3 Biggest Mistakes Indie Producers Make (and How to Avoid Them)

Oct '24 (edited) • General

Whether you’ve been producing music for years or are just starting out, it's more than likely you've run into some roadblocks along the way (I know for sure I HAVE 😩)

If you’re struggling to get the recognition you know you deserve or grow your fanbase, It's quite likely that you're making one (or more) of these common mistakes that I've found to most often hold independednt producers back.

The good news is that all of these mistakes are fixable with the right mindset and approach.

So today, I want to share 3 of the biggest mistakes independent producers make and how to avoid them so you can start seeing ACTUAL progress in your music career.

NOTE: I'D LOVE TO KNOW WHAT OTHER TIPS YOU GUYS HAVE? SHARE THEM IN THE COMMENTS BELOW 👇🏻

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❌ MISTAKE #1: Focusing Only on Making Music (and Ignoring Everything Else) ❌

One of the biggest traps independent producers fall into is believing that making music is the only thing that matters.

Don’t get me wrong, producing high-quality music is ESSENTIAL.

BUT if your strategy begins and ends with releasing tracks and hoping people will notice, you’re setting yourself up for frustration.

The reality is, music alone won’t get you noticed.

In today’s industry, you need to treat your career like a business.

That means thinking about marketing, branding, and audience building just as much as you think about making tracks.

✅ HOW TO AVOID IT ✅

1️⃣ Build Your Brand: Start thinking about how you present yourself. What’s your story? What’s your unique sound or message? Having a brand makes it easier for fans to connect with you on a deeper level.

2️⃣ Learn to Market Yourself: Use social media strategically. It’s not just about posting random updates - it’s about connecting with your audience, engaging with them, and sharing the journey of your music.

3️⃣ Diversify Your Efforts: Don’t rely solely on music platforms like Spotify or SoundCloud. Explore direct-to-fan strategies like Bandcamp, build an email list (THIS ONE IS HUGE), and consider other ways to get your music in front of the right people.

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❌ MISTAKE #2: Waiting for Industry Gatekeepers to “Discover” You ❌

Many independent producers believe that success means getting signed to a label, having a manager, or being featured on a major playlist.

While these can certainly help, waiting for the industry to “discover” you is a losing game.

In the modern music industry, you no longer need to rely on gatekeepers to validate your talent or give you a break.

Trust me, I spent years thinking I needed the approval of labels to make it.

When I finally stopped waiting for permission and took control of my career, everything changed.

✅ HOW TO AVOID IT ✅

1️⃣ Take Control of Your Career: Instead of waiting for validation, create your own opportunities. Start your own label, release music independently, and build relationships directly with your fans.

2️⃣ Use Direct-to-Fan Platforms: Platforms like Bandcamp and Patreon allow you to engage with your audience directly and make money from your music without needing a label.

3️⃣ Keep Releasing Consistently: Don’t hold back on releasing music just because you’re not signed. Regularly releasing music helps build momentum, grow your fanbase, and establish yourself as an active artist.

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❌ MISTAKE #3: Lacking Consistency and a Long-Term Plan ❌

Most producers hit a point where they get overwhelmed or discouraged, leading them to become inconsistent with their releases or even abandon their goals.

This often happens because they don’t have a clear long-term plan or system for staying on track.

You might have bursts of inspiration, but without consistency, it’s hard to make real progress.

When I started treating my career like a marathon, not a sprint, everything fell into place.

Consistency is the key to building a lasting career as an independent artist.

✅ HOW TO AVOID IT ✅

1️⃣ Create a Release Schedule: Set a realistic schedule for releasing music. Whether it’s once a month or every few months, having a clear timeline will help you stay on track.

2️⃣ Break Down Big Goals into Small Steps: Instead of focusing only on huge milestones like “getting 100,000 streams,” break it down into smaller, actionable steps - like finishing one track a month or increasing your social media engagement by 10% each week.

3️⃣ Stay Accountable: Surround yourself with other like-minded producers who can push you forward and hold you accountable. Joining a community or finding a mentor can make all the difference in staying consistent.

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The most successful independent producers are the ones who treat their career like a business, take control of their destiny, and stay consistent 💪🏼

If you’re ready to dive deeper and get hands-on guidance in overcoming these challenges, you'll love my new intensive mentorship program for House music producers, Underground Accelerator. It features daily Zoom calls, 1:1 coaching, direct WhatsApp support from me and all of the support you need to thrive.

My joining us, I will use all of my expertise to help you:

🎵 Finish more tracks consistently

🪭 Grow your fanbase and build your brand

💸 Start making consistent money from your music

...ALL WITHOUT SELLING YOUR SOUL TO THE DEVIL 😈

Remember, you don’t need to rely on labels or wait for permission from gatekeepers to succeed...

You can ABSOLUTELY create your own path.

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