Tips For Turning Your Music Into A Business In Brooklyn, NY

If you are an artist, the prospect of commercializing your work may not seem too appealing at first. Perhaps feelings of ‘selling out’ may be stirred, as if you would somehow be compromising your creative integrity?

However, while some artists find success during curious and unlikely circumstances, you should do everything in your power to reach the top. If you crave further success, then you need to mix your talent with entrepreneurial qualities. Remember, playing music for fun is one thing, but turning your passion into a fully-fledged career is another discipline entirely. 

Photo by David Bartus from Pexels

Brooklyn, NY, is a great place to get started.  After the jump, you will find a few tips to help your musicianship thrive in this setting. 

Let Brooklyn Inspire You

There is at least one trait that both musicians and business people have in common; creativity. Brooklyn is also filled with it, and that should be your entry point as you take your first steps into the music business here. 

There are many points where creative crossovers could occur. Ask yourself questions like: 

  • How can you overcome limitations? Remember that Brooklyn has a great selection of intimate venues, so it’s a great place to get started. You can still thrive on a smaller scale here. 
  • What tone will you use when marketing your act? Everything from fonts to imagery needs to be considered. Could you collaborate with a freelancer to create some appealing promotional material? You can easily find all this talent in Brooklyn and nearby New York boroughs.  
  • Which types of merchandise will you create? All great musicians have at least some merch to sell. It is never too early to develop some ideas, but only put these plans into motion when you have an audience to sell to. Brooklyn is home to a lot of iconic scenery, which could also factor into your creations.  
  • Who is around you? Many smaller businesses flock to the city to be near big-name brands. Similarly, take heart that, by playing in Brooklyn, you are also performing near headlining artists. Further inspiration and success can follow from there.

You may also need to trademark your creations at some point, protecting the rights of your songs or graphic designs. Ultimately, it is crucial to recognize that the business side of things is not just a vapid corporate hellscape. Brooklyn can give these proceedings more creative energy.  

Call Brooklyn Home

The music industry is very active in New York. Despite all the struggle, there is nothing that can extinguish the deep-rooted passion that resides here. 

Even during the pandemic, artists who love jazz have kept playing to earn money and boost morale. That energy of unconquerable resilience is crucial. After all, the early life of a musician, and an entrepreneur, can be filled with hardship. If you can immerse yourself in the amount of hope that New York provides, it may just be enough to carry you through. 

Perhaps you could network with other hopefuls too? Advice and encouragement may be in plentiful supply here. You could join a community of New York musicians, which may make your efforts to become successful less lonely and laborious if you were a solo act in a rural flyover state. Collaboration opportunities may arise also. 

There is also the more elementary point that New York is filled with 8.419 million people. Each of them will have different backgrounds and musical tastes. No matter what genre of music you play, you will find an audience for it here. From Brooklyn, you can visit any of the other boroughs and play the local clubs, busk occasionally on the streets.

Secure Studio Space 

If you are turning your music into a business, your creations need to be of professional quality. Of course, you may have your lyrics and notes in order, but you still need the right equipment to sound your best. Brooklyn has you covered on this score too. 

Companies like Pirate can provide you with full access to a state-of-the-art Brooklyn recording studio. You do not need to worry about anybody interfering with your vision, as these studios are entirely self-serving. Open 24/7, you can book your studio space online and start jamming with all their high-end equipment. 

These types of services are perfect for elevating your music to the next level. Moreover, if you are worried about fitting in your duties with other commitments in your life, then the 24/7 opening times can provide you with flexibility. In the end, you can always realize your dreams when Brooklyn is supporting you. 

Self-Finance

It is standard practice for those in business to take out a loan. Funding such as this can get an entrepreneur’s start-up off the ground. 

You should refrain from following their lead as a musician. Moments such as these are where the paths of the artist and the entrepreneur diverge somewhat. Know that a music career is possible, but it can be far riskier when trying to secure a steady income in the beginning. 

Mounting debts may also hamper your creativity, even if your art starts to make money. Still, Brooklyn is home to many different job opportunities, so it may be worth having a side hustle of sorts to fund your creativity. Get to know the people and stay on the ground, and you may have access to further inspiration instead of mounting debts for needless loans. 

You could also look into more affordable housing options in Brooklyn with a few housemates. Split costs between you, and channel some of your savings into your career. It is possible to get by with your music in Brooklyn, so keep working hard to find that right balance so you can self-finance your creative exploits. 

Conclusion

Brooklyn is a prime destination for up-and-coming musicians. Your creativity has no limits here, and even smaller venues can help you to unleash your talent. From Brooklyn, you also have access to state-of-the-art studio spaces and other promising New York boroughs. The area is also an excellent platform for further inspiration, available through iconic sites and regular lifestyles. Ultimately, creativity is everywhere here, making it the perfect place to get serious about your music. 

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