Top 10 Questions of 2011: #2 What is the biggest misconception artists have about the music industry?

[b-gyrl]

What is the biggest misconception artists have about the music industry?

There are a few: one, that their feelings matter. No one who does this professionally, for a living gives a fuck about your feelings. This is business, if you can't check your feelings at the door you're not gonna make it. 

Two, many fail to realize there are levels to the industry and think what they're doing on the lower levels is more important than advancing to the next level. Accomplishments at the lower levels matter, but only as a stepping stone to advance to the next level. 

Three, that they can make it without a budget or a real team in place. Sure there are some things they can do themselves and those they should, however until they have a budget and team in place they're amateurs... again, its about levels, without a budget and team, they're not taken seriously as professionals and no one is going to spend money on artists who are unable or unwilling to spend on themselves.

Four, that radioplay and promoting themselves on sites like Worldstar are a substitute for creating a fanbase. YOU HAVE TO HAVE A FANBASE, THERE IS NO GETTING AROUND IT. Artists would do better getting a great promoter, someone who has the connects and can consistently put their name out in a variety of ways, get a buzz going and build off the momentum.

And five, that grinding hard and doing this for years means something ---> It doesn't UNLESS you're advancing to a higher level, merely putting forth the effort doesn't count. This isn't kindergarten. You don't get an E for effort.

The biggest misconception though is that they can change the game... How are they going to change the game if they can't even break in?