Here’s why building and investing in your creative community is just as vital as perfecting your craft.
When you’re starting out as an artist, it’s tempting to believe that talent alone will carry you to success. You write great songs, you perform with passion, and your recordings sound solid. But in today’s music industry, and especially as an independent artist, community is everything. The people you surround yourself with can make the difference between staying stuck and moving forward.
1. Be Seen, Not Just Heard
Music isn’t just about what people hear. It’s also about what they see. That means showing up in the right places, building your presence in local scenes, and being part of conversations that go beyond your own releases.
Go to open mics, jam nights, album launches, music panels, and industry networking events. You never know who you’ll meet: a future collaborator, a mentor, a promoter, or a fan who will spread your music further than you could alone. Being in the room matters. Your face, your energy, your support, it all becomes part of how people remember you. Live Performances are a powerful tool for real-world connection.
2. Network Organically (Not Opportunistically)
“Networking” can sound like a dirty word, but at its best, it simply means building genuine relationships. Don’t show up just to promote yourself. Show up with curiosity and generosity. Ask people about their music. Share others’ releases. Congratulate them on their wins.
This builds trust and makes people far more likely to support you in return. Relationships in the music industry are reciprocal, not transactional.
3. Find Your Creative Circle
Being an artist can be isolating, especially if you’re doing everything yourself. Having a group of peers who understand the highs and lows of the creative process can be invaluable.
Whether it’s a songwriting group, a local collective, or an online Discord community, being part of a trusted circle gives you:
- Feedback on new material
- Support during slow periods
- Accountability to stay consistent
- Collaborative opportunities
Don’t wait for someone to invite you. Start your own group if you can’t find one.
4. Support Other Artists
If you want support, give it. Go to gigs, not just your own. Share others’ releases. Comment, repost, and shout out artists you genuinely love. The music scene thrives on mutual encouragement.
Artists who support others often become pillars of their scene. You’ll be remembered not just for your sound, but for your generosity. Film them on stage, tag them in stories. Create content that they can use. Drop them a DM, with the attached video. You don’t know how usefull that actually is.
5. Collaborate, Don’t Isolate
Collaboration is one of the fastest ways to grow as an artist and expand your reach. Working on tracks, features, or remixes with other artists:
- Brings fresh perspectives to your work
- Introduces you to new audiences
- Strengthens your relationships
- Sharpens your skills
Think beyond genre too. You might be surprised what happens when an R&B singer works with an indie rock guitarist, or a rapper collaborates with a jazz band.
6. Give, and You’ll Get
Building community isn’t always about what you can gain. Sometimes, it’s about showing up consistently and contributing your time, attention, and skills.
Offer to help a friend film a live session. Design a flyer for someone’s show. Offer feedback or help on creating a logo. Be a second pair of eyes, or ears. Help out with soundcheck. These acts come back around, not always directly, but often when you least expect it.
Final Thoughts: Grow With Others
No artist makes it alone. Behind every career that flourishes is a network of people: fans, friends, collaborators, and supporters. The sooner you start building your community, the stronger your foundation will be for everything that follows.
So get out there. Shake hands. Say yes to a last-minute show. Jump into a writing session with someone new. Show love. Be seen. Your people are out there, and you’ll go further with them than you ever could alone. And if you need help, MN2S Label Services is a good place to start.