Before thinking about any deal, focus on creating and releasing music that reflects your growth.

Your catalogue is your resume. It’s what A&Rs, labels, and managers study to see your range, commitment, and audience pull.

What your catalogue shows:

• Consistency — that you can deliver quality over time.
• Development — that your sound evolves naturally
• Connection — that real people are listening, sharing, and coming back.

Even if you’re still experimenting with sound, the goal is to make your growth visible. Every drop counts.

💡 Tip: Don’t delete your old songs. Keep them available. They show your journey and build authenticity

Numbers look good, but engagement tells the truth.

A loyal fan base that interacts, streams, and shares your content is more powerful than having thousands of passive followers.

Ways to grow engaged fans:

• Share behind-the-scenes stories. Let fans into your process.
• Be active on short-form platforms. Use TikTok, Reels, or YouTube Shorts to show your sound’s personality.
• Respond and connect. The artist who listens often earns the listener’s loyalty

Leverage comes when your community moves with you — not just watches you.

Labels don’t just invest in talent; they invest in clarity.

Ask yourself

• Who am I sonically?
• What message or emotion does my music carry?
• How do I want to be seen and remembered?

When your sound, image, and message align, your brand becomes unmistakable. And that’s leverage.

💡 Tip: Build a small creative team that gets your vision — your photographer, designer, and content creator — to help you present your art with intention.

Collaboration isn’t just networking — it’s storytelling.

When you work with artists, producers, or brands that align with your vision, you expand your reach and credibility. Each collaboration introduces your sound to a new audience.

The right collaborations can also strengthen your negotiation power: they prove that others already value your art.

Live presence still matters. Whether it’s small gigs, live sessions, or virtual performances, showing you can move a crowd adds weight to your name.

Labels notice artists who can turn listeners into an audience — because that’s what builds revenue long-term.

💡 Tip: Record your live performances. Post clips. Let people experience your energy before they even attend your next show.

You don’t have to be an expert in contracts or royalties yet, but knowing the fundamentals shows maturity.

When you show awareness of how things work, you’re harder to exploit and easier to respect.

• Royalties and splits
• Copyright ownership
• Distribution vs. record deals
• The concept of recoupment

When you show awareness of how things work, you’re harder to exploit and easier to respect.

The biggest mistake new artists make is rushing into deals because they crave validation.

The truth is: labels chase momentum, and momentum comes from groundwork. Every month you grow your base, release music, and refine your vision, your value increases.

A deal should meet you halfway, not define your start.