Why Most Music Artists Fail

Written By: Austin Hull

Becoming a successful musical artist isn't just about talent. It's how you brand yourself, if you have a solid release, and if you've made investments into your work. Of course talent is huge part, however it is subjective. Let's discuss why most artist fail and how to properly invest in yourself as an artist.

We've all heard the saying "it takes money to make money", right? I don't think I have ever heard a more accurate saying when it comes to building a brand or business. Investments (wise investments) are key for growth. I think most artists overlook the fact that they are a brand and a business, and for them to really take off they need to invest in themselves, the same as any other new business would. I know it can be scary to invest in yourself, and no one likes talking about money, but fuck it. I think this needs to be said, because for some reason most people I come across don't understand the magnitude of it. Let's hop into this.

Disclaimer: This will not talk about lack of talent. Talent is too subjective to give my honest opinion on how much that actually matters when making it in the music industry.

I think that people forget that when they want to be a musical artist, they want to become a business. Ed Sheeran is a singer, but he is a business. He's a brand. Shawn Mendes is a singer and songwriter, but he is a brand. Now let's break this down. Think about every type of business you can open. Let's use a restaurant as an example. To open a restaurant, a business, it's going to take a huge financial investment. I'm talking hundreds of thousands of dollars. You need a physical building to operate out of, permits, equipment, staff, marketing, you have to order the food up front, etc. This is a HUGE investment and most restaurants will end up failing after a couple years, even if people have huge investments tied into them. BUT, some restaurants do very well, and make back their investment. And they start making a profit, a BIG one, then they open another restaurant, then they merchandise, then they franchise, etc. All of this started with their massive investment into their first restaurant.