Many people dream of becoming a famous singer or talented musician, but not everyone is blessed with a voice like an angel or the ability to play an instrument better than anybody else they know. That doesn’t mean they can’t turn their passion into a business or way to make a living, though. The music industry is full of opportunities in addition to those available for people looking to become professional singers and musicians.
If you want to get into or start a business in the music industry but aren’t sure about becoming a pop star, here are eight other realistic ways that you can get your foot in the door and get involved in an industry that you love:
1. Get an Internship
If you’re not sure exactly what you want to do or want to gain experience before pursuing a specific career, an internship in the music industry is a great way to get started. Paid or unpaid, interning will give you the chance to get your feet wet and decide which direction is the best for you to go. It can also give you an idea of the different pain points the music industry is experiencing and help you come up with a business that you can launch in the space.
2. Become a Sound Tech
Whether you want to manage the sound equipment for big-name musicians or want to help local bands get the perfect balance when they perform, becoming a sound tech is a great way to get involved in the music industry. You’ll have the chance to learn about all of the technicalities of sound, but will still get to be creative and put out the exact sound that you and your clients want. Whether you want to work for a specific company, go freelance, or start a business of your own, you’ll be able to do that.
3. Teach or Coach
Maybe you do have the voice of an angel or the musical talents of a world-famous rock star, but don’t want to get into that specific scene. That’s okay; you can still get involved without having to get on stage. You can use your experience and skills to teach or coach students and help them develop their skills so that they can pursue and achieve the goals of their own. Not only will you get to use your skills and talents to help others, but private lessons can benefit your students as well.
4. Go to Events
If you’re still not sure what you want to get into but want to start making your way into the industry, attending networking events and parties where others in the space will be is a great way to rub shoulders, get a better idea of what specific jobs will entail, and form connections that will help you get into a good job later on once you have a better sense of the direction you want to go. There are music industry meetups held all over the world, so no matter where you are you can get in there and network.
5. Join a Company in the Space
There are hundreds of companies within the music industry ranging from those that stream music to those that produce it. There are new and innovative companies that are popping up all the time, so there are plenty of opportunities to get involved in the space. If you’re not comfortable starting a business of your own, you can seek out a job with an established company to gain experience and even work your way up within the industry that you love.
6. Write Lyrics or Music
If you haven’t been blessed with the gift of song or the ability to play an instrument but have a knack for writing catchy lyrics or are constantly cranking out original tunes, you may want to consider writing lyrics or music. Although you’ll be behind the scenes more than if you were to perform, you’ll still have a major and important role in the industry and even big-name musicians could turn to you for help and content for their next album.
7. Become an Agent or Manager
There is undiscovered talent out there all over the world waiting to be found, picked up, and turned into a star. If you are well organized, love negotiating, like to schedule events, and plan calendars, and can pick the next big thing out of a sea of undefined talent, then a talent agent or manager position could be the perfect job for you. Plus, you can go freelance or start a firm. And if you’re not comfortable doing that right away, you could start with an existing firm until you get your bearings.
8. Start a Blog
There are blogs out there for everything—you can find a blog that makes money by reviewing best-selling products, another that makes money by sharing recipes, another that is thriving thanks to photos that are shared on it, and so on. Blogging isn’t as easy as it might seem, but it’s a great way to make a living on your terms, and it can help you get involved in the music industry. You can blog about instruments, musicians, review songs, review companies, and make a name for yourself that way.
In Conclusion
Not everyone will have the opportunity to become a big star who performs on stage, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t get involved in the music industry in another way. From becoming a talent agent to keeping up a music blog, there are several different ways that you can get involved and do something that you love.
What is it that draws you to the music industry?