Let’s be real for a sec. If you’re dead-serious about making music your life, you need an artist development plan. No, really. Winging it and hoping for the best? That’s a good way to wake up five years from now, still hustling in the same spot, wondering where all your big dreams went. Not having a legit plan is just you dragging your feet, pushing off the real work, and putting your own success on layaway. So yeah, let’s not do that.

Artist development—ugh, such a boring phrase, right? But that’s the game. It’s basically you leveling up everything: your voice, your songs, your vibe, your look, your whole deal as an artist. We’re talking vocal training, songwriting, figuring out your lane (A&R stuff), your sound, your style, your story, branding, production, videos, live shows, marketing…it’s literally everything. Like, if you want to play in the big leagues, you gotta get your act together—literally.

Can you do this solo? Technically, yeah—if you wanna take the scenic route and risk burning out before you ever headline a show. You could grind out every step on your own, but honestly, you’ll move way faster with a squad who knows what’s up. The industry’s all about who you know anyway. So, building your team early? Kinda essential.

When I take on artists, I’m all about building a roadmap that gets them noticed. You want to stand out, right? Otherwise, what’s the point? Knowing your “next move” is everything. But, no two artists are the same. Some folks come in with killer vocals but zero branding. Others have the look but need song help. It’s always a mix. That’s why artist development isn’t one-size-fits-all—gotta cover the whole package: voice, songs, brand, career moves.

Here’s how you get signed, streamed, and, most importantly, SEEN.

1. Visibility
   Look, nobody’s gonna stream your music if they don’t know you exist. Duh. You gotta get your name out there, and not just by spamming your links everywhere (please, don’t be that person). Every gig, every feature, every random open mic—treat it like it’s Madison Square Garden. People notice that hustle. That’s how you start stacking momentum.

Visibility isn’t just about being everywhere. It’s about making sure what you’re putting out is good. Like, actually good. People talk. Media picks up on buzz. Socials start popping. Here’s some quick hits to get you rolling:

• Build a real website (not just an Instagram page)
• Get serious about your socials
• Pitch yourself for magazine features (online or old-school print)
• Play conferences, festivals, bar gigs—whatever you can get
• Submit for awards (songwriting comps, artist showcases, etc)
• Tour—even if it’s a local circuit at first

Bottom line: The more places people see you, the more real you become in their eyes.

2. A Magnetic Brand
   Okay, here’s the thing—your brand is everything. It’s not just a logo or a cute font. It’s the whole aura you put out. Your music, your story, your look, your vibe on socials—if it doesn’t all fit together, people get confused and scroll right by.

Most musicians, let’s be honest, are NOT branding experts. You probably have killer ideas but putting it all together in a way that feels pro? That’s a whole other beast. If your visuals don’t match your sound, you’re gonna get lost in the noise.

Try this:

• Dial in your visuals. Your “look” should give off the same energy as your music. If you sound like Billie Eilish but look like you’re auditioning for a country band, people are gonna be like, huh?
• Start with a clear creative direction. Grab a Creative Director who actually gets music. They’ll listen to your tracks, catch your vibe, and help you lock in colors, style, and a whole visual world that matches your sound.
• Photoshoots! Find photographers who shoot musicians, not just weddings. They know how to capture your “thing” and not just take random pics.
• Get a stylist (preferably one who knows music scenes). Your wardrobe is a huge part of your brand. Don’t just wing it with thrift store finds—unless, you know, that’s actually the look.

Honestly, this stuff is deep, but if you want the nitty-gritty on building a killer brand, check out Module 3 of my Step Up to the Spotlight program—22 Essentials to a Magnetic Music Brand. Trust me, it’s all in there.

So, yeah. That’s your jump-off. Get seen. Get branded. Go make some noise.

3. Broadcast Quality Music
   Let’s be real, you can have the best songs in the world, but if they sound like you recorded them in your cousin’s garage on a flip phone? Forget it. If you want to get signed, streamed, or even noticed, your music has to sound legit—like, radio-ready, playlist-worthy, “wait, is this on the charts?” kind of legit.

So, what’s this “broadcast quality” thing everyone keeps talking about? Basically, it means your tracks have to sound clean, punchy, and polished enough to slide right in between Taylor Swift and The Weeknd on any platform—Spotify, radio, TV, you name it.

Here’s what you gotta watch out for:

• No weird background noise or sketchy static. Seriously, nobody wants to hear your neighbor’s dog barking in the middle of your chorus.
• Keep things crisp, even when it’s loud. If your song turns to mush when you crank it up, you’re in trouble.
• Volume matters. Your track shouldn’t be so quiet people have to turn it up, only to get blasted by the next song.
• Proper mastering. This is huge, and it’s not just about slapping on a limiter. You gotta know what the platforms want—FM radio is picky, and so are streaming services.
• Use decent gear, and don’t record in your bathroom unless you want that “singing in the shower” vibe (spoiler: you don’t).
• Nail the performance. If you’re off-key or sloppy, no amount of studio magic is gonna save you.
• Stick to the loudness standards. (Yeah, it’s a boring number thing—like -23 to -25 LKFS—but it keeps your music from being a total outlier.)

Basically, get your music sounding amazing everywhere, not just on your headphones. People will notice. Or, well, they’ll notice if you don’t.

4. Experience
   You know what really gets people to pay attention? Experience. Nobody wants to gamble on a total rookie who’s only played for their mom and the family cat. You wanna get signed or streamed? Show you’re in it for the long haul.

What’s that mean? Play a TON of shows. Seriously, do 100 gigs if you can swing it. Get so comfortable on stage that tripping over your own guitar cable just becomes part of the act.

Don’t be picky about where you play, either. Songwriting circles, open mics, whatever—just get out there. Playing your own stuff is key, though. Covers are fine, but nobody’s signing you for your killer rendition of “Wonderwall.” Build a crowd that wants to hear your songs.

Livestreaming? Do it. The more, the better. Not only do you get comfy with performing, but you’ll start building a digital crowd, too.

And for the love of music, make your live show something people actually WANT to see. Put real effort in. Audiences can smell a half-baked performance from a mile away.

5. Team
   Here’s some cold truth: you can’t do everything solo forever. The DIY thing is cool and all, but every artist who’s really made it has a crew—people who believe in them and know the ropes.

Start building your squad early. Those first allies? Odds are, they’ll stick with you when stuff gets real.

Talk to a mentor—someone who’s been around the block and actually “gets” your vibe. Get to know industry pros: PRO reps, songwriters, musicians, producers. Referrals are gold. You never know which random connection will hook you up with a manager or booking agent who actually opens doors.

And hey, go to music conferences. Mingle. Hand out cards like you’re running for mayor. Make friends, meet your future team, and don’t be shy about asking for help. The right people are out there, but you gotta get out and find ‘em. That’s just how the game works.