Should you keep applying for music awards? Here’s what you need to know.
In this enlightening episode of the Female Entrepreneur Musician Podcast, host Bree Noble shares valuable insights about the strategic approach musicians should take to pursue awards. Drawing from her personal experience as both an award-winning artist and industry expert, she breaks down when to seek awards and when to stop.
Key Benefits of Winning Awards:
- Establishes legitimacy, especially for new artists
- Helps you stand out from other musicians
- Adds credibility to your bio and stage introductions
- Creates networking opportunities with other artists
- Can open doors to industry connections
- Strategic Approach to Awards:
- Start with smaller, regional awards to build your portfolio
- Focus on recognized and reputable competitions
- Consider the cost vs. benefit ratio
- Look for awards that offer additional perks (prize money, industry exposure, coaching)
- Pay attention to the terms and conditions (especially regarding publishing rights)
When to Stop Pursuing Awards:
- Once you have a few solid awards under your belt
- When you’ve secured awards in your specific niche (like songwriting)
- After achieving recognition from well-known competitions
Making the Most of Your Awards:
- Include them in your bio and marketing materials
- Use them as descriptors (e.g., “award-winning songwriter”)
- Share your wins with your fanbase
- Frame announcements around gratitude to fans
- Incorporate award mentions into your broader story
Alternative Credibility Builders: If you haven’t won awards yet, you can build credibility through:
- Features on respected platforms
- Performances at prestigious venues
- Sharing bills with well-known artists
The bottom line? Awards can be valuable for establishing credibility, but there’s a point where it’s better to invest your resources in other aspects of your music career, such as recording and gear.