There are many things we might want from music. For each person, that final goal is different. By now, everyone also knows that there isn't a set timeline. Some returns can definitely be calculated while others really can't. So what do we do? Do we gamble forever?
No.
We need to have wiggle room. We need to be able to give our circumstances the chance to turn in our favour. For that, we simply need to be able to do music for long enough.
Put simply - there are ONLY two things that keep us in music for long. 1) Reputation
2) Income
We need both in order to be able to stay in music and take our chances, tweak our ideas, evolve our skill and aim better.
REPUTATION
Reputation is trust. Reputation keeps you earning coz people trust you to deliver.
What is it that you are reputed for? Is it skill ? Is it presentation? Is it the experience people have when they interact with you? What is it that people bank on when they reach out to you?
Reputation is built with repetition of any one thing. That thing becomes familiar. And trust appears around that aspect of what you do.
Reputation leads to opportunity. Opportunities turn into money, success or both.
If your reputation is strong within the non paying people - you will have good statistics but no income. If your reputation is strong amongst those that pay -- organizers, curators, decision makers --- then there will be repeated income.
For the first group. Most fans are non paying. The die-hard fans will pay a lot and every time. There is a range within the fan family. But the existence of fans can be monetized to some extent. You will have to sell your fans' attention to corporations. This earning capacity varies from musician to musician.
Either way, it is an outcome of different kinds of reputation.
INCOME
If reputation leads to income, then why are we talking about income separately here?
This is because, Reputation or not, income is the only thing that will keep you doing music. If you're in your teens and reading this, you might think this is crap. But trust me, as life changes around you, your financial needs will change. Your artist's heart might break a few times, as is common while pursuing the arts. Grit might get soggy. Income is gonna be central to having any chance at doing music long term.
Now here is the issue. WHY DO WE INSIST THAT THE INCOME SOURCE BE MUSIC? ... If we really begin to assume that, in the early days of our career, music needs to support us back, we will be in emotional and career trouble. This is the point at which we will be forced to toy with ideas such as changing our product (before it's even ready!) .... and
If one has chosen, music, dance, sport, writing or design ------ it is not based on the assumption that one's passion has to pay..... Instead, it is based on the LIFE DECISION that we will do everything to pay for our lives and for our legacy.
For those who had to take up jobs during these last 2 years! Please don't ever think you've left your life as an artist or that things didn't work out. This is a part of things working out. This is how it has worked for many great artists on our planet.
Elizabeth Gilbert said this most important thing in a interview.
INCOME GIVES YOU THE TIME AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME BADASS
Not everyone is born a prodigy. Not everyone is born with a fully cooked style. Different people need different lengths of time to come to a place where they are compelling and notable and reputed. In fact, not everyone is ready to make a debut at the same time in life. Premature debuts are total career killers.
This is normal. This is okay.
Start making money now - and tell yourself with every paycheque - that you are doing this for you, your fam and for music. They all need to be fed. They all need to be nurtured.
Give your luck a chance. Give your craft a chance. <3
Love V
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Top Photo Credit Colin Lloyd