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Build a Realistic and Focused Plan
Summer is great for inspiration but it’s also a time when routines change and being out enjoying it all takes over, making it easy to drift.
Creating a clear, realistic 30- or 60-day plan for your music ensures you stay on track. Think in terms of manageable goals: one release, four posts a week, a livestream, or finishing that EPK you’ve been putting off.
Goals should always be realistic. Never plan to do things you will struggle to achieve. Set the targets as achievable and if you have more time or energy you can exceed them for that extra dopamine hit.
Planning also helps you track what’s working. Artists who build momentum tend to revisit their strategy regularly, not just post randomly and hope for the best. There’s a reason for the saying ‘fail to plan, plan to fail’.
Start by reviewing what’s happened so far this year:
- What got you the most engagement?
- Where did new fans come from?
- Who are your ‘true’ fans?
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Get Clear on Your Online Presence
If someone discovers you today through a playlist, reel, or feature, what will they find when they look you up?
Having consistent, professional branding across platforms makes a huge difference.
That doesn’t mean it all needs to be slick or look like it’s come from a pro agency. It needs to be authentic to you and to look good on the page.
You need to be easy to find, your music needs to be easily accessible, and your profiles should make it obvious what kind of artist you are. From your Spotify bio to your TikTok top video to your Insta grid, every piece of content should show potential new fans who you are.
Use this time to do a digital cleanup. Fix all broken links, make sure everything is on-brand, update your bios and sync them across platforms, update you art if needed, check your pinned content is up to date – think about the impression you make at a glance (ask people you know what it says about you to them).
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Use Video to Extend Your Reach
Music videos, lyric visuals, Spotify canvas, reels, and live sessions are still the most powerful way to reach fans and algorithms. Whether you’re recording a full video or just a 15-second teaser, consistent video content keeps your music visible.
Even platforms like Vevo – once seen as reserved for majors – are now accessible to indie artists and still hold prestige.
Having your music on all possible video platforms increases your legitimacy and can even open up sync and playlisting opportunities. And don’t underestimate your back catalogue. If you’ve already released music you can revisit it with new visuals or edits. One piece of content can be sliced and reshared in several formats.
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Ask for Feedback (From People Who Know)
Getting feedback from your friends is one thing. But getting thoughtful, actionable insight from someone who understands the industry can accelerate your growth like nothing else.
Whether you’re unsure about your next single, want to know if your mix hits, or need input on a release strategy, professional feedback helps you avoid wasting time and money constantly tweaking without a purpose. Think of it as part of your development, a tune-up before you hit the road.
The key is choosing the right ear. Aim for someone who can speak honestly, but constructively. Someone who’s worked with emerging artists and understands where you’re trying to go.
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Invest Where It Counts
You don’t need a huge budget to grow meaningfully. Investing in the right things at the right time can move the needle.
That could be professional services, advertising, tools, or even just spending time with someone who can steer your strategy. Before you spend, ask a few questions:
- Will this save me time?
- Will it help me earn more in the long run?
- Is it something I could learn from?
- Will it help me grow?
The goal isn’t to throw money at a problem, but to give your career the resources it needs to grow. You spend good money on creating and producing your music, so why not spend money on understanding how to grow and develop?
Let this summer be a time of growth and moving forward. It could be the season you look back on as a real turning point in your career if you get it right.
