Your Weekly Guide to Artist and Business Development

One Business Resource...

Not sure how musicians make a living anymore? Check out this video where independent artist KARRA breaks down the different ways she’s earned income throughout her career, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

One Marketing Idea...

You can't connect with your audience if you don't know who they are. Start with the data you already have! Spotify for Artists, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube all offer insights into your audience’s age, location, and what content resonates. Track these metrics over time to see what your audience is interested in, and where to focus your marketing strategy.

Try it out: Make a simple spreadsheet and each month record key metrics from all your platforms, such as top-performing posts and listener locations. Over time, watch for patterns to understand who your real audience is and what content connects most.

Pro tip: Use AI to dig deeper into your data and get to know your audience. Look for patterns in who interacts most with your music and content. Understanding your listeners’ preferences and habits can help you create posts, releases, and marketing that truly resonate.

One Performance Tip...

Start strong with an upbeat, recognizable track that hooks the audience immediately, saving your biggest song for about three-quarters through when energy peaks. Place one or two slower songs in the middle third to create dynamic contrast and give everyone a breather before building back up. Structure your setlist like a story: open with confidence, dip into vulnerability in the middle, then surge toward a climactic finale with your most popular or second-strongest song to leave the audience wanting more.

Try it out: Write down your 6-8 strongest songs and assign each an energy level from 1 (slowest) to 5 (highest energy). Experiment with different arrangements on paper, starting around a 4, dipping to a 2 in the middle, and ending at a 5. Practice this sequence to see how it feels, and swap songs around until the flow feels natural.

One Music Production Idea...

If you’re new to recording yourself, one of the quickest ways to improve your vocal sound is by experimenting with distance and angle. Getting close to the mic adds warmth and low end, which works well for softer, intimate parts. Stepping back gives you a clearer and more natural tone. Angle matters too. Singing straight into the mic can make “s” and “p” sounds stand out, while turning your mouth slightly to the side helps reduce those harsh consonants and creates a cleaner take. You can also point the mic a little toward your chest for extra depth or slightly higher for a brighter tone.

Try it out: Pick a short line from one of your songs. Record it close to the mic, then again from a few inches farther back, then one more time at the same distance but slightly off-axis. Compare how the low end, clarity, and consonants change in each take. This simple experiment will help you understand how to control your vocal tone before you ever touch EQ.

See you next week!