The Myth of Innate Talent: Why Creativity Demands More Than Raw Skill

Did you grow up being told how special you were?

Seems like it’s one of my generation’s cruelest ironies: a lot of us kids were told how important, special, and talented we were. For a lot of us, our worth or ability to perform was tied up in whether we showed any natural predisposition or innate talent upon starting.

Not good at math when you first start? That’s okay, maybe you’re just not good at it.

Not showing much promise at a particular sport? Wasn’t meant to be.

Want to give up on something? If you were supposed to, you’d want to.

It had the opposite effect, of course. Instead of learning about the natural ebb and flow of effort, resilience, determination and grit, those of us who were raised with this pattern of parenting opted out of anything that was hard. That’s not to say we did that with everything—it just meant that, more often than not, we shied away from the things that challenged us.

If you’re anything like me, that had a detrimental effect on your creativity. Because rather than understanding that creative expression is a developmental discipline requiring rigour and determination, instead we were offered up stories of geniuses and child prodigies as proof that we should be displaying some innate talent right away in any given vocation or path.

So what does that mean? It means that if you think sheer talent is your golden ticket to success, it’s time to wake up. The music industry is a cutthroat battlefield brimming with talented people—talent alone hasn’t been enough to get them to the top. Here’s the cold, hard truth: you need a hell of a lot more than just raw skill. Here’s why:

Talent is the Baseline, Not the Finish Line

First off, talent is just your entry ticket. It gets you in the door, but it doesn’t guarantee you’ll stay there. The market is saturated with insanely talented artists, and if you want to stand out, you need to bring more to the table.

Keep honing your craft. Being good isn’t good enough—you need to be exceptional.

And don’t just follow trends. Set them. Bring something new and fresh that no one else is doing. That’s what Vibrant Revolt is all about: knowing what’s done and then doing that in a way that no one else is doing.

Be More Than Just a Name

In marketing parlance, what we call branding is what you might call persona.

Your music is your product, and like any product, it needs branding. Your brand is your identity—it’s what sets you apart from the rest.

• Visuals: Your look, logo, album art—everything should scream “you.” Think of Billie Eilish. Daft Punk. David Bowie. Dead Kennedys. Or your favourite artist; chances are they have a visual ‘brand’ that they utilize
• Story: Fans don’t just buy music; they buy stories. What’s yours? Share it and make it compelling.
• Consistency: Your brand should be consistent across all platforms. Your social media, website, and merch should all reflect your unique identity.

It’s Who You Know

In this industry, connections are everything. You could be the most talented artist in the world, but if no one knows you (or worse, they do, and don’t want to know you), it’s game over.

The best way to remedy this is to GO. TO. SHOWS. And not just shows: go to festivals, even if you’re not playing them. Meet people, make connections. Work with other artists, producers, and influencers. Their fans can become your fans.

Are you too broke for all that? Sorry to say it, but social media called to say you’ve got no excuse still. Engage with industry professionals online. Follow them, comment on their posts, start conversations.

Word to the wise: don’t be the shitheel that just chats up people to make something off of them. You need to be a person who people want to hang out with.

Get Yourself Out There

You’ve got the talent, the brand, and the connections—now what? Marketing. If you’re not putting yourself out there, you’re invisible. Regularly create and share content. Music videos, behind-the-scenes footage, live streams—keep your audience engaged. But don’t just post randomly. Have a strategy. Use hashtags, engage with followers, and analyze what works.

But you know what’s properly going to elevate your game? Build an email list. Send out newsletters, exclusive content, and updates. It’s a direct line to your most loyal fans.

Treat Your Music Like a Business

The music industry is just that—an industry. If you’re not treating your music like a business, you’re setting yourself up to fail. Keep track of your income and expenses. Budget for recording, marketing, and touring. Start and keep a spreadsheet of all the shows you play, the venues, the promoter, the size of the crowd, and how much merch you sell.

Understand the legal side. Know what you’re signing and get a lawyer if needed. You watch YouTube? Netflix? Take one night a week where you watch a YouTube video or read a fuckin book about it. You could do worse than Ari Herstand’s How To Make It In The New Music Business.

One more thing: diversify your income. Streaming, merch, live shows, sync deals—explore all avenues. And always be trying to figure out how to give yourself some further cash to invest back into the project. Make it work for you.

Handle the Rejections and Keep Going

Let’s be real: the road to success is paved with rejection. It’s not about how many times you get knocked down—it’s about how many times you get back up. Trust me: I’ve made more mistakes than wins, and it’s not even close.

Keep your eye on the prize. Remember why you started and keep pushing forward. Every setback is a learning opportunity. Analyze what went wrong and come back stronger.

And for the love of god, take care of yourself. The grind can be brutal, so make sure you’re looking after your mental and physical health.

Final Thoughts

Talent is crucial, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. To truly succeed in the music industry, you need a killer brand, a robust network, sharp marketing skills, business acumen, and unwavering resilience. It’s a tough road, but with the right strategy, you can make it to the top.

Ready to supercharge your music career? Dive into our detailed guides, join our community, and get the tools you need to turn your talent into success. Don’t just play the game—master it.