this post in Blogthis post in Blog
Back

July 20, 20222 mins read

How To Navigate The Music Industry As An Independent Artist

By Jacque Alec

The music industry can be a difficult place to navigate as an independent artist. It can be hard to get your music heard and it’s even harder to make a living off of your music. However, with the right tools and information, you can make it in the music industry as an independent artist. In this blog post, we will discuss what it means to be an independent artist and how you can best navigate the music industry!

What is an Independent Artist?

Independent artists tend to have no other solid team around them as well. Usually independent means just that on every front – they don’t have a manager, publishing agreement, label, publicist etc. Ultimately it’s all up to them.

How can you best Navigate The Music Industry As An Independent Artist?

There are a few things that you can do in order to better navigate the music industry as an independent artist:

Quality Recording

When it comes to music, there are a lot of factors that go into making it great. But one of the most important is the quality of the recording. This means hiring professional engineers and producers to help you create a polished sound.
This is important for a few reasons. First, it ensures that your music sounds great when people are listening to it. Second, it makes sure that your music stands out from the rest of the noise out there. And third, it shows that you’re serious about your craft.

Online Presence

An online presence is important for an independent musician because it gives them a way to reach out to their fans and promote their music. It also allows them to connect with other musicians and collaborate on projects.
There are many ways to create an online presence, but one of the most important is through social media. Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter can help independent musicians connect with their fans and promote their music.
Another way to create an online presence is by having a website. A website gives independent musicians a place to showcase their music and provide information about their tours and releases.

Promotion, Promotion, Promotion

Generally, the goal for promotion is for the artists to do it all themselves, which involves creating publicity contact lists for radio, street press, online press, television etc. and building those relationships themselves. Or, a lot of independent artists hire an external publicist to work on a single release and get paid a flat fee for the campaign. I would be warning independent artists against publicists here – know the right questions to ask, what fees are too high etc. Could be another good blog actually.
In addition, usually the artists do their own social promotions or hire a social media/marketing expert to help with the campaign as well.
Also, you can pitch your song manually on spotify for playlisting etc.
What are some other tips that you would add? Let us know in the comments below! And if you’re an independent artist, we’d love to hear from you too – feel free to reach out and let us know what’s worked well for you in your career!

Keep Reading

View All

Why Modern Hits Need 7+ Collaborators (And How to Find Them)

Have you ever looked at the songwriting credits for your favorite chart-topping track and wondered why there are so many names? It’s not a fluke. The modern music industry, especially on platforms like the Billboard Hot 100, is a testament to the power of collaborators. Gone are the days when a single artist or even […]

Share this article

August 29, 2025

Your Music Career, Your Way: Finding Gigs, Jobs, and a Manager

The music industry isn’t a one-path-fits-all journey – especially now. Some musicians grind it out playing every local venue (“50 mile radius” as they say), aiming to catch a break. Others build their career online, land remote session work from a home studio, or score a licensing deal from halfway across the world. Whichever route […]

Share this article

August 22, 2025

Building Your Music Dream Team on Vampr

No successful artist truly does it all alone. Behind every great record or live show, there’s usually a team of skilled professionals – think producers, audio engineers, sound designers, arrangers, etc. As a musician, knowing when and how to hire the right people can make a huge difference to your sound and career. Maybe you’re […]

Share this article

August 15, 2025

The Power of Music Collaboration: How to Find Your People

Musicians thrive on collaboration – from Lennon and McCartney’s co-writing magic to modern producer-vocalist duos, great things happen when creative minds come together. If you’re an artist or music enthusiast, you’ve probably felt the itch to collaborate: maybe you need a guitarist to complete your band, or you’re a beatmaker seeking a vocalist to bring […]

Share this article

August 8, 2025

Build a Music Industry Network That Moves Your Career Forward

In today’s hyper-connected world, talent alone isn’t enough. To truly break through, you need access – to opportunities, collaborators, gigs, and guidance. That’s why building a strong music industry network is one of the smartest moves you can make as an artist, producer, songwriter, or manager. A solid music industry network can open doors you […]

Share this article

July 25, 2025

Why You Should Hire a Mastering Engineer to Perfect Your Tracks

You’ve written the lyrics, recorded the vocals, laid down the mix – and now you’re ready to release. But before your song hits streaming platforms, there’s one crucial step left: mastering. If you want your track to sound polished, professional, and ready to compete with the best, it’s time to hire a mastering engineer. Mastering […]

Share this article

July 18, 2025