8 Soft Skills Musicians Have That Employers Want

When people study music, they learn much more than simply how to sing or play an instrument. Most of us can’t become professional musicians as adults, but the time spent on music adds up to much more than “just a hobby.” Musicians gain a number of soft skills that are helpful in any type of career. As opposed to hard skills, which consist of specific knowledge and skills needed for a given job, soft skills are equally important abilities that allow you to interact well with others and complete work successfully, and they’re in high demand.

Having soft skills makes you more competitive in the job market and increases your chances of success in any position — even if you’re self-employed! Whether you end up in a music-related career or not, you will be more prepared to tackle future employment challenges by having these 8 soft skills learned through music.

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How To Drive More Traffic To Your Music Website

This post was written by Lisa Occhino and originally appeared on the Bandzoogle Blog

So, you’ve put a lot of time and effort into building a stunning band website, but after the initial rush of traffic and congratulatory comments from your friends, now it’s just sort of… sitting there. Why aren’t potential new fans and industry folks finding it?

It can be disheartening to wake up to double- or single-digit website stats every morning, and countless independent musicians run into the same problem — but fortunately, there are plenty of solutions.

Here are some of the best ways to drive traffic to your music website that you can start putting into action today!

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15 Ways Your Band Can Stand Out By Going The Extra Mile

They say “The Extra Mile Isn’t Crowded”, but why is that? And what’s the “extra mile” mean for you? What are some extras you’re willing to provide that other bands or musicians may take for granted? 

Here are some ways you and your band might be able to stand out at club gigs and private gigs.

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Why The Majority Of Musicians Don’t Get A Record Deal

It’s common for most musicians to not get signed to record deals because they make false assumptions about how this industry works. Don’t make the mistakes they make. Inform yourself and build value in your music career so you can offer it to record companies in the future.

Below are three critical mistakes tons of musicians commit when trying to get recording contracts (and what you need to do instead):

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Get Out Of The Garage: 4 Tips For Success When Starting A Band

There are hundreds of bands playing across the country each night at clubs or private parties. However, only a handful of those groups will ever get a record deal or gain any type of widespread recognition or fame. What are some steps that your band can take to overcome the odds and become a household name?

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Tips For Getting Verified On Shazam And Accessing Analytics

Join Shazam’s community of artists on the blue carpet! Getting verified on this platform is simple and can help you to connect with more fans. Shazam is the place where the world discovers music…and often where artists can engage with fans long before other social networks. Join the likes of Armin van Buren, Major Lazer, and more!

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How To Get Your First Sync Placement: Live Webinar With Cathy Heller And Lisa Occhino

Want to learn the secrets of a DIY songwriter who figured out how to earn six figures each year licensing her music for TV and film?

The early stages of your songwriting career can be both exciting and frustrating: you’re sitting on dozens of songs with lots of promise, but you have no idea what the next steps are to actually start earning money with those songs.

In this webinar on June 11 hosted by SongwriterLink founder Lisa Occhino, special guest Cathy Heller will share tried-and-true tips, advice, and action steps to start licensing your music and turn your passion into your career.

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10 Record Deal Red Flags

This guest post by Canadian entertainment lawyer Byron Pascoe originally appeared on the Bandzoogle Blog

When a band receives their first record deal, there’s a sense of accomplishment. Someone likes me! Where do I sign?

Before signing a contract with a label, it’s important to understand what you’re signing.

When I’m reviewing a record label agreement for an artist, it’s not uncommon for there to be a number of “red flags” – warnings to watch out for in the agreement and/or the relationship with the label.

The following list (in no particular order) provides some common red flags to keep in mind.

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15 Ways to Get More Music Fans

This post was written by Lisa Occhino and originally appeared on the Bandzoogle Blog

They say you need a thousand true fans to build a sustainable music career. But getting those first few diehard fans who play such a crucial role in building momentum can feel almost impossible when you’re just starting out.

There are dozens and dozens of ways to get more fans for your music, but it’s ultimately going to come down to your level of commitment and finding the right balance of tactics that works best for your personal music career strategy.

The list below isn’t exhaustive, of course, but if you nail these 15 essentials, you’ll be well on your way to getting more music fans.

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5 Out-Of-The-Box Ways To Hone Your Songwriting Craft

By Rorie Kelly, Co-Executive Director of GoGirlsMusic.com

It can be tough to find time to sit down and write songs with all the career-building tasks musicians have these days. On top of that, switching gears is hard and writers’ block is real. What do we do when we’re no longer beginners but we still want to grow, or need to rekindle that love affair with musicmaking? For those who are sick of the usual advice, here are five out-of-the-box ways to hone your songwriting craft.

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Top 7 Money Tips for Bands Touring Abroad

Whether you like it or not, when you’re touring, selling merch, and making gig money, your band is a business—a limited liability corporation (LLC), if you choose to register that way. As such, it pays to think about how you’re going to manage the business, particularly if you’re touring abroad. Granted, a manager can do this for you—but you have to pay her, don’t you? Why not handle this stuff yourself? 

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Hit The Road: 3 Tips For The Ultimate Summer Following Your Favorite Bands

Summer is a time for adventure. When you aren’t busy dealing with school assignments, this is a perfect time to make some memories. Going to concerts is right at the top of the list for many music lovers. However, you can really take this to the next level by deciding to follow your favorite band on tour. This can be a fun way to be a part of your favorite band’s tour while seeing many different cities along the way. While this is a grand adventure, it is always important to stay safe when you are on the road for long periods of time. Here are three tips for the ultimate summer while following your favorite band.

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3 Easy Fixes To Make Your Music Website Even Better

This post by Dave Kusek originally appeared on the Bandzoogle Blog

You’ve probably heard this a thousand times before… as a musician, you need to have a website.

Sure, it’s easy enough to put together a website for your music, but making a REALLY EFFECTIVE website? One that will help you actually engage with your fans and sell more music? That’s a little more difficult.

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The Top Five Things Every Singer/Songwriter Is Doing That Need To Be Fixed

There are at least a hundred ways for every singer/songwriter to improve his or her chances of success, but these are the five I already know that need to be addressed without even seeing your show. They are inherent the performance of virtually all aspiring (and sadly many seasoned) singer/songwriters.

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