right this second. Find out what is unique about you. What kind of style do you have? Do not fall victim and mimic other people.
10. No Direction
Not having a direction is our last point why most music creators fail. How can you expect to get somewhere that doesn't have a destination!? The ones who fail just wing it and do whatever they feel like. You will never hear about any of them because they have already failed.
Conclusion
Learn from these music creators who have all failed for any number of these reasons. If you find yourself in some of these cases, look to shift immediately to avoid your failure.