Being represented by a label or manager are things thought to signify an artist’s success, so it makes sense why so many musicians spend their valuable time and resources trying to get represented and signed. But the ritual of crafting thoughtful pitches and sending them off into the ether rarely results in bands landing a record deal or enthusiastic manager, even if their music is good.

There’s a few reasons why these pitches usually get ignored, but it mainly comes down to the fact that successful labels and managers want to discover talent themselves, not be sold on it by reading about it through an email. The people in the music industry with the expertise and resources to actually move your music forward want to hear and see your music in action before considering taking a risk on you. Instead of banging your head trying to pitch to labels and managers, here’s what you should be doing:

Networking is an essential part of your music career. The days where you can simply release music, invest no time in promoting this music, and become a well-known artist are gone. The good news is that there are plenty of tools available to you for free to promote your music to a global audience. Below, I have listed three ways that you can network as a music producer.

For many musicians, writing songs, playing on stage, and recording albums is the most rewarding work in the world. But look around your local music scene and you’ll quickly find a disparity between ambitious young musicians and their seasoned counterparts. Younger musicians are usually the most visible and active folks working in the industry, though there are exceptions. When some musicians get older, life gets in the way of their art and they eventually stop making music. But while aging is responsible for stopping many talented musicians in their tracks, burnout is another factor not taken seriously enough. Putting real energy, love, time, and sacrifice into your work is essential for finding any significant traction for your music, but play your cards wrong and you might put yourself in an unsustainable position for making music over the long-term.