Your Weekly Guide to Artist and Business Development

One Music Production Resource...

What makes a good producer? Being able to choose the right instruments for the song! You need to be able to trust your ears and instincts when sifting through samples. Yes, part of that comes just from experience over time, but you’d be making a big mistake if you thought that’s all there is to it. There are many things you can do in the interim to better your production choices, and we found a video that breaks it down clearly. Check it out today!

One Business Tip...

As an independent artist, it can feel like everyone is telling you that you need a “team.” A manager, a publicist, a booking agent... But what do they really do for you, and how do you know when you need one? Let’s break it down:

• Manager
  • A manager oversees the big picture of your career. They help with strategy, long-term planning, branding, and decision-making, and often act as a bridge between you and the rest of your team.
  • When you need one: If your music is gaining traction and you have multiple opportunities coming in that you cannot manage alone. Before that point, ask a family member or friend who is passionate about your career for help, and utilize AI tools to strategize.
• Publicist
  • A publicist focuses on getting your story and music in front of media outlets. This can include blogs, playlists, radio, and press coverage around a release.
  • When you need one: When you have a major release you want to amplify, and the funds to put behind it. They work best when industry buzz is already happening, rather than creating momentum from scratch. If you’re just starting out, use communities like SubmitHub, Reddit, and reach out to your local college radio stations.
• Booking Agent
  • A booking agent secures live shows, negotiates fees, and communicates with venues and promoters.
  • When you need one: When you are consistently drawing people to shows and can show clear demand. Early on, it’s best to book your gigs by reaching out to venues directly.

One Marketing Tip...

When deciding what to post, ask yourself one simple question: what does someone gain from this? Strong content usually fits into one of three categories: educational, entertainment, or value-driven. People live busy lives, and their time is valuable, so it’s essential that every piece of content you create is rooted in one of those three categories.

Try it out: As an entertainer, 70% of your content should fit in the entertainment bucket. Think things like covers, sharing original music, trying TikTok trends, or lifestyle content like a day-in-the-life Reel. Where a lot of artists go wrong is only doing entertainment content. The reality is a lot of people who like discovering new music are musicians themselves! Sharing how you create your music, or film your content will help you provide more value, increasing your audience’s interest in you. Try making 20% of your content educational, and 10% value-driven and see how your audience responds!

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