Music Career 101

Five Primary Challenges for Independent Artists Starting a career in folk music can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. Here are the five primary challenges to starting a career in folk music and how to overcome them, along with supporting quotes from famous folk and indie artists: Challenge 1: Limited Exposure Folk musicians often face the challenge of limited exposure due to their unique position, where they’re not bound by the commercial pressures of mainstream music. As Ani DiFranco once said, “Folk music is not an industry. It’s a community. It’s about making connections and telling stories that matter.” To expand their reach and gain more exposure, consider: Questions to ask yourself: What venues or events cater to my niche audience and book artists my audience appreciates? How can I use social media to find and target an ideal audience to promote my music? Are there any music festivals or competitions that I can participate in to gain more exposure? Challenge 2: Limited Resources Many folk musicians have limited resources, which can make it difficult to record, produce, and promote their music. They may not have access to expensive equipment or the financial resources to pay for studio time or marketing campaigns. Singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens once said, “I like the idea of working within a set of limitations, whether it’s time or resources.” To overcome this challenge, consider: Exploring alternative recording options, such as home recording or collaborating with other musicians Applying for grants or crowdfunding campaigns to finance your music projects Networking with other musicians to share resources and knowledge Challenge 3: Finding a Fan Base Another challenge is finding a fan base interested in your niche music. Since your music is not mainstream, it may be difficult to find people who are interested in listening to it, and building a loyal fan base can take time and effort. As Mumford & Sons’ Marcus Mumford said, “We just make music that we love, and if other people love it too, then that’s great.” To build a strong fan base, consider: Creating a strong online presence to connect with potential fans Networking with other musicians and industry professionals to reach new audiences Offering exclusive content, merchandise, or experiences to engage and retain fans Challenge 4: Standing Out from the Crowd In niche music, there is often a lot of competition for a limited audience. This means that it can be challenging to stand out from the crowd and get noticed. To differentiate yourself from other musicians in your genre and offer something unique to your fans, consider: Defining your unique selling points and incorporating them into your brand Experimenting with different styles or instruments to create a distinct sound Collaborating with other artists to bring new perspectives to your music Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon once said, “Part of being an artist is being able to be in the moment and figure out what you’re doing and where you’re at.” Use this mindset to help stand out from the crowd. Challenge 5: Maintaining Motivation It can be easy to get discouraged when starting a career in folk music. Since it can be difficult to get exposure and build a fan base, some musicians may feel like their efforts are not paying off. To stay motivated and continue to work hard, even when success is not immediate, consider: Setting realistic goals and celebrating small achievements along the way Connecting with other musicians for support and inspiration Reminding yourself of your passion for music and the reasons you started your career As indie-folk musician José González said in his interview with PopMatters, “Stay curious and keep learning. The only way to stay motivated is to keep growing as an artist and constantly challenge yourself with new ideas.” Independent artists in the folk and indie music scenes face a unique set of challenges as they strive to build successful careers. By recognizing these obstacles and learning from the experiences of established musicians, emerging artists can find innovative ways to overcome limited exposure, limited resources, finding a fan base, standing out from the crowd, and maintaining motivation. Embracing these challenges and finding creative solutions will ultimately lead to a stronger and more vibrant music community, where independent artists can thrive and share their unique talents with the world. Resources Ani Difranco Sufjan Stevens Marcus Mumford Justin Vernon José González Introducing Music Career 101 Attention all musicians and aspiring artists! Get ready to take your career to the next level with NERFA’s new series “Music Career 101.” Our dedicated staff and community are pooling their wisdom and experience to… March 13, 2023 Building a Career in Folk Music Building a Career in Folk Music We understand the challenges that many musicians face when it comes to pursuing a meaningful and successful career in music. It can be daunting to enter an industry that… March 25, 2023 Five Primary Challenges for Independent Artists Five Primary Challenges for Independent Artists Subtitle Starting a career in folk music can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. Here are the five primary… April 13, 2023

Building a Career in Folk Music We understand the challenges that many musicians face when it comes to pursuing a meaningful and successful career in music. It can be daunting to enter an industry that is constantly evolving and highly competitive, but I’m here to tell you that it’s not impossible to achieve your goals and build a fulfilling career in music. In fact, with the right mindset and strategy, you can not only achieve success, but make a name for yourself in the industry. So let’s dive in and explore some concrete steps and examples for building a career in folk and roots music. Let’s get inspired and motivated to make our dreams a reality! Step 1: Define Your Niche In the crowded market of folk and roots music, it’s important to define your niche and focus on a particular aspect of the genre that sets you apart from the competition. For example, you could focus on a specific style of music, such as Appalachian fiddle tunes, or a unique instrument, such as the banjo. You could also choose to focus on a particular theme or subject matter, such as environmental issues or social justice. By honing in on a specific aspect of the genre, you can create a distinctive brand that will help you identify your target audience. For example, the band Rising Appalachia has built a loyal following by blending traditional Appalachian music with global influences, creating a unique sound that appeals to fans of both folk and world music. Their niche is the intersection of traditional American roots music with diverse cultural influences. Questions to ask yourself: What makes my music unique? What aspect of folk and roots music am I most passionate about? Who is my target audience and how can I tailor my music to appeal to them? Step 2: Build Your Brand Building a cohesive brand is essential for musicians in the folk and roots music scene. A strong brand will help differentiate you from other musicians and create a lasting impression on your audience. Your brand should reflect your music and personality and be consistent across all platforms, including your logo, website, social media profiles, and any merchandise you sell. Your logo is often the first thing people will see when they encounter your brand, so it’s important to make it memorable and representative of your music. Your website should be easy to navigate and showcase your music in a way that is visually appealing and engaging. Your social media profiles should be active and provide regular updates on your music and upcoming shows. Finally, any merchandise you sell should be of a quality that reflects your brand and image. For example, the band The Avett Brothers have built a strong brand by combining their passion for traditional American roots music with modern sensibilities. Their logo, a simple line drawing of a bird, is instantly recognizable and appears on all of their merchandise. They also have a strong social media presence, with over 1 million followers on Instagram alone, which they use to connect with fans and promote their music. Questions to ask yourself: What kind of image do I want to portray? How can I make my brand memorable? How can I use my brand to connect with my audience? Step 3: Network Networking is critical for any musician, but it is especially important for those building a career in folk and roots music. Attending music festivals, conferences, and other events where you can meet other musicians and industry professionals is a great way to connect. However, it’s not enough to simply attend these events. You need to be proactive in making connections and building relationships. Prepare a brief elevator pitch about yourself and your music. This should be a concise and compelling introduction that highlights your unique qualities as a musician. When you meet someone new, you can use this pitch to introduce yourself and start a conversation. Even for new musicians, it is importance to be generous with your time and the experience you have gained. Offer to help other musicians with their projects, share your knowledge and experience, and be open to collaboration. By being generous and supportive, you can build relationships that will benefit you in the long run. I’ve always loved Alicia Keys’ thoughts on this “If you’re in a position to help other musicians, it’s important to do so. We all benefit from the knowledge and experience of others, and by sharing what we know, we can help the music industry thrive.” Finally, it’s important to follow up with the people you meet. After an event, send a quick email or social media message to thank them for their time and express your interest in staying in touch. Keep a record of the people you meet and the conversations you have, and follow up periodically to keep the connection alive. As an example of someone within our community who exemplifies this value, the musician Rhiannon Giddens has built a strong network of connections by collaborating with other musicians in her genre, such as the Carolina Chocolate Drops and Dirk Powell. Rhiannon works closely with the Black Opry offering opportunities to other artists. She also had the opportunity to make multiple appearances as a guest on the television show “Nashville,” which has helped her reach a wider audience and connect with other professionals in the industry. Questions to ask yourself: What events should I attend to network with other musicians? How can I make the most of my networking opportunities? How can I stay in touch with the people I meet? Step 4: Build Your Fanbase Building a loyal fanbase is crucial for any musician, but it’s especially important when you’re building a career. In upcoming articles, we will explore this topic in more detail. However, it is essential for career growth to use social media, email marketing, and other tools to connect with your fans and keep them engaged. Some concrete ideas are to

Attention all musicians and aspiring artists! Get ready to take your career to the next level with NERFA’s new series “Music Career 101.” Our dedicated staff and community are pooling their wisdom and experience to create practical frameworks for success in the music industry. Every month, we will publish an article focusing on specific challenges that musicians face, providing you with valuable guidance and insights to help you build a successful career in music. But that’s not all! We’re also sponsoring follow-up open peer group discussions, giving you the opportunity to share your experiences, ask questions, and receive helpful tips from other musicians. Are you ready to take your career to the next level? Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to learn from industry experts and connect with other artists. Join us now and discover the career-changing insights you need to know! Are you a seasoned musician with valuable insights and experience to share with others? Or perhaps you’re an aspiring artist looking to learn from industry experts and connect with other musicians? Either way, we want to hear from you! NERFA’s “Music Career 101” program is looking for contributors to host open peer group discussions or write articles on specific challenges in the music industry. This is a fantastic opportunity to share your knowledge, connect with other musicians, and make a positive impact on the industry. So don’t wait any longer! Whether you have a particular topic in mind or want to learn more about getting involved, we encourage you to reach out to us and join our community of music industry professionals. Let’s work together to build a stronger, more supportive music community and help aspiring artists achieve their goals! I would like to help! Introducing Music Career 101 Music Career 101 Attention all musicians and aspiring artists! Get ready to take your career to the next level with NERFA’s new series “Music Career 101.” Our dedicated staff and community are pooling their wisdom… March 13, 2023