guy I thought calling for the track was ? That same guy I just saw on IG . Posting frequently can come across tedious and mundane but as long as you put the effort to be creative about it , it can really help you get more opportunities .
Social media ( IG ) has also converted to the modern-day business card . The second someone takes interest in you they immediately go to your profile and see what you ’ re currently doing and have done . It ’ s important to be intentional of what you post and how you portray yourself because the next big opportunity could depend on it . As a tip , lay off the food pics and awkward looking selfies ( LOL ).
Another great benefit of the socials is that it directly connects you with amazing companies . They watch who ’ s on there being effective and influential . I ’ ve made it a point that everything I use on my touring setup are companies that I personally believe in . I ’ m aware that I drive traffic to the companies I promote so I ’ ve gone out of my way to create a business relationship with them . If you follow me on the socials , here are the companies that I ’ ve promoted or will be promoting : Gretsch Guitars , Taylor Guitars , Mono Creators , Mía Audio , Jet Pedals , Disaster Area , Sam Audio , Jackson Audio , Line 6 , Schmidt Array , GFI , Goodwood Audio , DSM Humboldt , Ernie Ball , Ollo Audio and Alexander Pedals . I ’ ve taken the time to communicate with every one of these companies , developed a great relationship with them and social media was the gateway I used .
For those of you that want to go all the way and make a living in the music industry I STRONGLY suggest positioning yourself to have more than one stream of income . With all the monetizing options we have in this day in age all we have to be is creative . Most artists have had to apply that concept as well . Gone are the days when a record label would sign them and make them famous . Record labels don ’ t have that kind of power anymore so the artists have had to innovate themselves to monetize in so many areas . As guitar players we have to apply that same concept .
Here are some of the streams of income that I ’ ve been able to acquire throughout the years . Take this , make it your own with your talents and put a plan in action .
• Producing : I produce songs and albums for artist and have been doing it for years . This has always been one of my main sources of income .
• Touring musician : I ’ ve toured for quite some time now with different artists and it not only brings in income but also pushes my brand and a lot of the other services I do .
• Online teaching platform ( CR Online ): I launched this teaching platform mid pandemic and it was a HUGE blessing to my life . It helped supplement the 72 concerts that were canceled that year .
• CR Presets Store : on my website (
Chrisrochaguitar . com ) I sell presets and patches for multi-effect pedals of my sounds and have also incorporated other guitar players , keyboardist and bass players . This type of income stream is passive and very important because it makes money even when I ’ m touring and out of the studio . CR Online is also a passive income stream .
• I ’ ve also incorporated music video production as one of my income streams . I provide that service to my clients and also make an artist appearance with them on it .
• I ’ m the music director at my home church . I ’ ve been at my church for almost 20 years now and have built a wonderful team .
• I own a record label called 418 Records
• I own a label services company called Impacto 418
• I have co-written songs for my artist and clients . Although this particular income takes a bit longer to acquire , the royalties will eventually come in .
I don ’ t do all that myself . I ’ ve been able to hire a staff under me that helps me with a lot of those businesses . At first , I did everything until I had the chance to hire more people on .
I ’ ve shared with you all some personal income streams I ’ ve been able to build so that you can also get some ideas and hopefully be inspired to create some yourself .
One last thing I want to share is that a lot of this takes time to do . It ’ s all a process but if you ’ re determined and passionate , you ’ ll start seeing the building blocks of it come together . I ’ m 43 years old and started playing guitar at the age of seven . I ’ ve had my share of disappointments and mistakes , but I ’ ve stuck to what I LOVE to do and found a way to inspire others to continue to build God ’ s kingdom along side of me .
Chris Rocha Chris Rocha is an American Christian producer , guitarist , business owner and pioneer in the Spanish Christian music industry . He is a two time Dove Award winner , has worked on two Grammy award winning records and has produced or recorded guitars on 5 Grammy nominated albums .