These days it seems like everyone is a music guru and there are tons of resources and online coaches telling you what to do in your music career. It can be difficult to discern which music career coaches are high-quality coaches and which ones are just trying to make a dollar off of aspiring musicians. On top of that, how do you know which music coach is the right one for you? How do you know who you will work best with to help you reach your goals?
These are common questions I get asked as my clients do their research and try to find the right fit, and so I wanted to share a bit of guidance to help clear the unknowns in the process and help you find the right music career coach for you.
1. Make sure a Music Career Coach is actually what You Want.
Coaching is often confused with other related disciplines like mentorship or consulting. However, these disciplines are actually quite different, and each of these has unique characteristics. The graphic below pinpoints some of the key differences between music career coaching, mentorship, and consulting.
Music Business Consulting is typically more expensive than coaching, but it’s more of an off-and-on type of service. For example, you would hire a consultant to help you get in front of a record label and music industry executives or to get a sync licensing deal. Music Career Coaching is a much more holistic experience where you receive one-on-one support for an extended period of time to help you sustain continued growth and achieve long-term goals. Your music career coach will spend time with you crafting a custom plan to get you from point A to B, then from point B to C until you reach point Z. There is also a self-awareness aspect that your coach will help you identify in developing your sense of confidence and artistic identity to build and connect with a fanbase. In essence, your music career coach will help you create a strong foundation from which to build your tribe, create your identity, and achieve your career goals.
Unlike a mentor, a music career coach is not there to offer guidance and advice based on his/her own experiences. Sure, personal anecdotes will probably come up during the course of your program, however, the music career coach will offer best practices and results-based approaches to help you customize your own strategy for achieving your ultimate career goals. Keep in mind that each discipline has its own purpose and you’ll need to have a clear understanding of what each will provide in order to determine what’s best for you.
2. Does Their Level of Training and Experience Match Your Expectations?
Music Career Coaching is not regulated and there are no training or certifications needed for a person to act as a Music Career Coach. Therefore, it is up to you to determine whether a coach is right for you. There are things you can look for to help you determine credibility such as professional training in business disciplines, level of experience in the music industry, work backgrounds, etc. Professional training can consist of business training, marketing and public relations training, or even specialized training from a music business school. Training in any of these areas combined with real world experiences in the music industry can make for an exceptionally well-rounded music career coach that will provide evidence-based programs that will benefit you.
Likewise, someone who’s had experience in the music industry itself, such as working for a record label, a former club promoter, or having worked at a music PR firm can offer a depth of knowledge unparalleled.
It’s important to look for these traits and characteristics in a potential music career coach to give yourself the most bang for your buck.
3. Ask Them about Their Coaching Style.
Each music career coach provides coaching in different ways based on their personality and background. Some coaches will create organized and structured sessions, while others are more open and free-flowing. Additionally, you’ll find that some coaches are warm, nurturing, and supportive, while others can be more rigid and challenging. Knowing exactly what style is offered will help you decide on a coach that aligns with your personality and needs. So don’t be afraid to ask your prospective coach about their particular style and consider if that style matches the type of support you’ll need to achieve your career goals.
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4. Ask what sort of Tools and Resources They Use.
Finding out what kind of tools and resources the coach uses to facilitate their programs can provide much-needed insight into how effective their program will be for your career. A good coach will give you access to software programs, spreadsheets, worksheets, printables, and courses to help guide you through a solutions-oriented approach. If they have no resources or can’t share examples of resources or programs they’ve used in the past, that’s a red flag. Not having any idea of what kind of tools you’ll be using in your program with a prospective coach doesn’t give you much to go on in terms of what you can expect and how thorough your program will be. Additionally, most effective coaches have curated the best resources available or have even taken the time to make their own in order to ensure their clients get the best guidance possible.
That being said, I have a comprehensive inventory of worksheets, downloads, workbooks, printables, spreadsheets, platforms, and tools that I’ve used both third-party and homemade that I’ve used to help my clients concept and identify useful strategies that will get them to the next level in their careers. Following this approach ensures a consistent experience for my clients and provides a framework for our engagements to make them most effective.
Additionally, I’ve developed a suite of online coaching tools and modules that my clients have access to for their work. My clients find these resources invaluable and convenient for moving forward in their careers. Other coaches may not include these access points, or only have a limited array of resources. You’ll need to consider if having these kinds of resources will align with your goals or not.
5. How much will it Cost?
Your financial situation is an important factor in deciding which music coach to choose. A typical price range for coaching typically falls between $50 to $500 per hour based on a target demographic and their experience level. My coaching services are not the cheapest option, but I’m also not the most expensive. I take pride in offering services to fit a modest budget and I’ve been known to offer discounted slots when my schedule allows in order to support my fellow artists based on need.
If a prospective music coach charges by the hour, it is a good idea to ask them the following questions…
- What is included in their hourly rate?
- Are there any additional tools and resources provided?
- Do they belong to a team or network which can provide support if needed?
- Do they have a money-back guarantee?
- What is their payment policy and what forms of payment do they accept?
- What is their cancellation policy?
Remember to not equate price with quality. But don’t just select a coach because they are the cheapest. Ultimately, this is an investment in your music career and your future. So, you must make a selection based on many factors, not just price.
6. Have a Consultation with the Coach
Most coaches will offer a free consultation. Participating in a consultation call is a great way to learn more about your potential coach and if they are a good fit for your needs and personality. Also, it’s important to think about how you feel while talking with them. Do you feel safe? Are you picking up on positive vibes? Do you feel comfortable and at home with them? If you don’t feel at ease with them, it could be an indication that this music coach may not be the right one for you.
Coaching is a very involved and intimate experience. You’ll be given the opportunity to discover yourself, identify your personal limitations or flaws, and overcome them. However, if you’re uncomfortable with the coach in any way, this may impede your ability to grow and evolve. If you don’t feel comfortable being yourself with your coach, chances are they won’t be able to support you to become all that you can be. If it doesn’t feel right, that’s okay. They may be an awesome coach. But they’re just not the right fit for you. No better way to explore the relationship than to try it on for size and see how it feels working with them during a free consultation!
7. Determine Their Availability.
Logistically, you’ll need to determine if working with a prospective coach fits into your lifestyle and routine. Is your coach available for sessions when it is convenient for you? If a prospective music coach only offers time slots during standard business hours, and you work a full-time job, there might be some scheduling issues down the line. Also it’s important to consider how accessible your coach will be to you. Do they offer email/text support in between calls? If you have a quick question, will you be able to reach them? I typically make myself available to my clients via text/IM/and email support. If there is a quick call needed, I’ll do my best to be there for my clients. If you’re looking for a music career coach that will provide extra hands-on support, you’ll need to find someone who makes this approach a part of their process.
8. Assess Their Successes and Results.
Don’t just go off of feelings! Inspiration and motivation will only get you so far. What you need is comprehensive one-on-one support with methodology and resources that can actually move you forward. What results can a prospective music career coach offer you? Are there any case studies you can review or previous clients you can talk to? The main thing you’re looking for when reviewing case studies or speaking with previous clients is the results! Investing in coaching for your music career requires a financial commitment, therefore, you’ll want to enjoy the results from that in the form of tangible mobility and progress in your career and ultimate music goals. Coaching is a big investment, and you’ll want to ensure that it provides a strong return.
9. Analyze Your Experience with Them.
After your initial call, analyze their behavior. Were they quick to follow-up? Did they send you the resources they promised? Did they send anything at all? Were they prompt and courteous during that initial interaction? Did they give you any advice? Was it actionable? Did it produce any results that you can tell thus far?
A vital facet of coaching is reliability and organization on behalf of your music career coach. Take a minute to analyze how your coach has performed so far in your interactions with them. Typically the way someone acts during this initial exchange is a good indication of the way they will act during your work together.
Your music career coach is an important ally to help you achieve your goals, make big decisions, and stay accountable to the things you want in your career. Use the information provided here to make an informed decision as you find the perfect music career coach for you. If you’re interested in working with me, I welcome the opportunity to speak with you and help you move forward with your career. I provide actionable tips on the first call in addition to a quick get-to-know sess to help you decide if my coaching style is a fit for you! Click here to schedule a call with me and get ready to make some positive changes in your career! I can’t wait to work with you!
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