Artists inspire those who are willing to open up and challenge their states of being.
Defining your artist aesthetic is crucial. Itās the first glimpse into your world.
Don't try to guilt your audience into buying your merch. Doesn't work. Donāt make your audience feel bad for you. It removes the mystique and coolness factor. You can say āPick up a t-shirt and help us get to the next city.ā That offers an emotional appeal in a positive light.
Everyone has a great story, but most donāt realize it. People love to educate their friends about their favorite new bandās backstory. You have to come up with the most interesting aspect of your project and communicate that so your fans have something to latch onto.
Never underestimate the power of a compliment (or a critique) to an artist. Choose your words very carefully. They could legitimately effect the course of their life. Be gentle yet genuine. Encouraging yet authentic.
No digital message or phone call can replace the electrifying experience of a physical encounter. Get out into the world. Meet people. Support your scene. Play live. Exist in the physical world.
When you make business decisions, donāt merely think about how they are going to affect your bottom line this year. Think about how many lifelong fans it will bring you and how these fans will support your bottom line over the course of your entire career.
The purpose of a music video is to enhance the song. Not distract from it.
Your image is almost as important as your sound. People have stronger visual memories than sonic ones. If you look lame onstage, half of your audience will think that you sound lame. And that's what they will remember.
Youād be surprised at how many musicians have a very difficult time talking about their own music. Pick two or three artists people say you sound like and use that. "David Bowie meets Bob Dylan." "If Janis Joplin got into a bar fight with Sly and the Family Stone."
Ariās Take is a music business education and artist advocacy company focusing on empowering musicians to have successful careers in the New Music Business.
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The āmusic industry bibleā by Ari Herstand has been widely adopted by music schools and universities across the world, inspiring tens of thousands of musicians to stop waiting around for that big break and take matters into their own hands.