Tables are turning very fast in the music industry. Before, it was difficult to “break” as an artist without major-label support but things have changed. Independent artists are now effectively building sustainable music careers, maintaining and pursuing their unique vision for their journeys.
But not only that. Independent musicians are the fastest-growing segment of the global recorded music business. A new report from MIDiA Research says independent artists generated more than $ $2.1 billion in 2020, a 41.5% jump from the year before.
This is an unprecedented time for independent artists, but one that holds a lot of promise and confidence. A time where they can still maintain their rights, control their career, and make it into the charts/popular playlist, or perform at that major festival.
It was previously stated that independent artists today do not necessarily need record label structures to succeed in the music industry. But why?
How Technology Helps Independent Artists
Indie artists will now have more cost-efficient ways to promote their work, all thanks to the fast-paced technology.
From streaming music platforms to free online music promotions, artists can derive income that accrues over time; and with this, they are capable of financing future projects. Nowadays, there are multiple revenue streams for independent artists; they include merchandising, royalties, touring, and live appearances.
Distributing one’s music through digital aggregators is just one part of the whole process. Time management, self-branding, networking, and effective social media usage are equally essential aspects that must be taken into cognizance.
Today’s independent artists have to find the best places to promote music and market themselves on social media in this technological environment. Much of this entails influence marketing, constant interaction with the audience, paying close attention to analytics, algorithms, and understanding how these tools work.
It includes self-education, learning, and mastering creative skills like basic recording, video, and graphics editing. Today, musicians need finances to pay for services like link videos, ad promotions, and high-quality graphics. Networking is an important part of the game, which can sometimes be more valuable than spending actual money.
To this effect, independent musicians should be able to build and sustain long-term relationships with influential journalists and bloggers who can get one's music in front of the right audiences.
Why Indie Music Is The Industry’s Future
-
Creative Control
Signing with a label company means that you would have to relinquish a level of creative control over your music creation. All labels will want to get as involved as possible to nudge the artist’s music in their desired direction.
On the other hand, this is not an issue with independent artists since they can concentrate on making their own sound without considering other factors. This way, they can let their own creative touch flourish through their music.
-
Potential to Earn More
The conception that independent musicians and indie artists cannot sustain themselves no longer holds water. Because back in 2019, independent artists generated over $1 billion in revenue.
However, label companies would take a huge chunk of those profits if an artist is working with them.
Independent artists get to keep full publishing royalties from the tracks, which can be a sizable amount depending on how successful the artist is.
-
Own the Rights to Your Work
Record labels tend to own the rights to a musician’s work, which has created many problems in the past. Big-name musicians have been known to suffer from this and have been entangled in public debates about owning the rights to their recordings.
This will not be an issue to worry about if you are working as an independent artist. Just like with the money you get, the same goes for the right. You will receive 100% of the royalties and rights to your creations.
-
Work At Your Own Pace
It is natural for artists to take time off to rejuvenate and get their artistic juices flowing. Often, musicians tend to take long breaks after years of active work.
Label companies tend to put heavy schedules on musicians which can often lead to them burning out. This cycle of recording and touring can have its toll on any creative mind.
Independent musicians do not have to worry about this as they are the master of their own music. They can create and release music as they please without worrying about a label telling them to do so.
Independent artists are taking over the music industry from relaxing to making music at your own pace and the financial and rights to your creations.
Why Is This Happening Now?
The answer is because of the internet. It has revolutionized the way people discover new music - removing many of the traditional barriers that smaller, DIY artists used to face.
Different technologies such as streaming, sharing, music promotion platforms, e-commerce, and social media offer independent artists increased chances of exposing their musical creations to bigger audiences.
Before, music discovery was governed from the top down. Record labels would decide who to sign and then they would market them. The next step will be sending them to the radio for the world to hear.
And now, the music industry is just increasingly reactive to fans' discoveries. So, the equation has flipped, which is great for the industry.
Conclusion
It has been reported that hundreds of thousands of new songs are being uploaded to various music streaming platforms nowadays. And that figure is expected to increase as artists become more aware of how easy it is to release their own music.
Independent music is very important and it is growing and growing every year. This represents the fact that you do not need an expensive studio to make good music - and that you can be yourself, and people will accept you for that.
Platforms like TikTok and Twitch allow you to experiment and get real-time feedback. Many musicians have found success by uploading demos and unfinished songs, then putting their full resources behind the ones their fans seem to connect with the most.
It does not come as a surprise that the evolution of the internet has completely changed the entire music industry for good, of course.
Online Threat Alerts Security Tips
Pay the safest way
Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.
Guard your personal information
In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.
Be careful of the information you share
Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with
Know who you’re dealing with
Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.
Check your accounts
Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.
Don’t believe promises of easy money
If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.
Do not open email from people you don’t know
If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.
Think before you click
If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.
Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond
If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.
Be careful with links and new website addresses
Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.
Secure your personal information
Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.
Stay informed on the latest cyber threats
Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.
Use Strong Passwords
Strong passwords are critical to online security.
Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs
Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.
Update the operating systems on your electronic devices
Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.
What if You Got Scammed?
Stop Contact With The Scammer
Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.
Secure Your Finances
- Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
- Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:
- Equifax
- Experian
- TransUnion
Check Your Computer
If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.
Change Your Account Passwords
Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.
Report The Scam
Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.
Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:
- Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
- Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
- Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.
How To Recognize a Phishing Scam
Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.
Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:
Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might
- say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
- claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
- say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
- include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
- want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
- say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
- offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real
About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)
Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.
By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.
With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.
Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.
Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).