How to Start Up Your Own Business in Music

So you want to know how to start up your own business in music. These days, with so many digital music programs out there, it's easier than ever to create and transmit music to anywhere in the world--right from your own home. Expensive studios and session musicians are no longer essential to the process. Of course, using real musicians and singers is ideal, but the plethora of downloadable samples available--everything from vocals to instrumental riffs to sound effects--means that you can essentially be a one-man (or woman) band. You don't even need to be in the same city (or country) as your client; you can easily create CDs to mail, or MP3s to be downloaded.

But before you start printing up those business cards, here are a few important elements to consider:

1. Your type of business. When people think of the music industry, they typically think of hit bands cranking out catchy songs. While that's certainly a big part of it, the opportunities for musicians, composers, and music producers is much more extensive. Music is used in nearly every entertainment medium out there. Think of musical scores for movies and television shows, television commercials, radio jingles, musical theater, incidental theater music, and even video games. If you're wondering how to start up your own business in music, consider how many of these (and many more) styles of music you'd be able to create. The more versatile you are, the more work you're going to get.

2. Create a web site. You want to make it easy for potential clients to find you and listen to samples of your work. Invest some time (and possibly money) on developing a professional, user-friendly web site. Some good information to include: a biography of your relevant education and work experience, a list of your music and digital gear, you contact information, and samples of work.

3. Start working. You can find endless posts on Craigslist of people requiring music for various projects. Respond to those ads so you can build up samples of actual work you've done. The downside? As you'll probably start out on amateur projects, often done by students, you may get paid in slices of pizza, or do the work for free. That's okay. For now, it's about jumping in and creating music for actual projects that you can have on your site as examples of your amazing work.

4. Network. Once you have built up a solid number of samples (say, at least ten), it's time to start networking for bigger gigs. Spread the word to everyone you know that you're looking for music work. Direct people to your site, or send them CDs or MP3s. Scour ads calling for your type of talent and apply for everything you find.  These are the basic building blocks of how to start up your own business in music.