Photo by Fraser Mummery via Flickr / CC BY 2.0
We know that being a DIY musician is far from easy. Going out into the music industry on your own is intimidating at times, but it can be so rewarding in the end. In this weekly series, we're giving you a quick roundup of our best tips and advice from experts every Monday to help you become a better DIY musician over the next seven days.
1. Stop comparing yourself to others
"Someone else's achievements are just that – theirs and theirs alone. You don't need to feel weakened by someone else's strength. Let them inspire you, sure, but don't forget that their path is a completely different one than your own. You shape your own life." – Jhoni Jackson, venue owner and music journalist
From: 7 Little Ways to Be a Happier Musician (Even When Things Seem Hopeless)
2. Take the time to build a website
"Don’t make the mistake of thinking that social platforms can replace your band’s official website. Having your own website gives you full control over your content, branding, monetization, and makes you look much more professional." – Nick Colakovic, guitarist and pianist
From: 5 Disastrous Mistakes That Every Novice Band Makes
3. Turn your dreams into goals
"Your dreams – even your most unrealistic ones – can act as an anchor for your goals; they help you set goals that are focused on achieving what you want instead of what other people want for you, or what you think you should want. In short, dreams are the 'why,' and goals are the 'how' on your journey to success." – Casey van Wensem, freelance composer, musician, and writer
From: How to Balance Big Dreams with Realistic Goals as a Musician
4. Go ahead and splurge in the recording studio
"Though putting a cap on your studio time is often the fiscally responsible thing to do, sometimes that can be a musician’s biggest downfall. The worst thing you can do is rush through a session to then get home with a product you're not proud of – one that sounds, well, rushed. For the few hundred bucks you’re probably wrestling with, it’s worth it in the long run to invest in finishing out your project the right way." – Christine Occhino, founder and artistic director of The Pop Music Academy
From: 4 Times DIYing Your Music Career Actually Costs You More in the Long Run
5. Stop trying to do everything in your DIY career
"If you’re trying to split your limited time between everything, you probably don’t have the time to dedicate to each to do them really well. And as a result, you’re taking a lot of small steps in different directions instead of focusing your efforts on a few things and taking your steps all in the same direction. If you try to do everything, you simply can’t give everything enough attention to make your endeavors really successful." – Dave Kusek, founder of the New Artist Model
From: Stop Trying to Do Everything, DIY Musicians! You're Actually Hurting Your Chances of Success
6. Start a profit-and-loss spreadsheet
"With spreadsheets, you can log your earnings and itemize your expenses according to who paid for what. Then you can set the spreadsheet to automatically sum up the numbers, over weeks or months. This way, you’ll have a strong concept of what it really costs to play music, so you’ll be less likely to underbid on gigs or accept just a tip jar for a show you have to travel to." – Jesse Sterling Harrison, author and recording artist
From: 5 Easy Organization Tips for Musicians That Make a Huge Difference
7. Take the night off
"Don't be afraid to take a step back from your instrument and music for a day. Go for a walk, meditate, or visit with friends and family. Put down your phone and unplug your laptop, and have a 'lights-out' breather from social media. Chances are, you'll find clarity and see things from a new angle." – Bryan Howell, rock musician
From: 6 Risks You Should Take With Your Music Career, Starting Today
