Even with the right strategy the battle is only half won if the strategy succeeds only with professional execution of tactics. In today's music industry….the important thing is to get started.
Many potentially great artist spend too much time in the ” waiting for something to happen stage. ” The artist who get that phone call, that one much needed connection or that big break that they've always dreamed of are the ones who shake themselves out of that waiting stage and make something happen.
It is far better to engage in some form of simultaneous planning and implementation. Tactical plans must be shaped in relation to reality with the information learned form contact. The Master Bruce Lee said it best in relation to training: ” Boards don't hit back. “
The 4 Rules
Here are 4 Strategic Rules Of Waging War In Today's Music Industry:
1) Marshal Adequate Resources
In every battle, the one with the most resources has the odds in his favor. ” The battle may not go to the strong, or the race to the swift, but that's the way to bet. ” The problem of adequate resources is especially critical for artist/labels who are just starting out because they do not have the base of loyal customers, customers who've been converted as such from once being fans, friends, and family within their networks.
2) Make Time Your Ally
Building strength rapidly is, in itself, a clever advantage either because you take the opponent unaware or because the swift concentration of multiple elements creates the force of simultaneous action. So it is that the first one to the river usually crosses without difficulty. The speed with which a position is occupied is critical.
Think in terms of particular genres. Those who own a position early within a certain genre may need to expend less resources representing it than those who come later and must try to break into that genre to have their name become well-knowingly attached to it.
Example, back in the early 90's when people heard the term gangsta-rap….they immediately associated that with N.W.A. All gangsta-rappers after that had to work extremely hard to earn that tag. Here are a key few key issues in making time an ally:
- As a rule, earliest is best.
- Time saved is time gained.
- The later you start, the more you require.
- The more urgent the need for a decision, the longer it takes.
- Rapid decision making produces rapid execution.
- Rapid action is simultaneous action. Delayed decisions inevitably lose their positive quality.
- All the positive consequences of speed accrue to the early offensive.
- The less you delay, the less apt you are to be surprised, the less ready will be your competitor, the greater the probability your time of attack will be earlier than expected.
3) Share the Wealth
Everyone On Your Team Must Profit From Victories
4.Know Your Craft
In layman's terms- Stay in your lane. Stick to what you do best.!!
Guest post: I'm Quintius Monte Walker, CEO and D.I.Y artist of Loced-Out Recordz. I'm better know by my stage name Peta'Loc. You can catch more of me here: http://www.locedoutrecordz.com
I really appreciated the knowledge you gave in your “4 Strategic Rules Of Waging War In Today’s Music Industry”.
I agree that having the proper resources, connections, and social media outlets are the key for the a musician’s success. If he/she wants any chance in being heard, the must know the golden rule of networking, “It’s not about who you know, it’s about who knows you.”
However, I’m not sure I follow you on making rash decisions merely because time is of the essence. Some things are worth the wait, and when someone’s artist image is on the line, time is definitely something that may require flexibility. Not that you want to keep the world waiting, but you also don’t want to represent yourself falsely just because you’re in a hurry to get famous.
Thanks for sharing your 4 rules! I plan to apply them to my own strategy.