You’ve probably heard that getting into the music industry is impossible, and that living the glamorous life of a rockstar is just a pipe dream. While the latter part may certainly be true for a lot of people, the fact is that there are plenty of other jobs in the music industry besides professional musicians, so if you want to break into the music industry, it might not be as hard as you think. 

Of course, it’s still going to be extremely challenging, and you’re still going to need to bring your A game if you want to be in with a chance of succeeding in this highly competitive world. Here’s how you can get into the music industry.

Keep earning while you search

The music industry is pretty difficult to break into, on the whole, so it’s a good idea to make sure you’ve got a consistent source of income while you’re looking for your first entry-level job. Keeping your current job would be the best way to go about this, but if you’re in need of cash in a hurry, then you could also look into quick loans to keep you afloat while you wait for that crucial interview or that start date. Keeping your income flowing is also a good idea if you’re a pro musician and you need gear. Speaking of which…

Figure out what role you’re after

Of course, this should probably be the first thing you do when you’re thinking about a career in the music industry. Think carefully about where your skills lie, and what job that would best translate to when it comes to the music industry. If, for instance, you’ve got a talent for managing people, then becoming a band manager or a company executive might be a good idea. Conversely, if you’re better at spotting talent and recruiting folks, then becoming a scout could be the career path for you. There’s almost certainly an avenue in the music industry that will suit you!

Do your research

Researching any potential new career path is extremely important, but nowhere is that more true than in the music industry. You need to know exactly what your job will entail, because that will, in turn, inform whether or not it’s a good idea to pursue that particular career path. You might, for example, have certain notions in your head about what it’s like to be a pro touring musician, but those notions are almost certainly informed by misconceptions (no shame – it happens to us all). The more you read about the realities of the music industry, the better-equipped you’ll be to navigate it.

Build a network

Almost more than any other industry, music is subject to the old “it’s who you know” maxim. That means that building a network of like-minded individuals is almost more important than trying to spot the right opportunities. Make sure to attend plenty of music industry events, whether they take the form of live shows or something more geared towards the executive end of things. Talk to as many people as you can and get some business cards made; that way, you can leave a lasting impression with people after the event is over.

Get the right gear (if you’re a musician)

We know we said there are plenty of other jobs in the music industry, but if you’ve got your heart set on being a professional musician, then make sure you’ve got the right gear. As a guitarist, for instance, you should have an amp powerful enough to play a range of different venues, as well as any effects you need (and a great guitar to be your daily driver, of course). It’s better to buy something a little more expensive earlier on, because then you run less risk of needing to replace it later down the line. Good musicians are always well-equipped!

Straddle the volunteer divide

This one’s geared more towards professional musicians than businesspeople, so listen up. You’re going to be asked to play for free a lot during your career. Straddling the divide between knowing your worth and missing key opportunities is extremely important. It’s a good idea to stand on principle as much as you can; the less you get paid, the more you make it difficult for other musicians to get paid, after all. However, some things, like charity events, could be great ways to get your name out there, and getting paid for them isn’t necessarily the be-all and end-all.

Keep close track of your progress

You may want to note down your music industry journey on a blog, say, or in a diary. This can be a good idea for a number of reasons. Firstly, you’ll be able to see how far you’ve come since day one. Secondly, your diary could contain key tips and hints on how to improve or what direction you should take. By reading over the things that have worked and the things that haven’t worked so well in your journey thus far, you’ll be able to arrive at a career trajectory that works for you. After all, who better to learn from on your path than yourself, right?

Understand that rejection is not failure

The music industry is intensely competitive. It’s impossible to communicate just how competitive it is in words; the only way to really know is to experience it yourself. You’re going to get a lot of rejections, no matter what job you’ve opted for. It’s important to prepare yourself for those rejections and to understand that they don’t mean you should stop. Many famous people received lots of rejections before they finally managed to do the thing they subsequently became known for, so don’t let a few “no”s discourage you.