When everybody down the block is trying to release music and become the next Beyoncé, it's hard to cut through the noise and stay on top of things once you get the ball rolling. The biggest mistake that artists make, especially the ones who are trying to build their numbers, is releasing without intention. At the end of the day, the music industry is like a card game. Sometimes you get lucky and things go well for your first go around. But 99% of the time, you need to walk into the game looking at the bigger picture and make calculated moves to manipulate that win.
Here are some tried and true tips to keep in mind when getting ready to release new music:
SET UP YOUR GAME PLAN
Take the time to write down and properly visualize how you see the release of this song or project going. When you're in the middle of things, it can be really easy to get lost in it all. You can quickly lose track of money. Determine all the things you want to invest in financially. Then, organize what can be done with a little bit of DIY versus what you can't penny pinch on. You should totally dream above and beyond, but also be realistic with your own finances so you can keep funding your music (and your everyday life). Creating a spreadsheet for planning and tracking is an amazing way to keep all that information in one place.
HAVE A FOLLOW UP PLAN
If you haven't noticed, almost every time an artist releases a song, they release one or two more afterwards in the following months. Not to mention all the press and content they have pre-planned for it all.
When you're getting ready to release a single, it's best to have a couple of songs to follow in its wake. This allows streaming algorithms on platforms like Spotify help keep your momentum going (you can read more about Spotify's algorithm here). You can also look at it from the social media point of view: the more you post, the more the algorithm will keep pushing your content to viewers
HERE'S WHAT YOUR OVERALL CHECKLIST FOR A RELEASE SHOULD LOOK LIKE
2 - 3 songs available to release within two months of each other
A marketing plan for each one (branding, content ideas, etc.)
An organized budget for each song (keep it as realistic as you can so you know what you're in for)
Navigating the music industry is hard, especially as an independent artist. But it is possible! Studying how other artists do it and using them as your blueprint will help keep you aligned with your overall goals. Also remember that, just like anything else, it takes time and consistency. If you're not putting in the work, your efforts won't come into fruition.
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