What independent artist should look for in 2022
In 2022 independent artists should look to incorporate major changes to their current marketing campaigns. In 2021 we saw the rise and early evolutions of NFTs. The utilization of Blockchain technology continues to inspire advanced business tactics. Tactics that leave out the middleman. These technological advances are changing the landscape of the independent music scene. In this article, we will outline what independent artists should look for going into 2022.
NFTs, the continued decentralization of the music industry, and DAOs
As cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology, NFTs, and other tech advancements become more commonplace in society, so do artists’ options when it comes to marketing, branding, and releasing content. Not only will these advancements allow artists to reach fans in a new unique way, but they are also cutting out the middleman. The newest buzz in the music tech sector is the impending music DAOs that will further shake up the industry in 2022.
The Rise of Music DAOs in 2022
DOA stands for decentralized autonomous organization. A DAO, in layman’s terms, is a business without a CEO. Instead, the business is run by a group of individuals who agree on a certain set of rules that are then enforced by a blockchain. In one article it was described as a business where the code was the CEO. In 2022 the DOA will make huge headlines!
Music DAOs in theory would replace the prototypical record label as artists would theoretically have a voice in what happens in their careers. Social media and streaming have proved that independent artists can be successful without labels. A DAO brings a little more structure to the artist’s brand which will help gain the trust of prospective investors. That’s because the structure will rely on a code that will react automatically once certain protocols are met. Furthermore, this business model benefits all parties involved because of its transparency. An issue deeply embedded in the music industry.
The continued evolution of the NFT in 2022
The NFT will change how independent artists approach the industry in 2022. These digital assets will introduce scarcity and uniqueness back into a congested industry. They will also alter the economic ecosystem of the music industry by circumventing the middleman when it comes to distribution.
The crazy part is, this is only the beginning. NFTs are still in their infancy and dozens of new applications are being conceptualized every day! Soon we will see an NFT based streaming platform with tools very similar to a modern-day social media platform. These hybrid platforms will allow creators and consumers to interact in entirely new ways. (More on that later!)
The Business of Gaming and Music
Music is in the DNA of the gaming industry and now both industries are being revolutionized by emerging technologies. Firstly, MMOs or Massively Multiplayer Online games like Roblox and Fortnite are becoming digital venues for artists. As VR (virtual reality) and AR (Augmented reality) technology drive games to become more immersive you can bet music will play a big role.
Artists need to pay close attention to this sector in 2022. As gaming continues to boom, licensing opportunities will increase. Also, if an artist is also a gamer, they can utilize the extra attention by creating gaming content. Although this is not a new technique, it will become more effective as gaming and content continue to rise
2022 Next-Gen Social Media Platforms
For independent artists, social media is a vital marketing tool. And just like the music industry, social media platforms are constantly changing. We saw the Clubhouse phenomenon that took over the top of 2021. Though not making as many headlines, the influence of the platform is still felt even inspiring features like twitters Spaces. With all the tech advances sprouting up you can bet that it will affect new and current developments in social media.
NFT Based streaming platforms
We touched on this above. The bottom line is artists are not making enough money from their content. Traditional streaming brings in mere pocket change for indie artists annually and it is not getting better.
NFT streaming platforms can eliminate this problem.
“an artist can easily create an NFT of digital content, like music or videos. For getting the rights to experience the music/video, the users will have to pay a certain charge in fiat or cryptocurrency. This will permit them to stream the music and can earn certain royalties in the music piece. – Janani Gopal, How To Develop An NFT Streaming Platform? Vardahaminfotech.com
These platforms are not just theories either, there are several that are up and running now.
In the end, follow the money
For indie artists, 2022 should be about finding ways to make money from their content. Artists need to do away with the “sign me” mindset and develop a “monetize me” one. There are just too many opportunities for earning as a creator to wait for someone else to cut a check. Studying these developing digital businesses models and applying them to their brand should be the number one goal of emerging indie acts. Do you agree? Leave a comment below about what you think artists should focus on in 2022.
This whole process is chain nnnn ng and real rapidly. Although it seems time is for the better up front, I feel like it’s the back door that needs to be watched as execs of the huge entertainment organizations will have huge influence on these developments as it can and likely will affect all aspects of entertainment.
You are right. These changes are definitely going to have an effect on all aspects of entertainment. We have been covering the changes since 2017 but the general public is just recently catching on. Personally, we believe the ‘higher-ups’ kept information suppressed from the media until they found a way to capitalize! We think what you are saying has already happened in a sense.