On the road I get quite a few questions about getting started as an artist. Here’s one part of my story: (Sorry for the extra update – there was a formatting error)
Over five years ago I started taking and seeking out a few concerts here and there. At this point in my efforts I was truly independent – no record deal, no manager, no publicist, very little professional input from others, etc… Other than a little studio experience and some desire to play for people I was fairly unequipped. At this stage in one’s career you must wade through a ton of “indie services” that promise the moon. It’s incredibly easy to spend a lot of cash on the “pie in the sky” and all the time just be sending your pie to someone else. I made a few of those mistakes, but over all I just took it slow. I didn’t know what to do, and so I did very little, which is a different kind of mistake all together. Like the man given a talent that went and put it in a hole in the ground – but that’s another post.
I joined CD Baby, HostBaby, and several free sites, a couple social sites, and called it good. Surely the word would get out. Nope. Then there was this site called Indieheaven,(IH) which I looked at and ignored. But over time it kept coming across my radar. ”But $20 a month for just another web presence?!? And, some of the artists on the site are, well, not so great…” (I know that’s very subjective, but I’m just being honest with what I thought at the time. Since then I’ve learned that there are many seasoned artists there as well like Randy Stonehill, Margaret Becker, Bryan Duncan, etc…. as well as those just getting started.)
Then, in a moment of weakness I joined, uploaded my music, sent in my CDs, clicked around the site, and waited. Nothing happened. Just like I thought – a scam! But then I got an email from President & founder Keith Mohr asking if I had started using the site – not just uploading my stuff, but really USING the site. So, I started clicking around again and started learning something. And here’s what I learned…drum roll please….. If you sit still and wait, NOTHING WILL HAPPEN. What a revelation, and how stupid of me to not act on this before. I also learned from Keith and others how to start interacting with people interested in my music (I really try hard not to call these good folks “fans.”). I started learning that being an artist is like being an entrepreneur; that it takes targeted work, communication, great content and music, etc… What’s more, I learned all this both from negative examples as well as very positive examples at IH – and not all from the staff, but from other artists!
I was soon learning that being completely independent is to be stagnant. Getting meaningful input, real critique and advice is paramount, second only to just getting out there and trying something! It was, and is, a great place to start learning, even if you think you’re beyond it. Why? Because there are new ways to interact, learn, be challenged, fail, and try again. I don’t take all the advice I hear, but I take it to heart and consider it.
As for a few other things I love about Indieheaven:
- Keith is honest – sometimes brutally so (which is so needed in the Christian music ghetto)
- You sell and they ship CDs – and the artist keeps all the cash, and they pay out very quickly! This has more than made up for my $20/month.
- They provide download sales – and Keith will even set it all up for you if you join for a year, which saves a bunch of clicking around.
- You can promote individual songs and get feedback on those songs.
- You can interact and get encouraging, but honest feedback from other artists via the forum.
- They have all kinds of “behind the scenes” resources that make getting started easier.
At this point this may sound like an advertisement from the guy that received the Momentum Award for both Acoustic Artist & Album of the year, and I can say that those awards have really boosted publicity. However, it all started with just taking time to implement what I have been learning and then taking that to the road. If you are truly starting out and need a little help, there are places that are truly helpful. You certainly don’t have to sign up for a service like this. You can do many of these things on your own. But if you are an artist that wants to actually get going and needs a kick start, I suggest you don’t stay completely independent. The best thing to do is seek out real services that really help. Indieheaven has been one of those for me. Don’t join and wait for them to do your work, but check them out and see what you can learn. Maybe you’ll learn that you don’t want to be an artist, or that you can use the ideas and get going.
By the way, this review was completely unsolicited. I am simply trying to let folks know about one tool that has helped me down the road.
nathan
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Good Artcle.
Great encouragement. I’ve also toyed wi th the idea of signing up for a while. I am not sure how it will benefit me without CD’s to sell yet but I appreciate the information as I am very forward thinking.
-Carey Germana
Carey,
I certainly think you should make you own decision, but selling CDs is only one small part of IH, and you could obviously make downloads available since you have some finished tunes. But really the site is not about selling, especially if you are not a gigging musician. But instead IH is focused on learning the biz, getting better, etc… Please don’t take that as pressure or a “sell,” I just wanted to clarify. Peace to you. nathan
I loved your article! and thank you so much for all this wonderful information! I’ve been an Independent Artist for a while, but nobody knows… specially when my songs are only written in spanish, but I am living in the States. Do you know any independen artists that sing in spanish? Or any conctac wesite where I can write them and let them know my concerns and ask for ideas.
Thank you so much and mucha paz!
Yanela
Yanela, thanks for the note. I don’t know much about the spanish market, but I know a great guy in south Texas that might be able to help you. Just head to his web site and tell him I sent you. http://www.gabrielsong.com Peace to you, nathan
When I read through your article, I was amazed at all the things that you have done to upstart your career was like reading about me and my goals. I have joined many websites with the lure of sales and perhaps a recording contract down the road. But, all has been nothing but feeding the pockets of those who own the sites as I have yet to sell one copy…even when one site showed I had over 5500 people checking out a song, but NO SALES(?)! I cannot believe with that many people listening to a song did not purchase it? It just did not add up. I have been checking on Indie for over a year now but after reading your article I have decided to join and utilize its services. I write mostly gospel songs now and it is a blessing to have people come up to you and thank me for such a wonderful song that God gave me to share with those in need of reassurance that they are indeed a child of God’s. Thank you for the article and I pray you will reach your goals and help Indie to reach theirs, too.
Marv Donovan
PS: No website yet but I am working on one.
Marv, Thanks for the note, and I’m sure you will find honest and helpful feedback on both the IH site and the network. Driving sales is very difficult, and only starts to happen when you personally connect with people either online or on the road. Of course having great songs and great sound is a must, but interacting with real people is the only way to make an impact enough to actually cause them to want the tunes. Best to you! Where can I check out your tunes?
Nathan: I agree. Artists should utilize each others’ talents and build a lasting friendship to not only critique each others’ style but to also encourage them to keep going as it can be frustrating and discouraging. If you are interested in any type of collaboration effort I would be happy and honored to work with you. Nothing to lose, yet a lot to gain. Let me know, okay?
Marv