by David Samuel

Created on: July 08, 2010   Last Updated: July 09, 2010

Why most indie artists fail is a simple reason, they don't realize they are a small business owner.  You may be amazing on your instrument, sing like a song bird from heaven, have great stage presence and everyone tells you that they have never seen talent like you before.  So why are you still spinning your wheels in the muck and mire of the hundreds of garage bands in your own neighborhood?

The indie artist needs to develop their business tools as well as their playing chops.  Understanding how to network their connections is going to be the key to their success.  But before they start this they must understand their own business better. 

For example:  they must think of their music as their brand they are selling.  This means they must identify what their brand is and what is their demographic they are targeting.  Are you a screemo band?  If so then you are hitting the middle school and early high school kids that struggle with the emotions of becoming an adult.  You are relating to the transition from a child into adult hood.

Maybe you write love songs.  Your target market is going to be probably woman and somewhere between 25 and up.  Your audience drinks coffee and wine.  Why do I say this?  Well, once you identify your brand and target your audience you begin to understand where to put your energy at.  You can put your flyer's up in coffee shops and wine depots if you write love songs or acoustic projects. 

If you are a punk or screemo band that is not going to be very wise to put up your bands flyers in a coffee shop now is it?  You need to find a skate shop, maybe a tattoo parlor to put up your advertisement.

You need to take control of your music's or arts future.  Do it yourself mentality is so vital to your career.  Talk to your band mates and see who knows something about graphic design and have them take care of the website and flyer's. 

You need to stay connected to your audience after shows so they won't forget about you.  Remember it takes a small business about 2 years to gain name recognition.  That goes for bands as well.  The number one mistake new bands make in the beginning is to forget to build their mailing list.  This needs to start from day one.

This list is your life blood to your career.  This is how you get returning fans to shows; build loyal followings that buy your latest CD release.  Don't forget

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