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Innovatoire
The Artist’s Business Method · Course map

Lesson 02 / 24 · 25 min · preparation time

Build your artist folder

A reliable folder saves repeated searches and reduces mistakes. Keep your working recordings separate from final files. Store agreements and credits alongside the music so they do not disappear into messages.

Terms in this lesson

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.

Work through it

  1. 1
    Create a main folder with sections called Music, Rights & Credits, Artist Materials, Release Plan, Money, and Contacts.
  2. 2
    For each song, separate demos, mixes and approved masters. Use names that include the song, version and date. Keep instrumental and clean versions clearly labelled if you have them.
  3. 3
    Make a catalogue sheet with title, version, duration, writers, performers, recording owner, release status and identifiers when available. Leave unknowns marked “to confirm”.
  4. 4
    Back up the folder somewhere separate. Open one backed-up file to check it works. Store identity documents, bank details and passwords securely outside the course notes.
  5. 5
    Keep a secure account-access register outside these notes: who owns the domain and artist accounts, who has invited access, and who can recover each account. Use individual team access where available and remove it when a working relationship ends.

You are ready to move on when…

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

Folder location / backup location / missing files / information to confirm

Resources for this task

Further reading · Passman chapter references

Optional reading · Passman, 11th edition. Chapter 2: preparing your music and building a working operation.

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

Keep practising. Add each new recording and its credits as you make it.

Next: Describe what you do.

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.