THE MONTHLY REPORT Curated insight + business resources for the discerning musician | Vol. V, No. VI |
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Building a music career isn't just about talent or skill—it's about strategy, creativity, and resilience. In honor of National Small Business Month, here are 12 ideas that have changed the way I think about my music career, my business, and the life I want to live. I hope they spark something for you, too. |
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- It’s not about doing more. It’s about knowing your capacity. What can you realistically take on without compromising quality? How much time, energy, and creative capacity do you have available?
- It’s okay if your music career doesn’t look like everyone else’s. To stand out in a competitive market, you need to know what sets you apart. Your uniqueness is your strategic advantage.
- Your identity is more than your instrument. You are more than what you do. To be human is to be multi-faceted. Maybe you’re a percussionist and a chef, a cellist and a marathon runner, a pianist and a writer. Embrace the “and.”
- Other people’s version of success is not the same as your version of success. Don’t make decisions based on what other people say, think, or expect you to do. What does success mean to you?
- Not every business needs to make six figures. How much do you need to make to support your lifestyle?
- You can be a musician and have a day job. This doesn’t make you less of a musician; it means you’re building a diverse skillset that can serve you well in the future. Sometimes, doing your best work as a musician means… not spending all your time being a musician.
- Imposter syndrome can be a good thing. Often, it means you’re pushing yourself to do something you’ve never done before. Acknowledge it, embrace it, and use it to fuel your next steps.
- Just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean you have to do it forever. You can change your mind, your goals, and your career at any time.
- There are different types of freedom: time, creative, financial, impact, etc. One may matter more to you than others. Choose your priorities and what you say “yes” to.
- Saying yes to something almost always means saying no to something else—often sleep, health, exercise, relationships, or leisure time. What’s the cost of saying “yes,” and what value does it offer?
- Track your time. You’ll never know how much to charge for your work if you don’t know how much time you’re investing.
- It’s okay not to know where you want to end up in your career. Find a way to start (pick one, any one), pay attention to what you love and what interests you along the way, and make decisions about where to go next as you encounter them.
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Bottom line? You don’t have to have it all figured out today. Start with one idea that resonates with you, and trust that taking small, intentional steps today will add up to meaningful change over time. Here's to playing the long game. |
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P.S. What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve received—or ignored? I’d love to hear it. Reply and tell me (I personally read every response!). |
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Here’s what you’ll find in this edition of The Monthly Report: - 📚 My review of Dorie Clark’s The Long Game
- 🤔 How to choose the right business structure—and why it matters for your music career
- 💵 How to pay yourself a steady paycheck (even when your income is inconsistent)
- 7️⃣ things I’ve learned about running a creative small business
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“Business success does not lie in growing something quickly and massively, but rather in building something that’s both remarkable and resilient over the long term.” |
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- 📊 Music Business Templates – Manage the business side of your music career with plug-and-play templates (e.g. legal contracts, bookkeeping, pricing calculators, email marketing), starting at $37.
- ♫ The Musicpreneur Model – A self-paced course + template suite to help you develop the business skills + mindsets you need to build and manage a diversified portfolio career in music.
- ✍️ Strategy Sessions & Consulting – Get 1:1 support to help you make strategic career decisions, refine your writing, or design a distinctive brand.
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P.O. Box 10146
Rochester, NY 14610-0146, USA |
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Copyright © 2020-2025 Ashley Danyew, DBA Musician & Co. All rights reserved. |
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