All successful artists initially faced multiple challenges to make a name for themselves in the music industry. While many aspire to become great musicians and enjoy the fame and fortune that comes with it, they don’t realize the years of struggle they would have to endure.
With more and more people trying to enter the field, the competition has become more challenging. While some can manage the setbacks and make it through, not everyone can. Why is it that some succeed, but many others fail?
Here are some of the top reasons why music artists fail:
1. They put in Minimal Effort
This holds true for every field. Many people expect to achieve instant success but are not willing to put in much effort. If you are putting in little to no results, you can’t expect to achieve much success. Hard work is everything in the music industry.
There are multiple challenges and disappointments that are bound to come your way. Without much effort, you can’t succeed. Most artists fail because they underestimate the amount of effort they need to put in.
2. They Don’t Focus on Marketing
Even today, many artists need to understand the significance of marketing. Marketing your work is necessary for it to get the exposure it needs. It is essential for all artists to get their music to the right audience and gain more fans as well as sponsors.
While many know they need to create the right marketing strategy, very few actually implement it. You won’t be able to reach a wider audience and get more views and followers if you are not marketing your music.
3. They Don’t Understand the Significance of Giving Back
Many new music artists become self-centered rather quickly. They wonder what others can do for them instead of giving back to the community. Aspiring artists need to understand that nothing comes for free. It is vital to stay well-connected and help others instead of thinking people should be doing favors for you.
4. They Expect Overnight Success
This is a mistake made by many artists even after knowing it is a rare occurrence. It is not possible to get overnight success. Many major artists had to struggle for years to make a name in this industry and build a fan base. It requires hard work, dedication, and persistence. If you want to make it big, you have to stand the test of time.
5. They Fail to Grow their Network
Even if you are a solo artist, you must have a good network. You cannot succeed without making the right connections and gaining the support of people. Many artists fail to understand this and end up failing even when they are talented.
6. They Don’t Value their Fans
One of the quickest ways to fail is when music artists take their fans for granted. They only see numbers and money instead of looking at their fans as individuals. In order to grow, you need to connect with your fans and increase engagement and interaction. Listen to what they want and what they expect from you to improve your music.
Wrapping Up
Succeeding as a music artist in today’s world is highly challenging. More artists end up failing than succeeding. It is integral to stay motivated and dedicated to your work to survive. Many enter this field expecting quick success, which is one of the biggest reasons behind their failure, among other factors.

Eric Dalius is The Executive Chairman of MuzicSwipe, a music and content discovery platform designed to maximize artist discovery and optimize fan relationships. Eric is also known for his weekly podcast “FULLSPEED,” where he converses with influential entrepreneurs from a range of industries. Additionally, he supports education through the “Eric Dalius Foundation,” which grants four scholarships to US students. Stay connected with Eric on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn,YouTube, Instagram, and Entrepreneur.com.