Music Career Coaching: 7 Steps to Getting Back to Your Music

By Don Osborn 

Did you start out playing in a band only to hang it up to get a real job, raise a family, pay a mortgage and have a regular life? And now, all these years later, the kids are out, the career is a solid ground and you still have that itch: to play music, to start a band and record. To have fun! 

You have the gear, the time, a budget, even a garage. You know how much things have changed, and yes you can do most things yourself. But where to start? 

First a little context. It's no longer about getting radio play or impressing some A&R guy. It's about building a relationship with your fans and giving them a reason to stay connected. 

They say all you need is a "thousand true fans." Your job is to create truly GREAT music, then use the available methods and technologies to find (and keep) your one thousand true fans (who will spend $100 per year on you). Easy? No. Possible? Yes, but it takes hard work, talent and persistence. That part hasn't changed. 

Here are the 7 steps to getting back to your music:

1. Create great music 
2. Control your rights 
3. Build your core audience and sell to them directly 
4. Leverage online sales channels 
5. Repurpose and license 
6. Let your fans promote you 
7. Get help 

This is the new business model for anyone in independent music, whether it’s for fun or something more serious. 

If this is useful to you or someone you know, drop me a line and lets talk. I offer music career coaching and a free career assessment. http://www.donosbornmusic.com