8 Telltale Signs You Might Be Killing Your Music Career

by Cari Cole

Nothing is worse than not knowing when you are headed down the wrong path, or take the wrong turn. My hope is that one of these 8 telltale signs will rescue you from heading in the wrong direction, or worse, stalling out!

1. You write great songs non-stop but you spend most of your days in silence staring at the computer or nights at home playing your guitar. Get yourself out of the house and perform. A lot.
2. You spend more time talking about your music or career rather than performing. Perform more than you talk about your career and you won’t wonder if you have a career. You’ll figure out how to be a great performer.
3. You have a propensity to sing every kind of genre but don’t specialize in any one. Jack-of-all-genres, master of none. Singing or playing all kinds of music is good for your soul but not your brand. If you have trouble with this, seek guidance from someone who really knows music, but I wouldn’t seek it from a label who is out to profit. Find a mentor who has great taste in music. And – get real with yourself. What do you do best?
4. You write great songs but don’t bare your soul very often. Great artists bare their souls (and sometimes their bodies – but that’s not necessarily necessary.) If you are writing clever songs but avoid writing about real life stories – and your own pain – you are just skimming the surface of what’s possible. People relate to real. Dig deeper.
5. You say you want to tour but you never do. Touring is not wishful thinking, it’s hard work. Look into NACA.org (in the U.S.) to set up a college tour (so you can afford to tour) and then a series of shows based off that tour (colleges pay well.) If the college market is not your thing then set up a series of house concerts or yoga studios – go to where your people are, but get up off your ass! Statistics are in that record sales are still strong at live concerts.
6. You want people to follow you but you’re hard to find. Make sure all your profiles are the same name (and YOUR name or your stage name is the best.) Be consistent please.
7. You’re pretty sure your music is amazing, but your list is not growing. People follow good music. They’re actually avidly looking for it. You may have amazing music but suck at marketing. However, 65-75% of the time, it’s the music or the artist’s identity that needs more love and attention. Identity is everything and music, well, it speaks for itself.
8. Your video hit YouTube but hit a wall. So it’s either the video or the song, or your performance. Period. Ask your inner circle of friends what their honest opinion is. Be sure to tell them that you won’t be offended, and that their honest feedback will help you make your music better.

Are you sick of spinning your wheels and want to find a community of smart resourceful musicians who are dedicated to growing a successful career? Join us at Mind Over Music — when you change your mind, you change your life.

Share your challenges in the comments below! I want to hear from you!