Mistake #1: Most bands focus either on the wrong things, tiny insignificant things or no specific things at all.
Mistake #2: Most bands put a lot of effort into their music (which is good), but very little effort into the many other critical elements needed to make it in the music business.
Mistake #3: Most bands don't think of their band as a 'business' and therefore don't run it like a business. Of course being in a band is about having fun and creating great music, but fact is, in order to be successful in the music business, you need to run your band operations like a business.
Mistake #4: Most bands have a fundamental misunderstanding about what record companies look for, and expect from, new bands. This misunderstanding puts bands on the wrong path.
Mistake #5: Most bands severely underestimate the importance of their image. Yes, music is about 'music', but music business success is about a total package which includes music, image, visual stage show among other things which need to be fully developed in a congruent way. (This is where the term "Artist Development" comes from!)
Mistake #6: Most bands' live show is mediocre at best. The music might be good, but a live 'show' requires more than great music. If people only wanted to hear the music, they would save their money and listen to the music at home. Both fans and record labels want (and expect) to see a REAL show. Neglecting this area results in talented bands quickly forgotten.
Mistake #7: Most bands falsely believe that the number of 'fans' they have is the holy grail for success. The fact is, it is not the number of 'fans' which matters most, it's the number of FANATICS which will contribute more directly to your success (or lack of it). Bands need to focus more effort on converting existing fans into raving fanatics of the band.
Mistake #8: Most bands do not understand nor have an effective music marketing strategy to promote their band. Without this you will continue to struggle.
Mistake #9: Most bands who do work on becoming successful typically focus on 'getting their name and music out there'. Their objective is to be seen and heard as much as possible. The biggest mistake is these bands usually do little or nothing to become totally unforgettable!
So where can you find the help you need to avoid all of the common mistakes mentioned above and finally begin to put your band on the right path to success?
The conventional way bands try to learn to become successful goes something like this:
When you're starting out (as an unknown band) you are typically limited in your ability to gain access to knowledge about how to become successful. So what usually happens is:
1. You spend a lot of time using the 'trial and error' approach hoping to learn from your own experiences.
2. You look at what other local bands are trying to do.
The information you have from these first two sources is only on the amateur level.
3. You look for information in music industry books.
Music industry books typically discuss general things about how the music industry functions. Those books are almost like dictionaries. They only offer basic outlines of things. In addition, those things are never written by musicians or from their perspective. They are written by former agents, entertainment lawyers or the occasional retired (or unemployed) A&R guy. There is still some useful information to be found in some books. Feel free to use 'recently written' music business books as a 'reference', not a 'blueprint' for aspiring bands like you. There are huge pieces of the puzzle missing about what YOU should be focusing on right now...
4. You look at what big famous bands do or have done and try to copy what they did.
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Dit is niet OK