What should I focus on right now to move forward in my career?

You’re staring at your phone at 2 AM, scrolling through another successful artist’s Instagram story from their sold-out show.

The familiar knot forms in your stomach.

That voice in your head starts up again: “What am I even doing? Everyone else seems to have it figured out. What should I focus on right now to move forward in my career?”

I get it. I’ve been there, and so has every single artist I’ve worked with over the years.

The music industry can feel like a maze where everyone else got the map except you.

But here’s the truth: there IS a path forward, and it starts with getting crystal clear on where you are right now and what you need to focus on next.

Before we dive into what you should focus on, let’s get honest about where you are in your journey. Too many artists jump from tactic to tactic without understanding their current position. It’s like trying to use GPS without knowing your starting point.

For Independent Artists: You’re the CEO, creative director, marketing manager, and janitor all rolled into one. You’ve probably got some songs recorded, maybe a small following, and you’re wondering how to break through to the next level.

For Bands: You’re navigating group dynamics while trying to present a unified front to the world. You might be dealing with different levels of commitment from members, or struggling to agree on direction.

For Producers: You’re behind the scenes, crafting sounds and helping artists realize their vision, but you’re wondering how to build your own brand and attract higher-paying clients.

Here’s what I want you to understand: your path forward isn’t the same as the artist you’re comparing yourself to on social media. Their journey, their resources, their connections, their timing – it’s all different from yours. And that’s actually a good thing.

After working with hundreds of musicians at different stages, I’ve identified three core areas that every artist needs to focus on. Think of these as the legs of a three-legged stool – ignore one, and everything becomes unstable.

Pillar 1: Your Artistic Identity

This is where most artists get it backwards.

They think they need to find their “brand” or their “image” first. But your artistic identity isn’t a marketing exercise – it’s the authentic core of who you are as a creator.

What this looks like for solo artists: You need to get clear on what you stand for musically and personally. What stories are you telling? What emotions are you channeling? What makes your perspective unique? This isn’t about being the most original person who ever lived – it’s about being authentically you in your music.

I worked with an indie folk artist who was trying to sound like everyone else on Spotify playlists. She was talented, but her music felt hollow. When we dug deeper, we discovered her real passion was writing about mental health and recovery. Once she leaned into that authentic voice, her music came alive, and her audience responded immediately.

What this looks like for bands: You need alignment on your collective identity. What’s your band’s personality? What’s your sound? This requires honest conversations about musical direction, image, and goals. I’ve seen too many bands implode because they never had these discussions early on.

What this looks like for producers: Your artistic identity is your sonic signature. What do your productions sound like? What genres do you gravitate toward? What’s your approach to working with artists? You might be the laid-back producer who brings out vulnerability in vocalists, or the perfectionist who crafts radio-ready pop bangers. Both are valid – but you need to know which you are.

Action steps for everyone:

1. Write down 10 adjectives that describe your music
2. Identify 3-5 artists who inspire you and analyze what specifically draws you to them
3. Ask trusted friends what they think makes your music distinctive
4. Record yourself talking about your music for 5 minutes – what themes come up naturally?

Pillar 2: Your Business Foundation

Here’s where I lose some people. “But I’m an artist! I don’t want to think about business!” Trust me, I understand.

But here’s the reality: if you want music to be your career, you’re running a business whether you admit it or not. The good news? You don’t need an MBA. You just need the basics.

Revenue streams you should be thinking about:

• Streaming royalties (yes, they’re small, but they add up)
• Live performances (from house concerts to festivals)
• Merchandise (more than just t-shirts – think creatively)
• Teaching/workshops
• Licensing for films, TV, commercials, podcasts
• Session work or collaboration fees
• Fan funding (Patreon, Kickstarter, direct support)

For solo artists: You need systems. Even if it’s just a simple spreadsheet tracking your expenses and income, you need to know your numbers. You also need to treat yourself like a business – set regular work hours, create deadlines, and stick to them.

For bands: You need agreements. I know it feels awkward to talk about money splits and responsibilities when you’re just jamming with friends, but I’ve seen too many bands destroy friendships over unspoken expectations. Get it in writing, even if it’s just a simple document you all sign.

For producers: You need clear pricing and processes. What do you charge for mixing? For full production? How many revisions are included? What’s your timeline? Having these details nailed down makes you look professional and saves everyone headaches later.

Action steps for everyone:

1. Open a separate bank account for your music income and expenses
2. Create a simple monthly budget for your music career
3. Research the going rates for your services in your area
4. Set up a basic accounting system (even a spreadsheet works)

Pillar 3: Your Audience Connection

This isn’t about gaming algorithms or going viral. It’s about building genuine connections with people who resonate with your music. Quality over quantity, always.

The biggest mistake I see artists make is trying to appeal to everyone. You can’t. And you shouldn’t try. Instead, focus on connecting deeply with the people who genuinely love what you do.

For solo artists: Your advantage is that people can connect directly with you as a person. Share your story, your process, your struggles, and your victories. People don’t just want your music – they want to be part of your journey.

I have a client who started sharing short videos of her songwriting process. Not polished performances, just honest glimpses into how a song comes together. Her engagement skyrocketed because people felt like they were part of something special.

For bands: Your challenge is presenting a cohesive personality while honoring each member’s individuality. Some bands solve this by having each member take turns sharing content, others by designating one person as the primary voice. Find what works for your dynamic.

For producers: Your audience includes both potential artist clients and music fans who appreciate the craft of production. Share before-and-after clips, explain your techniques, show your workspace. Music nerds love this stuff, and artists want to work with producers who clearly know their craft.

Action steps for everyone:

1. Choose 1-2 social platforms and commit to showing up consistently
2. Share behind-the-scenes content regularly
3. Engage genuinely with other artists and fans (don’t just post and disappear)
4. Play live regularly, even if it’s just livestreams from your bedroom

Now that we’ve covered the three pillars, let’s get specific about where you should focus your energy right now.

If You’re Just Starting Out (0-6 months)

Priority 1: Artistic Identity (60% of your time) You need to figure out who you are as an artist before you can effectively share that with the world. Write songs, experiment with sounds, collaborate with other musicians. Don’t worry about perfection – worry about authenticity.

Priority 2: Basic Business Setup (25% of your time) Get the legal and financial basics in place. Register your artist name, set up that separate bank account, understand the basics of music copyright and publishing.

Priority 3: Initial Audience Building (15% of your time) Start sharing your journey, but don’t stress about follower counts. Focus on connecting with other artists at your level and sharing authentic content about your process.

If You’ve Been at It for a While (6 months – 2 years)

Priority 1: Audience Connection (40% of your time) You should have some clarity on your artistic identity by now. Time to focus on building genuine connections with fans and other artists. This is where consistent content creation and live performances become crucial.

Priority 2: Business Development (35% of your time) Start diversifying your income streams. Look into licensing opportunities, consider teaching, develop merchandise. This is also when you should start tracking your metrics seriously.

Priority 3: Artistic Growth (25% of your time) Continue refining your craft, but be more strategic about it. Collaborate with artists who challenge you, experiment with new sounds that still fit your identity.

If You’re Looking to Level Up (2+ years)

Priority 1: Business Expansion (45% of your time) You should be actively pursuing bigger opportunities – better gigs, sync licensing, potential label or management relationships. Your focus shifts from survival to growth.

Priority 2: Audience Development (35% of your time) Move beyond just building an audience to activating them. Turn casual fans into superfans. Develop exclusive content, VIP experiences, and direct revenue streams from your most dedicated supporters.

Priority 3: Strategic Artistic Choices (20% of your time) Every creative decision should be intentional. You know who you are as an artist; now make choices that serve your career goals while staying true to that identity.

Here’s what I wish someone had told me when I was struggling with these same questions: progress in music careers rarely looks like what you expect.

You might spend months building a following only to have one random song take off.

You might perfect your live show only to discover your real strength is in the studio.

You might think you need to move to Nashville or LA only to find your biggest opportunities are in your hometown.

The key is to stay flexible while remaining focused on the fundamentals. Keep developing your craft, keep building genuine connections, and keep treating your music like the business it is.

For the Solo Artists Fighting Isolation

Being a solo artist can be lonely. You’re making all the decisions, doing all the work, and sometimes wondering if anyone cares. Here’s what you need to know: connection is your superpower.

People want to support individual artists they believe in. Your job is to let them into your world authentically. Share your struggles and victories. Let people see the person behind the music.

Consider collaborating regularly, even if you perform solo. Co-writes, features, producer collaborations – these keep you connected to the music community and introduce you to new audiences.

For the Bands Navigating Group Dynamics

Bands have unique challenges but also unique opportunities. You have built-in support, multiple perspectives, and theoretically more hands to share the workload.

The key is honest communication and clear roles. Who handles social media? Who books shows? Who manages finances? Don’t assume everyone knows – spell it out.

Also, embrace your individual personalities within the group identity. Fans love getting to know each member, and it gives you more content opportunities.

For the Producers Building Behind-the-Scenes Careers

Producers often struggle with visibility because you’re not the face of the final product. But that doesn’t mean you can’t build a personal brand.

Document your process. Share the magic of how you transform a rough demo into a polished track. Music fans are fascinated by the technical side, and artists want to work with producers who clearly understand their craft.

Consider developing signature sounds or techniques that become your calling card. Think about how you can add value beyond just the technical work – maybe you’re great at helping artists find their voice, or you have a knack for arrangement.

Here’s the mindset shift that changes everything: stop thinking about “making it” and start thinking about building it.

“Making it” implies there’s some finish line where you suddenly become successful.

“Building it” acknowledges that a music career is constructed piece by piece, relationship by relationship, song by song.

Every song you write makes you a better songwriter.

Every show you play makes you a better performer.

Every fan you connect with genuinely is part of your growing community.

Every business lesson you learn makes you more professional.

Success in music isn’t about one big break – it’s about becoming the kind of artist people want to work with, listen to, and support over the long term.

Reading this blog post won’t change your career. Taking action will. Here’s what you’re going to do in the next week:

Day 1-2: Complete the artistic identity exercises I mentioned. Get clear on who you are as an artist.

Day 3-4: Set up or organize your basic business systems. Even if it’s just creating a simple spreadsheet to track expenses.

Day 5-7: Create and share one piece of authentic content that gives people insight into your process or personality.

Then, based on where you are in your journey, focus your energy according to the percentages I outlined above.

You might be reading this thinking, “But I’m already behind. I should have started this years ago.”

Stop that thought right there.

I’ve worked with artists who started at 16 and artists who started at 60. I’ve seen people build sustainable careers in two years and others who took a decade to find their footing. The only timeline that matters is yours.

What you should focus on right now isn’t what you should have focused on last year. It’s what serves your career best from this moment forward.

If you’re asking yourself “What should I focus on right now to move forward in my career?”, remember this:

Your music career doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. You don’t have to want the same things other artists want. You don’t have to follow the same path.

But you do have to be intentional. You do have to treat it seriously if you want it to be your livelihood. And you do have to focus on the fundamentals: know who you are as an artist, run your music like a business, and build genuine connections with your audience.

The path forward isn’t always clear, but it’s always there. Sometimes you just need someone to help you see it.

Focus on what you can control. Show up consistently. Stay true to your artistic vision while being smart about the business side. And remember – every successful artist you admire started exactly where you are right now: wondering what to focus on next.

The difference is, they didn’t let the uncertainty stop them from taking the next step.

Neither should you.

Ready to take the next step in your music career? Join thousands of independent artists, bands, and producers who get The Setlist – my weekly newsletter packed with free tips, resources, and actionable strategies to build a sustainable music career. No fluff, no overnight success myths – just real advice from someone who’s been in the trenches with artists at every level. Subscribe here and get this week’s career-building insights delivered straight to your inbox.

Photo by Daniel Wirtz on Unsplash