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As artists, we often spend hours perfecting our craft in isolation. Despite the personal and emotional effort we pour into our work, a completely different set of skills is required to showcase and promote it to the world. It’s natural to feel envious of extroverted rockstars and musicians who effortlessly chat about their work with anyone who will listen.
However, there’s a disconnect between the introverted creative process and the extroverted nature of promoting oneself. While the digital age provides many tools to connect with the world, some introverted musicians and producers prefer to be left alone. Fortunately, social media offers ways for introverted artists to make waves in the industry and gain recognition and validation for their work without ever leaving their studio. Let’s explore some of these methods.
Use Social Media **Correctly**
Although flawed, social media has several advantages that cater to the supposed weaknesses of many introverts. While it is essential to succeed in today’s music industry, it is not necessary for an introvert to devote all their time and effort to social media. Unlike other resources, there is no right or wrong way to use social media, giving introverts the freedom to use it in their unique and practical way. Let’s explore this further.
Use Your Introverted Qualities To Your Advantage
Introverts are often methodical and contemplative, meaning they don’t often thrive in live situations where talk is fast and thinking on your feet is key. Instead, social media allows you to take time and think about the vision and brand (more on this in a moment) presented to the world. One could argue that this gives introverts a clear advantage over extroverts in the digital realm, as extroverts often play more fast and loose with the content, focusing on how and what is posted instead of the WHY behind the content in the first place.
You Don’t Need To Sell Anything
It’s a common mistake to assume that artists use social media to present a fabricated version of themselves in order to win over potential fans. This approach often discourages introverts from utilizing social media to their fullest potential since the necessary social interaction to win over someone’s time and attention isn’t something that comes naturally to them.
However, social media offers the opportunity to showcase whatever you like, allowing fans to connect with the creation first and then the creator, instead of the other way around. By sharing your music and craft with the world, you can attract fans naturally, creating the most loyal following, contrary to what Instagram-DM spammers may suggest.
It Doesn’t Need To Be About You
Social media is an effective tool that enables you to share anything within your sphere of interest with the world. It doesn’t necessitate your presence on the front lines of your artistic identity. Social media provides enough distance between the creator and the creation, allowing them to be cushioned by your interests, values, and connections instead of solely focusing on yourself.
It’s not mandatory to talk about yourself; you can achieve the same level of success by discussing everything else around you that you’re involved in.
Collaborate Strategically With Others
Collaboration is a fantastic way to ‘have your cake and eat it too’ after a fashion. By tapping into the creative potential of multiple artists on a project, the potential is greater than the sum of its parts. Here are a few ways this is true.
It Fosters a Safe Space
A particular type of magic happens when collaborating with another artist in real-time, whether online or in person. With both artists focused on making the best possible music together, the social pressures and daily stimuli in every other aspect of life are no longer present. The weight that usually keeps an introvert from speaking and expressing is lifted.
When working with the right kind of collaborator, an introvert can be unrestrained and unrestricted.
Other Artists Notice Things
Introverts often find it challenging to advocate for their strengths, as they prefer to stay in their creative spaces. This doesn’t mean they don’t want to showcase their abilities; they just don’t realize their full potential. Sometimes, receiving positive feedback from others can help them recognize their best qualities. Collaborating with like-minded creatives in a safe space can provide introverts with the opportunity to step outside themselves and receive direct feedback.
This can lead to new discoveries and open doors they never knew existed, instead of spending hours alone in their studio.
Use Playlists And Resources As Leverage
Many aspiring musicians are striving to succeed in the music industry, and thus require all the assistance they can get. Even for introverts who may not have the same networking skills as extroverts, there are still ways to create leverage within this complex industry.
One approach is to develop your own Spotify playlist with a unique theme and invest in growing its followers. Once you have thousands of followers, you can trade playlist spots with other playlist creators to increase the number of streams. The best part is that you can grow your playlist online without having to meet anyone in person, through conventional digital marketing methods or more unconventional tactics.
It’s crucial to find a way to establish yourself in the industry without having to socialize at clubs, venues, and conventions. In the digital world, there are numerous opportunities to give yourself an advantage from the comfort of your own home. Identify something that bigger artists require and capitalize on it. This way, you can have a seat at the table without having to leave your comfort zone.
Use Livestream To Connect With Fans From A Distance
The era of the internet has provided musicians with an array of tools to connect with their fans remotely. The pandemic has further accelerated the progress of these tools, enabling introverted musicians to perform their art effortlessly from their home studio or living room. Musicians, DJs, and producers have been conducting live streams of their production and DJ sessions, as well as online networking events, without leaving the comfort of their homes. With the right project concept and idea, you too can leverage these innovative platforms.
And while all the most popular streamers certainly have some social flair that enables them to interact and engage with their viewers over long periods, interacting online is arguably an entirely different ballgame than interacting with people in the real world. One of the biggest streamers on the planet, the video game streamer Asmongold, admitted that he prefers to be isolated despite broadcasting daily to tens of thousands of fans. And while this is an extreme circumstance, it does show that your social preferences online vs. in real life aren’t always the same and that you can thrive in one while being adverse to the other.
The “Brand” Vs. The “You”
The idea of “playing a character” in art and artistry is a topic that may spark differing opinions. However, it’s an undeniable tool that can be used to your advantage. Even if you consider yourself an introvert who prefers to maintain isolation, you can still present your art through a caricature of yourself, which is also known as your “brand.”
It’s common for artists to hide behind masks while performing, sometimes quite literally. Detaching yourself from your brand of music is similar to separating yourself from your business money through an LLC. Both options allow the product to exist independently and simultaneously. This is why some of the most popular and successful actors and actresses are introverted but still able to play a version of themselves for award shows or galas.
It may seem strange to view your artistic side as an “other,” but it’s a powerful tool that can make all the difference.
Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
