The Hurdles On The Journey To Stardom

Behind the glamor and the glitz are the struggles and hurdles every artist has had to pass through. We may be in the age of technology, which seems to make everything “easier,” but the struggle to make it big in the music industry is still as tough if not tougher than it used to be. 

Being a musician requires excellent skill and talent, but being a successful musician takes a lot more. There’s marketing, branding, and publishing, amongst others, to think of. 

So here’s what upcoming artists must prepare to tackle as they break into the music industry. 

Promotion/Marketing

If no one’s hearing your music, how are they supposed to know who you are? As a new artist with little to no fan base or a record label, getting people to listen to your music is one of your biggest struggles. 

Although there are several streaming platforms, no one will listen without promotion and proper marketing. So as a new artist, your best bet is to grow a fan base and utilize social media to grow your brand. 

A Platform 

As an artist, you need a stage where everyone can see, listen and know what you can do. Thanks to technology, your stage can be digital. But there lies yet another problem. What platform is best? It can be exhausting and mind-wrecking to decide the best platform to use in putting your music out there. 

The Right Team 

This is one of the most overlooked struggles of new artists, but it’s a real struggle nonetheless. An artist needs a team that consists of a music manager, publicist, PR, marketing strategist, and more.

Making it in the industry is complex, and making it without a team is more challenging, and above all, finding the right team is the hardest. To make matters worse, you need to pay this team; most new musicians don’t have the funds for that. 

Building the dream team will likely take a while. You must make budget cuts and spend wisely as a new musician whose funding is limited. Some industry experts recommend you make your team with friends ready to support and share your passion. And with time, you can grow and turn it into the perfect team. 

Motivation 

Staying motivated amidst shattered dreams, slow progress, and low funding is extremely difficult. All these things are bound to take a toll on your mental health. You could slip into depression, suffer from anxiety, and want to quit. 

Worrying about recording, production, marketing, and monetization is emotionally and mentally draining. Nearly every musician has had to deal with this stage in their career. But with help from other artists and professionals, you can invigorate your motivation and continue to chase your passion. 

Discrimination 

The music industry is male-dominated, albeit there are more women now than before. It doesn’t change the fact that it is harder for women to break into the industry. They have to deal with discrimination, harassment, and other struggles. 

As a female musician, you would have to put in extra work and effort to be successful. 

Becoming a successful musician combines talent, connection, great marketing, and sometimes luck. Some artists can avoid some of these hurdles with the right connections. But these struggles can help in shaping and assist you in reaching your full potential.