Three Power Plays For Your Music Career Success
How often do you ask yourself, “I wish I could just make more money in my music career?”
Or, “What have I actually accomplished in the past year? I feel like I’m stuck in the same place.”
There are plenty of different strategies and avenues to help you get ahead in your music career, but I’d like to strip it down to the studs and talk about a few tried and true foundational pieces you need for sustainability.
Here are a few things you can take action on today to expand your fan reach, make more money and NOT be in the same spot a year from now.
Three Power Plays You Can Make In Your Music Career Today
PLAY #1: Become a Networking Boss!
Align yourself with Artists and industry pros and learn how you can be an asset to one another. Be clear on how and what you want to contribute and clearly communicate the value you bring. Be mindful to combat ALL TAKE & NO GIVE mentality. In other words, think first, “how can I authentically add value to this relationship” before asking for favors.
Some ways you can support others in your industry:
Make an effort to actually get to know them on a personal level. Have a coffee, grab a beer, meet at a show. Relationships are EVERYTHING.
Support a fellow artist by attending their live show.
Attend a Music Conference or networking event and start shaking hands (or fist bumping). Show up humble, ready to learn, and ready to cultivate real relationships.
Take an authentic interest in an expert’s feedback and attend one of their events or online training.
WHAT’S THE TAKEAWAY ON THIS? RELATIONSHIPS LEAD TO OPPORTUNITIES.
One word of caution, it’s easy to overbook your calendar with meetings, coffee dates, and live music events. Don’t over-commit yourself! Pick and choose your level of giving and take it one week at a time.
A shaman once told me that not only must my cup be full when I give back or help others, but it actually must be overflowing. That I needed to serve from the saucer. So when that coffee/tea starts spilling over onto my saucer, that is when I’m able to give.
That may not be the same for you, but what I want you to gain from that example, is that yes, we must be thinking of how we can provide value to others, but if you haven’t tended to your self-care to begin with, you’re in no position to support those around you.
Commit to new networking opportunities (music industry and beyond) over the next week and every week moving forward. Take action now and write down two networking opportunities or people you can reach out to TODAY and commit a date to the calendar to set up a meeting or attend an event.
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PLAY #2: Have A Plan
Get hyper clear and specific in your artist vision, your goals, and the action steps you must take to get there. Perhaps your branding is muddy. Perhaps you feel yourself evolving and it’s time to shift your trajectory.
I dive really deep into having a plan of action and execution in my coaching packages and online courses, but so many artists and creatives skip over this important step and I believe it’s the number one reason why you stay stagnant in your career.
When you are clear and specific, you can execute a plan. Distractions are rampant when you don’t have a plan. (squirrel!)
Three Benefits of An Intentional Plan:
A plan allows you the opportunity for maximum productivity and confidence.
A plan minimizes frustration and self-doubt.
A plan is a blueprint for your life, your business, your goals, and your dreams.
When I wrote both of my books, including a best seller on Amazon, it didn’t just happen by chance. Because I had a plan, I was able to write and publish my first book, make an appearance on Good Morning Texas, form a consulting business, and receive my first opportunity to speak at a music festival, all within one year.
In the two years that followed, I increased my speaking engagements, press placements, podcast interviews and even launched three online courses! I also completely rebranded as a Reality TV Music Coach, produced the first-ever Reality Singing Show Summit and created the Reality Singing Show Success Academy, all while managing my household, three girls, and running operations for our family-owned restaurant.
Plans work when you create a clear vision and take consistent action towards your goals.
You may not feel “READY”, but life is short and you’re never too old, too young, too tired or too busy to GROW, LEARN and MAKE THINGS HAPPEN!
— Brianna Ruelas
So what can you do right now? You can start one of two ways… you can think big - as in the next year. Where do I want to be or what do I want to accomplish in the next year?
Or, you can take baby steps by starting quarterly and ask, “In the next three months, what is one thing I want to get DONE & knock out of the park?”
PLAY #3: Level Up Your Business Knowledge
There is always something to learn, especially in an industry like the music industry that is ever-evolving and shapeshifting.
What areas do you need to grow in and where could you use a little support in your music career?
Start by identifying areas where you struggle in your day-to-day:
Is it always a mad scramble for you to get things done?
Are you lousy at execution?
Are your marketing skills sub-par?
Do you have an efficient communication system and social media plan in place to increase fan engagement?
After I wrote my first book, Performing Artist Pathway, I knew I wanted to get it in the hands of more people and use it to create more business opportunities for myself. Although I had a bootstrapping small business education as a restaurant owner, I still needed to level up my online business knowledge.
So what did I do? I took an online business course and I hired an online business coach. I also took several trips to visit my business mentor in New Mexico to get guidance from her.
That coaching and education was a game-changer for me. It provided accountability, education, expertise outside of my own, and confidence as I took action towards a clear plan.
Here are a couple of ways you can level up your business knowledge, some of which are free, others that are not:
Take a masterclass or workshop, take a self-paced online course, attend a music conference or comb the web for all the knowledge you can get your hands on.
Hire a Coach or Consultant and get outside expertise as you are creating a plan. Benefits to hiring a coach are the added accountability, increased efficiency, and productivity. With the right coach, you will get to your destination quicker.
So what can you do today? Start by identifying two or three areas that need improvement and ask WHO. Who do you know that can help you overcome this challenge and get you further in your music career?
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So to recap, Three Power Plays You Can Make In Your Music Career today to ensure you won’t be in the same spot in your music career a year from now are:
Become a Networking Boss!
Have a Plan
Level Up Your Business Knowledge
You have the power to create incredible momentum in your music career. It all starts with one step, one conversation, one opportunity, but you have to be in a position to receive it.
Rooting for you always!
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Brianna Ruelas is a Dallas Based Strategy Consultant for Performing Artists, Reality TV Music Coach, Singer-Songwriter and Best Selling Author to Make Reality TV Your Reality: Crush Your Reality Singing Show Audition & Ignite Your Music Career. Most recently, Brianna produced the one and only, Reality Singing Show Summit. As a singer and performer for thirty years, Brianna has studied internationally and performed all genres, from jazz to rock to pop, received a BA in Theatre Arts from Pepperdine University, and spent years honing her musical theatre chops. After graduating college, Brianna departed from the theatre to pursue music as a solo artist and also worked as a commercial voiceover actor. Brianna has fronted her own rock band and experienced the reality television craze in its early days, as a Top 100 finalist on American Idol, Season 4. Brianna's expertise and background as a Singer/Songwriter, Vocal & Performance Coach and Small Business Owner, led her to mentor and consult with indie artists and bands, to help them realize successful careers in music. She is passionate about encouraging others on their journey and aligning them with the Big Picture of their Music Business! Seeking solutions is part of Brianna's DNA. Brianna is a proud Wife and Mother, Creator of the Female Performing Artist Connection & Every Mom’s Story Blog and works alongside her husband managing the operations and marketing for their Dallas family restaurant, Victor Hugo’s. Follow her on Instagram & Facebook @briannaruelasmusic |
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