Your own music · One useful step at a time
The Artist’s
Business Method.
Build the practical habits behind an artist’s career. Work with your own music, finish the useful tasks and leave each stage better prepared.
6 stages · 24 lessons · Self-paced · UK industry focus
Begin lesson 01Your six-stage course map
Work through one stage at a time. When you finish a stage, the next one opens up here.
Notes, readiness ticks and progress stay in this browser. They do not automatically sync across devices. Download a backup to move or protect your work. Keep passwords, bank details and identity documents elsewhere.
How to follow the method
Choose one song, release or live project. Follow the stages in order, using your own work throughout. Suggested times cover planning and administration, not recording or waiting for outside replies.
Tick a lesson when you have done the work or recorded an appropriate next step. If a task does not apply yet, record why and when to revisit it. Your completion tick is not confirmation of registration or legal clearance.
UK organisations and rules are used here. If you work elsewhere or already have representation, check the routes and agreements that apply to you. Follow the linked organisations’ current terms, fees and eligibility. For disputed rights, unclear contracts or individual tax questions, use a qualified adviser.
When you need more context
Optional companion · Donald S. Passman
All You Need to Know About the Music Business ↗ (opens in a new tab), 11th edition (2023), Simon & Schuster.
No purchase is needed. The lessons use chapter references because print and ebook page numbers differ. Passman writes from a US music-law context; use current UK sources for local rights, collection and contract questions. This independent course is not affiliated with or endorsed by the author or publisher.
Before a bigger commitment
Choosing a manager, agent or adviser
Start with the problem you need solved. Check relevant experience, references, capacity and conflicts of interest. Ask what work is included, what you pay, which income attracts commission, how long the arrangement runs and what happens when it ends. Have proposed terms reviewed independently.
A label, publishing or management offer
Write down the rights requested, duration, territory, exclusivity, release obligations, approvals, income split, accounting and exit arrangements. Identify every cost that can be recovered and from which earnings. Check whether income from one activity can be used to recover costs from another. Ask a music solicitor to review the actual offer before you accept.
Working as a band or partnership
Agree how you make decisions, approve spending, share earnings and handle shared assets. Cover ownership and use of the name, access to accounts, recordings and equipment, plus someone joining or leaving. Keep this agreement distinct from each song’s writer splits. A discussion list is preparation for an appropriate agreement, not a substitute for one.
A show or a short run of dates
Make a per-show budget with fees you can rely on, commission, musicians, rehearsals, transport, accommodation and equipment. Add a reserve and record when money must be paid. Confirm cancellation, payment, technical and recording terms. Check relevant insurance and travel requirements. Only commit to the costs once the plan is workable.
Selling merchandise
Start with a small, affordable test. Estimate what remains from each sale after production, packaging, payment and selling charges, any venue share and shipping you cover. Calculate how many sales would recover the initial cost. Confirm artwork permissions, delivery, stock storage and the customer’s purchase information before taking orders.
A film, television, game or advertising enquiry
Prepare the track, instrumental if available, credits, identifiers and contacts for everyone whose permission is needed. Confirm who can license the composition and recording, plus any additional performer or contractual permissions. Ask for the production, usage, media, territory, duration, exclusivity and fee. Seek advice on the written licence before promising clearance.
Industry resources
- UK copyright: how protection works Official guidance · free
- UK copyright: who owns the work Official guidance · free
- Musicians’ Union: standard agreements Templates and guidance · some member access
- PRS for Music: membership Official membership information · joining fees may apply
- PRS: register your music Official guide · account needed to register
- PRS and MCPS: the difference Official explanation · free
- PRS: report a live performance Official guide · account needed to report
- PPL: get started with royalties Official registration guidance · free to join
- PPL: what to prepare before joining Official requirements · free
- PPL: recording rightsholders and ISRCs Official recording information · free
- PRS Get Paid Guide: codes and credits Video guides · free
- MU: understanding digital distributors Guidance · detailed reviews may need membership
- MU: releasing your music Release guidance · free
- Spotify: prepare a new release Platform guide · some tools have eligibility limits
- Spotify: pitch unreleased music Official guide · artist-team access needed to pitch
- Spotify: Building Your Artist Profile Video · free · interface details may change
- Spotify: Understand Your Audience Video · free · useful once you have listening data
- YouTube for Artists: resource hub Platform guides · free
- YouTube: release strategy Official release guide · free
- Bandcamp: Artist Guide Platform guide · free to read · selling fees apply
- Spotify: guaranteed streams and paid playlists Official platform rules · free
- ICO: marketing and data protection UK regulator guidance · free
- GOV.UK: keep business records Official UK guidance · free
- HMRC: basic record keeping Video · 2022 · pair with current written guidance
- PRS Foundation: Open Fund guidance Funding guidance · eligibility applies
- PRS Foundation: current deadlines Live funding calendar · check before planning
- Help Musicians: Business Skills Free workshops · dates and availability vary
- MU + PRS: How to Be Release Ready Optional recorded session · MU members only
- Donald S. Passman: All You Need to Know About the Music Business (11th ed., 2023) Further reading · publisher information and authorised excerpt · book purchase or library access
- ISM: contracts for musicians UK guidance · specialist advice may require membership
- MU: contracts and agreements UK agreements and advice · some member access
- MU: management and other informal agreements UK guidance · free to read
- MU: recording reuse and sync permissions UK guidance on additional recording uses
- GOV.UK: search for a trade mark UK Intellectual Property Office · preliminary search
Plain-language terms
- Song / composition
- The underlying music and lyrics, distinct from a particular recorded performance.
- Master / recording
- A specific sound recording of a song or other audio work.
- Publisher / administrator
- A business that represents agreed rights or handles administration under a contract. Check the exact scope.
- Distributor
- A service that delivers recordings to music services and accounts for income under its terms.
- Metadata
- Information describing music, such as titles, versions, names, credits and identifiers.
- IPI / CAE
- An interested-party identifier used for writers, composers and publishers. CAE is an older name commonly encountered alongside IPI.
- ISWC
- An identifier for a musical work. It is different from the code for a recording.
- ISRC
- An identifier for a particular recording. It does not prove copyright ownership.
- IPN
- An international performer identifier.
- Mechanical royalties
- Song/composition royalties associated with licensed reproduction, including relevant digital uses.
- Sync
- Permission to pair music with moving images; the song and an existing recording may need separate permissions.
- Revenue / profit
- Revenue is income. Profit is income minus costs. Cash timing is a separate planning question.
- Recoupment
- Recovery of agreed costs from specified income under a contract. Check what can be recouped and from which earnings.
- Artist pack / EPK
- A concise set of biography, photos, music links and practical contact or booking information.
A repeatable practice schedule
- During creation: record contributors, versions, permissions and agreed shares.
- Every week: file receipts and new information, finish one priority action and choose the next.
- For each release: check rights, metadata, delivery, budget and communication.
- After relevant performances: save the gig details and report setlists through the appropriate route.
- Every month: review actual spending, unpaid amounts, profiles, registrations and your 90-day plan.
- When statements arrive: check details and raise missing or conflicting information with the responsible organisation.