Your Weekly Guide to Artist and Business Development

One Songwriting Idea...

Want to know how the pros actually write hit songs? This documentary puts you right in the room with them. As the holiday season gives you a little extra downtime, make your next movie night something that fuels your craft. You'll see Nashville writers break down how they built some of the biggest hits of the past decade, with raw sessions, real stories, and the kind of behind-the-scenes access most new artists never get to witness. You'll hear from writers who've worked with Kacey Musgraves and Brad Paisley, plus legends like Liz Rose who helped shape the songs that defined a generation.

Pro tip: Keep a notebook beside you. When a songwriter's perspective resonates with you, jot down their name and look them up online afterward. A lot of them share free resources, songwriting tips, and even host workshops that can help you grow as a writer.

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 (lowest) 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 Marketing Idea...

It might feel unnecessary to make a website when you already post on TikTok and Instagram, but having your own site gives you something social media never will: control. Algorithms change, accounts get hacked, trends disappear, and posts get buried. A website is the one place online that you fully own. It gives you a stable place where industry people can find your music, where fans can connect with you, and where your best work is easy to access without scrolling through years of content.

Try it out: Start with a clean one-page site that includes your top song, one strong photo, a short intro, and a contact button. If you play live, add a live section. Don’t worry about having everything perfect right away. As you grow as an artist, you can always add more sections!

See you next week!