The Social Media Lie That's Killing Your Music Career (And What Actually Works)
The Secret Music Industry Truth They Don't Want You to Know
I got two emails this week that broke my heart.
The first was from T.D., a talented musician who's spent thousands on his music and is ready to give up completely. He's waiting for "lightning strikes" and hoping fate will finally deliver his breakthrough.
The second was from Rob, who asked the smartest question I've heard all year: "What are the real alternatives to social media for building authentic support?"
Here's what both emails revealed: You've been lied to about how music careers actually work.
The Big Lie: "You need to be everywhere online to make it"
Every music "guru" tells you the same thing:
- Post daily on Instagram
- Go viral on TikTok
- Build your "brand" on social media
- Chase algorithms and trends
Meanwhile, you're burning out trying to be a content creator instead of a musician.
The Truth: The most successful musicians I know barely use social media.
They just don't talk about it because everyone assumes that's how they "made it."
Want to know what they actually do instead?
They focus on the people who already said "yes" to them.
Think about it: You've played shows. People have heard your music. Some have even bought it or complimented you afterward.
But what happened to those people? Where are they now?
Most musicians treat these interactions like one-night stands. They meet someone who loves their music, then never talk to them again.
This is insane.
You're spending hours trying to reach strangers on social media while ignoring the people who already proved they like what you do.
Here's what actually builds music careers:
1. Collect emails at every show
Not for a newsletter. For relationships. Every person who stops to talk to you after a set should be on your list.
2. Send them stories, not updates
Don't tell them about your next gig. Tell them why you wrote that song they loved. Make them feel something.
3. Ask them to reply
"What song means the most to you right now?" Watch how many people actually respond. These are your real fans.
4. Focus on the people who engage
One person who replies to your emails is worth 1000 social media followers who scroll past your posts.
The musicians making real money have email lists of 500-2000 people who actually care about them. Not 10,000 social media followers who ignore them.
"But Malene, doesn't everyone say you need social media?"
Everyone also said you needed a record deal to make it. How's that working out?
The music industry changes. The strategies that worked five years ago don't work today. And the strategies everyone's teaching you right now won't work five years from now.
But building real relationships with real people who actually support your music? That's been working for centuries.
Your "lightning strike" isn't random. It's predictable.
T.D. mentioned waiting for lightning strikes and the right mentor. But here's what I've learned: The breakthrough isn't in finding the right person or getting lucky.
It's in doing the boring work of building real relationships with people who already like what you do.
Rob asked about life without social media. Here's his answer:
Your new world looks like this:
- Email becomes your primary connection tool
- Live shows become your content creation
- Every gig is a chance to collect emails and tell stories
- You build a list of people who actually open your emails and show up to your shows
You're not missing out by avoiding social media. You're getting ahead of 99% of musicians who are still trying to win an algorithm game that's rigged against them.
The Real Question:
How many people who've heard your music in the last year can you reach right now?
If the answer is "not many," you don't have a talent problem or a luck problem. You have a connection problem.
And connection problems are fixable.
Start here:
- Create an email list today (even if it's just 10 people)
- After your next show, get emails from everyone who talks to you
- Send them one "behind the song" story within 48 hours
- Ask them to reply with their favorite song of yours
Do this for 30 days and watch what happens.
Stop chasing strangers online. Start building relationships with people who already chose you.
Ready to Escape the Day Job Trap?
The social media lie is just one of the fatal mistakes keeping 99% of musicians broke and ignored. Want to know what the other two are?
Download "The 3 Fatal Mistakes That Keep 99% of Musicians Broke and Ignored" - it's like a secret backdoor to the industry by daring to take the steps most musicians never do.
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