How to Build a Career Without Going Viral

Event ID: PP1162587

Tue, Mar 17, 2026 | 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Venue: Capitol Ballroom E (Downright Austin)

View on Official SXSW

Summary

While there are many recent examples of viral songs on social media launching major artist careers, chasing that viral hit isn’t always necessarily sustainable or the most feasible way for an artist to go about building long term success. Rather than solely focusing on going viral, there are several other areas an artist can look at for building their career such as defining their unique brand and sound, consistently releasing high quality music, and building community. This session will dive into each of these areas to provide artists with realistic tips that they can apply to their careers.

Contributors

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