New Year’s Resolutions for Independent Musicians in 2021

The stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve signifies something we all love, new opportunities. Whether you want to lose weight, pick up a new hobby, or change your life, the feeling of a clean slate fills us with determination. When it comes to the music industry, the new year is the perfect time to break out the pen and paper to set new goals and create new resolutions. Not sure which resolution to claim? We’ve got a few ideas.

As we ring in the new year, consider these new year’s resolutions to get you on the path to a successful music career.

Join a Creative Community

Being around like-minded people has a way of reigniting the creative fire within you. So, another way you can step outside of your comfort zone is to join a creative community. You can think of it as another form of networking and creating meaningful connections. It makes our list of new year’s resolutions for independent musicians because of its warming benefits. Facebook, Reddit, Behance, and Likemind are a few platforms where creatives can engage with one another, share insights and tips, and gain new ones. And who knows, joining a creative community might lead to new friendships or the possibility of collaborating with another musician on a project.

Explore Another Music Genre

A powerful new year’s resolution for independent musicians is undoubtedly to push yourself out of your comfort zone, and one way you can do that is to explore other genres. We all have at least one favorite genre, one that inspires us, delights us, and comfort us. However, if you want to build a successful musical career, you have to be willing to branch out. There are gems to be found in every genre.

Start your journey by making a conscious effort to listen to a music genre you don’t perform or one that is currently popular. You will be surprised to find that there are similarities between your genre and the new one, or better yet, you might like it! Exploring other genres offers new sources of creative inspiration, and it also expands and influences your music. Plus, an awesome tradeoff to your efforts is that your music may appeal to listeners and labels who may have overlooked you in the past.

Create a Website

Every musician needs a digital home, and that’s where websites come in. We know this resolution might seem like a challenge, but we promise it’s one of those new year’s resolutions for musicians that is totally worth it. Having a website is vital to your growth as an independent musician. It can let people know that you’re serious about your music, look more professional, and boost your chances of getting press or being hired for gigs.

With a website, you can also keep track of your recordings, managing bookings, sell merch, link to music videos, host downloads, and store your EPK. But most importantly, it’s a centralized place for fans to stay informed, sign up for e-newsletters, and interact with you. 

Countless web hosts offer something to suit your website needs while also making website creation a breeze. But first, take the time to consider what you want your website to be. If you’re into blogging and sharing your thoughts, WordPress may be the site for you. If you need a site that meets your budget for now but offers room to grow, Wix could be a potential winner for you.

Don’t Be Hard on Yourself

When things don’t turn out how you thought they would, it becomes easy to start doubting yourself, your talents, and your future as a musician. We recommend adding a particular task to your list of new year’s resolutions for independent musicians: celebrating your accomplishments. Easier said than done, we know. As cheesy as it sounds, it can be eye-opening to jot down your accomplishments, big and small, and take pride in how far you’ve come as a musician. Every musician aims to make it big, and even if your name isn’t in lights, there is no reason to undermine the lives you have touched and the incredible music you make. So, in 2021, focus on not letting the chaos of the music industry get you down.

Create Everyday

This new year’s resolution for independent musicians requires a lot of time and dedication to accomplish. Like the muscles in our bodies, we must, too, stretch our music muscles and get limber. A challenging but fun way to grow as a musician is to create every day. You can limit it to writing new songs, making new beats and melodies, etc. Map out your schedule and identify a time of day where you can dedicate yourself fully to music. Of course, only you know how much time you can set aside for your music, so designate a realistic amount of time.

Do your best not to get wrapped up in the pressure to create something life-changing. It is common knowledge that not every writing or recording session is a hit; the road to a masterpiece is often paved with a few missteps and laughably cringeworthy moments. The trick is to stick with it. As you continuously create, you’ll become more in tune with yourself and express your thoughts when inspiration knocks.

Keep Connecting with Fans Off Stage

Social media and email lists are excellent music marketing tools for promoting your music, but they’re also essential ways to communicate, connect, and engage with your new and existing fans. If you haven’t yet invested in creating email lists or developing an online presence, this makes one of the perfect new year’s resolutions for independent musicians to try.

With email lists, you can keep your fans up to date with email newsletters. For maximum engagement, be sure to include details about upcoming tours and dates, current projects, different ways they can support your craft, and even feature pictures and touching words they send in. Social media is one of the most inexpensive ways to grow your fan base and introduce your music to new audiences. You can give fans behind the scenes looks at your creative process, share things that interest you, and chat with your fans and learn more about them.

Learn a New Skill

If the global pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that there is always time to learn something new. With that in mind, we encourage you to learn a new skill. The best part is that your new skill doesn’t have to be music related if you don’t want it to be. You can learn a new language, learn to cook, sew, or play another instrument. There’s no telling how your new skill may be put to use.

If no skill comes to mind, you can start by learning the business aspect of the music industry. Being in the know about the industry’s ins and outs is crucial to your survival and success as a musician. Diving deeper into music marketing, too, is an option if you feel like you still don’t quite have a handle on it.

Mirada Media

The new year always brings new chances for you to succeed as a musician. We hope our list jump-started your imagination and that you will create your own new year’s resolutions for independent musicians. Another resolution to consider is protecting your music with Mirada Media’s SecureMedia API. Our digital rights management tool enables those in the entertainment industry to encrypt their media, limiting who has access to it and protecting it from premature release. 

If you’re interested in learning more about SecureMedia or any of the resources we offer independent musicians, contact our team today!