Quality Over Quantity: 6 Lessons in Releasing Music That Connects
This post helps you get started, but that’s only the beginning. My Artist Sanctuary Monthly Membership will take you step-by-step through the artist development process to build your artistry and career–the same process I’ve used to help my clients win Grammy Awards, get featured in Rolling Stone, secure major licensing deals, get signed to management and labels, and live the dream. What would it feel like to be regularly performing to thousands of people singing the words to your songs and supporting your career by the end of this year? Come join our Artist Sanctuary and find out how.
With 120,000 songs being uploaded to Spotify every day it’s even more important to be sure the work you are putting out is ready.
Social media platforms and marketers push artists into releasing more music to stay on people’s minds and grow their audiences—but is it really working? At the end of the day are you just out of pocket and maybe have more followers but they aren’t converting to fans?
In addition, the rush to release pushes artists to skip over the opportunity to sink into their music and create better material.
Are you inviting creativity in? Or rushing to release in a panic to grow your following because you believe that those numbers will make you successful?
Read through to be sure you’re not making these same mistakes!
1. Stop throwing stuff up to see if it sticks.
Stop rushing to just to “get something out”. As I said above and will say it again here, social media platforms and marketers push artists into releasing more music to stay on people’s minds and grow their audiences—and this creates a frenzy to “get stuff up” regardless of the quality. This seriously hurts artists because you are judged on the merit of your work.
Quality over quantity wins the race
Also – I just want to speak to posting rough mixes of your work. Demos belong on Soundcloud not Spotify. Only broadcast quality music should be released on the major digital service providers.
2. Stop cutting corners with your songs
Stop leaving filler lyrics or unperfected melodies + chords in your songs thinking no one will notice – they do. They just don’t listen again.
With 120,000 songs being uploaded to Spotify every day it’s even more important to be sure the work you are putting out is ready.
Stop being complacent thinking your song is “good enough” to slide by. Chances are, if you don’t think it is, it’s not ready yet. The popular phrase in songwriting books and circles is the adage “songs are not written—they are rewritten.” After the initial inspiration that spits out a song to you, then requires editing and tweaking to bring that song to it’s full potential.
When you have no one being a mirror for you, it’s hard to evaluate whether a song is ready or not.
If you’re ready to elevate your songwriting, deepen your artist vision, message and sonic vision – come join our Signature Songwriting Circle. More than just a songwriting program, SSC also builds your message, sound and vision for your next project!
In just a little over 12 weeks walk away with a crystal clear artist persona, sound + direction alongside 12 industry-vetted songs for your next project.
3. Stop rushing to release
Nothing great is ever rushed. Don’t let social media control the decisions you make about when to release. Your releases should be scheduled around the successful accomplishment of music you are proud of. Music you would fight for.
FOMO is not a good strategy to grow your career. Spend the time to dig deep into your artistry and write a “collection” of songs that will speak for you and can go the distance to building real and lasting success in music.
4. Don’t leave your sound up to your producer—they are not mind readers.
This right here is GOLD. Here’s the thing. You as the artist holds the vision and producers deliver the vision. That’s why it’s so important to know what you want and how to get it. The first thing is to take a deep dive into developing your sound and direction (we do this in our Signature Songwriting Circle where we build an A&R Profile of your sound and direction).
Once you are in motion with the right producer know that you are there to help them achieve the vision you have in your head. It is important to use examples over descriptions as descriptions can easily be misinterpreted sending your project in the wrong direction.
Tip: Be sure to choose a producer who HAS the sound you are looking for already Keep tweaking until it’s right.
5. Stop putting up every song you write
The only way to compete is to put out your very best.
Not every song you write will be your best. Many will be catalysts for the songs that come.
As you write, put songs in a list in order of the top first. Continually reprioritize top songs as you write.
I recommend to put yourself on a writing schedule. You need to have discipline in order to become a good writer. Write 1 “song sketch” a week. A song sketch is the skeleton of the song up through the first chorus.
Then write 2-3x what you need to “pick the cherries” so you can only put out your very best,
Put the rest on Soundcloud or bundle for a giveaway to your fans.
6. Stop working in a vacuum
One of the biggest problems is that it’s impossible to be objective about your own work.
If you work in a vacuum and no one is a mirror for you—you are missing out on the refinement that could elevate your work from good to great.
Come get your music heard at our Monthly Membership. Info below!
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JOIN THE ARTIST SANCTUARY MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP FOR MUSICIANS with Cari Cole, Founder + A&R DIrector of CCVM, a female founded label services company Ignite your creative power and build a lasting impact as a visionary artist. Step inside a dynamic global community of like-minded artists, combined with customized coaching and transformational tools to amplify your authentic voice, rise above industry noise, and achieve true artistic fulfillment. Evolve inside a safe, supportive membership designed to walk you through all seasons of the artist’s journey with connection and clarity.
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Hi, I’m Cari Cole.
You’ve got talent, but you want to become great at it. You’re in the right place! My mission is to help you refine your unique artist vision to bring to the world.
About Cari Cole
Cari Cole is the CEO / Founder of caricole.com and CCVM: Label Without Walls. She is a Holistic Vocal Coach, Artist Development Expert, A&R Director, and Songwriter based in New York City helping artists for the past 38 years. She is a mentor for Women in Music and The Association of Independent Music Publishers.
Her latest venture, CCVM a label services company, provides artists with a seamless path from creation to completion. After 30+ years of observing the overwhelm and challenges that artists face, Cari pulled together the best top creative professionals and designed a new approach to supporting our artists.
Disclaimer:
The information provided on Cari Cole's website is informational only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. Those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on Cari Cole's website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
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