10 Hard & Awful Truths About Being an Independent Artist (And What You Can Do About It)

For independent artists, the road to stardom is not always red-carpeted and bathed in the spotlight. 

Obstacles and challenges can unnerve even the most determined indie artist. However, knowing what you can do about these ten hard and awful truths about being an independent artist can ensure a smoother and more successful journey.

1. Every Artist Needs a Realistic Business Plan

As of 2019, the global music industry is worth 21.5 billion US dollars. Indie artists only contribute a small fraction of the revenue. It is a massive business that requires careful planning. That is why many artists prefer getting under a label to make music’s business aspect easier.

What to Do: Indie artists must learn the basics of creating and running a small business. You can always start by reading materials about the industry and picking snippets from proven business models. It would be best to start with a realistic business plan.

2. Indie Artists Need a Budget

You cannot produce music with your voice alone. You need a musical instrument and other items to create a song or music that your fans will love. Musical instruments and sound recording technologies are never cheap.

What to Do: One thing you can do is to grow your budget. Ask friends and family members. They are more than willing to support your career. If not, you can always find other means to generate income in your spare time.

3. Independent Artists have a “Not Enough” Mindset

Not enough time. Not enough budget. Not enough resources. Music is not good enough. Many independent artists feel inadequate, even insecure about their capabilities. They have this unwarranted fear of not being good enough.

What to Do: You must discard such fear and focus more on what you can do. If it helps, you should know that successful indie artists never frame their creations around “not enough.”  Stop worrying and do your absolute best because everything will fall into its rightful place.

4. Indies Always Compare their Work with Other Artists

We all tend to gauge our performance on some reference. Independent artists often measure themselves against other artists. Not only is this counterproductive. It is also irrelevant and can bring unnecessary stress.

What to Do: It is essential to recognize individuality. Some artists may be better at some things. On the other hand, you have your skillset and natural talents to bring to the table. It is also pointless comparing yourself to an artist who is already in the business for two or more decades.  

What you can do is to compare your performance now to your past performances. Did you improve? Are there things you can still improve on? 

5. Independent Artists have Limited Network

It is a well-established fact that indie artists do not have the luxury of an extensive network available only to artists under a major label. You do not have the necessary connections to industry movers and influencers. Fans and followers are also lesser than what recording artists have.

What to Do: Do not fret. You can always build your network from the ground up. You might want to start with small music blogs because they are easier to contact and work with. They also push your creations with greater tenacity than larger outlets. Small music blogs also have a fiercely loyal audience you can turn into your solid fan base. 

6. You Need to Build Your Reputation and Influence

All artists need a good reputation if they want to stay long in the industry. They also need to exert their influence over others, paving the way for a new breed of musicians, singers, and other artists.

Recording artists do not need to focus on reputation-building because they already have agents doing that. Indie artists do not have such resources. 

What to Do: You can always manage this issue by starting with your digital platform, where you can engage your fans. Getting into small music blogs can also help, as we already described above.

7. Time and Resource Management are Crucial

Contract artists never worry about managing their time and resources. They have assistants and a team of support personnel doing the work.

Unfortunately, independent artists do not have access to such a support framework. 

What to Do: What you can do is learn a bit about time and resource management to get your career on track. Some apps can also help in managing resources. You might also want to ask your best friend to help you.

8. All Indie Artists Need a Trustworthy Team

Whether it is making your schedule or carrying some of your music-related stuff, you need a group of people helping you out. Recording artists have the label company taking care of this aspect. You don’t.

What to Do: Don’t despair. You can still create your team of trustworthy people. Ask your friends to help you in their free time. Your relatives can also offer a helping hand. You only need to ascertain one thing – you have to trust them to do what you want them to do.

9. Understanding of the Market is Essential

The local music scene is different from the global market. Major labels do not have a strong presence in small cities and communities. Unfortunately, not many independent artists appreciate this information’s implication.

What to Do: You can thrive in a market where there are no major labels to compete with. Establishing your identity as an upcoming artist becomes a lot easier. Working with local radio stations and collaborating with other local artists should give you the confidence and credibility to advance your craft.

10. No One Really Cares about What You Create

We left this one for last because it is the harshest truth any independent artist has to face. The world does not care about whatever music you create. For them, only artists from reputable labels have the right to produce music.

What to Do: Don’t listen to them. Invest your energy in perfecting your craft instead of thinking about what the rest of the world thinks. Work hard, rest, make some tweaks, and further improve your music. Your name will land on the grand stage in due time. 

Learning the ten hard and awful truths about being an independent artist can help you find ways to address them. It should give you enough resources and strengthen your resolve to pursue your career as an indie artist. 

About the Author

Charles Vallena is the author, and editor-in-chief of TheGuitarJunky.com, an online music site dedicated in helping aspiring musicians become real musicians. He provides expert insights, guides, lessons, and reviews on acoustic guitars, digital piano, drums, and other music instruments. Follow Guitar Junky on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

10 Hard & Awful Truths About Being an Independent Artist (And What You Can Do About It)