The Musician's Online Roadmap

Phase 1: The Foundations

This is about getting your basic identity in order. It's the boring stuff, but it makes everything else easier.

• ✓ Pick Your Artist Name: Make sure it's available on major platforms and as a domain name if possible.
• ✓ Brand Basics: Think about your colors, fonts, and general vibe. You don't need a pro logo yet, just a consistent feel.
• ✓ Core Social Profiles: Secure your name on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, even if you don't plan to use them all right away.
• ✓ Get a Distribution Account: Sign up for a service to get your music on Spotify, Apple Music, etc. (e.g., DistroKid, TuneCore). Focus on the service, not the endorsement.

Phase 2: Your Music Hub (Website)

Your website is the only place online you truly own. It’s your central hub that links out to everything else.

• ✓ Decide on Scope: Start with a simple one-page site (a "link-in-bio" on steroids) or a small multi-page site.
• ✓ Essential Sections: Every music site should have a short bio, your latest release (with links), links to socials/streaming, and a way for people to contact you.
• ✓ Hosting: Platforms like Carrd or Linktree are great for one-pagers. For more control, setting up a static site on a host like Firebase is powerful, free to start, and flexible.

Phase 3: Own Your Fan Data

Social media is rented land. An email or SMS list is something you own forever. Start building it from day one.

• ✓ Choose a Platform: Services like Mailchimp or ConvertKit have free tiers. The tool is less important than the habit.
• ✓ Create a Simple "Lead Magnet": Offer something valuable in exchange for an email. Examples: a behind-the-scenes video, a downloadable lyric sheet, a simple checklist related to your music.

Phase 4: Merch & Monetization

You don't need a garage full of t-shirts to sell merch. Dropshipping makes it easy to start with no upfront cost.

• ✓ Intro to Dropshipping: Use a print-on-demand service (like Printful or Printify) that connects to an online store. They handle printing and shipping when someone orders.
• ✓ First Merch Items: Start simple. A shirt, a hoodie, a hat, or a poster with a cool design is a great first step.

Phase 5: Content & Promotion

Now that your system is in place, it's time to tell people about it consistently.

• ✓ Be Consistent: Create a simple schedule for posts, short-form videos (Reels/Shorts/TikToks), and maybe even live streams.
• ✓ Promote Your Hub: Every piece of content should, in some way, point people back to your website, your email list, or your latest release.

Need help with a specific step?

If you're feeling stuck on setting up your website, connecting your merch store, or figuring out your email list, I can help. That's what the paid 1:1 service is for.