Mind Your Music Business: “Finding Your Rhythm: 6 Keys to Thriving as a Musician”
(Photocred:) Low Cut Connie at The Queen for Wilmo Rock Circus by Moonloop Photography
The music industry is a constantly changing, ever-evolving landscape. Pursuing life as a performing musician—whether full-time, part-time, or anytime—means continually assessing, reassessing, and learning from mistakes. You wear many hats to make all the behind-the-scenes magic happen just to get to the stage, and burnout often feels like it’s right on your heels. We’ve put together a short list of tips to help artists of any level stay in rhythm and keep the music moving forward.
Be You
Don’t waste your energy trying to sound, look, or act like anyone else. Mimicking others might grab quick attention, but lasting connections come from sharing your own unique personality. Your quirks, your story, and your perspective are what make your art powerful. The more you lean into who you are, the easier it becomes to connect with others both onstage and off. At the end of the day, authenticity always wins for artists.
Trust Your Gut
Opportunities will always come and go, but indecision drains your creative battery. Learn to trust your gut. If something feels aligned, say yes and go all in. If it doesn’t, say no and move on. The quicker you decide, the more space you create for what’s actually meant for you.
Be Good
At the end of the day, people are choosing you — your show, your songs, your story — over a hundred other things they could be doing. They’ve paid for tickets, found a sitter, driven across town, and showed up ready to connect. The least we can do as performers is honor that effort by being prepared and giving them a show worth remembering. Practice your craft, tighten your set, and make every note, lyric, and moment count. We’re fighting for attention in a world of endless scrolling — so when people step away from their screens to share a night of live music, let’s make it a night they’ll never forget.
Be Professional
Show up on time. Know your parts. Reply to emails. Respect people’s time. Professionalism doesn’t mean being stiff — it means treating your art like the real job it is. When people can count on you, they’ll keep calling you back. Be kind to your bandmates, the sound engineer, the bar staff, the fans — everyone. Word travels fast in the music world, and being known as someone genuine, dependable, and kind will open more doors than talent alone ever could.
Community
Music doesn’t happen in a vacuum, it thrives in connection. Showing up for other artists, supporting local venues, and being part of the scene builds the kind of relationships that keep creativity alive. Whether it’s swapping gigs, sharing gear, or just cheering from the crowd, being an active member of your music community strengthens everyone involved. When you pour into others, you’ll find the inspiration, support, and opportunities come right back around — that’s how the music keeps playing.
Have Fun
At the end of the day, remember why you started. Music is supposed to feel good. When you let joy, play, and curiosity take the lead, it shines through in everything you do — your sound, your performance, your energy. Audiences can always tell when you’re genuinely having fun, so don’t forget to refill your cup. Schedule rest the same way you schedule rehearsals and studio time, because rest isn’t a reward — it’s part of the rhythm. Step away when you need to, do something non-musical, and come back refreshed. You’ll return sharper, lighter, and ready to make magic all over again.
