Music PR:
The Pros:
- Get to closely with the media
- You get to see the payoff for your work quickly when something you're promoting gets reviewed or played on the radio.
- Can pay well.
The Cons:
- Very hard work - just getting people to answer your phone calls is a job in itself, and it can take a long time to build up media contacts
- Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you can't generate any buzz for a record, which puts you in the cross hairs of the band/label
- Lots of repetitive work - calling X, Y and Z for the 100th time, re-sending promos you've already sent, and so on
Learn more about music PR work:
Record Producer:
Pros:
- Get a hand in the creative process with lots of different artists.
- Get a lot of credit - great producers are recognized for their artistic achievements in the same way great musicians are.
- Can work for a studio or independently
- Can pay well, especially if you get points on a record that sells a lot of copies.
Cons:
- Hours are long and irregular.
- Getting started can be tough - you may have to work for free for awhile to build up a reputation.
- Need to learn about studio equipment/recording techniques, so there is a time investment in training.
- Need to stay on top of new technology all the time.
Get more information about working as a record producer:
Music Journalist:
Pros:
- Get to interact with some of your favorite artists.
- Always have the inside track on what new releases are coming up.
- Have a hand in shaping trends and a venue to share your thoughts about the music industry.
- Good for guest list spots!
Cons:
- Hours can be long
- Lots of competition - you have to fight hard to get published and to be the one to get the interview, the story, etc.
- If you freelance, pay can be sporadic
- Need to be able to work independently and manage deadlines.
Find out more about music journalism:
Cover Art Designer:
Pros:
- Get to play an important role in creating to overall "feel" of an album - great album artwork images are remembered as music as great music and help give an album an identity
- Get to work closely with musicians and labels
- Every job is different, so you get to experiment with different styles and techniques
Cons:
- Easy to get ripped off - many designers see their images used in merch and without a good contract, they may not make a penny from those sales.
- Work (and pay) can be sporadic
- May have to spend some time working for free to build up a reputation
- As music goes online, artwork becoming less important
Learn more about designing cover art:
Of course, one of the biggest consideration in any music career is getting paid! Once you have spotted your dream music job, don't forget to make sure you understand exactly how your money will come in. This article will help:
