5 Common Mistakes Musicians Make

As someone who works closely with musicians, I often come across the same frustrations and misconceptions. Whether you're just starting out or trying to take your music career more seriously, here are five things that I find both fascinating and slightly annoying—but most importantly, essential to address.

1. Saying You Need a Manager (When You Don’t)

One of the first things I hear from new artists is, “I need a manager.” But when I ask what exactly the manager would be managing, the conversation usually hits a wall.

If you're just starting out—maybe you’ve recently registered with SAMRO, RISA, or CAPASSO—and you're not earning income from your music yet, then hiring a manager is premature. Managers are for scaling what already works. At this stage, you don’t need a manager; you need clarity, strategy, and skills.

💡 Tip: Instead of hiring a manager, consider booking a consultation with someone who can help you build a strong foundation. Book a consultation here

2. Trying to Get on Radio (Without Listening to Radio)

It blows my mind how many artists want to get radio airplay but don’t actually listen to radio themselves.

If radio isn’t part of your life, it likely isn’t part of your audience’s either. Beyond that, you miss out on understanding what formats radio stations prefer, what kind of interviews they host, and what genre each station plays.

You also won’t know things like:

• What timeframes or song lengths work for radio

• Which words are prohibited (not just swear words!)

• What sonic elements resonate with station playlists

  
  

💡 Want to get serious about radio submissions? I’ve created the MZANTZI Radio Directory with 160+ South African radio stations, their genres, submission links, and contact info. Get the directory here

3. Saying “I Just Want to Blow Up” (Without a Plan)

Another common thing musicians say is: “I just want to blow.” But when asked blow in what? there’s usually no clear answer.

Blowing up means different things to different people. For one artist, it might mean touring. For another, getting placed in films. The point is: you need to be specific.

If your version of “blowing up” means getting consistent gigs, then your actions should reflect that. If it’s about sync placements or building a streaming fanbase, that requires a different strategy.

🔑 Define your vision, then build a plan around it.

4. Not Treating Your Music Like a Business

You can’t build a long-term career off spontaneity. Saying “I’m going to record today” and then vanishing for 5 weeks doesn’t work.

Businesses have structure. A proper music business has:

• Product development (your music)

• Market research (your audience)

• Marketing strategy (your release plan)

• Funding mechanisms (investments or grants)

• Delivery timelines (release schedules)

The problem is that record labels historically made artists feel like the business side wasn’t their job. But today, if you want to survive as an independent artist, you are the business.

You’re the label. You’re the strategy. Until you grow to a point where a team makes sense, it’s all you.

5. Not Learning the Basics of the Music Industry

It amazes me how many musicians still don’t understand things like:

• How publishing works

• What SAMRO and CAPASSO actually do

• How rights are split

• Why sync licensing needs clean, original music

If you’ve made it this far, it shows that you’re willing to learn—which is the first step. But keep going. Read up on publishing. Study how money flows in music. Find out how rights are registered. That knowledge is more valuable than any one-hit-wonder.

Final Thoughts

There’s never been more opportunity to succeed in music—but only if you treat it like a real business. Clarity, consistency, and strategy will take you further than hope or hype ever will.

Need help defining your music strategy or rights?👉 Book a consultation with me

Ready to get on the radio the smart way?👉 Download the MZANTZI Radio Directory here

Let me know in the comments: What do you think are the most frustrating things musicians do? I’d love to hear your thoughts and keep the conversation going.

Until next time,

Skill