aaamusic | On 27, Sep 2021

We all know at least one struggling young artist. Maybe it’s someone we went to school with, a friend or family member who is an artist, and hoping for some luck and recognition of their work. Young artists continue to be successful and many of them do make a living off of doing what they love. While that can be a very difficult field to succeed in, there are some ways to increase your chances of success when you’re a young artist.

1. Avoid Big Corporation

Many companies have been known to purposely take advantage of inexperienced artists. Taking their work without compensation or taking a hefty cut of your work and leaving you with next to nothing isn’t a rare occurrence.

Before making it big, you might want to consider finding a platform that you can work with instead of working for a big corporation. While large companies tend to talk about how it’s impossible to do what they do if they don’t get proper compensation, the people behind indiefy.net have discovered that just 15% in royalties is enough to get distribution and promotion services. Having more funds at your disposal means you can create your art, instead of worrying about how to make next month’s rent.

Going for a platform that’s artist-friendly also ensures that you have more control over what kind of projects you get involved with. Being authentic is essential for success, so being selective about who you work with is important.

2. Be Authentic

It’s hard to gain a following if you’re not being authentic. As an artist, it’s important that you stand for something because that will influence the work that you create.

It can be unsettling to know that whatever you do could backfire against your career, but success is found when people genuinely like what you do and how you do it. Using art to explore issues that are important to you, allows you to have creative control. Taking a journey of self-discovery and self-expression is one of the most rewarding life experiences, and the audience tends to appreciate that.

This can be a good image booster for your career because it means that what you do is seen as having more value. It can also help others on a personal level.

3. Connect With Your Audience

Trying to create a fan base can be difficult, especially if you’re trying to do it on your own. By connecting with the audience and giving them a unique voice, you can come up with some interesting ideas.

An audience is just a group of people that may listen to what you have to say. However, turning them into a community that’s actively involved in your every move allows you to create something that will draw others in. Give people a reason to like what you do, and they’ll be more inclined to follow you.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a musician, painter, or writer, reaching out to your audience is essential. Use tools like social media to your advantage, and you’ll be surprised how many people will start listening.

4. Be Proactive

When inspiration strikes it can be tempting to close yourself off to the world and just focus on creating. While being creative is a good thing, you also have to be proactive in certain situations.

Making time for yourself can help keep you focused on the goals that you need to achieve. However, life sometimes pushes us beyond our comfort zone, which is why it’s important to get out and network with other artists. Find events local to you, and get involved. People will start knowing who you are, and that means it’ll be easier for them to connect with your work, and for you to make potential business connections.

Finding the balance between your personal and professional life can be difficult, which is why it’s good to get out and socialize with other people. It’ll keep you grounded, and teach you some important skills that can benefit your career in the future.

5. Experiment

Creativity is unpredictable, which means you never know where your next great idea will come from. It’s important to be open-minded about the possibilities that are out there. Even Picasso changed his style a number of times before he found his voice. The same goes for young artists who haven’t come into their own yet. It’s essential to experiment with various media and styles, so you have a much bigger selection from which to choose when the occasion calls for it.

Being a young artist can be hard. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by everything that you’re trying to do, but understanding what makes you unique as an individual can help hone in on your identity as a creative professional. Allow yourself to evolve on your journey and remember the duality of art. Creation is the most important part of it, but being a professional means that you’re also taking care of the business side of things. Find the right balance and you’ll be well on your way to success.