Music Business 101:
Running Your Career Like a Business
£300 (Online)
This course is designed for emerging and independent artists who are ready to take control of their music careers by treating them like businesses. We’ll cover everything from understanding contracts and royalties to creating a business plan and building multiple revenue streams. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to professionalize your music career, this course will give you the tools and knowledge to succeed.
What's Inside
Understanding Music Contracts
Maximising Your Royalties
Building a Multiple Revenue Stream Strategy
Creating a Music Business Plan
Managing Your Music Distribution
Marketing Your Music Like a Pro
Protecting Your Music and Managing Your Rights
Music contracts form the foundation of your career’s business side. In this module, you’ll learn the ins and outs of various contract types—whether record deals, publishing agreements, or licensing contracts—and gain the tools to understand, negotiate, and protect your rights. By walking through contract clauses and real-world case studies, you’ll be equipped to safeguard your music and intellectual property.
Royalties are the lifeblood of an artist’s income. This module dives deep into the various types of royalties—performance, mechanical, sync—and how to register with Performance Rights Organizations (PROs) to ensure you collect them all. You’ll learn how to avoid common mistakes, track your revenue, and navigate international royalties, making sure you’re compensated fully for your work.
A sustainable music career requires more than just streaming revenue. This module explores how to diversify your income, from licensing your music for TV and film to crowdfunding through platforms like Kickstarter and Patreon. You’ll walk away with strategies to create and optimize multiple revenue streams to fuel your music career for the long term.
A well-crafted business plan is essential for turning your music career into a thriving business. This module covers how to define your goals, identify your audience, create marketing strategies, and build a financial plan. You’ll also learn to create budgets and forecast your future income, helping you navigate the financial landscape of the music industry with confidence.
Getting your music onto streaming platforms is just the first step. In this module, you’ll learn how to choose the best distribution service, optimize your releases, and pitch to playlists for maximum streaming growth. You’ll also discover strategies to maximize your streaming earnings and build a loyal fanbase as an independent artist.
Marketing is key to building your fanbase and increasing your music’s visibility. This module teaches you how to craft a compelling brand, engage your audience through social media, and leverage press and PR for exposure. You’ll also dive into email marketing, influencer collaborations, and paid advertising to create a comprehensive marketing strategy for your career.
Protecting your music is vital to maintaining control over your career. This module walks you through the legal processes of copyrighting your work, understanding music publishing, and managing your rights through Performance Rights Organizations (PROs). You’ll also learn how to maximize income through sync licensing, collect mechanical royalties, and safeguard your intellectual property.