If you want to get a record deal, get people to your shows, or
sell music like crazy, the answer isn't some kind of "magic
pill" website that you post your music on, blindly sending out a
bunch of demos, or anything to do with having good
music...although good music certainly helps -- the answer is to
develop a "mindset" that naturally attracts people to what
you're doing as well as an understanding of how the music
business game is played.

As you develop as a person, your music career will develop with
you. Sounds crazy, but it's true...and I've seen it time and
time again, with thousands of acts that I've worked with, from
garage bands, to the guys selling out arenas. Check out these
ten common music business mistakes:

10. Being Too Difficult (or Too Nice)

First of all, let’s get this clear... Just because you wrote a
few good songs and recorded them, doesn’t mean that the world
revolves around you. Lots of people write and record good songs,
so get in line.

Contrary to what the online rumor mill or media would have you
believe, people in the music business are involved because they
love music…and they’re not making enough to deal with jerks. And
they won’t deal with jerks. If you’re a pain, they’re just go to
the next guy, who also writes good songs, but has a better
attitude.

With that said, don’t be too nice. You don’t have to say yes to
everything. Pick your battles. If there is something you really
feel strongly about, don’t settle for anything less.

Bottom line: Keep your ego in check and behave with courtesy
and respect. At the same time, don't let anyone treat you any
less.

9. Trying to Convince People of Anything…

You play music; you’re not in the convincing business. Either
people get what you’re doing or they don’t.

So, some reviewer, booking agent or manager doesn't like your
new album. Let it go! Don't try to convince him he'll like is
better after a second listen. He won't. And the more you press
him to give your music another shot, the more he’ll remember how
annoying you were. This means he’ll be far less open to ever
listening to you again.

There are a lot of people who won't "hear it" when you approach
them. So what? Move on. There are plenty of other people in this
business who can help you. Go find the people who do "hear it"
and put your energy into building good relationships with them
instead.

8. Looking for Industry Approval

There was a time when the "industry" had a lot more pull when
it came to breaking an artist, getting them distributed, and
everything else. This is a new time, so we're playing with
different rules now.

Distribution is easy. Every day, more and more albums are being
sold digitally, so you no longer need a label to finance
pressing tens of thousands of physical albums (or more) and
getting them to record stores.

These days, recording music is easier than ever. You can get a
good
recording setup for just a few thousand dollars. And if you
can't afford recording equipment, there are plenty of people who
have some, whom you can hire inexpensively. You are not limited
on the number of options for getting something on tape.

But most importantly, once you get this stuff together, you
don't need the industry to tell you your music is worthy. The
consumers, the people who buy your music, are really the only
opinions that matter. And when you have the love of the
consumers, the industry will come around.

The thing is, in the music industry, technology has changed
faster than mindset. Stop believing you are at the mercy of any
record label executive. You're not. Connect directly with your
fans--on your terms. The feedback, loyalty and money you receive
from them will be far more gratifying than you spending your
time beating your head against a wall trying to figure out a way
to get an approving nod from a record label.

7. Not Building Strong Relationships with Fans

People aren't stupid. They know that they're being marketed to.
They know when you're looking to sell them something.

Do they mind? No.

In fact, if you have a good relationship with your fans, they
won't mind being marketed to and, if you do it well, they look
forward to being marketed to.

However, they have to know you care.

Building relationships with fans take time. You have to show
them you care.

Do things like:

* Give them a few free songs to download
* Have message board on your website and build a community
there
* Do a "fan appreciation" show
* Record a holiday album that you give out to your fan club.

Show them in special ways that you, not only care, but that
you're willing to go the extra mile to show your appreciation.
In turn, they will buy your music, travel to see you play, call
radio stations on your behalf and promote you all over the Web.

Every day, no matter if you're busy recording, on the road or
at home worrying about how you're going to find the money to
make your project happen, do something (no matter how small the
gesture is) to reach out to your fans.

6. Not "Getting" How the Fan/Artist Relationship Works

You’re the leader and your fans do the following. You make the
offer, they choose whether or not to accept.

Take charge, record the music, play the shows, print the
t-shirts, and let them have the options of buying your album,
coming to see you, or getting something to wear.

The average person has enough “leadership” in his day. He’s
looking for somebody to take control, and let him ride along for
a little while. Do it.

5. Laying Everything on the Table…

You're a rockstar. Keep that fantasy. Don't tell people how
broke you are, that you're still living with your mother, or
anything else that breaks the image of you fans have in their
minds.

One of the reasons people like music is because they have the
opportunity to live vicariously through the people they are
listening to. When you are on stage, they're up there with you.
When you're on the road in your tour bus, they're riding
shotgun. Don't take that away.

Give them insight into your life and what it's like in your
world. However, be selective with the details. Always remember,
you're selling music, but you're also selling a persona.

4. Thinking The Key to Success is Musical Talent, Money, or
Looks

Yes, if we're talking about pop music, MTV, or the major label
system, a certain amount of a contrived "image" probably helps
sell records.

Obviously, money helps things. And it's always good if you can
sing.

But it's not "image" that gets somebody on MTV, it's marketing.
It's not good songs that get people on the radio, it's
marketing. And it's not money, although it helps. It's
marketing.

You can play well, have money, and look like a model, but if
you don't have the marketing to back you up, none of it matters.

You know what? If you do have a good, solid marketing plan in
place (and you're using it), everything else doesn't matter so
much.

3. Giving Up Power

Keep control as long as you can. Yes, a major label deal will
give you opportunity that being on an indie label won't. And a
professional manager has connections that you don't.

But when you sign with these guys, you're handing over your
career to somebody else. Nobody cares as much about your career
than you do. When you and your talent are the most important
commodity you have to offer, do not give up your power easily
and without a damn good reason.

Your music is worth something. You are worth something. Think
of your career as being "virtual real estate" which, if marketed
correctly, will pay dividends for years to come. So, treat it
like that.

2. Jumping at Every Opportunity

You don't have to say yes to everything. In fact, sometimes,
saying no to something can be more beneficial to your career
than saying yes.

Why do you say yes to things? Take a look at your standards and
make them higher. As an example, just because a club has a PA
system doesn't mean that it's worth playing there.

There are some gigs that just aren't worth playing. There are
some
connections that just aren't worth developing.

When you say yes to something, especially something that takes
your time, you're saying no to everything else. Leave yourself
open to saying yes to the opportunities that really matter.

Trust your own judgment. If something doesn't feel right and
you want to say no, it's ok to say no. At that moment, you may
worry you're passing up a great opportunity and will be missing
out. The reality is, better opportunities (that are a better fit
for you) will come and you will be ready for them.

1. Not Getting Help

You don't know everything. This business has been around for a
long time--long before you were involved.

Read books, get advice from people who work in the industry and
keep studying every aspect of the industry.

Don't be afraid to ask for help. You can bypass a lot of the
problems you're likely to run into simply by asking people who
have already been in, and dealt with, the situations you find
yourself in.

Remember this:

Time is worth more than money. You can always earn more money,
but you have a limited amount of time.

Don't waste your time. If you don't know something, or need
specific help, don't be afraid to pay somebody to help you deal
with whatever obstacle you face. Don't let anything stop you
from having all the knowledge and know-how you need to have the
success you aspire to have.