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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 new 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.
1. Learn how to describe your sound
"The way you describe your band's sound can be a hugely important factor for anyone considering listening. For the press especially, though, the genres and styles you choose to liken yourself to are paramount." – Jhoni Jackson, venue owner and music journalist
From: 5 of the Worst Ways to Describe Your Band if You're Trying to Get Press
2. Start taking advantage of all possible income streams
"Successful musicians know how to tap into all of their resources to maximize profitability and opportunity. Networking and keeping up with your industry friends to always be ready to jump on the right situation when it presents itself is all a part of staying relevant and financially sound in the music business." – Christine Occhino, founder and artistic director of The Pop Music Academy
From: What Successful Musicians Do Differently
3. Strive to be the most reliable musician around
"When somebody is looking through their book to call a player for a gig, you want them to see your name and say to themselves, 'Yes, I know with utmost certainty that they will be here on time with all of the material learned.' Basically, the more often you show up on time with all of the material together, the more people will think that that's how you are all the time." – Dylan Welsh, guitarist, composer, and music educator
From: 5 Qualities of Musicians Everyone Wants to Work With
4. Don't spread yourself too thin
"While ambition is important, overloading yourself with too much can be hugely detrimental. You might find yourself overwhelmed and in need of significant breaks from the pressure – or you might feel so bogged down by work that you begin to dread it, and eventually feel like abandoning it altogether." – Jhoni Jackson, venue owner and music journalist
From: 4 Ways to Battle the Stress of Managing Your Own Music Career
5. Don't think, just do
"Sometimes, the hardest part of tackling your to-do list is, well, doing it. If you have a big task ahead of you, it can be difficult to even know where to begin, and sometimes there's no best way to go about it other than just starting.... You'll be surprised how often you can get the creative juices flowing (and items crossed off your list) simply by diving in headfirst and making it work from there." – Hugh McIntyre, pop music journalist
From: 4 Productivity Hacks for Musicians (And Everyone Else)
6. Be open to potential opportunities
"While staying focused on your big dream is important, be open to new opportunities that might unfold. You may never know where the world takes you when you are open to its possibilities." – Bobby Borg, author and musician
From: 7 Invaluable Pieces of Advice for Recent Music College Grads
7. Measure your progress
"When you spend a lot of time struggling with a particular concept or weakness, it's easy to forget how far you've come from where your playing was in the past.... It's a great confidence booster to compare where your playing is now to where it was before." – Dylan Welsh, guitarist, composer, and music educator
From: 6 Ways to Look and Feel Like a More Confident Musician
