THE MUSIC

INDUSTRY
BABY STEP
PLAN
PRESENTED BY FULL CIRCLE MUSIC
 HOW TO USE THIS
DOCUMENT
This document outlines what we call the "Baby Step Blueprint." It is
a clear guide that shows you step by step how to accomplish
your goals to make it full time in the music industry.

In addition to our own experience as veterans in the music

industry, we have extensively studied hundreds of people who have
successfully made it full time in the music industry. We reverse
engineered their process to create this blueprint.

This plan is intended especially for creatives (those who wish to be

an artist, songwriter, music producer, session/touring musician, or
live sound engineer). There is an Appendix Section at the end that
offers additional specifics for each of these fields. However, most of
this process is relevant to any goal in the music industry.

While it is up to you how you want to approach your career, we

recommend going through each Baby Step one at a time. Each
Baby Step includes a checklist. Complete the checklist to move on
to the next step.

Best wishes on your musical journey!

— The Full Circle Music Team

BABY STEP 1
LAY THE GROUNDWORK
In the first baby step, it is time to get
committed.

The only way you will be able to accomplish

your goals is to get clear about what they are,
decide why they matter to you, and determine
a plan to get there.

This is also the stage where you decide WHAT

you want to focus on. Do you want to pursue
being an artist? Songwriter? Music Producer?
Live Sound Engineer? Musician who plays in a
band or in the studio? Feel free to choose
multiple fields to pursue. You can get more
specific later.

It is important to make sure that you are

supported and encouraged along your journey,
because it won't always be easy. Find someone
(or multiple people) in your life to push you and
hold you accountable to your goals.
BABY STEP 1
LAY THE GROUNDWORK
You can move on from Baby Step 1 when the following
have been completed:

I know what my goals are and I know why they are

important.

I have committed to a plan on a calendar to invest

consistent time into my music pursuits.

I have established a budget for my personal life, and I

have a plan to allocate finances to invest in music.

I have people around me who will support me and

keep me accountable.

I have decided what music industry “field(s)” I want to

focus on.
BABY STEP 2
DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS
& KNOWLEDGE
To be successful in the music industry, you can't
just be good. You have to be REALLY good.

Most people just get to the point where they are

"ok" or "good enough" at what they do. You have
to be in the top tier of people in your field.

This will take a considerable amount of work

and intentional practice, no matter which field
you are pursuing. The competition is stiff.

This is the stage where you want to make sure

you have basic gear. You don't need any
premium or "fancy" gear, but you want to make
sure you own or have access to what you need.

Make sure you take some of the money you set

aside in Baby Step 1 to invest in professional
training. This is the fastest way to improve your
skill, and it helps your reputation in the industry.
BABY STEP 2
DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS &
KNOWLEDGE
You can move on from Baby Step 2 when the following
have been completed:

I am exceptionally good at my craft. I would consider

myself to be within the top 10% in my field. People
want to work with me because they trust in my level of
talent. (See Appendix A to learn what skills each field
requires.)

I own the basic gear that I need to excel at my craft.

I have a deep knowledge of the music industry and the

community surrounding my craft. People can ask me
questions and I know the answers.

I have invested in professional training (high-end

workshops, courses, or private coaching)
BABY STEP 3
BUILD YOUR REPUTATION
To become a professional, you have to make
sure that others know that you exist!

Now that you have the skillset, it is very

important that you make it easy for others to
discover you.

It's time to get out into the world and do some

"real work!"

Most of the work you do will need to be for free.

Right now, we're concerned about developing
your portfolio, NOT making money (yet).

It's also time to get yourself a basic setup online

across most of the channels people would
expect to find you.

If it makes sense based on the field(s) you are

pursuing, it might be the right time to do an
internship.
BABY STEP 3
BUILD YOUR REPUTATION
You can move on from Baby Step 3 when the following
have been completed:

I have done a considerable amount of semiprofessional

work in my field (probably for free). See Appendix B to
learn what kind of work each field may require.

I have decided on a name or stage name for my brand.

I have a portfolio online that showcases my best work.

I have a basic online presence set up (website,

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube).

I have made some connections with other professionals

in the music industry.
BABY STEP 4
ESTABLISH YOUR MISSION
& BUSINESS PLAN
To become a professional, you have to treat
your career as its own business.

This is the time to get very serious about the

business side of the industry. No one is going to
hand you a salary. Making money and bringing
in a full-time income will always up to you.

In order to have a successful business, you have

to treat yourself as an entrepreneur (because
you are!).

Learn everything you can about starting a

successful business. This is the step where some
of the most critical mistakes are made in the
industry, because people don't put enough
effort into this step.

Do some extensive research, and then develop

a well thought-out business plan with realistic
expenses and revenue expecations.
BABY STEP 4
ESTABLISH YOUR MISSION &
BUSINESS PLAN
You can move on from Baby Step 4 when the following
have been completed:

I have developed an extremely thorough understanding

of business and marketing principles. I am prepared to
treat this business like a professional entrepreneur.

I have created a realistic business plan.

I have significant finances saved to launch my career.

I know my “brand story.” I know why my business

matters even though there are so many others out there.

Based on my strengths, I know exactly what specific field

I want to pursue in the music industry, and, if applicable,
I know what genre I would like to focus on.
BABY STEP 5
GO PRO
Now it is time to step into the big leagues.

After all of this preparation, it's time to work on

some very high-level projects.

In Baby Step 5, you're looking to enact your

business plan and begin making some real
money for the first time in this journey.

The other thing that you're looking to do is

attach your name to professional musicians
and companies (you may still need to do this
for free/cheap if it's a major opportunity).

You are in the professional world now, and it's

time to look the part.

Make sure that everything people find about

you online looks modern and extremely
polished. Don't give anyone any reason to
assume that you are anything but a legend in
the music industry.
BABY STEP 5
GO PRO
You can move on from Baby Step 5 when the following
have been completed:

I have completed or released work that I can honestly

say is worthy of the Billboard Charts. See Appendix C
for more specifics on what this might look like for each
music industry field.

I have worked professionally with several “big names”

in the industry.

I have a professional website.

When people search for me on Google, I am the first

result, and it is clear that I have a reputable online
presence just like any other established professional.

I am making money. My business plan is working!

BABY STEP 6
NETWORK WITH INDUSTRY
GATEKEEPERS
Most of your career is in your own hands. It
depends on your choices, goals, and execution.

However, the right connection in the music

industry is one of the quickest ways to move
some major levers in your music career.

In Baby Step 5, you became a pro.

Now, in Baby Step 6, it's time for industry

executives to meet this new pro. Your first
impression is critical, and you've been saving
that first impression for this moment.

But be careful and remember this: networking

is all about SERVING, not asking for favors.

Find ways to truly serve industry gatekeepers,

and the gates to things like radio, record deals,
major tours, artist collabs, awards, press,
publishing, etc. will open wide.
BABY STEP 6
NETWORK WITH INDUSTRY
GATEKEEPERS
You can move on from Baby Step 6 when the following
have been completed:

I personally know and am friends with many

professionals in the music industry, especially in those
related to my field.

I have had several formal meetings with industry

gatekeepers. After the first meeting, most want to
continue the conversation.

I have attended several professional music industry

events.

I either live in Nashville, New York, or LA (or another

major music industry city), or I find myself in one of
those cities very regularly.
BABY
STEP 7
LIVE THE DREAM
It has happened.

Maybe you're with a company, like a publisher

or a record label. Or maybe you're doing this on
your own (which financially, might work out
even better!).

Either way, you are living your dream. You are

full time in the music industry.

You can officially say you have "made it in

music."

Every day, you can wake up knowing that you

are making a difference in others' lives through
the power and impact of music. And every day,
you get to do what you love, surrounded by
awesome people.

Now, your mission is simple: Grow and scale.

Never stop reaching even higher.
BABY STEP 7
LIVE THE DREAM
Consider Baby Step 7 conquered when the following
have been completed:

I work full time in the music industry doing what I love.

I am able to make a comfortable living for myself (and

for my family if applicable).

I have a plan to remain relevant to the music industry

in the long term.

I have a business plan to see my income significantly

increase in the long term.

I am making a real difference in people's lives through

the music that I am a part of.
APPENDIX A
FOR BABY STEP 2
In Baby Step 2, these are the most critical skills you should master
based on the field you are pursuing:

FOR ARTISTS: FOR MUSICIANS:

Live show performance Versatile Instrumental Ability
Vocal Ability Musical Gear (based on your
Communication & Storytelling instrument).
Efficient Rehearsal
FOR MUSIC PRODUCERS:
Audio Software (Digital Audio FOR SONGWRITERS:
Workstation) Musical Creativity
Music Studio Gear Lyrical Structures
(microphones, instruments,
etc.)
Musical Arrangement
Programming (creating your
own sounds, tracks, and beats
through software)

FOR LIVE SOUND:

Analog & Digital Sound Live
Sound Boards
Live Music Gear (microphones,
instruments, etc.)
APPENDIX B
FOR BABY STEP 3
In Baby Step 3, this is the kind of work you should do for free or at
your own expense based on the field you are pursuing:

FOR SONGWRITERS: FOR MUSICIANS:

(Optional) Release your own Play for bands or for other live
original songs gigs
Write songs that get cut by Record and edit your own
another artist or organization instrumental parts for other
artists
FOR MUSIC PRODUCERS:
Record & Produce Projects For
Yourself (Originals or Remixes)
Record Projects For Clients

FOR LIVE SOUND:

Run Front of House mixing for
live gigs
Run Monitor mixing for live
gigs
Manage backline (stage gear &
setup) for live gigs

FOR ARTISTS:
Perform Live
Record & Release Music
Make YouTube Videos
APPENDIX C
FOR BABY STEP 5
In Baby Step 5, this is the kind of work, assets, and equipment you
should secure based on the field you are pursuing:

FOR SONGWRITERS: FOR MUSICIANS:

Write & pitch songs that get
cut on professional projects
Write with other professional
co-writers
FOR MUSIC PRODUCERS:
Work on and get credited for
multiple major label projects
Have access to a professional
workspace/studio
Get hired by professional artists
or companies to play on the
road or in the studio.
FOR LIVE SOUND:
Run sound for several
professional events/tours

FOR ARTISTS:
Get a professional logo,
photoshoot, EPK, etc.
Release a professional project
(EP, album, or series of singles)
Release a professional music
video
Get on the roster for notable
tours, festivals, events, etc.
Develop professional social
media accounts that are
growing rapidly.