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Innovatoire
The Artist’s Business Method · Course map

Lesson 01 / 24 · 20 min · preparation time

Choose one thing to move forward

You can use this method before your first release or while improving an existing project. Choose one song, a small release or a live set as your thread. Working on one project makes business tasks easier to finish. You can move at your own pace; the six stages can be six weeks or take longer.

Terms in this lesson

Song / composition

The underlying music and lyrics, distinct from a particular recorded performance.

Work through it

  1. 1
    Write what you want to have ready: for example, “Prepare one single for release” or “Get my live set ready for paid bookings.”
  2. 2
    Record what already exists: recordings, songs, audience, shows, available time and money. An unreleased demo is a valid starting point.
  3. 3
    Choose a finish date you can revise. Set a weekly time allowance and a spending limit.
  4. 4
    Decide what progress would look like even if nobody offers you a deal: a completed rights record, a good release package, or three suitable booking enquiries.

You are ready to move on when…

You can leave an application or outside reply pending. Record the next step before moving on.

My project / what is already ready / what I want to finish / time each week / spending limit / target date

Resources for this task

Further reading · Passman chapter references

Optional reading · Passman, 11th edition. Chapters 2–6: assembling and reviewing a professional team.

Optional reading from the 11th edition (2023). No purchase needed. US legal context: use current UK sources for local procedures.

Next: Build your artist folder.

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