Tips for Getting Started as a Freelance Musician

Becoming a freelance musician means taking control of your career. It means having the freedom to set your own schedule and make money exactly the way you want to make it. It also means having to unplug from social media and spend time networking with other musicians to find clients.

Besides the obvious — learning music theory, learning to play an instrument, and learning how to market yourself as a musician — there are other aspects to becoming a freelance musician that you’ll need to be aware of. Below are some tips offered by professional musician Andrew Huggett for getting started as a freelance musician.

 

Find a niche

If you’re just starting out and don’t know where to start, consider what types of clients and gigs you’d like to work with. Once you begin to network and meet people, it’s likely you’ll get leads and clients that are outside the scope of the niche you initially set for yourself. This can be both a good and bad thing. Good because it means you’re expanding your network and growing as a musician. Bad because you may end up with clients outside of your niche. Canada based music composer Andrew Huggett recommends that you try to keep an open mind, but be aware of the effects it has on your workload and your business.

 

Set goals for your career

Before you even think about marketing yourself and getting clients, you’ll need to have a goal for your career. Are you just interested in making a livable wage? Or do you want to be a full-time musician? Your goals will help you figure out where to put your time and energy.  Once you have your goals in mind, you can start to plan out how you’re going to get there. For example, Andrew Huggett explains, are you looking to just book gigs around your schedule, or are you looking to create a schedule where you have consistent gigs? Once you know your goals, you can begin to think about how your career will help you achieve those goals.

 

Network and meet new people

Networking is a crucial part of your career as a freelance musician. This might sound like something obvious, but it’s surprising how few musicians actually do it.  Networking is the process of meeting and interacting with other professionals in your industry. It’s one of the most powerful ways to find new clients, find collaborators, and build a community of like-minded musicians. Finding networking events can be difficult, but it’s worth the extra effort.

Freelance musician Andrew Huggett recommends attending networking events where musicians, especially other musicians in your industry, are present. Networking is different from contacting people directly. Networking is about connecting with people, not pitching or selling to them. You’re trying to find ways to meet new people, get to know them, and get them to know you.

 

Be patient

As a new musician, you’re going to get discouraged. It’s inevitable. It’s also normal to feel a certain amount of uncertainty when you’re starting out. It’s important to remember that you’re not alone in this. Of course, you can use this to your advantage. If you feel discouraged or nervous, try to channel those feelings into something productive.

 

Bottom line

Freelance musicianship can be a rewarding, financially secure career path. You’ll need to put in a lot of work to succeed, but the end result is worth it. Before you start your freelance career, make sure to set goals for your career. This will help you plan out your time and keep your expectations realistic. Additionally, be patient, be aware of the scope of your niche, and be ready for the struggle.