Reflections for Indie Artists - City of Moreton Bay #2
Hello!
In 2025-2026 I was supported by City of Moreton Bay & Arts Queensland to release new music with Old Fashioned Records. During this time I was able to reflect on possible learnings and reflections for my fellow Independent artists. Over the past few years I’ve been considering writing a book about this first chapter of my career and this grant timeline allowed me to share some thoughts and reflections here and making some contributions to Old Fashioned Records indie artist blog. If you are an artist looking for inspiration or feedback in a certain area, read on! If you are someone interested in going behind the curtain - enjoy :)
These ideas and reflections have been made possible by City of Moreton Bay & Arts Queensland
Thoughts and Reflections
This grant has expanded my understanding in three key areas:
Using PR, SOCIAL MEDIA, BUDGET as tools, with varying degree in direct relation too;
The different key stages of an artists career, that determine how and when the above tools should be used to create:
Growth in momentum, audience engagement and revenue streams. I.e. Build with audience engagement / revenue. Not spend to create revenue.
This revealed three areas an artist must foster before building a global pathway:
Active Revenue stream, either via digital streaming, physical products or live performances, (or ideally all three)
Have a string of venues actively seeking your performances to build /service an active engaged audience
Understand how to build / monitor a network of professionals that are earning revenue off your work, while also earning you money. I.e publishers, producers, songwriters, promoters etc
Through this I begun to develop a ladder concept. A way to determine where you are in the phase of a career, in regards too how and what other people have experienced in the past. This is a draft concept I will continue to develop over the coming months/year.
Ladder / Step by Step Recording Artist Plan
Release music
Create art that has a presence or engaging image
Repeat these with set small budget
Start to explore audience engagement and promotion
Build social media personality and voice
Begin to first experience the terms and practice used in the music business
Explore creating art work and social media designs
Explore working with social media algorithms and how to understand/work with them
Play a live show or songwriter night performing you own songs
Build your first product to sell
Explore how to market this product / show to your audience
Based on all you have learnt decide how you are going to engage with your audience (mailing list/socials etc)
Develop a full night / show / performance of your music
Begin to repeat the above as an entire stage or chapter - each song is repeated as you build an audience
Performing style develops Show by Show
Determine where revenue stream is building - focus more on that area
Explore playlists that might stream more revenue
When you audience / revenue stream gets big enough begin to explore PR
Focus on building an audience in one place - this allows you to explore and develop your craft - work out what the audience likes about you. You are learning how to build ‘your show.’ Your show is different than everyone else’s - the only way to learn this is to do the work.
When you have build a consistent audience - focus on a new town or area
Begin to expand your locations and audience base
Focus first on places near you as budgets can blow out
Repeat the above stages of release and touring
You become aware of the performance style and can now repeat it.
Your brand, music releases and business structure have come together and operate as one overall concept
As you presence (online and real life) build - reach out to festivals / start looking for larger events that you can offer your ‘show to.’
Once you build up a circuit - look at expanding through the entire territory or add in extra venues.
Monitor your spending and revenue stream as ‘investment’ - you are investing your own profits into your work. Do not try to hit home runs with your investment as they rarely pay off. Small consistent steps are the answer.
Look to build credits and reviews to expand the way people look at your brand - find cost effective ways to do this, but at some point you will need to ‘invest’ in creating these ‘assets.’
Look for networks that can help you in areas / streams of your business you now understand (publishing, songwriting, producers, touring agents, booking agency)
