Your Weekly Guide to Artist and Business Development

One Songwriting Challenge...

We’re so happy to see so many of you committed to last week’s songwriting challenge! How did it go? Was it easy, or challenging? Let’s take it one step further: choose one line or melody that stands out and reverse engineer it.

Ask yourself:​
1. What leads up to this line?
2. What emotion or story does it live inside?
3. What happens next?

Let that moment be the anchor, and start building a full song around it!

Pro-tip: As you read through your writing, look for recurring themes, imagery, or patterns. Are certain emotions, visuals, or ideas popping up again and again? These could hint at a developing concept, sound, or direction for your next project!

One Marketing Tip...

As you work on building out your new song, why not take your followers along for the ride? Try launching a song evolution Reels series where you bring your audience behind the scenes as your original song takes shape over several weeks.

Try it out: Focus each episode around a different stage: writing, arranging, recording, mixing, and eventually performing (even if just at home). Use consistent visuals and a series title so your audience knows it’s part of an ongoing story, and something worth following. (P.S. tag us at @futureyouthrecords for the chance to have it shared in our Story!)

One Performance Tool...

Nothing kills the vibe faster than rifling through papers or being glued to a lyric sheet instead of connecting with your audience. If you’re having a hard time memorizing your lyrics and chords, try OnSong, a free app for your phone or iPad that makes it easy to create, edit, and organize your charts.

Try it out: Once you’ve downloaded the app and built out your charts, practice with it until you feel confident only needing the occasional glance. Think ahead about where you’ll set up your device, and whether you’ll need a stand or holder to keep it accessible (and hands-free) during your set.

One Music Production Idea...

When you’re starting a demo, resist the urge to overproduce it right away. Limit yourself to just five tracks. Getting the bones right first will not only help you complete more songs, but also help you iron out awkward transitions and identify melodies that need refining.

Try it out: Open your DAW and build a demo using just five tracks: bass, drums, piano or guitar, lead vocals, and one extra element that adds to the overall vibe. Keep it simple and focused. Once the core of the song feels solid, start layering in other ideas, but only if they serve the song. Sometimes, less really is more.

One Business Tip...

Last week we talked about setting up a separate savings account for your music goals. This week, let’s break down how to budget for key expenses like gear upgrades and studio time. It’s not about having a big budget. It’s about being intentional with what you do have.

1. Start by prioritizing what matters most to your current goals and research affordable options.
2. Be honest about how much you can realistically save each month, and look for small ways to increase that amount. Even $5 or $20 a month can add up faster than you think!
3. Set that amount aside in your dedicated music savings account each month and create a timeline for when you want to reach your goal.

Pro-tip: Research whether the brands or retailers you’re interested in usually hold annual sales with big discounts (like back-to-school events or Labor Day) and try to align your budget with them. You might be able to reach your goals even faster!

Happy music-making!