Top 5 Tips for Musicians During Quarantine: Pro Career Advice
Covid-19 has turned our lives on its heads. We can't play at concerts. We can't sell merch or interact with fans. Even when things go "back to normal", normal for the arts may take five years or more. So what can you do? Can you survive this pandemic?
I've made a successful music and film career almost entirely online for the last decade. I've tried dozens, if not a hundred, ways to monetize my music, films, and skills online. A pandemic didn't send me to the internet, parenthood did. Juggling work, my art, and family life became impossible and I ended up purposely moving my entire career online.
So here are some of the tips to help you avoid the mistakes I made. I will admit, dropping everything you know is hard. This is not easy. But you CAN do it! You don't have to give up your passions, at all. Whether you are a DJ, classical music, in a band, or just another talented creative professional, these are the things you MUST know in a post-COVID world.
1. Build Your Web Presence
You need to build your web presence NOW. What is your web presence? It is how wide your fan base, albums, news items, media, and more spread across the web. Don't know if you have any web presence? Then jump to Google and search for your full name. If nothing pops up, or you don't show up till page 3 in the Google results, then you don't have any web presence.
How can you build your web presence as a musician? Take advantage of building a designated Facebook Band page, build your personal Facebook page, get Instagram, and Twitter. If your fan base includes teens, then get on Tik Tok. You also need a web page. Even something as simple as a free Wordpress or Blogger will work if you have nothing. Don't forget to update your Linked In Page.
Sound like a lot? Well, it might be if you don't have anything up. Chances are that you already have some of these social media sites up and running. You just need to update the information. Make sure you have good up-to-date photos, your latest album up, an updated bio, updated contact info, and way to engage with your fans.
2. Keep Making Music
Keep making music. Maybe you can't get together with your band, but you can still write new tunes. Unfortunately, Zoom doesn't work for virtual rehearsals. However, depending on the state of lockdown in your area, you might be able to meet at a park or find a space big enough to safely practice together. Just keep making music. This is a historic time. Record your experiences, emotions, and feelings into song.
3. Learn a New Skill for the Post-COVID World
You may need to learn some new skills for the post-COVID world. For example, digital marketing, graphic design, video editing, and sound design are just a few of the skills you will most likely need as more and more of our lives become virtual. You can learn new skills using YouTube or sites like EDx, which offer free or reduced-price courses. Instead of binge-watching your favorite Netflix show, take a course or two.
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4. Monetize Your Skills
You might not be able to sell tickets to that awesome music festival or battle of the bands you had scheduled for the summer this year. But you CAN monetize your skills. Can you write good copy? Can you edit audio or video? Do you have good people skills? Were you the one in charge of bookkeeping for the band?
Right now international companies are desperate for skilled qualified remote workers. Sites like Upwork have thousands of short-term and long-term contract positions available for creative professionals. While many sites will take a fee (and Upwork's is pretty hefty) you can earn enough to pay bills with some work.
If you decide to use a platform like Upwork, you will need to set up a professional bio and upload a portfolio. Did you make the band posters? Were you the one that mastered the last album? Were you in charge of publicity? Did you write press releases? Try to find how your skills translate from the arts to the business setting.
5. Self- Care
It goes without saying that a global pandemic is very stressful. Besides illness, there is job loss, added stress, quarantine, food shortages, and economic collapse. You need to take care of yourself. You DON'T have to tough it out and do it all.
Sleep, eat right, exercise, communicate with friends safely. Rest when you need to rest. Listen to your body. If you have anxiety or depression call your doctor or therapist. If the weather is nice, go outside and enjoy the sunshine. Enjoy the time with your family. Develop healthy relationships and break off from toxic ones. You WILL survive this. Every global catastrophe has been followed by a beautiful Renaissance of ideas and art.
There WILL be LIGHT at the end of the tunnel, even if the tunnel is long. Hang in there!
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