DIY Musician: The Roadmap

A music career is a journey, and every journey needs a roadmap. In the last post, we talked about the very first step in turning music into a career. Next, we gotta think of a strategy. Don’t worry. I’m not gonna ask you to write a hundred pages of some dry business plan with a bunch of spreadsheets. All the info you need can be as concise as this sentence.

Get your basics covered

Pick out the tools you need at the very start and list down the ones that might be useful in the future. Give it time and think about the ones you use when creating and releasing music. If you produce, get your subscriptions and profiles set up. If you release music, research and choose the distributor that fits your project, budget, and needs. We’ll talk about distributors in the future, by the way. Have some starting budget. There’s no way around it, just be realistic and spend it slowly and thoughtfully on necessary things, even if it’s a few hundred bucks.

Do the paperwork

I know this one is kinda annoying and not so often talked about, but in case you plan to collaborate and release independent projects, good contracts are essential. A competent and fair contract can save you headaches and money-draining lawsuits and solve creative friction. Remember - contracts first, the project after!

If your goal is to get signed with a record label or a publisher, they have the contracts you’ll be offered. Make sure to consult with an Entertainment Attorney before signing to see that you get a solid deal. Nowadays, in most cases, staying independent is way more convenient, which is why paperwork is your responsibility.

There are many options to get your contracts prepared with a professional, depending on your territory and budget. Just give it a little research, and you’ll find one. My personal favorites are Pooksomnia and Indie Artist Resource. It’s often better if you can find a professional through someone you know. Ask your music friends or people in the industry - they can link you up with some quality peers.

Have I known about this side of things when I just started, it would save me from many uncomfortable situations, scams, and unreliable collaborators. Thankfully, there weren’t too many. Being an independent musician comes with its challenges, but it’s worth it!

Make some music ahead of time

As we discussed in the previous post - everything starts with your music. When you have some ready-to-go, you feel less stressed and are able to create new stuff at the slower phase. You don’t have to release everything right when it’s finished - give yourself time. Try this approach out, for me, it was life-changing!

Prepare side content beforehand

In today’s market, content is your best friend. Even if it’s just quality social media posts prepared in advance, it’s gonna do wonders. Take photos and videos while making music, try out some trendy tiktok around the stuff you like, have fun, and connect it all to you as a person and your music.

Don’t complicate it. If you feel a creative pull towards something like a YouTube channel or a particular platform, just start with what you have, even if it’s just your phone. With content, you can build leverage and promote your music as creatively as the music itself!

Develop a SIMPLE release strategy

Again… don’t complicate it. Just write down when and on which platforms your music is gonna be released for the next 1-3 months, think of the side content for social media that would fit well with each release, and in between. Write it down as a list of bullet points, or even create notifications in your calendar app, anything that works for you. Leave some room for improvisation. You’ll have some fresh ideas in the process.

How frequently to release is up to you. Depending on the kind of music you make, it’s common to release at least one beat a week on BeatStars, one single every three months on all music platforms, or one full album every two years if that is something you can manage. The key is to stay consistent and keep quality over quantity.

Think through your monetization channels

When you’re taking your music from a hobby to a profession, this is a big one. More often, I’ve heard to focus on one specific thing, one service, one project, or one type of product at the start, but for some reason, in my personal experience, it has never worked. There was a feeling that something was incomplete.

The more projects I’ve created, the more I’ve realized the need to build a network of monetization around one thing - your music. There are many things you can do with your music and around it to make money, so pick the ones that fit your project and combine them.

For instance, if you are a producer, rather than solely uploading your beats on BeatStars, create a SoundBetter profile for bespoke projects. Promote both your beats and SoundBetter using Instagram and Facebook while your social media content gains organic engagement. Monetize your YouTube and SoundCloud, and you will have established a straightforward network with various revenue streams!

Just remember, it will take time to get some noticeable income. It will start small and grow slowly. It’s a long game, but you’ll be able to build something big with time. The best way to look at all the options and combinations is the graphic below. Thanks to Cyber PR Music, I came across it when I collaborated with them back in the day, and it blew my mind! Just look at all the things you can do and let it be your inspiration!

The Total Musician Tuneup System by Cyber PR: A comprehensive framework centered on "You," integrating key areas such as fan nurturing, consistent content creation, streaming, marketing, and more to enhance a musician's career.

Get your online presence right

Your music deserves to be heard! The simplest way to do it is with social media by using your content and revealing your personality. You don’t have to post every day; a few times a week is enough. Don’t be afraid of expressing yourself - you’ll find your audience and like-minded creatives sooner than you think. Keep it safe, don’t share sensitive information or something you’re not comfortable with, and remember that the internet is a unique space. Once haters arrive, don’t get discouraged; instead, pop the champagne - it means you’re doing it right!

Socials are great, but not enough - you need a website. It’s like your office on the web. Make it simple - showcase your music, tell about yourself as a musician, and have a way to contact you. The simplest and affordable option is BandZoogle, which is suited specifically for musicians.

If you have the means and desire to make something more unique, try out WIX or Squarespace. Don’t shy away from using the most simple or popular template if you like it - you just need your online office to be informative, simple to use, and working. And one more thing… It’s not a necessity, but if you’re able to get a professional email address, it’s gonna significantly raise your image, even when you are just sending emails, that’s a thing.

Be ready for things to go NOT as planned

There's a balance to this one. Some things will take longer than you want, and some will happen faster than anticipated. Some things will work, some just won’t, and that’s okay! Just remind yourself that you can figure it out. Be prepared, but don’t expect things to go poorly from the beginning - stay rationally optimistic.

Have a SHORT plan for what’s next

Once you get going, the momentum usually builds pretty fast. This is when you’ll need to ride a wave and use it to your advantage! Keep it short and simple with tasks you have to do next, while your prepared music and content are released. For example, make four new tracks, film and edit content for socials, get your first sync placement, etc. This way, you’ll have a buffer of time to create and materials to share while keeping your project flourishing.

Launch your project

It’s time to reveal what you have in store for the public! It’s an exciting and unnerving moment at the same time. For you as a creator, it means it’s time to celebrate and then continue your work to support the momentum. Don’t skip the celebration, though - you deserve it, you’ve come a long way already!

Keep going and adapt

Now, use the plan you’ve crafted earlier to continue supporting your project. As you see the progress, you’ll get even more motivated! See how the audience responds to your music and content, identify what is gaining more traction, and what people love about your creations. Skip the hate and don’t get discouraged by criticism - constructive criticism is your ally, it will help you get better. 

See what you can improve, make more stuff people seem to engage with, and, of course, try something new down the road. If some idea doesn’t work, it’s completely okay! You can always come up with something fresh or try it later with a new spin on it. Also, some ideas do need time or particular circumstances to be realized. Just because you can’t do something right now doesn’t mean this idea should go to the trash can. 

In conclusion, any creative career has no «final form» or some kind of destination. It’s an ongoing journey filled with discoveries and adventures, so let it be this way and enjoy the ride! You got this! Talk to you soon))

Be well, stay tuned!