Before you release any new music, I recommend taking an inventory of where you are in your career. 

Whether planning your first release or your 10th, taking stock of what you have achieved and want to achieve is crucial to your overall success. 

So below, find critical inventory questions for you to answer. 

Give honest, thoughtful and in-depth responses, and they make writing your bios, press releases and marketing materials much easier.

The questions will also help you evaluate where you are now and clarify where you want to go and how you will get there. 

Some questions are super quick and easy to answer, but some need careful thought and consideration. 

So get a cup of tea (I’m British, can you tell?), a coffee, and a writing device and work through these essential questions.

Importantly – Be honest; the answers are not for anyone else to see; they are solely for you to help build a plan to push your career forward. 

Let the Inventory Begin…

• Name of Artist or Band?
• Have you registered your songs for copyright protection?
• Do you have a publishing deal or has any of your work previously been published?
• Have you joined a performing rights organisation? (ASCAP, BMI, etc)
• What is your story? (where are you from? how did you get here? Where do you want to go next)
• Have you joined the Musician’s Union?
• Are you currently tied into any music contracts?
• Have you played any prestigious venues or support slots?
• Who are your influences?
• How do you write music?
• What genre does your music fit into?
• Do you have up-to-date high-resolution images?
• Does your image support the music you release?
• What are your short-term career goals?
• What are your long-term career goals?
• What does ‘success’ mean to you?
• Have you started building a contact list?
• Have you released music before?
• List the promotional materials you have (testimonials, previous reviews etc)
• Are you experienced at playing live?
• Is your music registered with a distributor? If so who?
• Are you able to fund your music career currently?
• Are you aware of tax deductions for your musicians?
• Are you and your instruments insured?
• How big is your social media following?
• Do you have a mailing list? If so, how many subscribers?
• Who handles daily music business? (bookings, interviews, press etc)
• Have you got a career, marketing or business plan in writing?

Wrap Up

It can be easy to get lost when releasing music. Hopefully, your answers to the questions above will clarify what you must do next.

Make sure all of your bases are covered, and from your answers, strategise a solid plan moving forward.

Do you need to work on your streaming or mailing list numbers?

Are all of your songs registered with the correct performing rights organisation?

Are you using the correct distributor for your release strategy?

The keys to your success are in your answers; you just need to unlock them.

FVMusicBlog April 2023