Bob Baker's The Buzz Factor
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Bob Baker's Indie Music Promotion Blog
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August 18, 2006
Music Career Mode Reality Check
I've come to the conclusion that much of the frustration exhibited by aspiring musicians is a result of mixed modes. I'm sure you know people who suffer from this affliction. They are currently doing music part-time, but they talk to themselves and others about their full-time goals. However, they continue to take part-time actions.
Does this describe you? Or someone you know?
It's vitally important to get clear about which mode you're in and make sure your goals and your actions are aligned. If you're convinced that music is your life's work, then get busy putting in the effort it takes to write great songs, get exposure, reach fans and more. That doesn't mean you have to do anything drastic right away (especially if people are counting on you for financial support), but you should be taking steady but sure steps toward realizing that full-time goal.
The worst thing you can do is delude yourself into thinking that stardom is inevitable as you keep making excuses about why you can't get moving on your music plans just yet. This situation creates the most frustration: full-time intentions with part-time actions.
Another friction-inducing scenario is the person who takes action in waves. A couple of months of concentrated activity followed by six months of being distracted and doing nothing.
The ideal state is when you know to the core that music is what you are meant to do. And regardless of what circumstances life throws at you, you stay focused on that purpose. Every day you think about it, and every day you take at least some small step toward transforming your internal musical identity into a material form.
And if you decide that music is not your overriding destiny, that perhaps another calling takes a higher priority, it's okay to admit that music should become a part-time pursuit. You can still squeeze a lot of satisfaction from it, but at least you won't be ailing from the tension that mixed career and action modes bring.
To your success!
-Bob
Does this describe you? Or someone you know?
It's vitally important to get clear about which mode you're in and make sure your goals and your actions are aligned. If you're convinced that music is your life's work, then get busy putting in the effort it takes to write great songs, get exposure, reach fans and more. That doesn't mean you have to do anything drastic right away (especially if people are counting on you for financial support), but you should be taking steady but sure steps toward realizing that full-time goal.
The worst thing you can do is delude yourself into thinking that stardom is inevitable as you keep making excuses about why you can't get moving on your music plans just yet. This situation creates the most frustration: full-time intentions with part-time actions.
Another friction-inducing scenario is the person who takes action in waves. A couple of months of concentrated activity followed by six months of being distracted and doing nothing.
The ideal state is when you know to the core that music is what you are meant to do. And regardless of what circumstances life throws at you, you stay focused on that purpose. Every day you think about it, and every day you take at least some small step toward transforming your internal musical identity into a material form.
And if you decide that music is not your overriding destiny, that perhaps another calling takes a higher priority, it's okay to admit that music should become a part-time pursuit. You can still squeeze a lot of satisfaction from it, but at least you won't be ailing from the tension that mixed career and action modes bring.
To your success!
-Bob
posted by Bob Baker @ 11:20 AM
2 comments
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What About Bob?
Bob Baker is an author, indie musician and former music magazine editor dedicated to showing musicians of all kinds how to get exposure, connect with fans, sell more CDs, and increase their incomes.
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Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook:
201 Self-Promotion Ideas for Song-
writers, Musicians and Bands on a Budget
55 Ways to Promote & Sell Your Book on the Internet
A easy-to-read overview of online marketing
- Killer Music Press Kits
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- Music Marketing & Publicity Crash Courses
- Indie Music PR Bootcamp
- Killer Music Web Sites
- How to Triple Your Music Income This Year
- Online Music PR Hot List
- How to Make a Living as a Full-Time Musician
- Do-It-Yourself Internet Music PR & Publicity
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Previous Posts
- MySpace 100 Million Friend March
- GarageSpin Interview
- Trusting Your Music Fans to Support You
- Not-So-Silent Bob's Indie Film Bonanza
- 'MySpace Music Marketing' in Amazon Top 10
- How to 'Fix' the Music Industry
- Three Simple Marketing Words
- College Radio Airplay Tips
- Are You Certain? Or Not?
- On George Carlin & Al Gore
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- Derek Sivers
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- Andrew Dubber
- Music Think Tank
- Ariel Hyatt
- Artists House Music
- Musicians Cooler
- GarageSpin
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- Hypebot
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Copyright 2004-2010 Bob Baker
Hi Bob,
Ok so this lady aint exactly hip but read through the details of this report and gasp at the rockin job she has done making herself rich sans record industry. Gives us all hope!
http://uncommonbusiness.blogspot.com/2006/08/richest-piano-player-youve-never-heard.html
sorry
http://uncommonbusiness.blogspot.com
the posting dated 19 August
"The Richest Piano Player You've Never Heard About" (with the worst hair and make up! he he he)