7 Signs You're A Hidden Gem In The Music Industry (Let's Change That)

I've spent the last 20 years in the music industry, and I've noticed that many insanely talented producers, engineers, and session musicians share a common struggle that has nothing to do with their technical skills.

They're what I call "hidden gems"—brilliant at their craft but practically invisible to new potential clients.

Sound familiar? Here are seven signs you might be in this frustrating position:

1. Your repeat clients love you, but new clients are rare

Your existing clients rave about you. They keep coming back, they refer friends occasionally—but that steady stream of new projects never materializes. You're stuck in a holding pattern with the same small client base.

2. You rely on platforms that treat you like a commodity

When new clients find you outside of word-of-mouth, it's through platforms like SoundBetter where you're just another profile in a sea of competitors. These platforms:

• Discourage direct communication (and therefore, discourage building meaningful client relationships)
• Take hefty cuts from your earnings
• Force you to compete primarily on price

Your unique value gets lost in their one-size-fits-all system.

3. You know you could handle bigger/better projects

You hear tracks on the radio or editorial playlists and think, "I could have made that sound better." And you're probably right. But those artists don’t know you exist—so they never get the chance to benefit from your expertise.

4. Your calendar has unpredictable gaps

Some months you're slammed, others you're refreshing your email hourly hoping for something to come in. This feast-or-famine cycle isn’t just financially stressful—it makes consistent creative work nearly impossible.

5. You rely almost exclusively on word-of-mouth

When asked about your marketing strategy, your answer is basically:
"I hope people tell their friends about me."

While personal recommendations are powerful, relying solely on them puts your career at the mercy of other people's conversations.

Word-of-mouth is great when it happens... but you have no control over WHEN it happens.

6. Your online presence shows your credits but hides your personality

Your website and social media might list impressive credits and gear, but they fail to show what makes working with you unique. You're showcasing what you've done without revealing who you are – the exact opposite of what artists are looking for when choosing a collaborator.

7. You take projects you don’t love, out of necessity

Because new opportunities are limited, you find yourself saying yes to projects that don’t excite you—just to stay afloat. This means:

• Working on low-paying or uninspiring projects
• Not showcasing your best skills
• Feeling creatively stuck

There's a good chance you're either a) burnt out or b) burnont is on the horizon.

The root cause isn’t what you think

If you recognize yourself in these signs, you might think the solution is to:

❌ Improve your skills further
❌ Buy better gear
❌ Cut your rates to attract more clients

But none of these address the real issue. 

The REAL issue is that you've been treating visibility as an afterthought rather than a fundamental part of your craft.

Think about it: Would you mix a track with the lead vocals buried in the background? Of course not. Yet many studio pros do this with their own careers—hiding their unique taste, perspective, and personality where nobody can hear them.

Your existing clients see the real you. They love your personality, approach, and ability to enhance their music. Your challenge isn’t becoming someone new—it’s making sure potential clients see what your existing clients already know.

A different approach to getting noticed

The established pros I know who consistently attract great clients have mastered staying visible and recognizable without feeling like sleazy self-promoters.

They've learned to:

✔ Articulate their unique value in ways that matter to artists (not just other producers)
✔ Create content that resonates with their ideal clients
✔ Position themselves strategically where their dream clients already exist
✔ Build systems for consistent visibility that don’t eat up all their creative time

Visibility isn’t self-promotion

When you hide your personality, you’re actually doing a disservice to the artists who need exactly what you offer. I literally can't say this enough.  

Hiding your personality is doing a disservice to the artists who need exactly what you offer.

Your existing clients already know your value. Time for everyone else to see it too. Learn how with a free 14-day StudioLand membership.

Carl ✌️