Everyone in a band knows that moment when you realize that you are going to have to make some changes if you are going to get to the next stage of your journey. There’s only so far that you can get by treating it as a hobby, even if it’s a hobby that you really enjoy. At a certain point, you are going to need to step up and think more carefully about what you’re doing.
Of course, there are plenty of real-world issues that can get in the way. None of us can afford to spend all our time working on our art, we all need to make sure we’re keeping the money coming in somehow. If you want to make sure that you are giving your band the best possible chance at success, here are a few tips to help you get started.
Get Everyone On The Same Page
One of the most important steps that you need to take is ensuring that everyone in the band has the same vision for the future as you do. It is a common situation that bands that are still in their early stages will have at least one member who is not quite as committed to the project as everyone else. That is not necessarily a bad thing, especially at the stage when you are still figuring out your band’s identity and style, but if you are going to be putting in a lot more time and effort, then you need to make sure that everyone is willing to go the extra mile.
Create An Online Presence
The necessity for an online presence has been there for years now, and we have all been inspired by stories of acts that have released a track online and suddenly found success. Now, it’s more important than ever. When the pandemic forced venues to shut their doors, one of the most time-honored ways for bands to find their audience and pay their dues was suddenly closed off. Even as venues are finally opening back up again, you are going to be at the mercy of a range of different factors beyond your control, from people being confident enough in the protocols to actually show up, to vaccine passports. An online presence is more important than ever, so start working on it.
You Need To Prepare For The Long Haul
Following on from the above point about this idea of a viral sensation: first of all, you need to understand that the chances of that happening tend to be somewhere in the neighborhood of winning the lottery. Maybe a little better, but certainly not much. Second of all, if you do manage to gain some traction with a track that you’ve released and you are getting some good word of mouth on social media, you had better hope that you have a next track in the bag. We do not need to tell you that the average attention span of a social media user is infinitesimally short, and today’s viral sensation is tomorrow’s tweet that you forgot to like and now you can’t find it. The point here is that this is a long haul that requires forethought, preparation, and endurance.
You Need To Keep Rehearsing
Right now, it feels like we never have enough time. We are all hustling to make sure that we have enough money to pay our rent and our bills, and we have about a year’s worth of catching up to do with our friends and family. Rehearsal time with the band may not be as fun as getting out there and actually playing for a live audience, but if you want that performance for a live audience to be good, then you need to keep rehearsing. Practice makes perfect is such a cliché, but it is absolutely true. If you are not putting in the hours and doing the work, then it will be apparent in your performances. However, it’s not just about making sure that you are rehearsing for a certain number of hours every week. You need to make sure that you are properly prepared, that you have a goal for each session, and that you have the equipment and the space to make the most of the time. If you want to learn more about rehearsal strategies for your band, then visit PIRATE. They have put together a helpful breakdown about how to maximize each practice session.
Find People Who Know What They’re Talking About
When people notice that your band is actually pretty good and not just another garage band, they will want to talk to you. The important thing for you is figuring out which of these people are actually going to be able to help you, and which are the kind of people who want to make you think that they know what they are talking about. After you’ve reached a certain level of success, you stop letting your cousin run your social media strategy (unless they are doing a great job, in which case you should definitely keep them on board). But while we all know that family members are not always the best people to manage a band, it is just as important to make sure that the people who present themselves as industry professionals can put their money where their mouth is.
A good PR person will understand what kind of outlets and sites are the best fit for you. A good manager will look for the kind of venues where you will make an impact. You need to avoid making a commitment to anyone until they have proven their value, or they have shown you a resume that demonstrates that they have provided acts like your own with the right kind of service. The music industry is in a state of flux right now with pandemic fears and conflicting politics, and it is going to be very important to get good advice from people who have been through all this before. Just make sure you check them out first.
