How to Build a Team and Network as an Indie Artist
Learn successful tips on how to build a strong network & team as an indie artist.

If you're an independent musician, you know that building a successful music career takes more than talent and hard work. To make it in the music industry, you need a team of professionals to help you with everything from booking gigs to managing your finances. But finding and building a team can be a daunting task, especially when you're just starting out. That's why it's important to network and build a team.

In this article, we'll explore some strategies that can help you build a team and network effectively as an indie artist. Whether you're an indie artist looking to collaborate with other musicians or you are seeking a manager, these tips will give you a solid foundation for building your music career.

So keep on reading and you will discover the importance and advantages of creating a work team and how to get your ideal members!

How a Strong Team Can Help Take Your Music Career to the Next Level

Building a capable team raises your image as an artist and places you as someone who is taking his career seriously. Having a group of people backing you up is invaluable and can drive you to the road to success. Besides, a team behind your back will allow you to work on your most precious asset: your music.

Every musician is commonly focused on composing songs and bringing new music to life. In an ideal world that’s the way it should be but at least while artists are giving their first steps, they have to do everything on their own. You may already know that you need to put in the hours and learn how to do things firsthand.

As you grow as an artist and gain experience, you should consider building a work team. Let’s be honest, you won’t be able to handle every single aspect of your career so is important to look for people who are willing to work side by side and grow with you.

From Fans to Friends: How to Build a Supportive Music Team

Creating a good network and support team is crucial for success as an independent musician. But how can you build a team? The key is to identify what are your main objectives and based on them, start digging into your connections to find members in charge of the different parts. Some of the roles required when it comes to bands' or artists' growth include:

• Manager
• Publicist
• Marketing strategist
• Social media manager
• Booking agent
• Photographer
• Mixing and mastering engineer
• Record label

This does not mean that you will have to hire a single person for each section. You can start by focusing on certain areas. Ask your friends or fellow artists if they count on any reliable connections that they might refer to you.

When looking for professionals to cover the pertinent roles, building a solid fanbase will be helpful. Getting in touch with other artists and fans in your presentations is a great way to quickly reach networks and get noticed. Besides, through social media exposure, you may draw the attention of agents and managers who may be interested in supporting your project.

Why Two Heads are Better Than One: The Benefits of Not Working Alone

When you watch a solo artist or a band it doesn't mean that the former consists of working in a team and the latter refers to a single person doing all the work. In both cases, musicians are supported by a strong network and team and that’s because not working alone brings many benefits.

First of all, when working in a team there’s the possibility of sharing ideas and discussing them. This is great not only to achieve a better solution for problems that might come up but also to reinforce the relationship between team members. By collaborating with others, you can reach an improved and better outcome, resulting in a more enjoyable and satisfying working experience.

Furthermore, working with others allows the division of tasks. This is perfect because every member can focus on their strengths and area of expertise, which makes a more efficient overall work. As the task are divided equally, the work environment is pleasant, reduce stress levels, and increases motivation. Besides, as they share tasks, group participants can learn from their co-worker's skills and experiences.

Besides the advantages that surrounding yourself with a group of professionals, the downside of working alone is that you will lack support. As explained, working in a team environment promotes creativity and motivation. Contrary, being just one person taking the reins of a project can make you feel isolated or lonely. What is more, every aspect is your responsibility which may make you feel pressured and anxious.

A Guide to the Different Roles in a Music Team

We have previously clarified some of the professionals that successful artists seek in their teams. However, you won’t need someone in charge of those areas specifically but you should pay attention to the most important roles to cover.

The first you should get is a good music manager. These professionals are really into the industry, they know the ins and outs of the business so their job is to guide you through the outrageous music world. Your manager must be an avid negotiator and your right hand.

Connections with local promoters, venues, and within the industry are crucial to achieving success. The best for doing that are live agents whose responsibility is to get you live shows and negotiate on your behalf. Thanks to their links, they are excellent at curating lineups at festivals and live performances.

When it comes to raising awareness about your existence, music publicists are quintessential. They are pros at promoting the image and music of artists, reaching fans, releasing press kits, and marketing upcoming shows.

As legal issues are always a matter of concern, music lawyers or legal supervisors appear in the fourth place. Their role is to negotiate copyright issues, royalties, and intellectual property aspects, and look after the artist's interests as well.

Finally, some other roles could be also considered including a producer, a marketing expert, and street members. Bear in mind that not all roles are necessary for every artist. Everything will depend on the available budget and objectives of the musician.

How to Approach Potential Team Members

Independent artists face several challenges and, among them, there’s the difficult task to approach potential members. Fortunately, there are different alternatives to reaching out to them.

The most feasible and simple choice when starting out is to consider those who you trust and have faith in you, such as family and friends. They can refer you to someone who can meet your expectations. Getting into the local scene could also be a good alternative to finding promoters or other artists that may be willing to work with you.

When approaching potential members of your staff, bear in mind you have to be clear with them. You should have a specific idea about the roles you want to cover to be ready to explain what you expect from them, what qualities you are looking for in a team member, and what you can offer as well. Besides, don’t forget about payment, you shouldn’t expect them to work for free.

Attending industry events and networking with other professionals is yet another option. There you can meet managers, producers, and other professionals who may contribute to your team. A good way to make it easier to contact you is to have a business card or any promotional material that can showcase your project.

Last but not least, social networking sites are a strong tool to connect people and reach out to competent professionals. LinkedIn would be one of the best options for it but immerse yourself in Facebook groups, Twitter, and also Instagram. Take part in groups related to music and get along with the members of it. You will be able to comment, chat and even post your own material and share your content.

Keep in mind that cultivating bonds takes time but it is definitely worth it. Therefore, be patient and persistent in your efforts and dedicate as much time as you can. With a great team backing you up, sooner or later your success will be a certainty.