by Cari Cole
1. Be the Exception
The ease of making a record these days has led to a lot of mediocre music. Be the exception. Don’t settle. Make an Exceptional Record.
2. Work Harder Than Others
If you are willing to work while others are lounging or sleeping, you will one day be ahead of the rest. Faith comes before proof.
3. Raise Your Bar, Don’t Lower It
Don’t think it’s easy, you’re selling yourself short. Great movies, books and records are made painstakingly with vision and a high bar. It takes as long as it takes. Don’t let the calendar or deadlines make you produce an inferior product.
4. Don’t Release Music Until It Has Your 1000% Stamp Of Approval
Your job is to make the music you hear in your head come to fruition. Anything less and you are selling yourself short.
5. Co-write With Writers Better Than You
Don’t be afraid to co-writer with writers who are better than you. If you look at most of the great songs they have several names in the writer credit line.
6. Make a Masterpiece
Don’t mess around. The art and science of greatness in this industry is about making the best music you can and going to great lengths to do so. Never rush a masterpiece. It’s made over endless hours, days, weeks, years — who’s counting?
7. Don’t Waste Your Money on Publicity Or Radio
I know it’s tempting, but don’t put your hard earned dollars into publicity or radio campaigns until you can capitalize on it. That means having built your fanbase of email subscribers (at least 10,000) and having a record or video that is worth the investment. (Subscribers on your email list are dedicated followers and are more powerful than your social media followers who just clicked “like”.)
8. Get Coaching By the Best Professional You Know and Trust
Period. The main reason to get a coach is they can get you there faster and smarter than you would on your own. The key is to eliminate as many mistakes as you can, especially the ones you don’t know you are making. And the cheapest route is not always the best. You can spend half the time with a smart professional who is more expensive and they will save you time and money in the long run (and actually make you money)! If you don’t, you may pay for it later.
9. Give More Than You Get
The number one rule for a successful “anything” (life, career, relationships), is to give more than you get. Now that doesn’t mean to sacrifice yourself or your own joy, on the contrary – go more in the direction of what pleases you and along the way give as much as you can of your heart and soul to everyone you meet and every project you are involved with. This creates a wealthy, abundant and rich life full of possibility. And never, ever, take more than you give. You will live in the deficit.
If you’re looking to make an Exceptional Record find out about our Your Exceptional Record Course – an online program for artists who want to stand out, not fit in.
Tell me what you think makes exceptional records in the comments below!